Snakes and Ladders

Chapter 13: The Great Outdoors!

"Uno bitches!" Emilia declared ceremoniously slapping her card down.

Everybody groaned loudly. Half way through the bus ride, Emilia's phone had died, leaving her with no source of entertainment. Luckily, Mr. Berkshire had brought some board and card games for them, even though she was sure that if her phone didn't die she wouldn't have even glanced at it. After grabbing Uno, she had convinced or moreover forced Tony and Ali to play with her.

"You cheated. I demand a rematch" Ali grumbled out, a sour look on her features, as she slumped into her seat.

"Stop being such a sore loser Ali. You can't win at everything"

"I can certainly try" She shot back

"Wow" Tony said interrupting their squabble "Who knew a girl could get this upset over a card game?" He asked bewilderedly staring at Ali with a twinkle of amusement in his blue-green depths.

Ali blushed at his comment, and Emilia had to hold back a grin. It had been quite obvious that she liked Tony, from the quick longing glances in class, to blushing madly in gym when he had taken his shirt off. The girl was totally smitten about him.

"W-well I like to b-be the best at everything" Ali choked back looking very flustered

He smiled softly at her, unknowingly making Ali's heart perform happy backflips in her chest from the simple action.

"I know that feeling" He said quietly bashfully running a hand through his golden hair.

For the rest of the ride, they sat in comfortable silence. Ali read a book, whilst Tony played on his phone, and Emilia just blankly stared out the window, taking in the passing scenery before her.

Before they knew it, they were getting off the bus, backpacks or in regards to the Five's suitcases in hand.

They started on the short walk towards the campsite. Mr. Berkshire did a quick name call, accounting for all eleven students.

"I forget to ask you but why do you need a suitcase?" Emilia questioned glancing at the large red baggage in Tony's grasp.

He shrugged casually "I wanted to be prepared"

"For a fashion show?" Emilia joked elbowing him gently

He grinned back playfully "No for serious situations that might occur, like getting lost in a cave, or getting eaten alive by mosquitoes, extra food in case of short supply, and maybe even ticks" He rattled off

"Who knew Tony Vasiliou could be responsible?" Emilia said feinting a shocked gasp.

He rolled his eyes "I'm a big brother. Have to have some form of responsibility to take care of my little rascal of a brother"

"Can't say the same in terms of responsibility of an older sibling. I'm the youngest"

"Ah" a tantalizing grin made it's way upon Tony's lips "Your the baby of the family? Eh?"

Emilia threw him a half hearted dirty look at the mention of being called the baby of the family.

Tony laughed at her disgruntled expression. "Yeah you definitely remind me of my little brother Elliot"

She quirked an eyebrow "I don't know whether that's a compliment or not"

"It is. Don't worry" he then abruptly stopped, making Emilia almost run into him.

"Hey why'd you stop?"

He simply pointed his finger ahead. "We're here"

Emilia drifted her gaze towards the campsite in front of her. A vast open space, enough room for twice the amount of campers they had. Colossally high trees sprouting out towards the open blue sky, the leaves gently rustling against the mellow breeze. A fire pit staked in the middle of the dirt ground. From a distance Emilia could spot a small blue pond, roughly she estimated a mile down from here.