AsLaz- The Mysterious Cabin

5. Sparks in the fire

The second day at the cabin passed in a blur of filming, lighthearted banter, and an underlying tension that neither Asi nor Alaz dared to address. As much as they tried to focus on their project, it was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the unspoken words and glances that lingered just a bit too long.

By the time the sun began to set, the air was crisp, carrying the familiar scent of burning leaves. They had filmed most of the day, capturing the golden hues of the forest, and now the retreat organizers had planned a community bonfire for the evening. Despite her better judgment, Asi found herself looking forward to it; maybe, just maybe, it would be a chance to escape the mounting pressure between them.

The bonfire was set in a clearing surrounded by trees that glowed like embers in the twilight. Students and organizers milled about, the sound of laughter and crackling wood filling the air. Asi and Alaz arrived together, though they kept a careful distance from one another, both pretending not to notice the way their eyes occasionally met.

Asi found herself a seat on one of the logs around the fire, pulling her sweater tighter around her as the flames danced, casting shadows that flickered across her face. She had always loved bonfires-the warmth, the sense of community, the way they seemed to make everything feel more intimate. But tonight, the fire only seemed to amplify the unease she'd been trying so hard to suppress.

Alaz was nearby, strumming a gentle melody on his guitar, his eyes occasionally drifting over to where Asi sat. She could feel his gaze on her, like a magnetic pull, but she refused to look back. Instead, she focused on the flames, letting their warmth seep into her skin and trying to calm the storm inside her.

The evening wore on, and the bonfire grew brighter, the flames leaping higher as more people gathered around. Someone had brought marshmallows, and Asi found herself laughing as she tried-and failed-to toast one without setting it on fire. For a moment, it felt like everything was normal, like she could just be herself without worrying about what was happening between her and Alaz.

But then, as the night deepened and the crowd began to thin, the mood around the bonfire shifted. The music grew softer, and someone suggested a game of truth-telling-"to warm the soul," they said, half-jokingly. It was the kind of game Asi usually avoided, but before she could make her excuses, someone had already dragged her into the circle, and there was no easy escape.

The questions started off light and silly-favorite foods, embarrassing childhood memories-but as the game went on, they grew more personal. Asi felt herself tense, dreading the moment when it would be her turn. She glanced over at Alaz, who was still playing his guitar, but there was a look in his eyes that made her heart beat faster.

"Alright, Asi," one of the girls said, a playful grin on her face. "Your turn. What's the one thing you'd never want anyone here to know about you?"

The question hung in the air, heavy and daring, and Asi felt her throat tighten. She knew it was all in good fun, but the truth was, there were too many things she wanted to keep hidden-too many parts of herself she wasn't ready to reveal.

She forced a smile, trying to play it off. "Oh, that's easy," she said, her voice light. "I can't whistle to save my life. Totally embarrassing, right?"

The group laughed, but the girl who had asked the question didn't seem satisfied. "Come on, that's a cop-out," she said, her tone teasing. "We want something real."

Asi's smile faltered, and she glanced around the circle, suddenly feeling exposed. She was about to make up another excuse when Alaz's voice cut through the murmurs.

"Alright, if we're going to play this game, then it should be fair," he said, setting his guitar aside and leaning forward, his eyes locked on Asi's. "I'll answer the same question. How about that?"

There was a murmur of surprise, but the group quickly agreed, eager to see where this would go. Alaz held Asi's gaze for a moment longer, as if trying to tell her something, before he finally spoke.

"The one thing I'd never want anyone here to know about me?" he said, his voice steady. "I'm terrified of not living up to everyone's expectations. Of always being 'the Soysalan kid' and never figuring out who I am without that."

Asi's breath caught. It was such a raw, vulnerable admission, and she hadn't expected it from him-not the Alaz she thought she knew, the one who always seemed so confident, so sure of himself. For a moment, she forgot about everyone else around the fire, and all she could see was him, the flickering light reflecting in his eyes.

The circle was quiet, the air thick with the weight of his confession. Then, almost as if on cue, the attention shifted back to Asi, and she realized with a jolt that it was her turn again.

She wanted to say something-anything-to break the tension, but the words stuck in her throat. It was like the fire was burning away all her defenses, leaving her bare and vulnerable, just like Alaz had been. And she realized, with a sinking feeling, that maybe that was exactly what she needed to do.

"The thing I'd never want anyone to know..." she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "Is that I don't really have a place I belong. I've spent my whole life trying to find one, but... it's never really worked out."

She felt a sting behind her eyes and quickly blinked it away, hoping no one would notice. But when she dared to look at Alaz, she saw that he wasn't laughing, wasn't smirking. He was just watching her, a soft, unreadable expression on his face.

The group around the bonfire fell silent, unsure of how to react. Someone cleared their throat, breaking the awkward pause, and slowly the conversation shifted to lighter topics, but Asi and Alaz remained lost in their own world, the fire crackling between them.

"Why did you say that?" Asi asked quietly, once the others had moved on to roasting marshmallows and singing songs.

"Say what?" Alaz replied, though she could tell he knew exactly what she was referring to.

"That... about being scared," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't think you ever got scared."

Alaz let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Of course I do. I'm scared all the time. I just got really good at hiding it."

They were silent for a moment, the flames casting shadows across their faces, highlighting every flicker of doubt, every hint of vulnerability.

"I'm scared too," Asi admitted, and it felt like she was tearing a piece of herself open, exposing it to the cold night air. "I'm scared of letting people in. Of them seeing... everything. And not liking what they see."

Alaz shifted closer, so close she could feel the warmth radiating off him. "I like what I see," he said softly, his voice gentle, almost tender. "Even the parts you don't want me to."

The words hung between them, and for a moment, Asi didn't know how to respond. It felt too big, too important, and yet there was a part of her that desperately wanted to believe him.

But before she could say anything, a gust of wind sent a shower of sparks into the air, and someone shouted in surprise, breaking the spell. The others around the bonfire laughed, and the moment between Asi and Alaz slipped away, leaving them both feeling a little dazed, a little breathless.

As the night went on, they found themselves sitting side by side, watching the fire burn down to embers. They didn't speak, but they didn't need to. For the first time, it felt like they understood each other, like the walls they had both been hiding behind were finally starting to crumble.

And maybe, just maybe, they weren't so different after all.