Dream / Jihan Svt

7.

The bus finally came to a halt, its tires crunching against the gravel as it pulled up to the edge of the breathtaking beach. The sky was painted in hues of orange and pink, the sun beginning its slow descent toward the horizon. Joshua stepped off the bus, squinting slightly as the warm rays of the setting sun bathed him in a golden glow. The salty breeze hit him immediately, and he inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of the sea. His heart raced with excitement as he glanced around at the sprawling shoreline that stretched out before him.

It was perfect. The soft sands seemed to glisten in the evening light, and the sound of waves crashing rhythmically against the shore filled the air, blending with the distant laughter of their classmates as they began to unload their things. Jeonghan was right behind him, tossing his duffel bag over his shoulder, his face lit with a grin. "Wow, this is nicer than I expected for a school camp," he remarked, his voice soft yet teasing, always laced with that underlying playfulness Joshua had come to expect.

"Yeah," Joshua replied, still taking in the view, "didn't think we'd get something this nice." His voice faltered a bit as he glanced sideways at Jeonghan, trying to keep his calm composure. Behind them, Hana and Nari, the group's leader, exited the bus. Nari was always calm and composed, her authoritative aura unmistakable. She clapped her hands, calling out to the students still lingering by the bus. "Alright, everyone! Find your room assignments and settle in. We'll meet at the bonfire later tonight."

Hana trotted over, her sunhat slightly askew and her energy as bright as ever. "Joshua! Jeonghan! Did you see the cabins? They look so cute! I can't wait to get inside." Joshua nodded, trying to seem relaxed even though his heart was already racing. It wasn't just the excitement of the camp—it was the fact that he and Jeonghan had been paired as roommates. A whole weekend alone with him in a beach cabin? The thought alone sent a thrill of nervous anticipation through his body.

Jeonghan, ever the smooth talker, flashed Hana a grin. "I'm sure Joshua and I will manage just fine in our cozy little cabin," he teased, his voice light but with an edge of something Joshua couldn't quite place. Joshua gave a nervous laugh, hoping no one could see the subtle tension building between them. Nari approached, looking at her clipboard. "You two are in Cabin 3," she said, giving Joshua a glance. "It's right by the water, so you'll get the best view."

"Great," Joshua managed, feeling his palms begin to sweat slightly. "That sounds... perfect." As Nari moved on to check in with other students, Hana leaned in close, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "So, you and Jeonghan in the same cabin, huh?" She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. Joshua's face flushed a deep pink. "I-It's just... room assignments," he stammered, trying to sound indifferent. But Hana could see right through him, her grin only widening.

Jeonghan raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying Joshua's discomfort. "Relax, Joshua," he murmured, his voice low. "It'll be fun." The way he said it sent a shiver down Joshua's spine. Hana giggled, giving Joshua a playful pat on the back. "Just don't get too distracted, okay? We need you focused for the activities later."

Joshua could barely respond as his mind raced. He managed a half-hearted wave as Hana skipped off, leaving him alone with Jeonghan once again. They both exchanged a glance, the weight of unspoken tension settling between them like a thick cloud. "Shall we?" Jeonghan asked, his tone casual but with a slight smirk playing on his lips. Joshua nodded, trying to steady his breathing as they made their way toward the cabin.

As everyone was assigned their rooms, Joshua couldn't help but feel a rush of nervous excitement when he found out he'd be rooming with Jeonghan. They were close friends, sure, but something about sharing a cabin by the beach, away from the watchful eyes of their classmates, made the tension between them more palpable than ever.