The final bell of the day rang, and I thought, Finally… time to survive in peace.
Ha. Wrong.
"Last class of the day," the teacher announced, "Advanced Outdoor Survival. Everyone outside."
The group shuffled to the courtyard. The sun was dipping low, casting long shadows over Black Hollow. Trees loomed like silent spectators, and I immediately felt the familiar itch of being watched.
Keifer fell into step beside me, calm as ever. "Try not to get us killed," he murmured.
"I could say the same," I shot back, side-eyeing him.
We reached the course: ropes, low walls, and shadowy corners designed for… something. A map lay on the ground, showing checkpoints with hazards labeled: Ghost Grove, Vine Trap Alley, Echo Woods.
"Your task," the teacher said, "is to reach the safe zone while avoiding the traps and completing challenges. You work in pairs."
I groaned. Of course. Jayfer.
"Lucky us," I muttered.
Keifer smirked. "Lucky you," he corrected.
Our first checkpoint: Ghost Grove. The trees whispered, long, hollow voices echoing our names.
"Stick close," Keifer said. "Step light. Move slow."
Easy for him to say. I tripped over a root immediately.
Keifer's hand shot out. He caught me again, holding me against his chest for balance. Everyone is watching, I thought, heat crawling up my face.
"Careful," he whispered, teasing. "You're making it too easy for them to notice you."
I jabbed him lightly in the arm. "I am not your problem!"
"You are my… chaos," he murmured.
I almost fell again laughing.
Checkpoint two: Vine Trap Alley. Thick vines swung like pendulums. One brushed my face. I swore. Keifer grabbed my wrist. "Eyes on the path."
"I'm trying!" I hissed, heart racing.
We navigated the vines together, Keifer guiding me with calm patience. Every brush of our hands sent sparks up my spine. The Crimson students watched from the sidelines, whispering. Nightthorns lingered in the shadows, judging.
Checkpoint three: Echo Woods. The whispers grew louder. My nerves frayed. I stumbled on a hidden branch.
Keifer caught me again, one arm around my waist, holding me steady. His breath tickled my ear. "You're hopeless," he said, smirking.
"I am not hopeless," I muttered. "You're just… making it worse."
He laughed softly. "I'm making it better. Trust me."
By now, everyone was watching. Bella squealed, Adrian whispered things I didn't want to hear, and Mila groaned so loud I thought she might faint.
Finally, we reached the safe zone. I fell against the ground, chest heaving. Keifer crouched beside me, hands brushing mine.
"Survived," he said simply, faint smile tugging at his lips.
I shot him a glare. "Barely. And you're responsible for half my near-deaths."
"Half?" he teased. "I saved you three times. That counts for something."
I groaned, letting him help me up. The class erupted into applause and laughter, teasing the chaos we'd created.
"You two are impossible," the teacher said, shaking her head.
Keifer's arm lingered near mine as we walked back. "Impossible together," he murmured, loud enough for only me to hear.
I rolled my eyes, but my cheeks burned. "You are so… infuriating."
"And you," he said, smirking, "are irresistible in danger."
I wanted to shove him into a tree.
Instead, we walked back to the cantine to have lunch, hearts pounding, faces red, and a crowd of students whispering Jayfer everywhere we went.
Last class of the day. Survival completed. And somehow, chaos won.