Chapter 27

SELENA

The drive to the campsite was a mix of fun and exhaustion. I had taken on most of the driving, but Eva and I switched places a few times to keep things manageable. We had chosen a campsite in another state, making the journey a bit longer but promising a more adventurous experience.

When we finally arrived, the campsite welcomed us with the peaceful rustling of leaves and the distant murmur of a nearby stream. Tall trees surrounded the clearing, their canopies filtering the late afternoon sunlight. The air was crisp with the scent of pine needles, instantly refreshing after hours on the road.

The campsite itself was well-maintained, with designated fire pits and picnic tables scattered around. We parked our cars near the entrance and began unloading our gear. Ezra and the boys immediately took charge, setting up tents while the rest of us organized our sleeping bags and camping essentials.

I found myself stealing glances at Cyrus as we worked. He was focused and efficient, his movements precise as he helped Ezra and the others with the tents. Despite my efforts to focus on the task at hand, my thoughts kept drifting to him. His presence seemed to linger in the background, a reminder of something left unsaid between us.

After setting up our tents, we gathered around the fire pit, the crackling flames casting flickering shadows on our faces. We laughed and joked as we roasted marshmallows and shared stories. The atmosphere was relaxed yet charged with anticipation for the night ahead.

As the evening wore on, I found myself drawn to a spot not far from where Cyrus was sitting with Ezra and the others. I pretended to be busy arranging my sleeping bag, stealing occasional glances in his direction. He caught my eye once or twice, a small smile tugging at his lips before he turned back to his conversation.

"You know it's so obvious that you're stealing glances at him, right?" Eva's voice broke through my thoughts, making me turn my gaze towards her before scoffing in denial.

"No, I am not," I replied defensively. Eva and I were sharing one tent, spacious enough to fit five people, yet it felt stifling with the weight of our conversation.

"Funny," she said, chuckling as she settled onto the bed I had laid out on the floor.

"Don't you think you need to talk to him?" she asked, her eyes searching mine for honesty.

"What? No," I said, trying to brush off the suggestion, but my voice wavered.

"No?" she repeated, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah... I think we're better off like this," I said, sitting beside her. The tent flap was still open, offering a view of the camp and the people milling around.

"Hmmm... He looks like he wouldn't leave you alone with Marco, though," she noted, and my gaze followed hers to Cyrus. He was munching on a bag of chips, the way he ate made me crave them too, a strange pang of longing tightening in my chest. He always seemed to do everything perfectly-except when it came to handling a girl's heart.

"He doesn't get to choose that, it's up to me," I said, rolling my eyes in an attempt to dismiss my true feelings.

"Uhm... You know he can just tell your brothers, and your relationship with your lover boy would end right there," she warned, her tone serious.

"He would never. If he wants me like you say he does, he won't spoil my happiness for his selfish reasons," I said, trying to sound confident. I stood up, needing to move, to do something to dispel the confusion and frustration swirling inside me.

"Why don't you get back together with Ezra then?" I shot back sarcastically.

"I'd rather just fuck him than date him," she replied bluntly, making me look at her with a sigh.

"Do whatever you want with Ezra. He's an asshole anyway," I said, shaking my head. "I'm going to get some chips."

I walked out of the tent, my heart pounding. As I approached Ezra's tent, where Cyrus was sitting, I felt my pulse quicken. Cyrus's gaze met mine, and for a moment, everything else faded away.

"Do you want me to stay in your tent? Then I would stay in yours?" Ezra asked, his voice dripping with playful sarcasm.

"No, pervert," I shot back, giving him a look of disgust.

"Then why are you here?" he asked, his tone turning serious.

"I want some chips," I replied, my eyes drifting to the bag in Cyrus's hand.

"Do I look like I produce chips? And besides, Cyrus owns them, not me," Ezra retorted. I rolled my eyes and gave him the finger.

"I'd rather fuck your friend," he said, his eyes narrowing.

"And I'd rather fuck yours too," I countered.

"Ew... Cyrus? Ew... that's like fucking your brother because you've known him all your life," he said, pulling a face of mock revulsion.

"And you ended up fucking Eva. How many years have you known her?" I crossed my arms, staring him down.

"Okay, fine... I take it back. Now take yours back," he conceded, a hint of defeat in his voice.

"Fine, I'd rather be a nun," I said, watching a smile spread across Ezra's face. I turned my attention to Cyrus, who was smirking. As I attempted to leave, he spoke up.

"You can have some chips, though," he said, extending the bag towards me.

"No, thank you," I replied, giving him the fakest smile I could muster before walking away.

When night fell and the campfire burned low, we retreated to our tents, tired but content. I lay in my sleeping bag, the sounds of the forest lulling me into a peaceful state.

~~

"Wake up, sleeping beauty," was the first thing I heard in the morning. I slowly opened my eyes to see the first light of day breaking through the tent's seams. It wasn't that bright yet, just the soft hues of dawn.

"What's the time?" I asked groggily, rubbing my eyes.

"6," Eva replied, already sitting up.

"That's early," I yawned, stretching my limbs.

"Yeah, that's because we have to bathe before the boys. And guess what? We have to bathe in a nearby ocean," she said, and I sighed before standing up.

"Why did I agree to this?" I muttered, making her chuckle.

"To be honest," she said with a grin. We woke the girls up, gathered our bathing materials, and started the walk toward the water.

"This is going to be so cold," I said, already shivering at the thought.

"It can make a guy boner go away," Mia joked, and we all laughed.

"You go first," Rachel said, nudging Eva.

"There's nothing to be scared of," Eva said confidently, pulling off her clothes and walking right into the water as if it wasn't cold at all.

"She is the real badass," Stephanie said, pulling off her clothes and joining her. I had no choice but to join them too, steeling myself against the chill.

As the icy water enveloped me, I gasped, feeling a rush of adrenaline and camaraderie with my friends. We splashed and laughed, the cold forgotten in the warmth of our fun.

We almost forgot that the boys had to bathe too when Blue walked in on us. Seeing me, he made a gagging face before running away. I knew if I wasn't there, he would have been gawking at my friends.

We finished bathing and went back to the tent, our skin tingling from the cold water.

"How was the swimming?" Reggie asked, looking at us with a smirk.

"We went to bathe, not swim," I corrected him.

"That's swimming, spending a whole hour there?" Reggie teased, draping his towel over his head.

"Just shut up and go bathe, you smell so bad," I said, pinching my nose dramatically. He rolled his eyes before walking past us.

"Your brother is hot," Mia said, making Eva and me look at each other before bursting into laughter.

"Stay away from Reggie if you don't want to cry. The only one who is good is Grey, but unfortunately, he has a girlfriend," I warned.

"Noted," Mia said with a playful sigh, and we all headed back to the tent, the camaraderie and humor making the early morning adventure worth it.

---

The sun was high in the sky as we set out for our first adventure of the trip-a hike to the nearby waterfall. The campsite was bustling with energy as everyone gathered their gear. Ezra took charge, naturally falling into the role of the leader.

"Everyone ready?" Ezra called out, his voice carrying over the chatter. Cyrus stood beside him, looking effortlessly cool as always. Reggie was busy adjusting his backpack, while Blue and Grey were playfully shoving each other, their excitement palpable. Teddy was joking around with Reggie, who wasn't answering him but concentrating on the backpack.

I was with my friends-Eva, Stephanie, Mia, and Rachel. They were all buzzing with anticipation, their enthusiasm adding to the lively atmosphere. Eva shot me a knowing look as we started our hike, her eyes twinkling with excitement.

The trail wound through a dense forest, the trees towering above us and providing much-needed shade. Birds chirped overhead, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of pine and earth. As we hiked, I found myself walking next to Cyrus more often than not, our steps falling into an easy rhythm.

"Enjoying the hike?" Cyrus asked, glancing at me with a hint of a smile.

"Yeah, it's beautiful out here," I replied, trying to keep my tone casual despite the flutter in my chest.

Ahead of us, Reggie and Teddy were joking loudly, their banter echoing through the trees. The twins were a few steps behind, still engaged in their playful wrestling match, while Ezra kept a watchful eye on everyone, his natural protectiveness shining through.

After what felt like hours, we finally reached the waterfall. It was a breathtaking sight-the water cascading down the rocks, creating a misty spray that glistened in the sunlight. Everyone let out a collective gasp of awe.

"This is amazing!" Stephanie exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder.

We all spread out, some of us venturing closer to the waterfall while others found spots to sit and relax. I sat on a large rock near the water's edge, dipping my feet into the cool, refreshing stream. Eva joined me, her face glowing with excitement.

"This is perfect," she said, leaning back and closing her eyes, letting the sun warm her face.

As we all settled in, I couldn't help but steal glances at Cyrus. He was talking to Ezra, their heads bent together in a serious conversation. There was something about the way he carried himself-so confident and assured-that always drew me in.

"You're staring again," Eva whispered, nudging me playfully.

"Am not," I muttered, though my cheeks burned with embarrassment.

"Just talk to him," she urged. "You never know what could happen."

I sighed, knowing she was right but still feeling apprehensive. Before I could dwell on it too much, Reggie called out, "Hey, who wants to go for a swim?"

A chorus of enthusiastic responses followed, and soon we were all splashing in the pool at the base of the waterfall. The water was chilly, but it felt invigorating after the long hike. We laughed and played, the worries of the real world melting away in the face of such natural beauty.

At one point, I found myself floating on my back, staring up at the clear blue sky. It was in moments like these that everything felt right, like all the pieces of my life were falling into place. I glanced over to see Cyrus diving into the water with effortless grace, his laughter mingling with the others'.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the landscape, we reluctantly made our way back to camp. The hike back was quieter, everyone tired but content. Back at the campsite, we gathered around the fire, the warmth and light creating a cozy, intimate atmosphere.

Ezra handed out hot cocoa, a tradition he insisted on for every camping trip. As I sipped the warm drink, I felt the warm cocoa drink flow down my throat.

"Uhm... Selena," Ezra called, drawing my attention. He sat down beside me and pulled out his credit card.

"Can you grab something for me from the nearby supermarket?" he asked, his tone casual but his eyes serious.

"Just me?" I questioned, surprised.

"No... Cyrus will come with you," he replied, gesturing towards Cyrus, who was already looking in our direction.

"Why? Why not send Reggie or Blue?" I asked, curious about his choice.

"Well... because I want you to do it, please," he said softly, his gaze steady on mine.

"Cyrus could go by himself," I countered, unsure of his motives.

"He doesn't drive cars that aren't his," Ezra chuckled lightly, but I couldn't shake the feeling that he might just want some time away from me at the camp.

Reluctantly, I nodded before turning to Cyrus.

"Okay, cool," I agreed, standing up to get ready.

"I'll go charge my phone," I added, heading into my tent. After plugging it in, I decided to leave it behind since we wouldn't be gone for long.

We made our way to the car, the tension palpable between us. I started the engine, and the drive to find the supermarket began in silence. We scanned the surroundings for any sign of a store, but after 30 minutes, we were still empty-handed. Frustrated, I turned to Google Maps for help, which led us further away from the camp and into unfamiliar territory.

Finally arriving at the designated supermarket location, we were met with disappointment-it was abandoned and in ruins. Cyrus and I exchanged a glance, our confusion mirrored in each other's eyes. Deciding it was best to return to camp, I turned the car around. However, just as we were heading back, the engine sputtered and died, leaving us stranded on the side of the road.

My heart raced as I stared at the dashboard, trying to comprehend why the car had suddenly stopped. Cyrus checked under the hood while I frantically searched for any clue of what might be wrong. The gravity of our situation sank in as we realized we were miles away from camp with a malfunctioning vehicle.

Just the two of us, alone...

TBC