Sweety watched the way David defended Sara, her eyes widening. "I think Mr. Handsome likes Sara," she whispered.
Vicky nodded, his arms still around her waist. "He told me he's allergic to walnuts when we went to get food for you guys. Later, Sara said the same thing during lunch. There's definitely something going on between them."
"RIGHT!" Sweety gasped. "She told me once, when I asked if she liked you. She said she couldn't be in a relationship again."
Vicky frowned, confused, and glared at her. "What... Wait, does she like me?"
"NO." Sweety burst out laughing. "She said she doesn't like you. Who'd like you anyway?"
Vicky's arms tightened around her waist, his voice sharp. "What did you say?"
Sweety turned her face toward his, heart pounding. "I said—"
That was it. Vicky crushed his lips to hers. Sweety froze, her eyes flying open in shock. The kiss was deep, desperate, like he couldn't hold back anymore. Slowly, she melted into it, her eyes fluttering shut.
"HEY! Ms. Junior... wake up," Vicky hissed, shaking her.
Sweety snapped back from her daydream, dazed. 'Was that my imagination? Or real?' she thought, her cheeks burning.
She glared at Vicky, but her face was flushed crimson from the fantasy.
"What are you dreaming about? Why is your face so red? Did you dream about me, Ms. Junior?" he teased, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"In your dreams, Mr. Senior," Sweety shot back, flustered. "My face is red because of the sun."
Vicky glanced up. The weather was cold and misty. There was no sun. He looked back at her and grinned. "You know, you're really bad at lying."
Sweety glared harder. "I told you, it's the heat! Nothing else. Don't overthink it... Okay? Who even likes you?" she asked, annoyed.
"The whole campus," he replied instantly, puffing his chest with pride.
Sweety lost it. She laughed so hard she had tears in her eyes. "Oh my God... I can't. Please don't tell anyone that the whole campus likes you," she wheezed.
Vicky sighed. Sweety glanced down at her waist. His hands were still there. She looked into his eyes. "Can you take your hands off?"
Vicky immediately dropped his arms. "Sorry... I was just—"
"It's okay," Sweety cut him off. "We came here to find out about Ms. Witch."
"Why do you always call her Ms. Witch? She looks beautiful," Vicky defended.
Sweety's eyes narrowed. "Why... do you like Stella?" A beat. Then, teasing, "Wait... you said you like someone. Is it her?"
"No way," he scoffed, shaking his head. "I can't even imagine that."
She laughed again. "Then who do you like?"
'You', he thought, smiling softly. But out loud, he said, "Come on, we have to go. Sara's alone."
Sweety nodded.
_
Sara was resting inside the tent. David came back and watched her. The second he saw her, all his anger vanished. He gently brushed her hair back as she slept. "My Rabbit," he whispered.
Then it hit him — he'd kissed her in the pit. 'You didn't push me away when I kissed you. You only pushed me when they showed up. That means you still love me, Rabbit. Thanks for that hope,' he thought, a small smile breaking through.
He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her temple. "Rest. Don't wander off. It's cold outside," he whispered.
Sara's lips curved into a soft smile in her sleep, relaxing at his touch.
_
Outside the tent, Vicky and Sweety were stunned, their jaws on the ground. They'd just seen David kiss Sara. "OH MY GOD!" they both whispered in unison.
When David came out, they ducked behind the tent. He walked back to his own tent. Once he was gone, they both exhaled.
"That was close..." Vicky said. After a pause, he added quietly, "He loves her."
"Yes. But why are they like this now? Something must've happened between them. That's why she left when he arrived as a lecturer on his first day," Sweety said.
Vicky's eyes widened. "What? Really?"
Sweety nodded. "I have to find out why they broke up."
"I'm in," Vicky said.
They high-fived. "Let's do this," they said in unison.
_
In his tent, David scrolled through his phone gallery, looking at pictures of him and Sara.
One photo: 'he's tugging her hair playfully and Sara's making a hilarious face.' David chuckled.
Another: 'Sara holding his birthday cake, standing behind him to surprise him.' His eyes filled with love just looking at it.
Then one selfie caught his attention. 'Sara was hugging him, fast asleep on his chest like a baby. He had one arm wrapped around her, the other holding the phone to capture the moment.' David's eyes welled up.
Jake stepped into the tent. "Mr. David?" he called.
David quickly hid his phone and wiped his eyes before turning. "Yeah, Mr. Jake. What can I do for you?"
Jake nodded. "Actually, today was a disaster. We're leaving tomorrow afternoon, so I planned something for tonight to lift everyone's mood. What do you think?"
"That's a good idea. What's the plan?" David asked.
"Tomorrow we have the zipline and rope course. We can also play hide-and-seek. For tonight, we'll do a 'Music Stops Ball Toss' game. We'll stand in a circle, pass the ball while music plays. When it stops, whoever's holding the ball has to dance, sing, or tell a story. Last person left wins. What do you say?" Jake explained.
David considered it, then nodded. "Good game."
_
Evening. Everyone gathered back at camp and looked at Jake. He was holding a ball like a pro.
"Evening, guys. How's the josh?" Jake called out.
"High, sir!" everyone replied.
Sara, Sweety, and Vicky stood in the middle of the group. "Are you feeling better now? Or does the wound still hurt?" Vicky asked Sara, concern in his voice.
"I'm good now," Sara replied with a smile.
David watched them and felt a sharp stab of jealousy. Sweety caught his reaction and secretly gave Vicky a thumbs-up. Vicky smiled back, then glanced at David. David's eyes were dark — like he was ready to murder Vicky if he talked to Sara again.
Vicky paled under David's glare. Jake cut in, "Okay guys, now we're going to play 'Music Stops Ball Toss.'"
Everyone looked confused. Jake explained the rules again.
Everyone was surprised. "What do you say?" he asked.
"Sounds fun, sir! We'll play," everyone cheered.
Sweety got excited. "Wow, we're playing this! Come on, Sara!"