Rafa's POV:
The bus ride was already a disaster.
"Move over," CJ said, trying to squeeze into a seat that clearly only fit two people.
"It literally says two people per seat," Keagan said.
"Rules are suggestions."
"They're not."
I slid into my seat near the window, trying to ignore the noise.
Field trip.
Two days.
Away from school.
After everything that just happened…
Yeah.
This was either going to be great—
or a complete disaster.
"Hey."
I looked up.
Felix dropped into the seat next to me like it was already decided.
"You're sitting here?" I asked.
"Yeah," he said. "Problem?"
"…no."
He smirked slightly. "Good."
The bus started moving.
People were still talking loudly, arguing, laughing—
but for a second—
it felt quieter.
Just a little.
Felix leaned back in his seat. "You look less stressed."
"Give it five minutes," I said.
"Fair."
A small pause.
Then—
our shoulders bumped as the bus turned slightly.
Neither of us moved.
"…you're doing that again," I said.
"Doing what?"
"That," I said, not looking at him.
"Relax," he said. "It's just a seat."
"Mm."
But I didn't move either.
And I think he noticed.
CJ's voice suddenly cut through everything. "THIS TRIP IS GONNA BE AMAZING!"
"Lower your voice," Keagan said.
"I can't. I'm excited."
"You're always excited."
"Exactly."
Sam leaned over the seat in front of us. "If he screams one more time, I'm jumping off this bus."
"You won't," Felix said.
"I might."
"You won't."
"…okay, yeah, I won't."
I let out a small laugh.
Felix glanced at me. "There it is."
"What?"
"You laughing. It's been a while."
"It has not."
"It has."
I rolled my eyes. "You're dramatic."
"And you're in denial."
Before I could respond, the bus hit a small bump—
and I leaned slightly into him by accident.
I froze.
"…sorry," I muttered.
He didn't move.
"It's fine," he said quietly.
For a second—
I didn't move either.
Then I sat up properly again, clearing my throat.
Yeah.
Normal.
Totally normal.
After what felt like forever—
the bus finally stopped.
"FINALLY," CJ said, immediately standing up.
"Sit down," the teacher shouted from the front. "No one is getting off until I say so!"
He sat back down.
"…this is unfair."
We all slowly stood once we were allowed, grabbing our bags and stepping off the bus.
Fresh air hit instantly.
It was quieter here.
Way quieter than school.
Trees surrounded the area, tall and still, with a few cabins scattered around.
"…okay," Sam said. "This is either peaceful or the start of a horror movie."
"Don't say that," I said immediately.
"Too late," Felix added.
"Great," I muttered.
"Alright everyone!" the teacher called out. "You'll be staying in groups. I'll be assigning cabins!"
CJ clapped his hands. "Please don't separate us, please don't separate us—"
"You'll be in groups of four," she continued.
"…oh no," Sam said.
Names started getting called out.
One by one.
Then—
"CJ, Sam, Keagan, and Calix."
They all looked at each other.
"…this is chaos," Keagan said.
"This is perfection," CJ said.
Felix crossed his arms. "Good luck with that."
Then—
"Rafa and Felix."
We both paused.
"…that's it?" I said.
"Two per cabin for the remaining students," the teacher added.
CJ turned slowly.
A huge grin on his face.
"Ohhhhhh."
"No," I said immediately.
"Oh yeah," Sam added.
Felix just smirked.
"Looks like it's just us," he said.
"This is a terrible idea," I muttered.
"Or a great one," he replied.
I ignored him.
Definitely ignored him.
The cabin was small.
Simple.
Two beds.
A window.
And way too quiet.
I stepped inside, setting my bag down.
"…this feels weird."
"Yeah," Felix said, closing the door behind us. "No chaos. No yelling."
"Give it time."
He laughed quietly.
I sat down on one of the beds, exhaling.
For a moment—
it was calm again.
Too calm.
Felix dropped his bag and looked around. "So. Which bed?"
"I don't care."
"Cool."
He walked over—
and sat on the same bed as me.
I looked at him.
"…really?"
"What?" he said. "This one looked comfortable."
"There's another one."
"I know."
He didn't move.
Of course he didn't.
I shook my head slightly, trying not to smile.
"…you're impossible."
"And you're still sitting here," he pointed out.
"…shut up."
He leaned back slightly, glancing at me.
"You gonna kick me off?"
I paused.
Then—
"…no."
"Thought so."
There was a small silence.
Then—
a knock on the door.
Loud.
Sudden.
We both looked at it.
"…we literally just got here," I said.
Felix stood up. "I'll get it."
He opened the door—
CJ immediately pushed his way in.
"HOW'S THE COUPLE DOING—"
"GET OUT," I said instantly, throwing a pillow at him.
He dodged it. "Okay, okay! Just checking!"
Sam peeked in from behind him. "Yeah, making sure nothing weird is happening."
"Nothing is happening," Felix said.
"Yet," CJ added.
"OUT."
They both laughed and ran off.
Felix closed the door again, shaking his head.
"…they're not letting this go."
"Obviously not," I said.
He turned back to me.
"…we can prove them wrong."
"How?"
He sat back down.
Closer this time.
"By not making it weird."
I looked at him.
"…you're the one making it weird."
"Am I?"
"Yes."
He leaned slightly closer.
"…or are you just noticing it now?"
My heart skipped.
"Felix—"
A loud shout echoed from outside.
"DINNER IN TEN MINUTES!"
We both froze.
Then pulled back.
Again.
Of course.
He sighed. "…we have the worst timing."
"Yeah," I said.
But I was still thinking about it.
About him.
And how close he was.
And somehow—
I had a feeling.