"Do you have everything?" Rin asked, her gaze stuck to the phone in her hand, while her other hand held a large suitcase.
"Don't you have enough?" I laughed awkwardly, eyeing her up and down. Rin had a miniskirt on, tights underneath, with a neat, beige sweater on. Not to even mention the baggage she had in hand, a black, mid-sized suitcase.
It was a simple two-day camping trip, everyone is calling it a makeshift spring break—you don't really get that here in Astra—so it was an exciting weekend among the friend group. It was in the middle of fall, so everyone would surely be wearing jackets, hats too. We're heading up North. Ida says it's right next to a lake too.
As expected, she also mentioned that they're bringing booze. They want me to drink with them... But I don't want to end up lost in the woods, when I get drunk I'm the type to wander.
"Hey! Don't judge me for over-packing." Rin rolls her suitcase over to me, eying me mischievously. "Let's hope you have at least a few changes of clothes. If you're staying with Theo, you never know what kind of substances you'll get on you—"
I shut her up with a kick to her shin, sending her a mean glare. "Rin, I thank you for being my friend up until this point, but if you say something like that around everyone i will—"
"A-ah! Rosie, you look so pretty today. I like this jacket, where did you get it from?" Rin intertwined her arm into mine, leaning in close to rest her chin on my shoulder, she then whispers in an uneasy, yet obviously phony, tone."I solemnly promise to not make vulgar jokes about you and Theo around—"
"Thank you." I smile awkwardly, pushing away to open the door. Ida was waiting outside for us, alongside Leya.
"Hey, sluts." Ida smirks, putting away her phone. I can only stand there awkwardly, my heart beating excitedly though. She wore dark sunglasses, and let them fall a little. "Who's ready to get wasted?"
The cold, chilly September air blew on my face as I watched the trees of Washington's forest blow past my eyes. My complexion felt numb, but I oddly had no drive to close my window. We'd pass a dear occasionally, or a stream of water coming down the mountain.
I wore shorts, but tights beneath to keep me warm. Alongside a brown sweater, black jacket over the top, my black ankle boots, and a small beret on my head. My nose was runny, so I sniffled every once in a while.
"Hey... So, when will the others be here?" I turn to Ida to ask. Leya was in the driver's seat, Rin in the passenger, with me and Ida in the back.
"Oh, the boys? They dropped off a camper a hour ago. Apparently, it's Mr. Wellsly's. He's letting us use it... But they went to the nearest town to pick up some food. They should be here pretty soon."
I nod alongside her words, giving her a small, thankful nod before letting my gaze follow back to the beautiful Washington forests.
We suddenly pull into a small campsite, a large lake stretching out in front of us. There were a few logs scattered about an unlit campfire, and off to the side, hidden beneath a few trees, was parked a decent size camper. It looked new too.
I hop out of Ida's truck, taking a few steps around as my gaze wandered around the campsite. The scene was beautiful, across the lake, far away, were mountains covered in trees. The sun seemed to be just about setting at this point, so the aura surrounding the camp seemed to be a low orange, it must be the evening peaking through the moments from afar.
"Awesome..." I gawk to myself, letting my bag drop to the ground before I began rummaging through it.
"Hm... Gotcha!" I smile before pulling out a small camera. I wrap the string around my neck before making my way over to the water, completely dismissing all my friends.
Across the lake was the sundowns just scarcely peaking through the mountains. I just stood there for a moment, marveling at the scene.
I raised the camera up to my eye, and took a photo of the twilight.
I pulled the camera away, moving my stare down to see the photo for itself. I liked it, but I'd also like to get a few more...
I lifted the camera back to my face, and snapped two more photos of the sunset. My camera began to stray, my eye still pressed onto it. My body changed direction, following the scenery from behind me through my camera lens.
When I found myself admiring the campsite from the edge of the lake, I suddenly landed on a familiar face.
He was leaning on a car, a car that just seemed to enter the campsite, all while he smoked a cigarette.
It was Theo.
The same boy my new friends want me to seduce and force answers out of. Which... I'm not too sure how I feel about that just yet.
He wasn't really doing anything though... He just kept his gaze stuck to his cell, his expression bleak as he smoked. He must've been searching for some kind of service. I already checked though, there was nothing.
That explained his grim look.
Nonetheless... He still looked attractive. Especially with the orange lighting from the sunset being overcast across his red, cold features.
I was quick, I snapped a photo of the boy before turning around to look at it. I pulled down the camera from my face to gawk at it. Skipping past the lake ones, all before landing on the single photo of Theo I took.
The photo caught his features perfectly. I couldn't help but stare, a near glimmer in my eyes. He wore a brown sweater, but underneath peaked out a white dress shirt. The photo didn't catch his lower parts, so I can't say what he's wearing for pants...
He was so... P—
"Rose! Watch out!"
I piqued up at the sudden voice only to catch a volleyball coming at me. I panicked, and took a step back quickly.
However, it seemed my heel was met with a large rock, so I fell backward into the water, all before the ball could even hit me.
The moment the rush of water enveloped my body, I immediately grabbed my camera hanging from my neck and raised my hands. The water was shallow, It wasn't like I was drowning or anything, but I was still soaked. My attention wasn't focused on that though, I was solely trying to save the small device hanging from my neck.
"Shoot," I mumbled to myself, looking at the wet camera. "I paid a lot for this—"
"Rose!"
I look up, only to see Theo standing above me, his feet emerged into the water up to his ankles. He looked down at me worried. "Stop laying around in the water, and get up! You'll catch a cold, and then we'll all have to go home—" Theo reached his hand out to grab my wrist.
Though the moment he grabbed my hand, I hummed playfully at his bickering. "Oh, hey there." I smiled up at him, his hand holding onto my wrist, but I wouldn't get up. "It's not that cold. Cmon, come and see—!" I had pulled Theo's own hand harshly, causing him to fall first into the water.
A big splash made me close my eyes, and giggles floated through my lips, but the moment i opened them, my giggling died down.
Theo was nearly laying on top of me.
Absolutely soaked.
He glared at me, and my playful expression disappeared. All before I awkwardly smiled at him, raising my hand to splash the water a little in his face.
"S-see? Not that cold—"
Theo suddenly moves a hand to splash some water directly into my own face. I flinch at the contact, before directing my own hand to splash him similarly, but in an even more aggressive manner. "What the hell!"
"Now you're just trying to provoke me, Jane." Theo smiles, abruptly standing from his position. I jump up too, keeping my eye close on him too.
"Shut up!" I glare at him, yet a competitive smile draws to my lips. He squats, readying himself to splash me.
Though...
I suddenly take a step back, and another, until the waters is suddenly at my knees. "I'll swim out far into that lake if you try to splash me again."
His eyebrows crinkle, and his lips pressed into a thin line. "Youre the one who started it!"
"I thought you'd know by now that I'm sort of petty."
Theo straightens his posture, raising his hands in the air in defeat the moment he understands I wasn't joking. "Okay, you got me. Just come back before you actually get sick." He shouts, we're pretty far away from each other.
I began walking back towards him, putting my attention on my drenched camera.
"Guess we'll both be sick," I mumble as I pass him. Leya rushed towards me, trying to conceal her laughing. Rin soon after.
They wrapped a towel over my shoulders before leading me off to the camper, Theo watches from afar, still standing in the water before Xavier rushes over to him.
"See? Like a dog in love." Leya laughs.
୨⎯ " at the devil's fingertips " ⎯୧
After Xavier rushed in to see if I was okay, he also brought me a change of clothes. I told him I brought my own, but he insisted, telling me to save my pajamas for a more comfortable time. I couldn't find myself denying it any further, especially knowing that I maybe didn't bring enough clothes.
Ida, Rin, Leya, and me all sit at a small table in the Camper, I have a blanket thrown over my shoulders. "I think that was the first time I've ever seen Theo smile before." Leya suddenly says, putting her phone down.
I sniffle a little, my nose feels runny. "He can't seem to stop smirking around me," I mumble to no one in particular.
Rin suddenly stands up, her cheeks pink. "Mission entertain Theo was a success. That asshole hasn't even looked my way once."
I smile softly at Rins deceleration. Ida gazes up at the White-haired girl, letting her chin rest on her palm. "I say let's drink as a celebration."
"Hell yeah!" Rin replies, hurriedly leaving the booth to go outside and join the boys—who have already started drinking. Ida follows suit, chanting to herself in excitement.
The camper goes silent with the mere exception of my sniffling. I turn to Leya, and smile softly. "Want to join them?"
Leya has her hair down this time, and she looks even prettier with her hair spread across her shoulders. "I don't know if I'll drink... But sure."
I brush off her words, standing from the seat. "Me neither, don't worry." She leaves the small table, and as we're making our way outside, I can't help but continue. "Oh, by the way, who else came?"
"Theo, Xavier, and a boy named Arden. He's pretty cute."
When we step out of the camper, I move to be next to her as he walks, nudging her shoulder lightly. "You should go say hi. Introduce yourself."
"I'll try." She softly sighs. The two of us have reached the campfire, Leya gives me a nervous smile before moving over to sit in a chair next to who I assumed was Arden.
He really was cute. He looked like he was tall, but I couldn't tell because he was sitting down. He had dreads, they were too long, but weren't too short either. They fell into his face perfectly. The boy seemed to only wear a plain pair of sweats, alongside a dark athlete's jacket.
I gave them a last glance before moving to stand in front of the fire, not picking to sit by anyone in particular. I kept my gaze stuck on the fire.
I really want Smores now.
I look up, and around, taking in what everyone was doing.
They were just... Drinking. Laughing. Acting stupid.
This isn't how you camped... Where are the smores? Theo was sitting next to Xavier on a log, Xavier seemed to be annoying him.
On the other side of the fire, in fold-out chairs, sat Ida, Leya, and Arden. I hummed for a moment.
Where is Rin? She seems to be like the only one who would want smores. I look around further, even doing a full turnaround, though I can't find her, and land back on the fire.
I chew on my lower lip, looking up to gaze at Theo.
I can't bother Leya right now... Ida intimidates me, she doesn't seem like the type to have a sweet tooth.
Theo, please don't fail me.
My feet move on their own, I slowly make my way over to Theo. Xavier and Theo's attention land on me the moment Im close enough for them to acknowledge.
Xavier hums as he leans in, all before he smiles, only on one side though. "Oh, Rose—"
Theo shakes away Xavier, who was leaning on his shoulder lazily. Theo had a blanket on too, to which he opened for me to sit next to him. "Want to sit with me?"
I shift in my position, smiling awkwardly. "No. Not really."
Xavier snorts.
Theo let his arm fall, his eyes finding their way to the fire. He doesn't say anything else after that... It was like he was going to ignore me if I didn't speak up again. I grow nervous.
"Uhm..." I take a step closer. "If I sit with you, can we make smores?"
Theo's attention is back on me instantly, and suddenly he opened his arm once again to let me get under the blanket. "Xavier, go get the shit to make the smores."
Theo kicks Xavier's ankle, causing the boy to hiss.
Xavier sends Theo a glare before standing to get the stuff from the camper. He mutters incoherent curses under his breath as he goes, but Theo doesn't pay attention to his utterings at all. I welcome myself into Theo's blanket, sitting right next to him as I smiled up at him softly.
"You have a sweet tooth?" Theo asks with a small smile.
"And you don't?" He looks at me like he doesn't for a small moment. "Get away from me..." I laugh awkwardly trying to brush off his funny look.
Other others around us put on some music, and the playlist began flipping through, until it landed on a particular song.
Fall into you. By Oscar Lang.
I turn to Theo the moment the song began. My expression was a little cold, yet evidently shocked.
"What is it?" He inquired.
"Do you like dancing?" I asked, ignoring my moral compass.
"No."
"Okay," I said, turning back to the campfire.
"Is that what you were going to ask? If I like dancing?" He laughs in an amazed tone.
"No..."
"Then ask me. I don't bite." He counters.
I suddenly turned to him, "Do you want to dance?"
"Yes."
I turn away with a sigh, but I have to stop myself as I fully processed his answer. My movements are slow and delicate, my shoulders relax into something vulnerable. Looking at Theo with a near glimmer in my eye, I can't help but simply stare at him. He really said yes? As the song progressed, it seemed to be near the best parts.
I suddenly shot up, grabbed Theo's hand, and started walking toward the camper. He followed me with no questions, until we were both behind it, hidden from those around us.
I turn to Theo, wrap my arms around his neck, and lock gazes with him.
He looks at me in amazement, "You don't want the others to see us dancing?"
"Do you?"
Theo thinks for a moment, letting his hands move down to clasp my waist. We start to sway to the music, but don't dare look away from each other.
"Youre right." He smiles down at me. "Intimate moments like these should never be shared."
"Just friends, Theo. Friends can dance." I smile at him stupidly, my words completely disagreeing with how I looked upon him. It hadn't really occurred to me that I was supposed to be seducing him, but in a way, this worked too.
There were near stars in my eyes. Glimmering confusingly, yet utterly infatuated beneath the luminous glow of the moon. It seemed like nothing but an act at this point—how I kept pushing out words that werent really what I wanted to say.
"Just friends wouldn't do this." He whispers, leaning down. "We shouldn't have to conceal our actions if they're innocent..."
I look away from him, avoiding his gaze. I simply close my eyes, and continue swaying to the music. I smile softly, letting my cheek rest on his chest. "I can't hear you. Only the bittersweet harmony in the background."
Theo sighs, and then looks down at me with a bitter look. He shakes his head, looking around, before grabbing my chin and forcing me to look at him.
He's looking at me so intently, and I can feel my composure begin to melt. "Please, Rose. This isn't just some game... And I wish more than anything that you would just understand that."
He presses his lips to mine, and for a small moment, my morals are completely gone. The kiss wasn't obscene, it felt sincere.
He pulls away, rests his forehead to my own. "I'll kill anyone who ever disrespects you. I'll protect you, for as long as you live. Don't you understand? Accept me, so I can do just that. Protect you."
And he kisses me again.
He kissed me softly—-this one was a little longer, a little more soft, and I could do nothing more than helplessly kiss him back with just as much need. He groaned in the connection before pulling away to simply look at me.
"I love you, Rose. More than life itself."
My heart melted in that moment. And despite the throb in my chest, I still pushed him away with the hesitancy of the unknown.
"What's my favorite book?" I paused, my brows narrowing. "My favorite color?" I gently tear myself from his grasp, the fervor of the moment was slowly disappearing—-his words were getting heavier. "I think you're just confusing yourself... You don't know anything about me, seriously—"
Theo suddenly grabs my wrist, without warning. And with all his power, he pulls me close to the camper. I was cornered in between his arms, I couldn't do anything other than stare up at him.
"Theo... Stop it..."
I've never seen him look at me like this. He looks so serious, yet vulnerable at the same time. His eyebrows are narrowed into something so complex, and his cheeks are red—is it from the cold? I ask myself, but I'm not sure I want to know.
"The Catcher In The Rye. That's your favorite book. And your favorite color?" My eyes go wide as shock begins to paint my face. "Grey. Just like my eyes. Am I wrong?"
"Theo—I don't understand... How did you..." I curled my hand around the back of his neck, and pushed myself closer.
I didn't have a reason to.
But within that instant, the walls I had built up were suddenly gone.
And I wasn't thinking. Not even a little.
I wasn't asking myself the questions I should have been. I was only enamored by his words, his presence.
"Now you're the one who's being unreasonable, Rose." He leans in close, pressing his mouth to my ear. "Now there's no reason for you to not love me back... You're toying with me."
"N-no, I'm not—"
"Stop acting stupid, Rose."
Theo raises a hand to gently clasp my face. His hands are trembling, and his eyes shift into something desperate. His hand clasps my cheek, gripping it softly as he forced my regard to his level.
"Just try... Try to remember."
I can only stare at Theo with parted lips.
What... What is he talking about?
"Theo..?" I whisper out. "What are you... Saying?"
The hope in his eyes seems to dissolve at my words. He turns his head away, all before he let go of me fully. "Nothing." He mumbles. "Nevermind. Dont worry about."
Xavier peaks around the camper, spotting us. He's holding two beers in his hand, his blonde hair easily swiped back by the baseball cap he wore. "Oh! There you guys are! C'mon, we're starting smores."
Theo nods at Xavier's words. He turns back to me, before leaving to gather at the campfire.
I can't move. My feet won't move.
Remember what?
My mind is racing, and the moment Theo stepped away, I've never felt so alone with myself. My chest rose and fell his ragged breaths, I was trying my hardest to gather myself as it all hit me.
Do I have a history with Theo?