A/N:

Happy reading!

<3

We had only been in the cave for around ten minutes, but already it felt like it was a hundred degrees.

"Gosh, it's hot in here," I say.

"I brought water," Sam says, pulling out a black hydroflask™. "For myself."

"Good, I don't want to share with you."

"Do you want water or not?" She says, unscrewing the cap.

"Not from you."

"Suit yourself." Sam takes a long drink of the nice, cold water. Realizing how thirsty I am, I watch as she swallows the water, closing her eyes and sighing to taunt me. I guess she can see the longing in my eyes because she stops and says, "What?"

"Nothing," I say, quickly turning away.

"You're staring at me."

"I'm not."

She grins. "You want some, don't you?"

"No, I don't."

The cave only gets hotter, and Sam looks stressed out. My eyelids get heavier every time I blink, making it harder to stay awake. I rest my head on my hands and give in to a peaceful sleep.

I wake up only a few minutes later forgetting where I am, and jump a little, startled that Sam is sitting so close to me.

"You good?" Sam says, raising her eyebrow.

"I'm fine. I just had a bad dream."

"You were sleeping? In the cave?" She says, fully turning to face me.

"Um, yes, where else would I be?" I say. My body feels like it's been lit on fire.

"No, Victoria. You should be more careful." Something about the way she says my name makes me want to keep talking. Her face is illuminated eerily by the dull light of the flashlight on the floor.

"Why?" I press.

"You could've died."

"From sleeping?!"

"Dehydration." She unscrews her water bottle and hands it to me. "Here. There's only a little left."

"Why do you care so much?" I ask. Her face momentarily changes to one of shock, but quickly switches back to normal.

"I don't," She says slowly, carefully choosing her words. "But I'll look bad if I let you die." 

Oh, Of course, she's worried about her image.

I bite my lip. "Sam, I'm not going to take all your water."

"Victoria, just drink it."

I stand up. "What about you?" I ask.

"I'll be fine, I drank some this morning."

"Sam, no." I lean against the wall.

She stands, studies me for a second, clenches her jaw, and then looks away.

"You're drinking it whether you like it or not." She says in a low voice.

What?

Sam unscrews the cap and pours the rest of the water into her mouth. Then she appears in front of me, her hands on the wall, blocking me with her arms.

She holds my chin with her strong hand, tilting my head slightly to the side. What is she doing?!

            Then Sam leans in and presses her mouth onto mine, opening it with her own, sending a cascade of warm water into my mouth and dripping down my chin. My eyes widen and I almost fall, but her strong arm snakes around my waist, making me swallow the water. 

My knees go numb as she traces my jaw with her fingertips. Her warm body nicely contrasts the cold and wet stone wall of the cave and the hand on my jaw slides to my hip as she pulls my body closer to hers, making my heart race and my insides burn. Holy sh!t. 

My mind finally catches up to my body and I bring my hands to her chest, pushing her away a little.

What the heck just happened?

" . . . Sorry," She finally says, her gaze fixed on my mouth. 

She looks at me as if she doesn't know what else to say and pulls her hands off my hips. I stare at her, as the rocks start to crack and move, opening the cave chamber and letting cool air in. A flashlight blinds me and Chlo's face appears.

"Victoria? Sam?" Chlo says, stepping into the rocky room. "Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

I just stare at her, my face blank, unable to form any words.

"Everyone's leaving, how'd you even get in here?"

The bus ride back to the campsite is long, quiet, and full of awkward glances. We returned to camp way after midnight, and I could hardly see anything while we got ready for bed in our cabins. I don't dare bring out my flashlight for fear of making eye contact with Sam.

⚢