9

The bus pulled into the resort's parking lot, and the students eagerly got out, stretching after the long ride. The place was stunning: a resort surrounded by mountains and with direct access to the lake.

The teachers gathered everyone in front of the main entrance, holding a list of the students' names.

"Before you can explore, we need to assign you rooms," the head teacher announced. "The rooms will be for two people each."

The murmuring began immediately. Some were already looking for their friends to make sure they would stay together, while others just hoped they wouldn't end up with someone annoying.

Liam wasn't particularly worried.

He knew that whoever his partner was, they would stick to what was necessary. He had no problems with anyone…

Or at least, he thought so.

Until the teacher read his name.

"Liam Archer and… Ethan Volkov."

Time seemed to stop for an instant.

Liam felt his body tense involuntarily.

Beside him, Ethan smiled calmly.

"It seems fate wants us together, Archer."

Liam closed his eyes for a second.

No.

It couldn't be real.

"If anyone wants to make partner changes, now is the time to talk," the teacher announced, as the others received their assignments.

Liam was about to raise his hand.

But then Ethan spoke before him.

"There's no problem with our assignment, teacher. I'm sure Liam and I will get along."

The teacher nodded and moved on to the next group.

Liam shot Ethan a glare.

"Why did you say that?"

Ethan smiled.

"Because it's true. We'll get along."

Isaac, who was nearby, smiled with an expression that clearly said he was enjoying this.

"Come on, Liam. Maybe sleeping with Ethan will help you get to know him better."

Liam sighed in frustration, but there was nothing to be done now.

He was going to share a room with Ethan.

Liam was still trying to process the fact that he would be sharing a room with Ethan when Mark approached.

His presence was discreet, but his posture was firm. With a neutral expression, he extended his hand towards Liam in a polite, but curt greeting.

"Archer."

Liam looked up and shook his hand politely.

"Mark."

The greeting was brief, but meaningful enough for some around to notice. They weren't close friends, but there was an unspoken connection between them.

After all, their parents worked together.

Ethan, who watched the interaction with curiosity, tilted his head slightly.

"I didn't know you two knew each other."

Mark gave Ethan a brief glance.

"Our parents work at the same hospital."

Ethan arched an eyebrow.

—Ah, so that's why.

Liam, not wanting to prolong the conversation, simply nodded.

—Thanks for the gesture, Mark.

Mark didn't respond immediately. His gaze stayed fixed on Liam for a moment longer than necessary, as if he was analyzing something.

Then, with a slight nod, he left without saying anything else.

Ethan followed him with his gaze, his usual smile slowly appearing.

Liam looked at him tiredly.

—What now?

Ethan shrugged with feigned innocence.

—Nothing. I just didn't expect you to have friends outside your usual circle.

Liam rolled his eyes and walked to his room.

Liam closed the bedroom door with a little more force than necessary. The day had already given him enough surprises, and sharing space with Ethan wasn't helping.

Ethan entered behind him with his relaxed air, dropping his backpack on the bed.

"So Mark, huh?"

Liam frowned and turned to look at him.

"Now what?"

Ethan flopped down on the bed with a lazy smile.

"Nothing, I just didn't see him as the kind of person you usually talk to."

Liam stared at him blankly.

"I don't."

Ethan let out a low laugh.

"So why would he talk to you?"

Liam didn't have an answer for that.

Mark had been nice, yes, but his attitude was more reserved than most.

And just because his father worked with his didn't mean they wanted to talk outside of that.

"I don't know, but it's not relevant either."

Ethan propped himself up on one elbow, watching him calmly.

"Oh, of course it is."

Liam sighed, ignoring him and opening his backpack to search for his sleeping clothes. He just needed to rest and forget about the awkwardness of the day.

But just as he was about to enter the bathroom, Ethan spoke again.

"By the way, are you going to sleep in that bed or would you rather sleep with me?"

Liam turned his face and gave him a deadly look.

"Don't even think about it."

Ethan let out an amused laugh.

"Okay, okay. Don't hate me, Archer. I'm just trying to make this more fun."

Liam didn't respond.

He just closed the bathroom door behind him.

Because, even though he wouldn't admit it…

Steam was still in the air when Liam walked out of the bathroom with a towel hanging over his neck and his pajamas on.

His damp hair was dripping slightly, and as he tried to towel it dry, he didn't notice Ethan standing right in his way.

"Watch out!"

It was too late.

In a clumsy move, Liam tripped over his own foot and lost his balance.

Ethan instinctively caught him… but the way he did it was a mess.

Liam's weight made them fall backwards, and Ethan ended up on the bed with Liam on top of him.

Too close.

The air seemed to stop.

Liam froze.

Ethan blinked, surprised… and then smiled.

"Well, Archer… If you wanted to sleep with me, you could have said so earlier."

Liam stiffened.

Ethan's warmth was felt against his body.

His hands rested on his chest.

Liam's hair still dripping on Ethan's skin.

Too close.

Too awkward.

"Get out from under me!" Liam tried to jerk up, but the slip of his towel caused him to fall back on top of him.

Ethan let out a low laugh.

"If you keep moving like that, Archer, this is going to look even worse."

Liam gritted his teeth, his face burning with embarrassment.

"Shut up!"

He finally managed to push himself off and quickly walked away, his back to her.

Trying to calm down.

Trying to forget what just happened.

Ethan settled back on the bed with a satisfied smile.

"That was a nice scene. If this were a romance novel, a kiss would be coming next."

Liam shot him a dirty look.

"If you keep talking, the only kiss you'll get is my fist on your face."

Ethan held his hands up in a sign of peace.

—Okay, okay. I'll keep quiet.

But his smile didn't fade.

And Liam knew Ethan wasn't going to forget this moment anytime soon.

Just as Liam tried to regain his composure…

CRACK!

The sound outside broke the tension.

Ethan's face changed instantly.

Liam turned serious, too.

They weren't alone.

And what was outside…

It didn't look like a good thing.