Stuck with you

Your school was going on a field trip during the summer break. It’s a camping area hidden by the long dark forest. In total there were ten wooden cabins. There are twenty people in your class which meant you’d have to share a cabin with someone.

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On the bus I sat beside my best friend Olivia, she and I were shaking from excitement barely being able to sit still. We couldn’t wait to see the cabin we would be sharing. As the bus comes to a stop, we all stand up to grab our bags. I grab my bag and walk out of the bus. As we walk out our teacher snaps her fingers saying “everyone, here!” We all gather around her in a circle, Olivia and I standing next to each other. “In my hand here, I have the list of who’s in which room with who.” What? We have a list? I thought we got to choose...

Everyone turns silent, in shock. “I will now say each group, one by one.” I grab Olivia’s hand and squeeze it hard as she starts “Jenna and John. You’re in cabin number one.” As she goes on, I hear Olivia’s name being called out “Olivia and Sophia. You’re in cabin number six.” I look at Olivia with a sad look. We won’t be able to do all the stuff we had planned… Some time passes, finally it’s my turn. “Tessa and Dylan.” My eyes widen in shock, Dylan?! The biggest bully in my class and I get paired up with him? “You’re in cabin number nine.” I look over at Dylan, him already looking, with a wide smirk on his face. Me and Olivia give each other one last hug before having to say goodbye.

As I finally get to my cabin, fear runs through my body. I have to share a room with the person I hate the most. I slowly open the door, hoping he’s still out. As I look around, I see him sitting on the bed, smiling. “What’s so funny?” I ask him with a hint of anger in my voice. He starts laughing, not being able to hold it in. “There is only one bed which I’m taking. You’re sleeping on the floor.” I look around, desperate to find another bed, opening every door, hoping to find one. “Tessa, do you not believe me?” I turn around with fear “tell me you’re joking, seriously this is not funny!” Dylan grins mischievously, clearly enjoying my discomfort “Joking? Oh no, I’m dead serious. You really thought you’d get to sleep in a proper bed? Fat chance, loser.” I look at him, anger coursing through my veins. I walk over to my bag to go unpack. I bend down to unzip the bag, feeling his eyes on me. I continue unzipping as I hear him getting up from the bed, suddenly he stands behind me. I stand up properly, turning around to look at him. His broad tall figure casts a shadow over me. My heart starts beating faster and my face turns red. Dylan notice this, placing a hand on my cheek, cupping my face. “What are you doing?” I say, flustered by his actions. He quickly removes his hand, embarrassed from what he just did. He opens the door to the cabin and quickly walks out, closing the door behind him.

An hour goes by, and I’m finally done unpacking, as I get up, I hear the door going up. It’s him. He looks around, seeing the pillow and blanket on the floor. His expression changes, his face goes from awkward and tensed to anger. Almost like he wants to say something, but he can’t. “What is it now?” I look at him with a confused look. He looks over at me, his face is tensed and red. “It’s nothing, leave me alone.” He lays down on the bed, texting someone. I look over at the clock, 20:00. Teacher told us to be at the campfire at this time. I quickly grab my coat and shoes but as I’m about to open the door Dylan asks, “where you are going?” Did he seriously forget? I look at him with an annoyed face “Don’t you remember? The teacher told us to be at the campfire at 20:00 to watch the sunset!” Dylan quickly gets up, running around the cabin to grab all his stuff “this is all your fault Tessa! Now we’ll get scolded for being late!” I feel my blood boiling as he said that, my anger wanting to punch him in the face. “Am I suddenly your mom now?! I’m not responsible for you, fuck you!” I open the door, as I’m about to walk out the door he grabs my arm “wait, I’m sorry. I’ll go grab my stuff and then we can go.” My face turns red as I feel his hand on my arm, I rip my arm out of his hand and say “Fine, hurry up then.”

As we walk towards the campfire I start to freeze, I wrap my arms around myself to keep warm, I wish I brought a jacket. Suddenly Dylan wraps an arm around me, trying to keep me warm. My cheeks turn red, and my heart beats out of my chest. “Don’t think this means anything, I just don’t want to deal with a sick Tessa” he says. I can’t help but giggle at his comment.

As we arrive at the campfire, he lets go of me and walks over to his friends. I see Olivia sitting by the campfire grilling some marshmallows. I quickly run over to her and hug her. “God, how I’ve missed you!” Olivia laughs and hugs me back “it’s only been an hour Tessa” I hug her tight saying “an hour is too long!” we both laugh, she hands me a stick and the pack of marshmallows. As we finish grilling the marshmallows, Dylan grabs the marshmallows from my stick and eat it. “Hey! That was mine” I yell in anger, about to hit him with the stick. His friends are laughing in the background but he’s not. “I’ll go to the bathroom I say to Olivia” she looks at me with a worried look “please don’t do anything stupid. It’s dark outside so you better be careful!” I head back to the cabin, walking through the dark forest. Shit, I forgot to bring my flashlight and can’t seem to remember where the trail is…