Chapter 28: : Chapter 28

‘So, Snow White, how was your night beneath the stars?’

‘Liam, shut the fuck up and get your own nickname,’ Elija snaps. I stifle a laugh. Liam might not be my favorite person but I don’t want to make him feel bad.

The guys and I are at our hangout again. Benji, Liam, and I came here after the race, not before they forced me to get late breakfast though, and the others just joined. They wanted to take showers first which I more than appreciate as the scent of Elija’s body wash wafts over me. Not sure when it happened but it kind of became one of my comfort scents. Does that sound weird? Probably but I don’t care. If my thoughts can’t be weird then what can?

All the guys look at me expectantly so I tell them. I’m sure they all remember the last trip so I just tell them I wanted to do that again. They didn’t really question it.

‘You should have just told us. We totally would have been down,’ Benji tells me.

‘Speak for yourself,’ Liam mutters though he gets ignored like usual. I flash him a quick smile since I feel bad before turning to Benji.

‘I didn’t plan on doing it and you guys were busy.’ I shrug but don’t miss the looks the guys share. Love to feel excluded.

‘Next time, no matter how busy we seem, you tell us where you’re going or at least make sure your phone is on,’ Orion tells me. I smirk at that.

‘I knew you guys loved me,’ I tease them. ‘Especially you, Elsa. There’s a soft heart hidden beneath all that ice, isn’t there?’ I add towards Orion. The guy’s just a big softie using some strong sarcasm to keep people from coming too close.

‘You wish, Lorence,’ he tells me but I’m already on my feet. ‘What are you doing?’ He asks with narrowed eyes.

‘You just need a hug to melt away some of that ice, don’t you,’ I say playfully, enjoying the way his eyes widen slightly. It’s a fun game, not going to lie.

‘Lorence, if you hug me-‘ I don’t give him time to finish his threat but wrap my arms around his neck.

‘Don’t worry, Elsa, it’s okay to care about others.’ I stroke his hair in a jokingly comforting manner.

‘Don’t touch my hair, you hag! Guys, help me!’ he yells even as his arms gently stay on my back.

Deciding I’ve tortured him enough, I finally release him.

‘Anyone else?’ I ask the guys. Before someone can react, Jamie swoops me up in a hug.

‘Ha! My flower girl, I got her first!’ he announces proudly, squeezing me tight enough to make it hard to breathe. I won’t complain though, not when he’s this cute.

‘Actually, she was my friend first! Give her back!’ Benji protests. Soon, all of them start bickering like little boys. At least I stop being the topic quickly so I can sit down next to Elija.

‘I swear sometimes it feels like we’re ten again,’ he mutters. The affectionate expression as he watches his friends tells me he all but minds.

‘You’re lucky to have each other,’ I say a little wistfully. I didn’t mean to make a remark but it just kind of slipped. Elija obviously heard it since he turns to look at me. Way to ruin a nice moment, Florence.

‘I’m pretty sure they like you more than me,’ he tells me, making me laugh. ‘I’m serious. You should have seen them when they found out I lost you last night.’ He lets that sink in for a beat. ‘I’m sorry for that. I should have said it earlier but I somehow tend to be on my worst behavior around you. Either way, it was really sucky of me to act that way last night and I’m really sorry.’

‘Don’t worry about it,’ I tell him. It might have hurt me last night but I’m fine now. What a good night of sleep beneath the stars can’t all do.

‘What I’m saying is, you can count on us too. They’re just as much your friends as they are mine,’ Elija says, looking back at them. I turn my gaze away, worrying my bottom lip as I ponder my next words. He said they are my friends, not ‘we’. Did he just not think about it or does it really mean something? After yesterday, I kind of abandoned the idea that he and I could be more than friends but his words give me some fresh hope. I probably shouldn’t read so much into it but I can’t help it.

‘What about you?’ I ask, unable to stop myself.

‘Me?’ he asks.

‘Well, I mean. Are we friends?’ I clarify, crossing my fingers behind my back. Honestly, I’m not sure what I’d want him to say but my heart is still racing with anticipation.

Elija searches my face before looking away and nodding. ‘Yeah, Florence. We’re friends.’ At least we’re back to Florence.

–

‘Are you ready for the last challenge?’ I ask Elija as he gets ready to get into his canoe. The last challenge is another race. This time, the last ten students in the competition need to row one length of the lake and back. Fastest one wins before we go home tomorrow.

‘As ready as I’ll ever be. Not sure how well I’ll do but whatever,’ Elija tells me with a smile.

‘I’m sure you’ll do great. Either way, I’ll cheer you on.’ The guy looks like he wants to say something but Mr. Hank interrupts him, counting down from twenty. ‘Go. And win.’ I wink at him, hoping it doesn’t look awkward.

Elija blushes and says, ‘Whatever you say, Snow White.’ We’re close together, people coming nearer on every side. All the other contestants are already in their boats but Elija keeps staring at me.

‘Kiss her!’ Someone yells nearby. I try to laugh it off even as Elija glances at my lips, seeming to seriously consider it.

Do it, I’d like to tell him. Of course, I stay silent.

‘Elija!’ Mr. Hank finally snaps.

‘You need to get into the boat,’ I tell him softly. He nods and finally sits into his canoe. Then the race starts and the ten students push themselves away from the docks.

The viewers break out in cheers and I join them happily. Despite my first thoughts, this competition is actually fun.

The guys find me and help me yell Elija’s name as he gets further and further away. None of them qualified for this round but it makes it all the more fun for me. At least I only have to yell one name now.

‘He’s doing really well!’ I say even as the others see it themselves.

‘I bet he won’t win,’ Liam huffs.

‘Bet against you. Fifty bucks,’ Orion challenges him. Liam agrees but only after making a comment about how fifty bucks wouldn’t hurt him as much as they would Orion.

Meanwhile, I make a bet with myself, of sorts. If Elija wins, I stop being a coward and kiss him. If he pushes me away I’ll know and even though I’d be disappointed. At least I could be done with it and get over this crush.

The crowd grows painfully loud with each foot Elija gets closer. Behind me, more people start pushing forward as they try to see who’s winning, causing me to nearly fall into the water.

‘Hey, back off!’ Marcus barks at a few people but for once no one seems to listen to him.

‘Come on, Flo, let’s get away before they throw us off the dock,’ Benji says. He gently takes my arm and starts pulling me away from the edge. I frown since I’m no longer to see Elija but don’t fight him.

Suddenly, a whistle goes off and more whoops and cheers erupt. I hear many ‘Elija!’s being yelled so I turn around.

The guys and I are on the beach next to the lake and I see Elija fighting his way through the crowd, getting patted on the back on his way.

He seems to look for something in the crowd so I wave at him. When he sees me, his smile seems to brighten and his steps get more determined. I’d like to meet him halfway but I need to muster up my courage. He won. Elija actually won. That means I need to kiss him.

Is it too late to take it back? Yes. I’m doing this.

Florence, you’re doing this.

Elija isn’t very far anymore so I start walking as well. The guys are cheering as they follow me but the champion’s eyes stay on me. As if he could see my thoughts, his tongue darts out to wet his lips. I follow the movement, nearly groaning. Now that I’m this close, I can’t wait to finally taste them.

Out of nowhere, a girl appears by Elija’s side. She grabs his shoulders and turns him roughly. Then, without another warning, she slams her lips on his.

With a start, I realize the girl is Joe from the other night.

My steps falter and I feel the smile freeze on my lips.

Typical Florence, this close but still not managing to pull it off.