Chapter 24

Chapter 24 – The Unexpected Pairing

Morning sunlight streamed through the large lodge windows, casting soft golden rays across the wooden floors. Bella blinked awake, stretching her limbs as Sarah groaned beside her.

"Ugh, my back. Who knew sleeping on a camp mattress could feel like wrestling a log?" Sarah muttered, flopping back onto the pillow dramatically.

Emily sat up from the corner bed, already brushing her hair. "Better get used to it. We've got six more nights."

Alex peeked through the curtain. "Guys… the view out here is gorgeous."

The girls took turns scrambling to the window, where hills blanketed in early morning mist stretched toward the horizon, birds soaring lazily across the sky.

It looked peaceful.

But the peace didn't last long.

By 8:00 a.m., students had assembled near the campfire pit again—now turned into a meeting point. Miss Claire stood with a clipboard, beaming with energy that far surpassed anyone else's.

"Today we're going for a short hike," she announced. "It's a great way to explore the area and bond with new people. So… I've randomized your hiking partners!"

A collective groan echoed from the students.

Bella glanced at her friends, hoping they'd somehow end up together. But when Miss Claire began calling names, the disappointment was swift.

"Bella Smith… you'll be hiking with… Ethan Carter."

Her heart plummeted.

She turned to Sarah, eyes wide. "What?"

Sarah tried not to grin. "Totally random, huh?"

Ethan, standing by Jake and Matt, raised a brow at the announcement. He didn't look surprised—just mildly amused. He caught Bella's eye and gave a small nod.

Bella pretended not to see it.

"Alright, everyone! Gear up, grab your bottles, and meet your partners!"

As students began pairing off, Bella sighed and slowly walked over to where Ethan stood, adjusting his backpack straps.

"Guess we're stuck together," she said softly.

He tilted his head. "Try to contain your excitement."

She narrowed her eyes. "I'll try."

They followed the rest of the group into the forested trail, the earth soft beneath their feet and birds chirping overhead. At first, Bella tried to keep a small distance, focusing on the path and pretending to enjoy the silence.

But Ethan wasn't one for silence.

"So," he said, after several minutes, "still avoiding me?"

Bella didn't reply right away. Then: "I'm just… trying to figure things out."

He nodded, unusually patient. "I get that."

A few more minutes passed.

"Are you actually enjoying this?" she asked, glancing at him.

He smirked. "Being in nature with a girl who clearly doesn't want to talk to me? Living the dream."

Bella rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

Suddenly, she slipped on a loose stone—and before she could catch herself, Ethan's hand darted out, steadying her.

"You okay?"

Bella pulled her arm away quickly. "I'm fine."

But her cheeks were warm.

From behind, Rachel—paired with a quiet boy from another class—watched the scene unfold, her lips curling in displeasure.

The hike continued, and though Bella told herself not to engage, she found herself responding more than she meant to. They talked about random things: music, books, even the stars above the lodge the night before.

And for a few moments, it felt… easy.

Later that day, during lunch break under the shade of the trees, Jake nudged Ethan while Matt smirked.

"So, how's the bonding hike with Bella?" Jake teased, wiggling his brows.

"Any hand-holding in the wild?" Matt added with a grin.

Ethan just sipped his water, looking away with a smug smile.

Bella, sitting nearby with her friends, caught the teasing glances and Ethan's reaction. She quickly looked down, focusing hard on her food.

Sarah leaned in. "He hasn't taken his eyes off you since breakfast."

Bella blushed. "Don't start."

Rachel sat further away, arms crossed, silently fuming.

And though the camp had only just begun, something was definitely shifting beneath the surface.

The cool night breeze whispered through the trees as the group huddled around the crackling campfire. Sparks danced into the dark sky, glowing like fireflies. Students roasted marshmallows, told jokes, and took turns adding logs to the fire.

Bella sat between Sarah and Emily, her hands wrapped around a steaming mug of hot chocolate. Her eyes occasionally wandered toward Ethan, who was lounging a few seats away, joking around with Jake and Matt.

She quickly looked away when his eyes caught hers.

Miss Claire had long gone to her cabin for the night, leaving the students supervised by a young assistant teacher who clearly didn't mind letting them have fun.

It wasn't long before someone suggested, "Let's play Truth or Dare!"

A few students cheered, others groaned, but no one backed out.

They formed a loose circle, and the game began. Laughter filled the air as silly dares were carried out — someone had to howl like a wolf, another had to dance embarrassingly in front of everyone.

Then came Bella's turn.

"Bella," Jake grinned. "Truth or dare?"

Bella hesitated. "Truth."

Jake smirked. "Alright then… is there anyone in this camp you like?"

A ripple of gasps and teasing laughter circled around. Bella's face flushed.

She glanced at her friends, then back at the fire. "No. Not really."

"Liar," Emily whispered with a grin.

Ethan didn't react at first, but the tight grip he had on his cup didn't go unnoticed by Matt.

"Okay, Ethan," someone said. "Truth or dare?"

"Truth," he said smoothly.

Matt leaned forward, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "If you had to be stuck in a tent with one girl here for the rest of the week, who would it be?"

Jake nearly choked on his marshmallow from laughter.

Ethan raised an eyebrow, unfazed. His eyes, deliberate and unreadable, scanned the group—then briefly settled on Bella.

"I'll pass," he said with a grin.

"Hey, that's cheating!" someone shouted.

Ethan shrugged. "I never said I was honest."

More laughter followed. Rachel, sitting stiffly with crossed arms, clearly didn't find it funny.

Her turn came soon after.

"Rachel," someone said. "Truth or dare?"

"Dare," she said coldly.

"I dare you to give a compliment to someone you dislike."

The group broke into loud "oohs" and laughter.

Rachel's smile was tight, her eyes sliding straight to Bella.

"I guess I'll say… Bella is really good at pretending to be innocent."

The group went quiet for a second before Ethan stood abruptly. "Game's over for tonight."

He tossed a stick into the fire a little harder than necessary and walked off toward the lodge.

Jake and Matt exchanged glances.

Rachel smirked.

Bella sat frozen.

Sarah leaned in. "Don't let her get to you. She's obviously jealous."

Emily added softly, "And Ethan leaving like that… it means something."

Bella wasn't sure what it meant. But her heart was thudding harder than it should've been.

Later that night, as everyone returned to their cabins, Bella stepped out briefly to get some air. The fire had burned down to glowing embers. She stood alone for a moment, hugging her jacket closer.

Footsteps approached.

She turned to find Ethan standing a few feet away, his expression unreadable.

"I don't like when people take shots at you," he said quietly.

Bella looked at him, unsure how to respond.

He added, "And for the record… I wouldn't mind being stuck in a tent with you."

Before she could speak, he gave a small smirk, turned, and walked away again—leaving her heart in a wild mess.