Prettiest Lie - A Taekook Love Story.

19 - I Expected A Better Welcome.

Usually, when two people speak at the same time to cover up a lie, it ends in disaster. But fortunately for Taehyung, this panicked blunder worked out perfectly for him.

"Hoseok told me."

"I told him."

Taehyung and Hoseok said at the same time, making the group take turns to look at them.

"Ahhh, yes. We were just talking yesterday at the beach and, you know, it just came up." Hoseok said with a little chuckle, before looking at Taehyung. "I'm so glad you remembered it."

"Uhh.. yeah. Me too." Taehyung was a great actor so his face did not betray any of the earlier worry or the subsequent relief in his heart.

When Jungkook returned with his new food plate, the table had turned back to normal, carefree conversations. He quietly sat next to Taehyung, without really looking at the latter.

After lunch, they were to relax for a few hours before their evening activity, which happened to be hiking a small mountain trail in the middle of the island. It's relatively small and shouldn't take more than 2-3 hours to get to the top. The path is confirmed to be safe from any dangerous wildlife and there's a small clearing at the top which is being used as a camping site.

Yeonjun and Soobin had already made arrangements for the camping gear to be made available so the group only has to carry their overnight clothes and other personal items. Anyone without appropriate attire or accessories, can buy those from the shop in the hotel.

By 4 in the afternoon, everyone was ready with their small backpacks. Although the trail is pretty obvious and with hardly any chance of getting lost, the two organisers didn't want to take any chances. So they had few local guides too.

The group, of course, had different levels of enthusiasm for this activity. Some were very excited. Some, not so much.

Jungkook was hyped up to the maximum and really enjoyed walking through the forest and the climb. It was exactly his kind of adventure, something about being connected with nature always made him happy.

Sana, on the other hand, had her lips tightly closed, eyes darting in every direction at the slightest noise. She was still polite and charming, but it was very clear that hiking was not one of her preferred activities.

Jimin seemed like he's having the time of his life. He was occasionally dragging Yoongi by his hand, who muttered about how he would have loved to have a nap in the afternoon, instead of walking miles and sweating buckets. Hoseok didn't particularly show a likeness or a dislike. He just walked with Taehyung, who was having the same neutral expression on his face.

Once they reached the camping site, everyone was left with open mouths. It was a  flat and a clear area except for a few big trees around the edges that had hammocks hanging. Loose clusters of tents in the middle, with two folding chairs in front of the tent and stuff needed for a campfire laid on the side. A picturesque stream with the clearest water they have ever seen.

"Alright guys", Soobin's loud voice boomed through the clearing. "Two people for a tent, sleeping bags are already inside. You can stay with your rooming partner or someone else, your choice. If you are planning to get into the stream, you absolutely can. It's clean and not that deep. Although you might want to do it sooner than later because I've been told that it gets really cold at night. Barbecue will start in around an hour's time, near that big tree over there. We have people to manage it but anyone who would like to help with it, is most welcomed."

Soobin smiled at everyone as they nodded their heads to show that they understood the instructions, before walking towards the tents. Taehyung was already making a beeline towards a tent and just as Hoseok decided to follow him, a voice called out his name.