Office Intertwined⚝

Chapter 44 - Nature's Embrace

The next day dawned with the rain having cleared up, although the grounds were left muddy and wet. In response, everyone donned their wellies. Tessa, their cheerful guide, gathered them around the unlit campfire."First activity today is simple. Partner up and go find the items on this list. The first person to bring them back gets a prize!" Tessa announced,  handing out the list and energising the group. Excitement buzzed as everyone quickly paired up, eager to embark on the scavenger hunt.

The group scattered into the woods for the scavenger hunt, with Juliet partnering up with Derek. Kass couldn't help but observe as Juliet boldly flirted with him. Memories of the secret admirer letter Juliet had received crossed her mind, and she couldn't shake the thought that Derek might be the mysterious sender.

Before she could dwell on it further, Jason swept her up into his arms and onto his back. "Come on, let's win this!" he exclaimed, setting off into the woods in search of the first item, a pinecone. They quickly found one, and the hunt continued for the second item, a berry, which was soon safely tucked away.

"We're good at this, huh?" Jason chuckled, looking at Kass. She smiled back, but her mind remained preoccupied with the events of the previous night.Lost in her thoughts, Kass stumbled over a tree root. "Woahh, you ok?" Jason bent down to help her up. "Haha, sorry. My mind is somewhere completely different," Kass confessed. She began to feel more shy around him, missing the ease of confiding in him. With the shift in their relationship, she found herself navigating uncharted territory."Oh really? Me too..." Jason replied, smiling suggestively. "Jason..." Kass began, and he looked at her with concern. "Yeah, what's wrong? You never just say my name randomly..." he laughed nervously.

"I'm not sure how to act around you now. Before, it was a comfortable friendship, but now I feel shy and scared. And I don't know how to be... it's all muddled, and I feel crazy," Kass babbled. Jason sat down on a log with her, his arm around her shoulder, seeking to understand."Is it something I'm doing wrong? Is it making you uncomfortable?" he asked, sincerely trying to find a solution.

"No, you're absolutely amazing, Jason. I think you're kind, brave, and honest. We've been through so much together... and it feels strange to suddenly go from keeping my feelings silent to openly showing you my love. If you get what I mean..."

"I know, it's completely new for you, and it is for me too. Maybe I just find it a bit easier than you to navigate, but I want to help you too with it," Jason said, squeezing her hand reassuringly. Birds chirped in the background.

Kass couldn't help but feel relieved that he understood and didn't take it the wrong way. "I'm so glad you understand. I was scared you might get angry with me," she admitted, her eyes reflecting a mix of vulnerability and sincerity.

"No, I wouldn't do that to you. I need you too much to mess something up. I want things to go smoothly between us, and for that, we gotta talk things out," Jason reassured her. He leaned in, his gaze locked with hers, as if trying to convey the depth of his feelings through his eyes. The forest around them held a serene stillness, interrupted only by birdsong.

Kass poured her feelings out to Jason. Her eyes were fixed on his. "I think what scares me the most is the way we interact has changed. I kind of think before I say things now, like I don't want to do something embarrassing in front of you, when before I didn't give it much thought. And I think about my actions much more before I do them. Things like that," she confessed.

Jason, taking in her words, reached for her hands. "Kass, you don't have to be anyone other than yourself. I fell for you because of who you are, not some ideal version of you. Don't feel pressured to change just because we're dating now. We're still us, just with a little extra. And hey, if you ever feel unsure or something bothers you, let's talk about it. We'll figure it out together," he reassured, his gaze filled with understanding and affection.

'' I get it. Change is a bit scary, especially when it feels like you're stepping into unknown territory. But always remember, we're in this together." He leaned in, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.