" Chapter 22 - Test of Courage "

"Uuuuuuuggggghhhhhhh...." I groaned.

I couldn't sleep last night, because of what happened. If hadn't pushed him away... What could happen..?

Some imaginations came up to my head... wha... wha..

"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, making everyone stare at me.

I covered my mouth involuntarily and muttered, "Sorry..."

They all turned back to what were they doing in the morning. Rina and I walk towards the dining part of our camp, and ate our breakfast.

After breakfast, since we don't have any showers and we just can't take a bath in the middle of nowhere, so Rina and I decided to wash our face and also our hair, at least.

The teacher called everyone for today's events, this is my least favorite part of all when were going on a camping field trip.

The first event is to pick up a flag in the middle of nowhere and go back. What kind of game is this?! Just find a flag then hooray you finished the task!!

We walk towards the box held by our teacher and pick up some random paper to see who's gonna be your partner. Then what's the point of the groups you've assigned?!

Well, it's better if we finish this sooner. I want to go home! I missed my mom's cooking.

Then we started partner by partner, luckily my partner isn't a guy. The most boring part is, as we walk into the forest not far from the camp we already found the flag... Yay...

Can we have some fun activities than this?!

We headed back to the camp and gave the flag to the teacher and walk back to our groups. Unfortunately I was the first one in our group that has returned. I sighed and lazily plopped myself on the picnic blanket and drank a bottle of water.

"Yo," Someone called.

I turned and saw Lucas walking towards me.

"Hi..." I said looking away from him. I can't still forget what happened yesterday!!

He sat beside me and flicked my forehead.

"What was that for?!" I scoot away from him, holding my forehead.

Then he move again beside me and inclined his face to mine, "That's for leaving me again."

"What again?!" I pushed his face away still not looking him in the eye.

"Do you want me to kiss you to remember it?" He smirked.

Wha-- k-k-k-k-k-kiss?!

I smacked his head, "Don't mention that word again!!"

"What? The kiss." He tilted his head.

"Y-yes..." I stuttered.

"What's wrong with the word kiss?" He move closer nudging my shoulder.

"Stop it.." I grumbled.

"Then tell me what's wrong with the word kiss?" He asked again.

This guy is really teasing me..

"Is the word kiss makes you uncomfortable?" He continued. "Kiss.... Hmmm..."

"Aaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!! I don't want to hear it because of yesterday!!!" I blurted out.

Gah!! I said it!!

I turned my head towards him, I saw his face smirking at me. "Why, what happened yesterday?"

He moved his face towards mine, "Tell me.."

"Hey you two lovebirds!!! Stop flirting and get over here!!" The teacher called with a megaphone on his hand. The other students squealed and whisper at the same time, staring at us.

Lucas clicked his tongue, "Way to ruin our moment.." He muttered.

He looked so disappointed as he walk back to his group. To be honest... I feel a little disappointed too...

Gahhhhhhh!!!! Focus Athy focus!!!

I stiffly walk back to my group and listen for another boring activity.

At noon, we cooked our dinner came from the weird garden again, after that we started eating.

"Pwwuuaahhh!! I'm full!!" Rina said as she leaned her self on her seat.

"The food taste great!!" I said, putting down my utensils on my empty plate.

"Are you gonna volunteer again? Washing the dishes I mean." She asked.

"Well... The teacher scolded us to never go back so..." I said as I scratched the back of my head. "Besides, I'm exited for the test of courage today!"

Yes... That's the only thing I've been looking forward to.. The Test of Courage!!!

We head back to our tent to change something warm, cause it's kinda chilly outside. We walk towards the huge bonfire the teachers set up and sat on the near log.

"Okay! Good evening students, today we will be having an activity you've been long awaited!" Sir announced.

Everyone cheered and someone also screamed in fear. We haven't even started!

"Then girls please draw your tickets over here!!" A teacher called.

We walked towards the drawing box and waited in line.

"Oh.. I got 09.." I muttered.

"You got 09? I got 05!" Rina said showing her ticket to me. I just smiled then turned towards the boys line. I wonder who's gonna be Lucas' partner? I want to be his partner, not gonna lie..

After that I walked towards to Lucas. "What's your number?"

He handed me his ticket and I handed him mine.

Oh!!

05.....

I sighed... I had my hopes up... I heard Lucas clicked his tongue. "What's wrong?" I asked.

"I'm not your partner..." He muttered looking all disappointed.

I don't know if I feel disappointed or happy. Disappointed because I'm not his partner, happy because he also looked disappointed for not being my partner.

He chuckled and gave back the ticket. "Are you sure you're gonna be okay without me?" He said, looking worried.

I'm not..

I nodded, "Yes!! I'm alright!" I said enthusiastically.

As usual we started partner by partner and walked into the dark forest.

I wonder what was Lucas doing right now..?

"Look Athy, there's fireflies!" Kiel pointed out. Kiel is my partner by the way.

"Wow, so beautiful!" I said looking at the fireflies flying across.

Is this even the test of courage? I mean where's the monsters?!

Then suddenly someone jumped in front of me. I processed my mind looking at the scary creature in front of me...

"KYYYYYAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!" I jumped behind Kiel who's laughing at my reaction.

"Stop laughing!!! Do something!!!" I screamed hugging Kiel from behind.

He patted my head lightly. "It's gone now," He smiled at me tenderly.

"Is it?" I sniffled peeking through Kiel's shoulder. I sighed in relief then let go of Kiel. He suddenly snaked his hands through mine and intertwined it.

I looked at our hands then to him. "W-what are you doing?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.

He just smiled and said, "You might get lost.."

Well it's true.. but I don't like the feeling of our hands being intertwined.

We just continued walking, and continued seeing scary monsters. I'm the only one screaming, it's making me feel bad of Kiel's ears.

"Ah!! I'm tired!!" I leaned at the near tree, panting heavily. "I can't!! They're so scary!!"

"They're just the teachers." Kiel said laughingly.

"But still!!" I whined. Aish!! Why did I participate this!!

"You got some twigs in your hair," Kiel said, reaching out the twigs that is sticking on my hair.

Uwaaahh... He's so close right now... I can almost feel his breath right now. I closed my eyes, shaking off the nervousness inside me.

Kiel suddenly stops as he stared at me. "Athy.." He whispered, it tickles my ears.

I did not answer. Then his face moves closer, "Athy... I--" I unconsciously pushed him away and ran off deeply into the forest.

I still heard him calling at me but I ignored it and ran faster. Then suddenly I stopped.

Where am I?

Lucas' Perspective:

Many of the students came back to the camp, but I still did not see Sia and Kiel.

Tch, what's taking so long?!

Then I saw Kiel at the distance running like crazy. I looked behind him, I didn't see Sia...

"Lucas!!" He called. I immediately ran up to him.

"Where's Sia?!" I asked. What did this guy do?!

"Athy... Athy's lost!!"

I suddenly punched him in the face as I heard those words. "You jerk!!! How the hell is she lost when she's with you?!" I punched him again sending him to the ground.

"I tried to follow her but she ran away!" Kiel explained.

I pulled his collar and whispered to his face, "I'm not done with you.." Then I immediately ran back to the woods.

"SIA!!!!" I yelled at the top of my lungs.

This idiot!! Where did you run off?!

I'm tired, and panting heavily my clothes all dirty, but I didn't stop.

"SIA!!!!" My throat is getting sore from the screaming.

I can't.. I can't lose you right now.. Please!! Please be safe!!

Don't leave me again!!