I take a step forward, before finally turning around. I force a frown and open my mouth to speak, but he cuts me off by saying, "For you," as he hands me a small bouquet of white water lilies, completely catching me off guard.

"Thank you," I reply hesitantly as I take them from him. Willow and the group fade off into the distance and I look up to face him. "For the record, I am only taking these because I don't want their death to be in vain."

"You and I both know that that is the furthest thing from the truth, seeing as you were all over me this afternoon," The corner of his lip curves into a smirk. "Had a change of heart?"

I scoff and laugh to myself, almost tripping over my foot into the tree behind me. I looked at him with slight irritation. There was nothing I hate more than having to explain to someone the obvious.

So I reply, "Something like that," and look back to the crowd. "Let's just say, I had an enlightening revelation." I look back at him and smile, followed by an eye roll.

"I don't get it...." He mumbles.

"You will, soon enough."

He studies me for a moment then lets out a laugh of his own. "Oh, I see......We are playing another game of yours aren't we?"

I hint, "Oh this is a game, but only one of us is playing?"

"Well, can you tell me the rules of this game?" He teases.

The irritation within me intensifies. "Now, where's the fun in that." I raise a cunning eyebrow and turn back to Willow who was calling him."I guess that's your cue."

He takes a few steps forward, eventually walking past me, but then stops and turns back to me, "This conversation isn't over."

"Most definitely."

He nods, "Mmmm...." and then walks off to the podium.

I let go of the breath I was holding and take my leave as well. I gulp whatever is left of the drink and toss the cup into the trash.

The sound of people around me was quickly replaced with the pounding of my heart. I was irritated and frustrated, to say the least, how dare he make a joke out of me like that and pretend like we're cool.

Halfway to the cabin, I lock eyes with Hayden, who is not surprisingly still by the refreshment table. She looks up at me horrified. She breaks away from the person and runs after me, mumbling, "Tae...I was just-"

I raise a finger and stop her. "Stop right there and listen. I'm currently at 2%, any explanations will be heard tomorrow. So, unless your next words are here's a pillow or here's a painkiller for your headache that no matter how hard you try is not going away." I waited for her to speak but she remained silent. "Great then, I will be on my way." I finish and give her a small smile.

I drop my smile and walk away, with nothing else in my head but my bed. My sleep was more than overdue.

The cabin is empty when I get there, which is great, though even if it wasn't that still wouldn't have stopped me.

I change into some shorts and an oversized tee, climb my bunk, snuggle into the blankets and take a not-so-safe amount of sleeping pills. Within a few minutes, I am fast asleep, to the point of no return because I didn't even hear when everyone else gets back.

                                *******

The next morning starts off well. The birds are chirping, the sun is kissing and the overall mood is great. Plus my headache is gone, so that's a plus.

I sit up and stretch, humming to myself slightly. Turning to my side, I see Suwi is still asleep. Willow and Hayden are gone, but the sound of the shower tells me one of them is up. Perks of being in this cabin—we have a bathroom to ourselves. The moment the singing starts, though, I know it’s Hayden, holding one of her infamous concerts. It doesn’t last long before chaos erupts.

Suddenly, she screams, "Ahhh!"

Suwi jolts out of her blankets, instantly in a defensive position. "Eh eh, finshifyo (what’s the problem)?" she shouts breathlessly.

Carefully, I walk towards the bathroom door and knock softly. "Hayden, is everything alright?"

"Tae... Tae," comes her panicked voice.

"Yes, it’s me. What’s going on in there?"

"You need to come in here with a large stick. There’s a gigantic snake on the floor by the door—"

My instincts kick in, and I leap back from the door. "Wha... what?"

"Did you just move away from the door?!" she shrieks.

"No..."

"Tae-eul James, I am your sister, and you were ready to leave me?"

"Well... in my defence—"

"Tae!"

"Okay, okay, I’m sorry. I can’t come in." I look around for something useful, but the biggest thing I can find is a suitcase. "Hayden, is there any chance you can... perhaps... move the snake away from the door?"

"Yeah, I can do that."

"Great—"

"Yeah, I’m just going to politely ask the snake to move aside," she replies sarcastically.

"Hey! There’s no need to be rude."

"If you’re not going to do something, get someone who will."

"Fine!" I turn to find Suwi, but her bed is empty. Scanning the room, I spot her already halfway out the door. "And where do you think you’re going?"

"I’m stopping you right there. Me and snakes? No."

"But she really needs your help."

"If it’s a life-or-death situation, why don’t you go in yourself? You know, since it’s so urgent."

"You know I would, but I have a deep phobia. I can’t."

"Then I’m sorry."

"Can’t you at least try? You don’t seem that afraid. You can do it."

"Me?" She points to herself, incredulous.

"Please," I beg.

"Where I’m from, we don’t mess with snakes anyhow. That thing could be a human being for all I know, and that would mean dealing with magic and spirits. I don’t mess with that realm."

"So you’re not even going to try?"

"Nope. I don’t want to get bewitched. Sorry. I wish you luck, though."

I walk back to the bathroom door to deliver the bad news. "Hayden, I’m so sorry. You’re a goner," I say calmly.

"All of you are losers. What am I supposed to do now? If this thing bites me, I could get seriously sick."

"I have an idea," Willow says, walking over to me.

Hayden shouts from the bathroom, "Please, I’ll accept anything."

"I’ll go outside and find a big stick. Then, you push open the door, giving Hayden enough time to run out, while I deal with the snake if it tries anything funny," Willow says confidently.

I drop my smile. "That sounds like a bad idea."

Hayden cuts in, "At least she’s coming up with ideas. I’m desperate. I’ll take anything at this point."

Willow steps forward with a grin. "Great, let’s begin."

I press my hands against the door, mumbling under my breath, "Help me, Tae." Meanwhile, Suwi joins Willow with a "stick" in hand. Relief washes over me until I see what she’s holding—a mere twig.

"This is the thing that’s going to protect us? A twig?" I ask, frustrated but calm.

"It’s the best I could find!" Suwi defends herself. "What was I supposed to do? Ask Mother Nature for better sticks?"

"You could’ve looked for fallen branches."

Willow interrupts. "Stop wasting time! Hayden is the priority here. Let’s make do with what we have."

Reluctantly, I nod and return to my position. My heart pounds as Willow counts, "One... two... three."

On three, I shove the door open. Hayden doesn’t waste a second and bolts out, jumping straight onto her bed.

I take off after her, leaving Willow by the door. She tosses the stick aside, smirking. "See? It worked. I’m amazing," she says, patting herself on the back.

"Hay, you good?" I ask.

"Yeah, I’m fine. Thank you both. I could just hug you!" Hayden says, standing with open arms.

Willow and I instinctively step back, our eyes locked on her belt.

"What do you mean? It’s just a hug—" Hayden starts, but Suwi bursts in.

"Hey, did you guys finally deal with the sna—" She freezes mid-sentence, her eyes on Hayden’s belt. "Nope. Not my belt, not my problem!" She bolts back out, slamming the door.

"Belt........?" Hayden repeats, looking down.

"Don’t!" I try to stop her, but it’s too late.

And just like that, the chaos resumes, ending with Hayden running after us while Willow locks the bathroom door, muttering, "No one goes in until I find someone to handle this."

That’s how the morning ends—with Hayden and me showering in the boys' cabin and Suwi disappearing until lunch.

"Hayden, don't!" I try to stop her, but it’s too late. Now the three of us are in a race, with Hayden charging after us, determined to make her point. Realising her plan isn’t working, she throws the robe into the air as she runs in a random direction, not caring that it’s the only thing shielding her naked body. I chase after her with a towel, mortified, before she can make it out the door and cause a full-blown scandal.

A few minutes later, Willow storms out of the room, slamming the door shut behind her. She locks it and mumbles breathlessly, "No one go in there until I find someone to deal with it."

And that’s how the morning ends. Hayden and I end up showering in the boys' cabin, and Suwi isn’t seen again until after lunch.

The atmosphere in the room remains tense as we gather for the afternoon meeting.

I’m still on edge, my instincts flaring every time I step out the door.

"Okay, everyone, the agenda for today is simple," Sebastian announces, standing at the front like he owns the place.

Hayden cuts in before he can continue. "No offence, but why are you heading the meeting? Where’s Willow?"

"She couldn’t make it. She said she had to deal with an urgent situation," he replies, ignoring the scepticism in Hayden’s tone.

Suwi, Hayden, and I exchange guilty looks. Hayden shifts uncomfortably in her seat, and I see the faintest shiver run through her.

Andre, on the other hand, lights up at the news. He jumps to his feet, grinning. "Does that mean we get a day off? Because I am all for it."

"Sit back down," Sebastian snaps, his glare sharp enough to cut glass. "We still have to stick to the schedule, even if Willow isn’t here."

Andre scowls but flops back into his chair. "Fine, but if it’s another hike, I’m out."

"It’s not another hike," Sebastian replies coolly. "And before any of you start complaining, remember you’ve already used up your free pass."

Murmurs ripple through the room, but Sebastian doesn’t pay them any mind. "We need to set up chairs in the main hall for tonight’s meeting. Setting up is mandatory, but attendance is voluntary." He glances at Suwi, who’s already giving him a pointed look. "And by ‘voluntary,’ I mean actually voluntary this time. Willow will join us later for the meeting itself. Any questions?"

Suwi raises her hand, but he deliberately looks elsewhere. Gathering his papers, he concludes, "Great, no questions. Let’s go, people. The sooner we finish, the sooner we’re done."

We shuffle into the main hall, which feels vast and eerily empty. The peach painted walls do little to make the space warm or inviting.

We start by arranging chairs into a large circle in the centre of the room, ensuring no one will feel excluded or hidden. Each chair faces inward, creating a space where everyone will have to look at each other, a daunting thought.

As we work, tension hangs in the air like an unspoken agreement. The scrape of chairs against the floor and the shuffling of feet are the only sounds being heard.

In the far corner, a snack and refreshment table begins to take shape. Andre and Suwi haul over large bottles of water, cartons of juice, and a selection of basic snacks; biscuits, fruit, and crisps. It’s modest but comforting.

The table is pushed into the corner, far enough from the circle to avoid being a distraction but close enough for anyone needing a quick escape or a distraction.

Halfway through the preparations, Willow arrives, her usual energy a welcome contrast to our sluggish pace. She dives right in, grabbing chairs and arranging them with ease. In no time, she’s added another layer to the circle, bringing the total number of chairs to about fifty.

As the clock ticks closer to the start of the meeting, people begin trickling into the hall. Some arrive alone, while others come in pairs or small groups. The noise level rises—a mix of quiet conversations, nervous laughter, and the clinking of cups as drinks are poured.

I watch as the circle of chairs fills, one by one, and suddenly, the room feels much smaller. The once-empty space now hums with anticipation, and the peach walls seem to press in closer.

This is my cue to leave.

I inch towards the exit, trying to slip away unnoticed, but Hayden grabs my arm, pulling me back. Her eyes dart down to the pamphlet on the page I had open about bus ticket prices to go back to school. She arches an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "You can't leave now," she whispers, her voice light but firm. "Not when things are just getting good." She steers us toward two empty seats, her grip on my arm both comforting and insistent.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Suwi with Sebastian, her arm looped through his as they make their way to the opposite side of the room. A smile dances on both of their faces.

My insides twist slightly, an uncomfortable knot forming in my stomach, but I push it aside, focusing on Willow.

At the centre, she starts the meeting with a bright smile, introducing herself and explaining the purpose of the club.

"Welcome, everyone," she says, her voice warm and inviting. "Before we begin, I would just like to remind you that this is a safe space. We're here to share without judgment, to support each other through whatever battles we each face."

She's the first to share. "We'll start with something simple. I'll say something, and I want you to follow suit. Hi, I'm Willow, and I am an avid people pleaser." The honesty in her voice sets the tone, and one by one, the introductions continue.

Andre, seated across the circle, speaks up next. "I'm Andre, and I'm a workaholic," he says, a hint of humour in his voice, though his eyes are serious. The group acknowledges him with nods and murmurs, and then it's Suwi's turn.

She straightens in her seat, her gaze distant as she says, "I'm Suwi, and I'm dead inside." Sebastian nudges her shoulder lightly. She flashes him a playful smile, then continues. "Oh, sorry, a broken dreamer." The words hang in the air, heavy and raw.

Sebastian goes next, breaking the tension with a half-smile. "I'm Sebastian, and I'm mostly here for moral support," he says, his tone light. "But if I had to share something, I guess it would be that I sometimes have no filter." There's a ripple of laughter.

Then it's Hayden's turn. She shifts in her seat, a little uncomfortable. "I have no exact reason for being here. I simply like the atmosphere," she starts, but I can see something flicker in her eyes. Which is me.

I avoid everyone's gaze and look at the roof. "I'm Tae, and I'm here because I need help dealing with an abuser." I look at Hayden, and she rolls her eyes. The attention shifts to the next person, and I let go of the breath I was holding.

I sit there, half-listening as people share their stories, my mind wandering. The sound of their voices fades in and out, and I can't help but think about how much Rocco would have loved this group. The openness, the rawness-he would have fit right in. A pang of sadness hits me, and I zone out further, letting the memories of him wash over me.

                       **Flashback**

Rocco trails behind me through the halls, his voice tinged with concern. "I honestly think you should reconsider."

I glance back at him, exasperated. "Oh my gosh, not you too. Was it Hayden? Is she the one behind all this?"

"No, it's not her," he defends, still following me as I move between my room and the library.

"Uh huh," I reply, sceptical.

"Okay, she may or may not have planted the seed," he admits.

"I knew it!"

"But I stand by it, Tae. You aren't happy."

I stop and face him, forcing a smile. "What do you mean? I'm surrounded by hundreds of books. How much more happiness does one girl need?"

He looks at me, defeated. "So... instead of being known as the old cat lady, you'll be the old book lady?"

"Exactly."

"Somehow that sounds sadder."

I roll my eyes and walk over to a shelf to continue stacking books. "Who says companionship only comes in the form of humans?"

He crosses his arms. "So... you're okay with having no one?"

"You're making it sound worse than it is. I'm not lonely, I have you, Hayden, Mum, Dad, and Melanie. That's more than enough."

"We don't count-we're family. And you haven't seen Melanie in years."

"Which best friends meet up every day? I'd rather have long calls every other week than rushed meetups."

He's silent for a moment, then asks, "But are you really happy?"

I turn around to meet his gaze. "Why won't you accept that I'm content with what I have?"

He opens his mouth to argue but then just sighs, handing me a stack of books. "Whatever."

"Thanks. Now help me organise my happiness."

As we sort the books, he speaks again. "You deserve great things, Tae, just like the characters you read about."

I try to respond, but he stops me by shoving a finger onto my lips. "You are an incredible human being who deserves more than this world has to offer. Yes, you can be annoying and frustrating most times-" I frown, and he changes the topic. "But you would burn the whole world down if any one of us got hurt. I know you're afraid of trusting people because you think they'll leave. After all, in your words, they always do."

"Rocco..." I murmur, my voice wavering.

"Well, guess what, I am hurt. It hurts whenever you say stuff like that, when I am a prime example that not everyone you love will leave you."

I force a smile and pull him into a tight hug, hiding the tears threatening to fall. "Thank you. When did you get so mushy?" I whisper.

"It's simple. If you're happy, I'm happy." He takes his sleeve and wipes my tears. "Look at who's getting mushy now," he jokes, but I can't shake the weight of his words.

                             **End**

As I sit there, half-listening to the others, a familiar emptiness starts to creep in. I close my eyes, and suddenly, I'm back in the library with Rocco. His voice echoes in my mind, 'You deserve great things, Tae.' The memory feels as real as the ache in my chest, and when I blink back to the present, the pain lingers, sharper than before. 'Oh Rocco,' I whisper, 'you fucking liar.'"

By the time I snap back to reality, the meeting is nearly over. Willow stands in the centre, holding up a withered cabbage. "This is Gabby, the moulding cabbage." "The idea is simple yet symbolic: even though something might look rotten on the outside, it doesn't mean it can't be saved. With every passing day, they'll peel away the bad parts until they reach the fresh, good leaves, signifying a new beginning for everyone in the room." Faint sounds of clapping fill the room, and all of a sudden, the room feels smaller, and it's harder to breathe.

As soon as the meeting ends, I'm on my feet, heading for the door. I need air.

Outside, the cool night air hits my face, and I breathe in deeply, trying to steady the swirl of emotions inside me. I take a seat near the campfire.

A few minutes later, I hear footsteps behind me. I turn to see Sebastian approaching, a small, gentle smile playing on his lips. "For you," he says, handing me a sunflower, the gesture so simple yet loaded with meaning. His eyes lock onto mine, and for a moment, I get even more confused.

In a whisper, I ask, "Why?" taking the flower from him.

"When I saw it, it reminded me of you." He diverts his gaze from me and gets lost in the fire.

"Interesting, you took one look at me and thought, 'sunflower?'" I turn the sunflower over in my hands, the bright petals are almost too cheerful, too hopeful. It's the kind of flower that always finds the light, no matter how dark the days get. I wonder if that's how he sees me or maybe, how he wishes I could be.

His words stir something deep inside me, and I feel a mix of emotions. attraction, anger, and a pang of guilt. I know I should pull away; he has a girlfriend, for fuck's sake. I shove the flower back at him and stand up.

"Sebastian, I want to, I really do, but this... this isn't right." My voice wavers, the sarcasm that usually shields me from moments like this nowhere to be found. "You can't just hand me a flower and say things.....like...like... like that. Not when Suwi's your girlfriend. It's messed up."

He blinks, confusion flickering across his face. "Wait a minute," he says, frowning slightly. "Let's rewind for a second. My what?"