May's POV

I woke up to the sunlight streaming in through the windows despite the presence of the curtains. I opened my eyes and blinked a few times for my eyes to get adjusted to the bright golden light and then yawned. I looked to my right to see Dawn in a deep slumber. I remained in my bed for a few minutes thinking about the recent happenings in our crazy school life. Unconsciously a smile found its way to my lips thinking about the person around which my craziness apparently revolved. Shiny green hair, bright and shrewd green eyes...

"Mmm May, what time is it?" Misty asked in a croaky voice.

"7:30, time to get up I guess." I replied.

Misty and Leaf climbed down and went towards the two separate bathrooms among which one was only used for showering. I looked towards Dawn and frowned, why was she so heavily asleep even after the talking and shuffling? I was quite loud. Didn't she get much sleep at night? These thoughts got me nowhere so I got up and occupied one of the bathrooms after Misty came out first. They dressed up while I showered and brushed my teeth. Dawn was still sleeping when I returned and I could see Misty and Leaf outside taking in fresh air. I smiled, those two really were best friends weren't they?

In all honesty I didn't want to wake up Dawn, she looked so peaceful while asleep. I imagined Paul having humongous patience while putting up with her chatter. The thought made me chuckle. I slowly brought my hand down and brushed a strand of midnight blue silky hair and put it behind her ear. Dawn stirred and I drew my hand back. She slowly opened her eyes and stared at me for a few seconds without blinking. I stared back. I knew Dawn took a few moments to remember her surroundings every morning and I thought it was quite cute.

"Who told hi yesterday night when we were near the tree?" Dawn muttered almost inaudibly but I managed to hear it.

"What?!" I asked, totally confused.

What tree? Muttered "hi"? Who? What was she talking about? Suddenly I put my hand on her forehead to see if she had fever but no, her temperature seemed perfectly fine. As if realising something she slowly got up and dragged herself towards the bathroom. I frowned for some time and then shrugged. Maybe she had a weird dream...?

Our teachers had asked us to make ourselves breakfasts and lunch while we were at camp. Well, I didn't mind at all since I did enjoy cooking. As for the ingredients it had to be collected every morning from a separate tent for food storage. Since I was cooking I went outside and towards the tent wondering what I should make. I also wondered if Paul would be the one to cook for the boys? And I was right! There he was strolling towards the tent, hands in pockets. I waved at him cheerily and he gave a small smile back.

"Good morning Paul! You guys had a good sleep?" I asked.

"Y-yes May we slept perfectly well." He replied.

I frowned again. Did he just stutter? Nevertheless we approached the tent and were greeted by the amazing sight of fresh vegetables everywhere. I skipped towards them happily having made up my mind to make the most delicious and fresh sandwiches and omelettes ever. Paul followed me, gazing thoughtfully at them.

"I take it that you are the chef?" I asked him while selecting bright red tomatoes.

"Who else? Not in the mood to give the kitchen to destructive hands." Paul said dryly while picking up and examining a carrot which was undoubtedly the best choice.

I chuckled. It was true anyway. We roamed around for a few more moments selecting this and that and debating over the best looking lettuces. A few other students too were excitedly selecting things. I smiled thinking how much everyone were enjoying this new kind of life.

"Drew would give me a hand in cutting veggies though, he's good at it." Paul said.

I looked at him and smiled since it was true. Drew was exceptionally good with knives.

"Who is good with knives? Is someone planning a murder?" An amused voice asked.

"Ah speak of the devil, good morning Drew." I said.

"Morning May." Drew wished while approaching towards us with a smile towards the eggs section where Paul said I were standing.

"Feel fresh in the morning Drew?" I asked while selecting some fresh looking eggs, perfect for half boil and going with some light fried asparagus.

"As fresh as the vegetables here." He replied.

I smirked. Showing a concerned face I said, "Oh, then you gotta be careful so that someone doesn't pluck out your hair thinking they are cabbage leaves!"

Paul put his hand over his mouth to hide is laugh and turned his face away but his slightly shaking shoulders gave him away. I burst out laughing while Drew had an amused look and then he too started chuckling. We finished selecting things for our breakfast and came out of the tent.

"Well then May, I'll be heading back! See you later." Paul said and strode off towards his cottage along with the basket containing vegetables. I looked around for Drew. Where did he go? While I was just turning back I felt something being pushed into my hair. Startled I skipped a couple of steps back and turned to see Drew looking at me with a smile. I didn't need him to tell me that it was a rose adoring my hair. I put my fingers to feel the velvety petals and sure enough I felt them.

"Where'd you get this from?" I asked him softly, caressing the petals with the ever familiar warmth on my cheeks.

"Have my ways, don't take it out though.....they...uh...look good on you..." Drew said awkwardly looking away.

Something flipped in my stomach as the realisation hit that he had
complimented me. The sudden strong urge to rush forward and hug him shocked and scared me. My inner voice reminded me acidly that anyone could see and have the wrong idea now but my heart didn't listen. The inner turmoil raged on but it didn't affect me from outside, I didn't falter this time, I didn't care this time nor did I think of the aftermath. An invisible strong force pushed my legs forward even before I realised, as if I didn't have any control over my body. I numbly strode forward. My hands rose above on their own and touched his cheek. Drew's eyes widened but he too didn't budge, as if he was paralysed in his spot. Before I realised what I was doing I rose to my tiptoes and caressed my lips on his soft cheek. It was a light kiss. Then realization hit me what I had done. I stepped several steps back. I didn't turn to look at his face. I didn't need to, I didn't want to. Drew remained standing while with a red face that could put the tomatoes to shame I sprinted forward towards the cottage.

Drew's POV

For several seconds after May ran away I didn't budge an inch. I stayed rooted to the spot. Did she just...? My mind played the event over and over again reminding me how adorable her face looked, cheeks painted with my favourite colour. Then something stirred inside me and realization came gushing down that May had just now kissed me! My lips curved into a huge smile and I was sure my cheeks were red. She liked me! She truly did! Otherwise she wouldn't have kissed me right?! I suddenly felt like a five year old who had just received his Christmas gift. The grin wouldn't go away. After some moments I felt like an idiot for grinning stupidly like that on my entire way back to the cottage. What if someone saw? What'd the think? But my mind didn't cooperate with me at all to care about petty things like that.

"You look as if you got a girlfriend."

The blunt statement made me splutter water everywhere which I had just started drinking after entering the cottage. Apparently it was Paul. He gave me a bewildered look and I gave him a same look back. The only sound was the sizzling of something that he was frying.

"Don't be an idiot! You saw me not even ten minutes ago." I defended.

"But something good definitely happened by the look of your face." He remarked.

"Nothing happened." I muttered.

"Not convinced but I won't force you to tell." He said again.

"As if you can make me if you tried." I challenged.

"Tsk tsk don't make that mistake, rather enjoy your moment as long as it lasts." He said with a smirk.

"Shut your mouth and tell me what I have to do." I snapped.

"Compose yourself, that's what you need to do. Look you are trying to cut the carrot with the opposite side of the knife." Paul said with a humourous glint in his tone.

"I know." I muttered, turning even redder.

Paul chuckled. "Sure, sure."

We worked for a moment in silence. My mind went haywire again about what I was supposed to do about the incident that morning but I thought that it was useless to ponder over it. We finished breakfast and headed out as the professors were already calling us out.

When we stepped out, we met up with the girls and after seeing Dawn, the first time today my mind replayed the very weird and eerie incident of yesterday night. Right, except Dawn, Paul and me no one knew about yesterday night. Well not that they needed to know anyway. Dawn looked kind of pale. Ugh! I guess yesterday's incident was still frightening her. I looked towards Paul and saw a frown on his face too. Surprisingly May seemed calmer than I thought. She looked at me and gave a somewhat bright and shy smile. She strode towards me and whispered.

"Something is wrong with Dawn, she isn't sick because she ate perfectly fine and no temperature at all but its as if something is scaring her." May said, worriedly.

Though I knew the answer perfectly I hesitated to tell her thinking that I'd scare her too but Paul beat me to it. He called May to a side and after about five minutes they returned, May with a bewildered look on her face.

"Why'd you tell her that?!" I snapped.

"She'd have found out anyway. Besides she's Dawn's best friend. She might be able to calm her down." Paul reasoned.

I didn't argue or to be more specific couldn't argue against that. May looked worried but strode towards Dawn. After about ten minutes when all the students had gathered a professor started speaking,

"Good morning students. I hope you slept well last night. Since we are at the Eterna forest there is no way we should waste our time with doing nothing useful. So the teachers and I have arranged for a small assignment for you all. You all will be divided into groups of four and each group will get a map. All of the groups will be assigned to find four kinds of plants found in the Eterna forest. Two of them are poisonous and two are medicinal. You will be given the pictures of the plants and on the assigned time you will find the respective plants and bring them here and put on a small chart displaying the plants and some written characteristics of the plants. You have learnt about them in your school and the plants are so chosen that you won't have to go too deep inside the forest. Please make good use of the map and avoid getting lost. Hope you enjoy. Also please don't forget to prepare and take lunch with you before heading off. Your time limit is upto five in the evening. Please make good use of this activity to learn and a trophy will be waiting for the best presentation. That's all. Thank you everyone. You may now proceed to make your preparations."

Before anything else registered into my mind I thought of only one thing. We had to go into that forest again.... Shaking my head, I sighed. Fate really was something....