The world was a hazy blur when my eyes opened. It felt like I was floating, and it took over a minute to register that I was standing.How…I looked around, another shock dawning on me when I realized that I was at our camp. It was night, the sky was devoid of both moon and stars. Even the fire was burnt out, leaving only a trail of smoke where it had been. The night was cold as well, with an eerie silence.I took in a deep breath, shuddering from the cold. I looked around again, squinting so I'd see through the darkness. I saw Lira asleep on her sheets, her small frame curled up and covered with another piece of clothing.Nathan was asleep too. His body was stiff, and there was tension visible on his face even while asleep. Luca was half awake, half asleep, constantly stirring and his eyes barely even closed.I took a minute to stare at him. It was then I realized that this was how he always slept, like he was always ready to sprang up on danger instead of it happening the other way
My heart dropped into a pool of misery mysteriously created by myself. And damn! This pool was so so deep.I didn't hesitate to push Luca off me, as if that would change the fact that we had just kissed.“Nathan…” my voice fell out in a hushed whisper.Nathan shook his head, right before he turned and began to walk away. It was like what happened about an hour ago was repeating itself. Only that this time, Nathan had every reason to be mad at me.“Nathan," I called again, much louder this time.Luca didn't hold me back when I began trotting after Nathan, but I swear I heard him laugh softly. I would have stopped to throw a dagger at him with my stare, but the person in front of me was much more important.“Nathan, please wait!" I begged, my voice shaky.He stopped, then shot me the scariest glare I'd ever seen. I almost tripped over my own feet as I came to an abrupt halt.“Do Not Follow Me, Mira." He commanded, his voice low and filled with intense authority.My heart stilled. As if
My heart skipped and stilled for the longest minute ever. And when it began beating again, I almost wished it didn't.“Luca, what the actual fuck?” I screamed the minute my legs found the ground.I turned to see an amused expression on his face, and boy, did my anger just quadruple!“You need to see your face right now," he said just before his snickers turned into full blown laughter.I clenched my fists beside me, the anger surging through my veins at that moment was quite unhealthy.“What the fuck man? How is this even funny?" I barked at him.He held his stomach as if desperately trying to keep the laugh in.“I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Mira. But this has to be the funniest thing that has happened in a while.”I let out a snort, turned and began walking away. He held my hand."Hey, wait!”Angrily, I snatched my hand from his hold, meeting him in the eyes. “You're sick!"“It was just a joke, Mira. Don't overreact now."I scoffed in disbelief. “I'm overreacting? Dude, you scared the s
I was tempted to storm over to Luca and question why he was smiling like he'd become the devil overnight.What the hell was funny?But I didn't go to him. I knew better. Instead, I turned and went in the direction Nathan had gone.“Mira," I heard Lira call after me, but I didn't respond.“Where are you going?" She yelled, the frustration and anger in her tone quite evident.Again, I ignored. She'd probably give me a handful after this, but I couldn't not go after Nathan. I mean… why would he ignore me like that?Even though the sun was fully blasting above, this part of the valley was shaded. The trees were tall, with large branches that stretched and stretched.I took a deep breath, and let it out. You got this, Mira.Squinting ahead, I began walking. “Nathan!” I yelled.No response!“Nathan," I tried again.Ughhhh! How did he disappear so fast?I plunged deeper and deeper into the trees, yelling his name time and time again. It was like he had mysteriously metamorphosed into one of
The sun seemed very very beautiful to me the next morningBut don't lie to yourself, Mira.I cringed at my thought. Fine! I wasn't here because I loved the sun, I just really needed to escape Luca.Don't you dare ask why.Last night had ended with me pushing him away, even after everything. I couldn't entirely place my hand around it, but a part of me was unable to fully let this go, to just forget what had happened and let it go.Which is why I'm here, standing in the same hill where he kissed me like he hadn't wretched my heart apart.“Mira," I heard a voice call.I turned abruptly to see Lira standing there. I let out a relived sigh. If that had been Luca, I would panic.“Hey!" I said.She was beneath the hill, staring at me with a blank expression."Get down here, Mira.” It wasn't a command, her voice sounded empty of any emotion.I did as she said. Effortlessly sliding down the little hill to meet her.“Hey," I said again.Staring at her up close, I realized there was indeed an
“You think I've lied to you?"He sneered. “Not think, Mira. I know you've lied to me. Not once, or twice, but unlike you I'm not here laying blames. I'm not letting that ruin the beautiful thing we had going on."I was mortified. I think it's confirmed. This man sitting beside me wasn't the Luca I knew."What are you even talking about? What lie? Why are you doing this, Luca?” I rattled at him.He didn't seem phased by my tone, or by the fact that I was this close to breaking down in tears. Or did he just not hear it?“You and I know it's the truth, Mira. You and I know you lied when you said you have no feelings for Nathan. You can quit denying it now."I barely even realized when my body began trembling with rage. “How dare you? What the actual fuck has come over you, Luca?"“You're not denying it."I exhaled, my heart pounding.“You shouldn't."That was more than enough. My anger doubled, but yet, I was at loss of what to say. I jerked to my feet with a scoff."Way to go. This is t