[ twelve ]

ADDISON

“Kids, go back to your respective cabins please!”

I fluttered my eyes open and turned my head to see a teacher. The flashlight in his hand shone in our eyes and I squinted. I felt Chris’ hand slip away as he stood up. The teacher raised a skeptical eyebrow at us and my cheeks warmed.

As Chris offered me a hand, the teacher turned on his heel and left.

I looked up at him, he was just staring at me with an impassive look. All traces of what almost transpired between us, gone. Clearing my head and my throat, I reached out and accepted his hand. His fingers wrapped around my hand and tugged me up onto my feet.

“I should get back to my cabin,” I stated and let go of his hand. He nodded, “I’ll walk you. It’s dark.”

I quirked an eyebrow, “When were you such a gentleman?” He scoffed and folded his arms against his chest, “Since always. But you’ve been too focused on my other aspects to notice.”

I laughed, mockingly at his declaration.

“Always? Where was the gentleman side when I fell to the ground the first time?” He awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck, looking away and I continued to laugh. Even in the dark, I could see a tinge of pink on his cheeks. Aw, how cute.

“Okay, maybe once or twice I haven’t shown my best side. But it doesn’t cover the fact that I am a gentleman. So c’mon, I’ll walk you.” With his head, he gestured towards the direction of the cabins.

I calmed my laughter and shook my head, “No, it’s okay. I can go back on my own. You should head back to your cabin.”

He raised an eyebrow and a slow smirk formed on his lips, “You sure? I heard from a senior who came to this camp last year that a girl went missing on a starry night like this while walking back to her cabin.”

Horror and I were not friends. We were like fire and water, not a good mix at all. I straightened my back and willed my nerves, “That’s just a story.” I remarked. Chris shrugged nonchalantly; his smirk still evident on his face.

Not sparing another glance, I started towards the way I came from, leaving Chris alone.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you!” He hollered at me which I ignored.

The cold air hit me and I hugged myself. I was on high alert and my senses tingled. Maybe because it was darker than when I walked to the cliff or maybe I was being too paranoid, but the bristling of the trees and bushes were enough to make me jump. I calmed my heart.

Clenching my fists, I swallowed the lump in my throat and took notice of the creepy shadows that sent chills up my spine. It’s okay, it was just a stupid story to frighten me. I thought I was doing fine but then my ears perked up at soft padding footsteps. I held back the scream that crept up my throat. Rationalizing, it was probably just Chris behind me.

“…Chris?” I called out to no one in specific.

I stopped where I was and waited for a response but there was nothing and the soft padding continued.

“It’s okay Addie, it’s just your imagination,” I chanted to myself fervently, reassuring myself. But it wasn’t enough as the now turned heavy footsteps got louder and closer. I placed a hand over my beating heart and took a deep breath. It’s not true, I was fine and nothing was going to happen.

Or so I thought.

The crunching of leaves stopped and so did the footsteps. I felt an eerie presence behind me and I swear my knees felt weak. My breathing became erratic and no matter what I told myself, it didn’t work.

I felt something warm tickle the back of my neck and I closed my eyes, my face scrunched up in terror. I’m sorry, world! Tell my parents I love them! Please send me up to Heaven!

“Boo.”

That was the last straw, the scream came out and a hand quickly slapped over my mouth. I opened an eye, “Scared sweetcheeks?” I opened the other eye and pushed the hand away before turning to see a highly amused Chris.

I scowled and smacked his chest. He placed a hand over his chest and feigned hurt. I huffed, “You almost gave me a heart attack, stupid Kingston!” He chuckled, “Who thought you’d be freaked out by a harmless little prank.”

I rolled my eyes at him, “Who thought you’d be childish enough to pull one.” He raised his arms and placed both hands behind his head, “Touché. Well then, I guess you don’t need my childish self to walk you back from the cabin." He turned to walk off but he snapped his fingers and added, "Oh, I forgot to mention, the girl was found. But with scratches all over her body.” He shot me the sweetest smile he could muster before turning on his heel.

I bit my bottom lip before letting out a groan. Pushing my pride aside, I jogged over to his side, “Wait up!”

He kicked the leaves on the ground at me and I glowered at him, earning a little flick to my forehead. I narrowed my eyes at him and flicked him back. He shook his head before squatting slightly. I furrowed my brows. His arms wrapped around my thighs before lifting me off the ground. He threw me over his shoulder and I hit his back as I struggled, “Let me go Kingston!”

“No can do, Price!” He slapped my butt and my face immediately reddened like an apple, “You pervert!” I exclaimed as he walked up.

Without even seeing, I knew a smug smirk played on his lips and I huffed.

When we finally reached my cabin, he put me back on my feet. Mustering up the most innocent smile I could, I kicked his shin and he groaned in pain. “That’s for smacking my butt and carrying me like a potato sack. Have a good night Kingston.”

I turned to enter the cabin but his arm shot out and his hand clasped my wrist. Before I could process what was happening, he yanked me towards him. His hands were now placed on my waist as he pulled me close to him. “You’re going to regret that Milaya,” he whispered, dangerously lowly in my ear. I shivered as he moved away from my ear with a slow but sexy smile growing on his face.

His eyes glanced down my face before looking back at my eyes. I opened my mouth, “Wha-”

He cut me off with his lips.