After thinking hard and long, for her own sanity, Alia had decided to keep a safe distance from Denver Brooks. In the days that ca, she tried not to make any eye contact with him or be in the sa space as him. Denver, too, didn’t approach her, which was a huge plus, but there was so lingering disappointnt within her.
Ti passed by in a flash, and soon it was the day of the hiking trip.
"After such gruelling midterms, we are finally going to do so fun activities. Hiking in the mountains. Our school isn’t that heartless after all," Perry said while wiping a fake tear from the corner of her eye.
Alia only nodded in response, as she gazed out of the moving vehicle. Vlad was driving them both to their destination.
"Lia~ .... aren’t you excited?" Perry asked when she got no response.
"I am," Alia tried to sound cheerful.
Perry rolled her eyes, not believing her, "No, you are not. Is it~ ... is it because of that, Denver?" She whispered, covering her mouth with her hand, so that it was only audible to Alia.
"NOOO~ ..." Alia’s voice ca out loud, "I am excited. YEAAHHHH~~~~~" she said, and Perry burst into a fit of laughter, seeing her flustered.
"What are you girls talking about? Care to let in on your talk?" Vlad asked, while his focus remained on the road.
"Just so school stuff, Uncle Clinton. By the way, why didn’t sis Vienna co with us? Didn’t you say her college trip happens to be on the sa day, Alia?" Perry tried to shift the topic.
Alia answered, "Sister Ena said she was going with her friends and will et us there." Perry nodded in understanding.
Their car ca to a sudden halt as they reached the base camp. Other students from their school have already gathered. Actually, the school buses arrived fifteen minutes ago. Vlad and Ashley were adamant that Alia would go in a car instead of a crowded bus, which is why they ca separately.
The girls got out, said their goodbyes to Vlad and joined their classmates. Without any school uniform or extra pressure, the atmosphere was much more relaxed and chirpier. Everyone has been looking forward to this day.
"Ohk~ ... everyone," Janet started, "I know you all are excited for today’s hike, but there are so things I want you all to bear in mind, so listen carefully." As she was busy giving instructions, Alia looked around for Vienna, who was nowhere to be found. There were a few college students, but none resembled her sister’s friends, oddly enough.
"Alright~ ... now it’s ti. All of you, go and stand beside your team mber," Janet Doull said. Alia was still searching for her sister when soone cooed next to her ear, "Hey~ .... What’s up?"
Not expecting that, Alia got startled. She beca jumpy and, as a result, lost her footing. Shutting her eyes tightly, she braced for the impact which never really ca. Instead, she felt firm hands holding her. One was on her wrist, and the other was on the small of her back. She couldn’t even process what had happened when she heard that familiar, raspy chuckle. Her eyes flew open instantly as they landed on Denver’s clean face.
The mont was short-lived when Janet rushed her way and asked, "Alia, what happened? Are you hurt?"
Denver steadied her and took his hands off smoothly while Alia spoke, "Nothing, Ms. Doull. I am totally fine."
"Thank goodness, I thought~ ... *phew* ... Denver, you need to stick right beside Alia as her team mber, okay?" Janet instructed. Like an obedient child, he nodded.
’Team mber, what team mber?’ Alia thought. "You and I, we are a pair," Denver said, his voice husky. ’Is he reading my thoughts?’ Alia’s mind raced.
"Who said it?" she questioned, her tone a bit edgy. "Ms. Doull did," was his reply. "She had paired the two of us as a team. I bet you weren’t listening, class rep. So, inattentive of you."
Alia felt a headache coming. The trip has not yet started, and there has already been trouble. She wanted to talk to Janet to switch partners, but knew well that Ms. Doull would ask her for a reason. And of course, she couldn’t tell her, could she?
"Everyone, on your marks~ .... Go~ ..." Janet said cheerfully as the hike began, and everyone started moving. Alia, lost in her own thoughts, remained still. Denver called for her, but she didn’t react. Then, ever so effortlessly, he grabbed the cuff of her top and said, "Let’s get going."
Alia felt awkward; she wanted to let go that very second, but everyone was watching in their direction. And she didn’t want to create any scene, so she went with the motions. After walking like this for half an hour, and making sure that no one was near, she pulled her hand back and said, "I am not a child. I can walk on my own."
"Ummhmm~ ...." Denver just humd. He then grabbed her hand with a firm hold, "I am a child who hates losing. So, cooperate with ."
Alia was dumbfounded by this guy’s straightforwardness. Her eyes landed on their clasped hands, and the warmth seeping through them was making her palm sweaty.
Yes, she has been trying to avoid him. Yes, she did everything so she wouldn’t be near him, but he didn’t even put any effort into talking to her after the midterm results were out. He behaved just like how he was he did on the first day of school.
Perry’s words echoed inside her head, hamring other thoughts down. ’He likes you, Lia. He surely likes you to act so differently towards you. He likes you~ .... HE LIKES~~ YOU.’
"He is such an odd character, and she says he likes . There is no way he likes ," The last sentence, she blabbered out unconsciously, a bit too loudly. Denver’s steps halted midway. "What did you just say?"
Alia blinked rapidly, clearly flustered. ’Can he really hear my thoughts? Or, did I say it out loud?" her mind spiralled. Denver turned around and asked while looking straight into her eyes, "What did you just say?"
"I~ ..." Alia hesitated at first, but then decided to clear her head by asking him, once and for all. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves and finally asked, "What I said~ .... Do you~ ... like , Denver Brooks?"
To Be Continued . . . . . . . .
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