Evelyn sighed, realising that her attempts to downplay the situation were futile. "Okay, fine. He did help me apply the ointment on my back. But it was all professional!"
Jane burst into laughter, her playful demeanour infectious. "Professional, huh? Is that what they call it these days?"
Evelyn playfully swatted Jane's arm. "You're impossible!"
Jane grinned and winked. "Well, I'll take your word for it. For now. But don't think you can escape my expert detective skills forever."
Evelyn rolled her eyes, unable to suppress a smile. "You're ridiculous."
As they found a cozy spot under a gnarled tree, Jane eagerly settled herself on the ground, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Alright, spill the beans. What happened?"
Evelyn sighed, her embarrassment fading as she began recounting the events of the previous day. With each word, the tension melted away, replaced by genuine laughter and camaraderie between two close friends.
They sat across each other and JAne ordered herself a cold drink and Evelyn only decided to go with plain water and they leaned in closer so that not another soul would find out what they were wisperign about.
Evelyn started to recite everything to her formt he second she set foot int he forest to the weird feelingof being looked at to the dream she had and finallywhever happened as the infirmary, The the end Jane was left shekn sitting with her straw in between her lips and staring at her with wide open eyes.
"Damn woman! You lived your life in just one day." JAne breathe dout heavily.
"I am so embarrassed, THe professor might think i stupid for cinfusing a healing plan with some stupid pleasure enhnaicng toxic bush." She shuddered. THeir was a dep silence as if Jane thinking about something. "Wait… didn;t you say that you put the leaves of the toxic plant ont on that animal back in the forest?"
Evelyn's head was so preoccupied with her own self that it never dawned on her that she had put it on the animal back in the forest.
"God!! WHat have i done!" She got up with her eyes wide open with horror.
As they found a cozy spot under a gnarled tree, Jane eagerly settled herself on the ground, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Alright, spill the beans. What happened?"
Evelyn sighed, her embarrassment fading as she began recounting the events of the previous day. With each word, the tension melted away, replaced by genuine laughter and camaraderie between two close friends.
They sat across from each other, a few drinks between them, Jane sipping a cold beverage and Evelyn opting for plain water. Leaning in closer, they created an intimate bubble of confidentiality, ensuring their conversation remained just between them.
Evelyn started narrating from the moment she stepped into the forest, capturing the eerie feeling of being watched, the bizarre dream she had, and eventually leading up to the awkward incident in the infirmary. Jane listened attentively, her eyes widening in surprise and amusement at every twist and turn of the tale.
As Evelyn finished her account, Jane was left stunned, her straw hovering midway to her lips. "Damn, woman! You lived a lifetime in just one day," Jane breathed out, clearly taken aback by the whirlwind of events.
Evelyn chuckled, feeling a sense of relief wash over her as she shared her story with her friend. "I know, right? It's like I stumbled into a whole different universe."
Jane leaned back, digesting the story with a playful smile. "Well, it's safe to say you've had your fair share of adventure. But come on, don't be so hard on yourself. Mistaking a toxic plant for a healing one? It happens to the best of us."
Evelyn let out a sigh, her embarrassment returning in full force. "I'm just worried about what the professor must think of me. He's probably questioning my sanity."
Jane chuckled, waving off her concerns. "Oh, come on. Professors are used to students doing all sorts of strange things. I bet he's had his fair share of bizarre encounters."
Their conversation drifted into lighter topics, the weight of Evelyn's embarrassment gradually lifting. They chatted about classes, upcoming assignments, and even delved into some harmless gossip about fellow students. It was a comfortable exchange, a testament to the deep bond of friendship they shared.
"Wait... didn't you mention that you put the leaves of that toxic plant on the animal's back in the forest?" Jane suddenly interjected, her curiosity piqued.
Evelyn's eyes widened, her mind so consumed by her own experiences that she had completely forgotten about the animal. A sudden pang of realization and horror hit her like a ton of bricks. "Oh my God... What have I done?" Her voice was laced with shock as the implications of her actions dawned on her.
With a mix of disbelief and concern, she sprang to her feet, her eyes wide with a sense of urgency. "I need to go back and find that animal! I can't believe I overlooked that!"
Jane watched as Evelyn's panic took hold. She couldn't help but laugh at her friend's dramatic reaction. "Relax, Evelyn. I'm sure the animal is fine. It's not like you put the whole plant on its back."
Evelyn looked at her, guilt building up in her chest. "I did!" she admitted, her voice tinged with regret and anxiety.
Jane smacked her forehead and let out a sigh. "Oh, Evelyn..."
Taking a deep breath, Evelyn tried to steady herself. "I can't just leave it like this. I need to go back and check on it."
Jane placed a reassuring hand on Evelyn's shoulder, offering her a comforting smile. "Alright, let's go back together, but I'm on guard duty. We can't afford you touching another one of those poisonous plants and ruining what little is left of your reputation." Jane's tone was playful, a teasing edge to her words.
"Thank you for making me feel better," Evelyn responded with a hint of sarcasm at Jane's comment. She got up to leave, with Jane already on her feet. They walked for a solid ten minutes and arrived at the entrance of the trail that led to the forest. Evelyn paused at the foot of it, her nervousness evident. Jane, though not a fan of hiking, was determined to support her friend. She scanned the surroundings and her eyes caught a signboard. "Forest Office, " an arrow pointed in a specific direction.
"Hey! We don't have to go into the forest, we can just report it to them!" Jane pointed enthusiastically at the board.
"Oh! Was it always here?" Evelyn questioned, her curiosity piqued.
Jane shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, I've never been into the forest, so I never came across this sign before."
"Yeah, you have a point," Evelyn agreed. "I don't want to go back in there. I'm scared. Let's go to the forest office instead."
Taking a deep breath, Evelyn clung tightly to Jane's arm, her heart still racing. "Okay, so the forest rangers it is!" Despite her trepidation, Evelyn found comfort in her friend's presence, knowing that they would face this challenge together, just like they had faced many others in the past.