Everyone was dealing with the day before the day in their own way. We'd already agreed prior to today that there would be no meetings, training, review of plans, nothing. Even though no one was brave to voice it out loud, the urge to immerse ourselves in as much as normalcy as possible before the awfully close tomorrow was stronger than ever.

   Which was why Dorian still hadn't come back from Mr. Placca's music store since he left in the early hours of the morning. And why Landon was back at Ridgeton spending time at school and his family afterwards. Which was why Cami hadn't even come out of her room since breakfast, after announcing she was going to be catching up on her online mystery-thriller novels. And why Rav was also stagnant in his room, which had the pleasant scent of burning incense seeping through from time to time.

   Which was why I, for the most part, stayed cooped up in Dorian's room, reading and re-reading my comic books, savouring the victories of my favourite heroines and heroes over and over.

   And definitely not deluded into thinking that any of their out-of-this world luck would rub off on me.

   It was a nice day throughout. Despite the lack of any clouds in the clear blue sky, the sun was merciful enough to not radiate insufferable heat.

   Judging by the darkening sky now, everyone else should be wrapping up whatever they were doing and preparing to go to bed. I won't be surprised if Dorian came walking through that door right now.

   A sharp knock that gave the door a slight shake resounded in the room.

   That was fast.

   But wait... since when did Dorian have to knock to get into his own room? It's not like I'd locked the door or something.

"I'm coming, I'm coming,'' I mumbled, shuffling out the bed after a second knock erupted.

   I opened the door to find Camila on the other end, wearing a sweater over her pajamas and an unreadable stare.

"There's going to be a meeting behind the motel in a few minutes and everyone's attending. It's pretty chilly so wear something warm," was all she said before walking away.

   What happened to Me Time Day?

   When I reached the back of the motel, which had several sizes of trees scattered around, Cami was already there, carrying a bundle of sticks to a spot between two trees.

"Could you help find and arrange the sticks together?" Camila asked upon noticing me. "I thought it would be nice if we had a little bonfire during the meeting."

   While she and I were working on the final touches of the arrangement, Landon arrived with the needed items required to start the fire. Not too long after, Dorian and Aarav showed up, carrying some chairs I recognized from the basement as they approached us.

   Eventually, everybody was seated, surrounding the now vibrant fire in a circle. No one said a word. Speaking for myself, it was because I wasn't sure what exactly I was supposed to say. I still didn't even know why this meeting was organised, for goodness' sake. Or who organised it for that matter.

"I asked you all to come here because..." Camila sighed, shooting her glazed look toward the winking stars in the dark blue sky. "...because for our last night, I want us all to be together, even if it's just for a moment. Whether or not we make it through tomorrow, it is undisputed that our lives will never be the same. But until then, I just want us to have this moment. And at this moment, I would like us to get to know each other a little better. So, I was wondering if anyone would like to share something about themselves or even about someone else right here, right now. No judgement, of course."

   Seconds of no words and avoided eye contact passed, the irregular crackles from the bonfire not making the silence any less awkward.

"I'll start," Cami spoke up once more, clearing her throat before proceeding. "This whole experience has been terrifying, if I'm being honest. It has thrust me way beyond my comfort zone with respect to my living conditions, intellect, the people I surround myself with, the things I've done..." I noticed how her eyes drooped for a second after saying that. "In a strange way though, I've learnt to embrace it all. Especially the part where I got to not just know you all from school–except Landon and Talise of course– but to share this experience with you. There's no one else I'd rather experience this with. And I hope I'm not the only one who feels this way."

"No." Dorian's deadlocked gaze on the fire as he said that and, "You're not the only one."

   It was really weird seeing him express how he felt in everyone's presence. I mean, sure, he wasn't making eye contact with anyone, but comparing this Dorian to the one at our lunch table in Zavlon who barely said two words to anyone that wasn't Rav, he'd really come a long way. It took everything in me to not reach over and squeeze him in pride.

"I've always wanted to contribute to something bigger than myself," Dorian surprised me even more by continuing, "Obviously, this is not what I had in mind, but it's incredible nonetheless. And to be able to do it with you all, even more so. Tomorrow is going to be an unforgettable day and I, like all of you, am petrified as to how it's going to end. But even if the future disappoints us, know now that it would be an honour to fall with you all."

   It was then that I discovered that while I was listening, Dorian had taken my hand in his. He gave it a little squeeze, making the temperature of my cheeks equivalent to that of the fire his eyes were still locked on.

"I suppose that if there's a time to be real, it's now." Rav said, his sight gliding over us until finally resting on Camila. "Cami, I've loved working with you to formulate the perfect plan. But... before, like while we were still in Zavlon, I used to really dislike you for being a two-faced bitch."

"Rav!" I frowned.

"Hey," he held up two defensive hands. "We're supposed to be honest, aren't we?"

"As much as it hurts me to admit it, he's not wrong," Camila said. "I wasn't the best version of myself when in Zavlon."

"Yeah, a bitchy version."

   This time I didn't bother interjecting.

"You of all people, Beth, should back me up on this. She was among the many bullies you had during your short period in Zavlon. Also, you didn't let me finish," Rav was now looking at me. "You were a fake bitch too!"

"What did I do?" I shrieked. "Like you just said, I was the victim!"

"That may be true, but I can't believe you let egotistical, hormonal one percenters like us make you lose sight of who you are when you got into Zavlon. You allowed us to make you question yourself. If anything, you could have rubbed it in our faces by simply being the person that made the school board choose to be the only scholarship recipient out of a competitive lot, by simply being the obviously incredible inventor everyone will want a piece of in just a few years, by simply being you. But did you do that? No!"

   I could do nothing with my tied tongue. How was I supposed to respond to such a blatant truth? How does anyone really?

"And what are you laughing at?'' I turned to the direction of Rav's glare just in time to see the amused look on Dorian's face wipe clean off. "You were a fake bitch too! Being all rude and cold to Beth for the longest time even though I'm pretty sure you've liked her longer than that! Dorian, you know I love you, which is why I ask you this simple question: How cliche could you possibly be?! Damn!"

   I didn't bother to suppress my laughter like Dorian had done for me. Camila and Landon joining in only made it worse. Call me cruel, but it was nice to see him squirm for change.

"But," Rav sighed, his voice much calmer now. "Like i said, you all were... you know. I don't believe that this experience has birthed newer versions of ourselves. It has more of released parts of ourselves we already had but were too scared to show. You know, like a fake bitch would. Thank God we're not that way anymore, though. Well, except you Landon. You're still a fake bitch."

"Means a lot, Rav." Landon rolled his eyes.

"Okay, fine," Rav finally caved after my stern stare wore him down. "This kills me to admit, but I did promise to be completely honest. Landon, you've been a very valuable asset to our team so I suppose you aren't totally a fake bitch. Especially since you've finally gotten the hint that Beth's not into you."

"Shut up, Rav!" I was this close to clawing off the stupid grin he had on his stupid face. "I'm so sorry Landon."

"It's okay, Beth." Landon smiled. "I'm okay."

   The deeper tone that those last words held made me stare at him longer than I should have. Just like that, the memory of him and I outside the motel days ago was clear in my head.

"I suppose I should say something too," Landon said after averting his eyes. "When I first came into the picture, it was pretty clear I wasn't welcome– with the exception of Beth, of course. Despite everything, though, I'm glad I've stuck around long enough to come this far with you all. There's still a huge part of me that refuses to believe that all this is real, but my anxiety is doing a pretty good job of making me accept the truth. Whether tomorrow turns out to be good or bad, it doesn't change the fact that it is going to be an incredible day. I'm beyond honoured to be a part of what I personally think is history in the making."

   After a moment of silence, Cami, who was sitting next to Landon, rested her hand on his and smiled. "We're glad to have come this far with you. Like Rav said, you've been an incredible asset to this team. There are so many things we would have lacked without you. Which is why I would like to apologise for not trusting you from the beginning."

"I'm sorry too." Dorian nodded.

   Even Rav, after a few kicks, pokes and stick throws by Dorian and Cami, grunted out a "So am I."

   The grin plastered on Landon's glowing face warmed my heart. I couldn't be happier for standing up for him and giving him a chance when no one else would. Sure, he may have forced a confession out of me through threats to tell on us, but that only showed his genuine concern for Talise.

   Besides, I don't see anyone complaining now.

   Suddenly, everyone's gazes shifted from Landon to me, causing my stomach to flip. I knew this moment was coming. Everyone else had spoken after all so obviously, it was my turn.

   And yet, my head had never felt emptier than now.

   But then again, these were people I had already done a lot with and about to go through one of my greatest challenges in life. If something were to happen to me or them... I'd hate to think that I missed my opportunity to be open.

   So gulping my anxiety, I began, "When I look around, I see people who made a choice. A choice to claim such a huge responsibility despite the fear, anxiety, loss and changes that has come–and will surely come tomorrow– with it. A choice to not back down in the face of adversity but instead defend those without the ability to escape it. A choice to go through something that most people would never face for as long as they live. If what is being done tomorrow is not the epitome of heroism, then I cannot possibly imagine what is. Because when I look at every single one of you, I see all the amazing heroes I've been reading about for the longest time. I only hope that when you all look into yourselves, you see what I see; real-life heroes. Irrespective of how tomorrow goes down."

   Every bad feeling evaporated as I made eye contact with each one of them without flinching this time, glad to find smiling faces all around me.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Please don't forget to vote and comment 🥰!

Kind of sad I didn't make the Watty's shortlist, but congrats to those who did!