Under The Stars

Chapter 13

ZIA’S POV

I had just finished spreading the bed. I was now staring out of the window as Keith placed away the bags. The view was breathtaking. There was an aura of calmness in the trees. I could hear the branches squeak softly as they swung side to side in the cool evening wind. The sun was setting, and the sky was filled with a magnificent orange color. It was beautiful.

Maybe accompanying Keith here wasn’t such a bad idea. My thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the door opening. One of the guys from Keith’s team stuck his head inside and said “hey, we are going to the woods for a bonfire. You are coming?”

“Yeah we will be right there.” Keith answered and the guy left.

“Do you want to go?” He asked me, walking towards where I was standing.

“I would rather not stay here alone.” I answered.

“You wouldn’t be alone, I would stay back too if you didn’t want to go.” He offered.

“Actually no. I want to go, it will be fun right?” I asked. In all honesty, I was scared. I had never been to such a setting before and only hoped that all would be well. Strangely though, I felt safe knowing Keith would be there if though I had only known him for two weeks?

“Yes it will be so much fun.” He said smiling. Oh goodness, I loved his smile.

“Okay, let’s go.” I said heading towards the door.

“One more thing Zia,” he called out.

“Yes?”

“Please don’t mention to anyone that am sleeping on the couch.” He said in a soft voice.

“I won’t, if you also don’t tell anyone that I have never been to a camp before.” I said before heading downstairs to where the rest of the team was waiting, Keith walking briskly behind me.

Everyone walked out, some hand in hand with their girlfriends. Others were alone and only held bottles of beers in their hands as we headed somewhere south of the cabin into the woods.

It was dark now but the moon light was bright enough. The sky was clear and millions of stars were spread on it. Soft wind blew past the trees which made me shiver a little; I had only worn a light sweatshirt.

“Are you cold?” Keith asked, apparently he had seen me shiver. He sure was a keen person.

“Just a little bit.” I replied meekly.

“Here have this.” He said taking off his jacket.

“Oh no, I will be fine.” I said trying to stop him from giving me the jacket.

“Miss Brown, I insist.” Damn! He sounded so demanding yet sexy. I couldn’t argue further so I let him place the jacket on my shoulders. He then took my hand and we walked quietly with the rest. Only then did Liam’s words ring in my head. Did I like him? Hell, I think I liked him. Oh no!

After walking for like twenty minutes, we came to a spot which looked like a table mountain. The grass was short and green and flowers grew all around. It was beautiful.

The guys quickly lit the fire and soon enough everyone was seated in a circle around the fire. Everyone seemed to be busy chattering except for Keith and I. For some reason, we sat side by side none of us speaking. I stared deep into the burning wood and how the flames consumed the wood.

“Come-on guys let’s play a game” Keith’s friend, who by now I knew his name was Jason shouted.

“Yes let’s do it” almost everyone shouted back in unison.

“Let’s play a dare game, you either do the dare or take five shots of gin.” He said raising a bottle of alcohol in the air and everyone cheered excitedly.

“We’ll start with you Katie.” He said to one of the girls in the squad.

“I dare you to make out with Keith or take the shots”

“What?” I gaped out loudly. Everyone looked at me.

“Do you have a problem with that?” Jason asked.

“No, not at all.” I said quickly. Or did I? No, I didn’t think so.

The girl proceeded towards Keith and I saw him look at me before I looked away. I did not want to see him kiss her. But why? What had gotten into me?

The game continued and people did all kinds of dares. However my mind was not there. I was deep into thought about how my feelings were off the grid since Katie was asked to kiss Keith. Was it possible that I was jealous? Why would I be though?

I needed to lay down. My head ached from all the drunken noise the guys were making.

“Iam going back to the cabin” I said to Keith and got and started walking away.

“Hey hold up. What is wrong?” he asked, I could see the concern in his eyes.

“Nothing Iam just tired. I need to rest.” I said.

“Okay then I’ll take you.” He offered. But for some reason I felt like I was angry at him. I didn’t want him to walk me back.

“No you don’t have to.” I said stubbornly.

“Zia Brown, if you think Iam going to let you walk back through the woods alone, you are very mistaken.” He said sternly and held out his hand.

I did not take his hand and instead started walking into the woods. Silently Keith walked beside me. None of us spoke all the way to the cabin. I knew I was wrong to be mad at him, and I didn’t even know why I was mad.

We got to the cabin and he quietly opened the door only to find a couple tongues deep in each other’s throats. They however didn’t seem to be bothered by our entrance and continued with their business.

We walked up the stairs into our room.

“Zia can you please talk to me?” Keith asked quietly when we got to the room.

“I need to sleep Keith. Goodnight.” I cut him off and got into bed.

He sighed and switched off the lights. I heard him leaving the room and he quietly closed the door.

I turned to the pillow and then it really hit me. I really liked Keith Johnson. I couldn’t run away from it anymore.