Heart Me

Chapter 25

Nate's POV

"Did you have anything to do with Clarke's injury?" I confronted Mia, my voice barely audible over the rhythmic crashing of waves. We stood by the beach, the sun casting a golden hue over the water as it dipped below the horizon, and it was almost curfew time.

"I didn't do anything," she started crying, her tears glistening in the fading light, making her look both innocent and vulnerable.

"Okay. It's okay. Stop crying," I hushed, feeling a mix of frustration and sympathy welling up inside me.

"I was just taking a walk in the woods, and he aggressively approached me. He wanted to hit me with his clenched fist... then... then he hit the tree. I didn't do anything," she explained, her voice trembling with fear and confusion, each word spilling out in a desperate rush.

"Did anyone see you?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady and my own anxiety at bay.

"What?" Her cries ceased, her eyes wide with alarm, reflecting the last rays of the setting sun.

"Did anyone see you?" I repeated, more urgently, my heart pounding in my chest.

"No. When he hit the tree, I got scared and ran away. I bumped into Tristan, though," she said timidly, her gaze dropping to the ground, unable to meet my eyes.

"What? Tristan saw you?" I inquired, feeling a knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach. This could complicate things.

"No. He saw me coming from the woods when I bumped into him," she mumbled, her voice barely audible, the wind carrying away her words almost before they reached me.

"He saw you come from the woods. Don't say no one saw you. If he tells anyone he saw you come from the woods the night Clarke got injured, what do you think will happen? They are going to say it's you that hurt him. Mia... Why are you looking for trouble?" I scolded her, the words tumbling out in a rush of frustration and concern.

"He won't tell anyone he saw me coming out of the woods. I made up something and told him," she shrugged, a hint of defiance in her eyes. Even in her vulnerability, Mia would still manipulate, still play the game to her advantage.

"Wipe your tears and be composed, someone is coming," I warned, noticing a figure with a flashlight walking towards us, the beam cutting through the gathering dusk. Mia quickly wiped off her tears and took deep breaths, trying to compose herself. "This island is amazing. I wish they could extend our curfew to 10 pm." I decided to change the topic of discussion, hoping to deflect any suspicion.

"I agree. The sea breeze at night is amazing," Mia added, her voice steadier now, though a tremor of anxiety still lingered.

The person approaching us was near us already. It was Kayla's aunt, our former principal, her sharp eyes scrutinizing us with a mix of concern and authority.

"Kids, what are you doing here at this time?" She checked her wristwatch, her expression stern. "It's already eight. It's not safe. Can you go to your cabins?" she ordered, her tone leaving no room for argument.

***

The next morning, the island was abuzz with excitement. The sun had barely risen, casting long shadows across the dewy grass as everyone gathered near the main lodge. The air was filled with a mixture of anticipation and the lingering scents of the ocean.

"I hope you guys enjoyed hanging out around the island yesterday. I'm hoping you had time to know your group members. I'm told each group has an average of ten, and there are twenty groups. In your group, I want everyone to have a partner. We'll be going in the woods for a treasure hunt," Amanda said excitedly, her enthusiasm infectious. Her eyes sparkled with the thrill of the upcoming adventure.