Chapter 88
“We’re almost there!”
“Finally,” Maya groaned, stretching her legs as the bus moved down a narrow part, lined with trees, mostly bamboo. “If I stayed in this position ten more minutes, my bones would fuse.” I smiled and turned toward the window as we passed a wooden sign carved with the name: WELCOME TO SILVERWOOD NATURE RESERVE
“Wow,” Jamal breathed out. “This place is… huge.”
“Yeah,” I grab my backpack. He is not wrong. Two buildings stood on opposite sides of a clearing, labeled with a tag A and B. Building A is a two storey building painted purple and brown brown, with sleek glass windows and balconies at all sides. Building B has a similar style too but was slightly smaller, and painted deep blue and brown.
The bus finally came to a stop and instantly, everyone stood up, grabbing their stuff and shuffling out.
“Calm down! Leave your boxes for later.” Ms. Hopkins barked as we rushed. “Move forward gently. Anyone pushing will carry the rest of our luggages.”
“I swear she was a drill sergeant in a past life.” Jamal whispered
We formed a line, moving slowly out of the bus. The cold air hit me instantly as soon as I stepped out, raising goosebumps around my arm.
“I love it here,” I murmured, rubbing my arms.
Maya hugged her backpack to her chest. “I love it too. Which means something could go wrong soon.”
“You’re dramatic.” I rolled my eyes.
“I’m being realistic,” she snickered. “It looks too perfect not to have a little bad something. Let’s get to see the rooms first before I change my mind.
“Alright, welcome to Silverwood!” Mr. Halden boomed, standing up at the front. “Listen carefully! Building A,” he gestured to it, “is where the girls‘ suite is and the cafeteria. While building B,” he pointed to the other, “is where the boys‘ suites are and meeting hall too. Each suite has four mini bedrooms. The rules are simple: no going into the opposite gender’s room once it’s 7pm. Lights out at ten–thirty. Fortunately and unfortunately, we have to run the place with another school but they’re lodging at a different set of buildings a little away from here. You might come across one another during activities so be on your best behavior.”
“Okay, listen up!” Mrs. Hopkins lifted her clipboard and moved closer to Mr Haldin. “I’ll be calling out names and room numbers. You go to the bus, collect your boxes and key, head to your suite, unpack, then meet outside for a tour around. Room Al; Sandra Adams, Sofia Patel…..“. I tune out, my gaze wandering around my surroundings.
*****
“Room A4” Mrs. Hopkins called. “Maya Brown, Aria Morales, Nora Ellington, and Chloe Vanderbilt.”
Chapter 88
“What!” Chloe shrieked.
Maya stared at me with a blank expression. “This is a joke right?,” she whispered. “It has to be a joke. Say it’s a joke Aria.”
“It’s not a joke.” I sighed, I wish it was though.
Chloe strode toward Mrs Hopkins, her minions fluttering behind her. “Mrs Hopkins, there must be a mistake. I can’t be in a room with them.”
Maya crossed her arms. “Relax, Chloe. We don’t want you either.”
Her head snapped toward her. “I didn’t ask!”
“And I didn’t need you to ask,” She shot back.
Mr. Hopkins rolled her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. “There’s no mistake Chloe, excuse me.”
“But I–I…”
“You’ll be fine. It’s just three days, not forever.”
“Ugh! I hate you all,” she spat. She spun on her heel and stormed toward Building A, leaving her two minions to scramble to the bus to carry the rest of her luggage.
“You three are fine with the arrangement right?” Mrs Hopkins looked at us
“Thrilled,” I deadpanned.
“Well,” Maya huffed, “this is going to be a fun three days.” Maya chuckled, “I’d love to see if she still runs her mouth like this when no one is in the room to save her.”
“Hey,” Jamal said, nudging her. “Calm down tigress.”
“I’m calm,” she grumbled. “This ugly heifer is just testing my patience.”
“Come on,” I grabbed her hand. “Let’s go get our boxes and keys.”
*****
“This looks nice,” I whispered, as I dragged my box through the hallway, my backpack hanging off on one shoulder. The interior looks cool, statues lining the hall and fancy wall art.
“I guess it’s fair,” Maya replied. “That’s room A4.”
I slipped the little plastic card the driver gave me when I picked my box and the door slid open with a soft click.
“Wow,” Maya muttered breathlessly, stepping in. “This is beautiful.”
The room had two mini–bedrooms on opposite sides, connected by a spacious living area with a couch, a
Chapter 88
coffee table, and a wide window overlooking the woods. White curtains over the window fluttered in the cool breeze.
“I call this room!” Maya shouted, running into one of the left mini–room.
“Hey!” The Nora girl appeared behind me, twirling her hair shyly. “I’m Nora.”
“Wow! You’re very gorgeous up close.” I smiled, “I’m Aria and that, in there is Maya”
“I know you guys,” she muttered shyly. “You’re very popular.”
“Popular is a big word,” I chuckle. “I think I’m going to like you.”
She laughed lightly. “Me too.”
“Who are you talking to?” Maya asked from her room.
“Nora!”
Maya poked her head out, “It’s you,” She narrowed her eyes, coming out of her room.
“You know her?” I furrowed my brows.
“Unlike you, I know my classmates.” She muttered, rolling her eyes and turned to Nora. “But that’s not the case here. You look a little different without pigtails— a good difference but you’re the girl that asked Jamal out right?” I swallow a chuckle as Nora’s cheeks turned bright red.
“You’ve got no filter on Maya…“I instinctively grabbed Nora away as the door swung open with force, hitting the wall with a loud thud, Chloe stood there, arms on her hips with her minions behind her.
“Are you okay?” I gently release Nora
“Y–yeah. thank you!” She muttered.
“Did you turn off your brain before opening the door?” Maya snapped at Chloe. “What if she had gotten hurt?”
Chloe looked at Maya, then at me and Nora, hissed and rolled her
eyes.
“I’m choosing that room.” She muttered to her minions and walked into the room opposite Maya’s.
“This girl thinks she’s got an extra life? I’m going to beat her ass to a pump.” Maya spat angrily, pulling her hair in a ponytail.
“Just ignore her,” I sighed, “Let’s just unpack and get out there.”
“I’m picking that,” I nod at the room next to Maya’s, drag my box and bag and walk in.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
