I could feel a strange mixture of excitement and nervousness bubbling up inside me as the car drew up to the school foyer. The animated chatter of students filled my ears as I stepped out, intensifying the thrill inside me.
"We'll miss you. Have fun and stay safe," my parents reminded me, an echo of Kalen's words just the night before.
"Don't worry, I will," I reassured them. "See you!"
And as the Toyota land cruiser drove off out the school gates and out of my sight, I took a deep breath and turned to face the school. "Let this camp be a good one," I whispered to myself as I took a step towards the camp that would unwittingly change my life.
"Avery, you're here!" a familiar voice rang out.
I spun around to see my friends approaching me, big grins pasted on their face. "Hey Brooke, Hey Amelia."
For the first time in a long time, they seemed genuinely happy to see me. I wondered if it something about the atmosphere that felt more relaxed today. Everything felt different.
Wait, two heads only- "Where's Rachel?"
"No idea, we haven't hard from her. Maybe she's late." Amelia shrugged.
"She hasn't replied my messages though," Brooke frowned.
We were interrupted an announcement rang out instructing everyone to get into lines according to our classes and the teachers began their roll call, marking a new chapter in my life.
-
"You know what I want," his husky voice breathed as he trailed kisses from her neck to her navel.
A soft gasp escaped her as he flicked his tongue out, playfully licking and swirling it. "Stop, that tickles," she whined.
With nothing to cover her modesty except for the sheets they were tangled in, she felt vulnerable yet thrilled as he travelled even further south, reaching her most sensitive parts. She struggled in a slight protest but he pinned her wrists down in his iron grip as he nuzzled his face between her legs, eliciting a soft moan from her.
"You struggle but your body says otherwise." She could hear the amusement in his voice. Her face flushed red as she pursed her lips stubbornly.
"Let me love you, Gianna," he purred. His face was a breath away from hers, he smelled like a crackling bonfire, a rainforest, the earthy air just after a rain, and everything free. Eyes the color and depth of a rich wine seemed to see right through her as he spread her legs with his.
"In this world and this life, I will love no one else." His gaze burned into her as his eyes narrow, lips met hers, sealing the promise, their fingers intertwined.
As a warm feeling she could not comprehend stirred up inside her and spread throughout her body, her head spun, intoxicated from his scent and touch. Everywhere their bodies met, she felt the heat rising, her skin flushing.
And as he took her ever so gently that night, she remembered the feeling of finally drifting off in his arms, tired and sore, but with a warmth that glowed from inside her.
"Love you, babe." With her head pressed up against his chest, his voice was a deep rumble.
She snuggled closer as she whispered back with heavy lidded eyes.
"Love you, Arakiel," she murmured back as a fog of sleepiness blanketed her mind.
In the vast earthen chamber that had now become her home and her cage, Gaia's eyes flew open with a loud shuddering gasp.