Safe

Chapter 3

I held my breath as the door opened. In the middle of the cabin was a picnic blanket surrounded by candles and rose petals. The bunk bed was moved to the side and Stephen stood waiting. It was the classic romantic date and it made my heart warm. For a moment I forgot all about the Elite Princess or that he was a cheating jackass.

"Do you like it?" Stephen asked, snapping me out of my romantic haze.

"I love it, but shouldn't you be doing this for your fiancée," I said deflated.

"It's an arranged marriage. I don't love her. I love you, Zara. You," Stephen pleaded, and just like that, I was back under his spell that would break me.

"Ok," I mumbled, against my common sense.

He leaned in to kiss me but I stopped him.

"I love you too but I want our first kiss to be special. Not just after talking about the Elite Princess," I told him.

"Elite Princess?" he asked with a smile.

"Yeah, it suits her perfectly."

"Ok," he accepted and pulled me into a hug.

I nuzzled my head into his shoulder and inhaled. His sent of musk and strawberries hitting me. We pulled apart and sat down.

"So, any more ex's I have to worry about?" I asked.

"Yeah," he muttered sheepishly.

"Who?"

"Violet," Stephen mumbled and I stood up angrily.

"Seriously? Does the world hate me and want to put me in literal torture? At first, I was stoked that we get to spend 6 weeks together, but now it's heartbreaking. I must spend 6 weeks with you and your 2 exes away from my Mum. See you tomorrow Stephen," I whispered sadly.

I ran back to my cabin and fell asleep straight away. Deciding to ignore Stephen for a while, it hurts.

I woke up the next morning with a feeling of homesickness. I miss my Mum. I wonder how she's doing.

"Good morning campers. If you'd please get changed and get ready for a morning run. After the run, we will have breakfast before the first activity. Meet at the dining hall," Daria said over the loudspeakers.

Clover, Violet, and Elite Princess groaned and all of them went back to sleep. Me however being the early riser I am was ready to start the day. I walked into the bathroom and took a quick shower. Quickly, changing into the sports bra and leggings. I guess this is what these clothes were for. I also put my hair in a high ponytail and left the bathroom. I walked over to Clover's bed and shook her. She mumbled a few choice words under her breath but opened her eyes.

"What?"

"You need to get up. Daria wants us to go for a morning run," I told her.

She nodded and dragged herself over towards the bathroom. I waited patiently until she came out in basically the same clothes as me. I went to leave but she stopped me.

"We need to wake them up," Clover reasoned.

"No thanks," I scoffed. "They're Elite," I added and left the cabin.

As I was walking, I saw Stephen leave the cabin. I huffed and walked a little faster not wanting to talk to him. I just can't deal with it this morning. To my annoyance, he did catch up with me.

"Hey Zara, talk to me. I'm sorry about last night," Stephen said.

I completely ignored him as I kept walking. Why did it have to be so damn long to get to the dining room? We walked in tense silence until we reached the dining hall. Daria was waiting and tapping her foot. When she saw us, she smiled and we stood next to her.