Chasing The One I Pushed Away

No Rules, Just Us

The next morning came fast, too fast

Mila barely slept after the late-night walk with Liam. Her heart had been on overdrive since she got back to the room, head filled with everything they’d said—and more so, everything they didn’t say.

Now, the sun peeked into the dusty curtains of the lodge room, and someone was shaking her shoulder gently.

“Wake up, sleepyhead,” Elena said, grinning. “Today’s the big outing. We’re hiking up to Sky Hill, remember?”

Mila groaned but rolled off the bed, grabbing her toothbrush and heading outside to freshen up. The crisp mountain air kissed her skin, and she had to admit—it felt good to breathe. Clean. Sharp. Free.

Once everyone had eaten a simple breakfast of bread and hot cocoa, the teachers gathered them all for the hike.

“Everyone take a bottle of water, wear your strongest shoes, and stay with your group!” the supervisor, Mr. Kanu, shouted over the chattering crowd.

Milaa stuck close to her girls. But out of the corner of her eye, she could see Liam walking just a few steps behind. She tried not to let it affect her, tried to ignore the flutter in her chest.

The trail to Sky Hill was steep in places but surrounded by breathtaking beauty—tall pine trees, chirping birds, and soft rustling wind that made the whole place feel enchanted. The kind of place where secrets didn’t stay hidden long.

Halfway through the hike, they stopped for a break.

“Yo,” someone shouted, “let’s play a quick game!”

Someone pulled out a card deck and everyone gathered in a circle on the forest floor. A truth-or-dare spin was announced, but with a twist: whatever you picked, you had to do—or lose your phone for 24 hours.

That made everyone quiet.

Mila sighed. “Who comes up with these things?”

“It’s tradition,” Liam said suddenly, from right across the circle.

She narrowed her eyes. “So you’ve done this before?”

“Maybe.” He gave her that half-smile again.

Her heart stumbled.

When it got to her turn, the bottle landed on her, and the question card read:

“If you could kiss someone here without consequences, who would it be?”

Gasps, whispers.

All eyes on her.

Keisha blinked. Her stomach twisted.

She reached for her water bottle and calmly took a sip. “I’d kiss… the trees. Because they’re the only ones that listen.”

The whole circle broke into laughter.

Liam? He just stared, no smile. Just that same deep gaze.

Someone muttered, “Smart dodge.”

The hike continued. And this time, Liam walked beside her, not behind, not far, just right next to her.

“You didn’t answer honestly,” he said quietly.

She shrugged. “You think you know what I’d say?”

He didn’t reply. He just kept walking.

When they reached Sky Hill, the view was unbelievable. A wide, open cliff overlooking rows of trees and a glistening lake far below. The students whooped and took pictures. Mila found herself sitting at the edge of a small rock ledge, wind blowing her braids gently.

Liam joined her again.

“This feels like the kind of place you remember for the rest of your life,” he said.

Mila didn’t answer. Her heart was too full.

They sat like that, quietly taking in the view. Then Liam spoke again, voice low.

“Do you think people ever really stop loving someone?”

She turned her head slowly. “That’s a heavy question.”

He nodded. “I keep wondering if I ever stopped, or if I just got scared.”

Her breath caught. “Scared of what?”

“Of how much I liked you, of how serious it started to feel. I thought I had time to play around. I didn’t know I’d lose you.”

Silence.

Then she whispered, “You didn’t lose me. I just stopped waiting.”

He looked at her then. Really looked. “Are you still waiting?”

Mila blinked back tears. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m walking slowly so you can catch up.”

His hand found hers.

Their fingers laced together like it was always meant to be.

No one said anything. But something had changed.

The hike back down was faster. The teachers had something else planned for the evening—an indoor dinner and game night. Everyone rushed to shower, change into cute outfits, and take pictures in their room mirrors.

Mila wore a light orange gown that hugged her softly. Simple, but it made her feel beautiful. When she stepped out, Liam was already outside, waiting.

“You look…” he paused, eyes lingering. “...brave.”

She smiled. “That’s a new one.”

At the dinner, students sat around one long table, candles flickering in the middle, music playing low. Laughter filled the air, and even though there was no wine, everyone acted like they were tipsy on freedom.

Liam pulled out her chair.

“You don’t have to—”

“I want to,” he said.

She sat.

The food was good. But the glances were better. Between jokes and games, they kept finding each other’s eyes and Mila could feel it again—the old connection.

But new, grown, and more real

When it was time to go to bed, Keisha stood by the door a little longer than usual.

“Goodnight,” she said.

“Wait.” Liam stepped closer. “One more thing.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded note.

She opened it slowly.

"I don’t need a dare. If I could kiss anyone here, it would still be you. Always you."

Her breath hitched.

Before she could reply, he was already walking away, hands in his pockets, quiet confidence in every step.

And Mila ? She was standing there with her heart on fire.