We were all ready with our tents set up. The boys did most of the stuff but of course we helped too. We held the torches for them to see. Wouldn't want them to take all the credit now, do we?
After a two hour drive we finally got here. We were in the middle of a forest with a clearing in the middle. Yes, and that is where our tents were set up. So basically, we were all surrounded by forest. And it was night. And animals live in forest. And they love flesh. And we are flesh. Thrilling, I know.
As Nathaniel was done he got up and asked, "Are you sure three would be fine? We have an extra."
"We don't need four. Who'd sleep in it?" Alec asked leaning against one of the trees.
"I don't know. Then we can all sleep in pairs." Nathaniel pointed out.
Right now I was sitting on the ground with Evie and Olivia as I listened to them. Even though I knew my pants were getting dirt on them...who cared? I was all about nature today. Nature is the very essence of our existence.
Xavier came setting the last tent with Brian and Luke trailing behind him. He was trying to get rid of the dirt on his hands when Nathaniel called him,
"Tell me Xavier you agree with me?"
Xavier looked up at him in question but Nathaniel just rolled his eyes before explaining it to him. Xavier sighed,
"I don't really have problem with that. But can you guys really set up one more tent?"
Nathaniel puffed his chest out, "Of course."
"I don't think that's a good idea." Luke said while coming and sitting next to me. He inhaled deeply as he shuts his eyes, "We won't be able to pair up."
"What is that even supposed to mean?" Nathaniel asked crossing his arm.
Luke didn't even open his eyes as he said, "Think about it. There are three ladies while five men. How do you think we can pair up?"
Now when Luke said that it actually made sense. I looked at Evie and found her picking out the grasses in front of her seeming bored of the conversation.
"Well that should not be a problem. Evie can be with Olivia. And considering you and Liya are a couple. You both can have one tent to yourselves."
As soon those words left Nathaniel's mouth I couldn't help but choke onto my own saliva while coughing loudly. I could feel the shock on Luke's face too as he was no longer sitting there with his eyes closed. He was very much staring at Nathaniel.
Not only Luke. There were other two pair of eyes glaring at him too. Nathaniel seemed innocent as he looked around innocently.
"Well?" He said urging with a smile on his face.
"No!"
"No!"
"No!"
"No!"
Nathaniel furrowed his eyebrows and looked at the four of us in confusion. Luke, Alec, Xavier and me. We all seemed so moved by his words that the only thing that came out of our mouths was a no.
"Why? You are a couple. It should be no problem." He complaint.
Xavier gritted his teeth, "That doesn't mean you will make them sleep together."
"They will just share a freaking tent!"
"Where they'll sleep together!" Alec said unbelievably.
"You both are being unreasonable! It's just a tent. They are in a relationship. Why do you care?" Nathaniel got loud.
"You really want me to tell you why do I care?! And you call me your best friend." Xavier snapped back.
"Nath, try to understand." Alec tried to sweet talk him, "It's not just about the tent. It is about them being together. Alone. In there. This close." He pinched his fingers together to show the proximity, "sharing a single comforter. And,"
He went on ranting about everything wrong with Luke sleeping in the same tent with me along with Xavier. I looked at Luke and found him looking relaxed as before. I copied his actions and laid back on my elbows a little,
"Shouldn't you be convincing him too?" I asked chuckling.
He was quiet for a while looking at Alec and Xavier getting so hyped before he shook his head, "Not really. Those two are pretty much doing an amazing job. I know for sure that we are not sleeping together today."
I laughed nodding my head and looked at Xavier. I couldn't help but smile softly. He looked so much troubled that he was willing to tell Nathaniel anything to keep us from sleeping together.
"Though I won't mind it at all." I felt a whisper in my ear. A chill ran down my spine as I turned my head to look at Luke. As soon as I turned my face I saw his face a few centimeters away from me. He gazed into my eyes as I tried to gulp. The intensity he was holding in his eyes while looking at me was commendable. I opened my mouth still looking into his eyes. They were darker due to the darkness,
"I don't think you want to flirt in front of them." I whispered referring to Alec and Xavier. Luke got it too because he smirked,
"I think I want to flirt in front of them."
He kept his gaze stable on me as I tried to look back at him but failed miserably . I would end up looking around and then at him and then again looking around.
"Luke?" I finally said looking him in the eyes.
He hummed in response.
"You meant it when you said we are just friends, right?" I asked.
Where did that question come from? Even I don't know. It was on the tip of my tongue and I couldn't hold myself back from asking.
He stared at me for a moment. Then slowly yet tenderly he ran his hands through my hair,
"I did. I meant it. We are just friends. Don't worry friends can flirt to make people jealous."
I nodded at him still looking into his eyes. It wasn't until now that I realized that it was awfully quiet. I closed my eyes cursing.
I felt something hard on my crossed legs. I opened my eyes and found two hazel eyes staring right back at me.
I looked around to make sure that it was really Xavier whose head was on my laps. And it was confirmed the minute my eyes landed on Alec's face and then on Olivia's.
Oh holy mother of jesus what is happening today.
"Pancake." I heard him say in his deep voice.
My eyes found their way back to his and I couldn't help but be lost into them as I nodded my head at him letting him know that I was listening.
"You are not sharing a tent with Luke." He smiled at me satisfied.
Slowly as if not sure I turned my head to look at Luke. A smile was playing around his lips as he looked at the both of us. I suddenly felt the weight lift off from my laps as Xavier got up. I looked at him as he came between me and Luke.
"Can you make some space for me? I am tired." He said sitting in between us. As soon as he was sitting there in between Luke and me he exhaled a breath of relief.
"What about you and Olivia?" Nathaniel asked directing the question to Xavier, "You both are couples too. You can share a tent."
Can I kill Nathaniel? What was wrong with this guy? Why did he want any of us to sleep together at all.
"Cut it out already, Nath. Three are enough. The girls will sleep together and since there are five of us we can divide into three to two." Xavier waved his hands off getting bored now.
Nathaniel pouted but finally nodded his head.
Suddenly Olivia got up from her place before dusting off her pants. She came and stood in front of Xavier. Smiling.
Xavier seemed confused for a moment but all of it vanished the minute she came and sat on his lap. He opened his mouth to say something but she shushed him before kissing him. He seemed taken off for a moment before he gave in.
My eyes widened as I turned my head away from them. You could hear the sound of them kissing and it was grossing me out!
For god's sake, I haven't had my first kiss! Not yet! And she was kissing my fiance in front of me. Where is my fucking knife?
I made a face of disgust as I tried to stay away from them. I saw a hand appear in front of me. Without looking up I took it and before I knew I was hauled up.
I came face to face with baby blue eyes looking back at me concerned.
Alec.
I took a step back immediately as he held onto my hand tightly. I looked up at him-- vulnerable.
"Let's go and get some woods for the fire." He said while dragging me away through my hand.
"But," I started.
He turned around and stared at me making me quiet. He looked at me with emotions running through his eyes,
"I am helping you out right now. Let me do it. Please."
So I did. I let him take me away from them. From Xavier and Olivia. I let him help me. Yet again.
___