Chapter 8
721 Words
The resort was ridiculously beautiful.
The main lodge stood tall against the backdrop of a pristine lake and dense pine trees, all golden in the late afternoon sun. The cabins—spaced just far enough apart for privacy but close enough for supervision—were nestled deeper into the woods.
The second the bus stopped, Emily let out a dramatic sigh. “Finally. I thought I was going to die in there.”
Selene smirked. “Tragic. Who would’ve given the eulogy? Me or Liam?”
Liam, slinging his bag over his shoulder, grinned. “Oh, definitely me. I’d make it poetic. ‘Here lies Emily Reyes, who died because she couldn’t sit still for three hours.’”
Emily kicked his shin.
Leo chuckled, closing his sketchbook as he stepped off the bus. “You guys are loud.”
Liam slung an arm over Leo’s shoulder. “You love us.”
Selene ignored them, scanning the cabins as Ms. Danielle, their teacher, handed out room assignments.
When she heard her name, her stomach dropped.
“Selene Veyne and Liam Carter—Cabin Seven.”
Selene stared at the paper. Then at Liam.
“No,” she said immediately.
Liam smirked. “Aw, come on. Don’t sound so excited.”
Emily stifled a laugh. Leo raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Ms. Danielle had already moved on, leaving Selene with no way to argue.
“Guess we’re roommates,” Liam said, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
Selene groaned. This trip was already a disaster.
---
The inside of the cabin was small but nice. Rustic wooden walls, two twin beds, a stone fireplace, and a single window overlooking the trees.
Selene dropped her bag on the nearest bed and sighed.
Liam leaned against the doorframe, watching her. “You gonna kill me in my sleep, Veyne?”
“No promises.”
He smirked. “Noted.”
She moved to unpack, but then—a thud.
Something fell from the top shelf of the closet, and before she could react, it hit her shoulder, knocking her off balance.
Selene stumbled—right into Liam.
His hands caught her waist instinctively, steadying her before she could fall completely.
She exhaled sharply, suddenly very aware of how close they were.
His grip was firm. Warm.
She felt his breath against her cheek, her hands pressed against his chest.
And worst of all? He wasn’t moving away.
Her pulse kicked up.
Liam smirked, voice lower than usual. “If you wanted to throw yourself at me, Veyne, you could’ve just asked.”
Selene scowled. “Shut up.”
But she still hadn’t moved.
Neither had he.
The air thickened. His fingers curled slightly at her waist, like he was testing something.
Her breath caught.
Liam’s eyes flicked to her lips. Just for a second.
And then—
“Everyone, meet by the main lodge for the tour!”
Ms. Danielle’s voice cut through the moment like a knife.
Selene jerked back immediately, her heart racing.
Liam exhaled, running a hand through his hair. Then—of course—he grinned. “Saved by the teacher.”
Selene glared. “Shut. Up.”
Liam laughed, grabbing his bag. “C’mon, Veyne. Try not to think about me too much.”
She threw a pillow at him.
This trip was going to kill her.
"Seleneeeeeeeee!!!!!!"
Selene winced as she thought probably even the bears in the forest heard that.
It took a few more seconds for Emily's red blushing face to come into view.
She's got one loud voice for someone so small.
"Oh my god, Leo exchanged cabins with my roomie"Emily said as she pounced towards Selene.
"Tch. Smart move" Liam clicked from behind.
---About 40mins later---
"And this is the hot spring" The resorts staff said as he showed us to a place that was veiled by dangling vines with flowers.
+10 for effort. This place looked amazing.
"We also have a private jacuzzi at the side cabin over there" He pointed at a cabin to the far right of where we stood.
"I can imagine a lot of fun activities that could happen here" She didn't know when but Liam had drawn close. Extremely close.
Selene closed her eyes and willed her hormones to behave.
This trip had an outline of disaster, she thought.
- Writer
