Chapter 18

The teachers settled together to finally sit down and rest after the exhausting hike. Sophia sat with her friends, and without giving him much choice, dragged Aiden down beside her.

Casen, on the other hand, quietly found a spot alone. He unpacked his snacks slowly, setting them neatly in front of him. His hands were cautious, almost delicate, as if arranging them perfectly would somehow make him feel less lonely.

But just as he was about to take a bite, someone dropped down across from him. Casen's heart stopped when he looked up and saw Sam.

Casen froze for a moment as his fingers clenched around his snack. Sam was staring at him with an expression of irritation, maybe even disgust, like he himself didn't know why he was sitting there.

"What?" Sam snapped in a sharp voice. 

Casen quickly shook his head, though he felt happy he didn't show it. "N-Nothing! Just…uh, thank you for joining me." 

Sam scoffed. "I didn't 'join' you. I just didn't have anywhere else to sit." He picked up a sandwich and unwrapped it aggressively. "Don't get the wrong idea. I'd never sit with you otherwise."

Casen nodded quickly, swallowing down the lump in his throat. He knew Sam was just pretending to be tough, but still…the words stung a little.

Meanwhile…Hunter stood off to the side with usual hands in his pockets and watched the scene before him. Everyone was in their own little worlds, eating, laughing, talking, existing.

Except him.

He was just there, hanging on the outside like a ghost, like some invisible presence that no one even noticed. It was the same as always. If he disappeared right now, would anyone even care?

Probably not. 

Feeling like he had no place here, he tugged the strap of his bag, he turned on his heel and walked away, heading toward the other side of the lake and away from the noise, the chatter, the reminders of his loneliness.

As he reached a quieter area, he pulled out his phone and took a few pictures of the scenery. He loved this peace, the view, the green trees, it's like a space that didn't suffocate him.

Just as he was about to relax, a loud rustling noise came from behind him.

Hunter's breath hitched as a thud landed near him. "What the fuck—" He spun around fast only to see Aiden grinning at him like an excited idiot.

"Boo!" Aiden wiggled his fingers in a dramatic spooky motion.

Hunter glared at him while calming his racing heart. "Are you fucking kidding me? You almost gave me a heart attack."

Aiden giggled stupidly, his entire face lighting up. "Oh my god, I've never seen you look scared before!"

Hunter clenched his jaw. "I wasn't scared."

"You totally were," Aiden smirked, stepping closer. "Your eyes got wide. It was kinda cute."

Hunter scowled. "I should throw you in the lake."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Try me."

Aiden just grinned wider and leaned lazily against a tree, still looking at Hunter like he had just discovered a new species. "Anyway, why'd you come here alone?"

Hunter turned his gaze back to the lake, and didn't want to tell him the truth. "I just like it better here."

Aiden made a surprising noise of offense. "And you didn't bring me?"

Hunter side-eyed him. "You were busy with your friends."

"That doesn't matter! If I didn't see you walking away, I wouldn't have even known about this spot."

Hunter blinked in shock. "You followed me?"

Aiden shrugged, completely unbothered. "Yeah. Duh."

Something in Hunter's chest tightened.

Aiden…noticed him? He followed him without hesitation, without even considering the possibility of getting lost again? 

"What if you got separated from the group?" 

Aiden tilted his head, smiling softly. "I wasn't worried. You'd find me anyways."

Hunter stared at him for a long time as he found himself captivated. Aiden's bright green eyes gleamed with something genuine.

"You always find me, Hunter. No matter where I am, so I never need to worry."

Hunter looked at Aiden, at the warmth in his expression, the trust in his words. And for some reason…

He felt like he was falling all over again for this person.

His voice came out softer than he intended. "I would." Hunter held his gaze, the corners of his lips barely lifting in a ghost of a smile. "I'd always find you."

For the first time since he arrived here, Aiden blushed.

The golden sunlight filtered through the dense canopy. Some of that light slipped through the gaps in the leaves and landed directly on Aiden, highlighting his features like he was something ethereal.

Hunter barely blinked, staring at him as if trying to commit every detail to memory. The way his messy blond hair glowed, the way his green eyes twinkled, the slight flush on his cheeks from the warmth of the sun—it was breathtaking. 

He is breathtaking. 

Aiden fidgeted under Hunter's gaze, feeling strangely sheepish. He had never really noticed before how Hunter looked at him, but now that he was aware of Hunter's feelings, it felt different. Too different that his pulse quickened.

"What?" he shifted awkwardly on his leg. 

Hunter's lips barely twitched. "Nothing."

Aiden cleared his throat, trying to shake off the weird feeling curling in his stomach. "Send me the pictures you took."

Hunter raised an eyebrow. "You're literally standing here. Take your own pictures."

Aiden pouted. "Why bother when I have you to do it for me?"

Hunter stared at him for a long moment before suddenly stepping closer to him. Aiden's breath hitched. "W-What are you—"

Hunter took another slow step forward. Aiden instinctively took a step back. Then another until his back hit the tree.

Aiden's heart leaped in his chest as Hunter's body loomed over him, overwhelming Aiden with his presence. Aiden felt trapped between the tree and Hunter. Hunter lifted a hand, pressing his fingers under Aiden's chin, tilting his face up effortlessly. His touch was firm but not forceful. His dark honey-brown eyes bore into Aiden's own, filled with something dark desires. 

"Do you think I'm your servant or something?" Hunter asked in a teasing tone. "That I'll do whatever you say just because you tell me to?"

Aiden's throat went dry. "N-No, I just—"

His words died when he caught sight of Hunter's lips. They were right there in front of him. 

His breathing hitched as he found himself starting for far too long. He didn't mean to. He really didn't mean to. But now that he was looking, he couldn't look away.

Hunter noticed it and he smirked. Slowly and deliberately, Hunter leaned forward, closing the space between them and Aiden's mind went crazy. Hunter's smirk widened and he decided to tease him further. He lowered his lips towards Aiden's. Aiden shut his eyes as his body froze. 

His entire body tensed when he felt a hand settle lightly on his hip, sending heat rushing through him.

What the hell was happening?!

Was Hunter really going to kiss him?

And why—why was he so damn nervous?

Was he actually…looking forward to it?

The moment pushed to the limit, unbearably tense, their breaths mingling, their lips mere inches apart…but then. 

A sudden crunch of leaves shattered the tension.

Aiden's eyes snapped open and he turned his head to see. 

Sophia.

Standing there, frozen, eyes wide, looking like she had just witnessed a crime scene.

Aiden's stomach dropped. Oh, fuck. He aggressively pushed Hunter away with his full strength who stumbled back and hit into a tree. 

Sophia's mouth opened slightly, but no words came out. After a long, stunned silence, she finally spoke. "I just…I just came to see if you didn't get lost again. Nothing else."

And then she ran.

Aiden cursed and bolted after her. "Sophia! Wait!"

She didn't stop and Aiden sprinted faster, pushing his legs harder with heart hammering in his chest. He finally caught up and grabbed her wrist, making her turn around.

"Whatever you saw just now, it's—it's not what you think!" He was breathless and frantic. "It's just a huge misunderstanding!"

Sophia looked at him with many emotions, hurt, confusion and maybe even realization. Is that why he was keep talking about Hunter? Is that why he never gave me any chance? 

"Aiden…I don't want to jump to conclusions, but…" She doesn't want to say it. "But are you two—"

"No! It's not that!" Aiden cut in, waving his hands desperately. "I swear, Hunter was just—he was—" His brain scrambled for an excuse. "Cleaning my eye! I had something in it, and he was just helping me."

Sophia's face didn't change. She didn't even look convinced.

Hell, even Aiden didn't believe his own excuse.

But she didn't press it. Maybe because she didn't want to. Maybe she wants to believe Aiden's excuse too. 

She swallowed, looking down. "I just…I thought there was something between you two. But I guess I was wrong."

"You are!" Aiden insisted. "There's nothing going on between us! Nothing at all! Why would I even—?" He cut himself off. "Come on, I'm straight! I like girls! Girls are so pretty and all—"

Sophia watched him blubber, watched the sheer panic in his eyes, the way he was rushing to prove something.

Something in her chest ached. She forced a small smile, giving herself false hopes again. She'd believe it because Aiden says so. "Okay."

Aiden blinked. "Okay?"

"Yeah." She shrugged lightly. "Maybe it really was just a misunderstanding."

Or maybe…she just didn't want to admit what she saw.

"Let's go back before everyone leaves." She turned, walking ahead.

Aiden hesitated for a split second before following her. Did she just believe me just like that? 

But he just followed her, thankful that she believed him. 

From behind a tree, Hunter watched them walk away. His expression was emotionless. But inside?

Inside, something cold curled in his chest.

Aiden's words repeated over and over in his mind. "There's nothing going on between us! Why would I even like a guy? Come on, I'm straight! I like girls!" 

Hunter's jaw clenched.

Of course, Aiden would react that way.

He didn't blame him. Aiden had never seriously considered it before, never thought too deeply about what was between them.

And yet…

Hunter sighed and wiped his eyes. Fucking hell! 

For the next two days of the trip, Aiden didn't even glance at him.

And Hunter didn't try to talk to him either.

Because what was the point anyways?