Tension in the Air

Lana stared ahead towards River's table,determined to pass the USB to him and leave immediately after.No idle chit-chat was necessary with River,after all.In her head,it played out like a simple two step plan but then again,things hardly went the way Lana wanted it to.She noticed a young boy walking straight towards her,so deep in conversation with his friend beside him to even realize that he was about to bump into her.Lana's attempt to avoid the collision was too slow and the boy bumped into her.

"S-Sorry!I wasn't watching where I was going!"The boy said in a panic tone as he tried to steady himself before anything fell off his tray.

Lana's hands instinctively went forwards to steady the tray."No harm done,be careful okay?"Lana reassured as she backed away.She watched the boy with his rosy cheeks slightly nod and scurried away from her,his friend following him close behind.

When Lana faced River's table again,to her dismay,he was not there anymore.In a mere blink of an eye,he vanished like a magician showing off his party trick.Somehow,she felt herself getting frustrated as she silently blamed River for ruining her simple plan two step plan.She continued ahead,her eyes searching for River through the sea of people.

Maddison and Luis were talking to each other when they caught a whiff of Lana's smell.They looked over to her as she hesitantly approached the table. Lana was slightly startled when she noticed them looking at her even before she came close to them.She was starting to regret everything at this point.She knew that logically she should've walked back to her table but now that she had to deal with the awkwardness of talking to River's cousin who was clearly scowling at her and Luis who looked rather nervous when Lana made eye contact with him.

Lana knew Luis and Maddison well enough since they all were together in middle school.Although,she recalls that she never had the chance to get close to them due to them being River's friends.Sometimes she wondered if they hated Lana as much as River did.But looking at Maddison's expression right now solidified her answer to the question.

"Hi…"Lana greeted them as she stood by their table,clearly uncomfortable.

"Hi Lana,can we help you?"Luis asked sweetly with a reassuring smile on his lips.

Lana unconsciously smiled back."Well,I just came over to pass this USB to River but he—"Lana trailed off,seriously trying to wonder where the hell did River disappear to when she was certain he was here just a second ago.

"Oh,he just went to the restroom."Luis said.

"Oh I see…"Lana muttered,dejected.She was about to thank them and leave but Maddison suddenly reached out towards Lana with her hand open.Her fingers moved back and forth in a gesturing motion.

"Give it."She said. "Excuse me?"Lana asked,clearly confused.She glanced towards Luis who wore the same expression as her.

"The USB,we'll pass it to him."She lazily replied.

"Um…are you sure?"

Maddison clenched her hand into a fist."Tsk.I'm not repeating myself."

Lana quickly rummaged through her pants pocket and pulled out the USB.She then held it out towards Maddison who snatched it away in a single swipe.

"Thanks—"

"Alright,you can leave now,"Maddison said with a forced smile. "Maddison,"Luis frowned at her rude behaviour.Maddison shrugged.

Lana smiled,silently trying to wonder what she did wrong in her past life for the Attwoods'to hate her guts for no reason whatsoever.Lana was tempted to straight up ask Maddison what was her problem,but held her tongue as she could just imagine her plan backfiring if Maddison took offense and got agitated over the question.

"Well,thanks for your help."Lana forced herself to say.She whirled around,ready to walk back to her table where her friends were waiting for her.Instead,her forehead bumped against someone's hard chest.Lana's hand reached out involuntarily,touching the person's chest as she backed away."Sor—"

Lana took a massive step back,bumping harshly into the table Maddison and Luis were seated at.Her hand went to her back as though trying to hide the fact that she did it again,she touched River's chest once again.

"Sorry."She said aloud,looking at the tiled floor.

River rubbed the spot Lana touched.He then let out a deep and long sigh."Do you have a chest fetish or something?"he asked.

Lana felt her face heat up."It's not like I wanted to touch you!You just appeared behind me like some weirdo!"

"Are you sure you're a forest ranger?What happened to being aware of your surroundings?"the edged of his lips twitched into a smirk.

"You…" "So,what are you doing here?"

"USB."She said as she gestured to Maddison who was clearly dumbfounded by watching the two interact.

"Oh wow,I didn't think you'd actually finish it."River said in surprise.

Lana faked laughter."Whatever.Bye.See you never."Lana stomped forward,walking past River in a steady speed.She wanted to struggle him.At this point,she would rather have River ignore her existence completely compared to whatever shit he was pulling whenever they would meet.

River watched as Lana walked away before sitting back down besides Luis.

"What the fuck…?"Maddison asked in complete shock. "What?"

"Were you two fucking flirting?"she hissed.

River made a face."Interesting to know that that's your idea of flirting,Maddie."River sighed as he plucked the USB from Maddison's hand.

"Are you…okay?"Luis asked.

River closed his eyes,trying to calm himself as her scent faded away quickly due to them being in such a crowded area."Yea."

"Wait but seriously!Why were you two acting like that?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Am I going insane?Luis,you saw it too right?"Maddison asked desperately. Before Luis could reply,River stood up as he pocketed the USB.He stared into Maddison's eyes,the sheer intensity of his stare was enough to make Maddison flinch from fear.He walked out of the cafeteria without saying another word.

Maddison gasped as though she was holding her breath.Luis reached out to hold her shaky hand."Maddison?"he called out in concern.

"He really is a useless alpha…"Maddison muttered to herself.