This was our first trip together with Felix. We sat on the bus, wrapped in each other's arms. My head rested on his shoulder as I gazed out the window at the passing landscape, while his fingers gently stroked my hair. Around us, the bus was alive with noise — people talking loudly, laughing, and even tossing things at each other. But none of it kept me from drifting off in his embrace. I felt so safe and comfortable that my eyes closed despite the chaos.
"Sleep, Selena. I'll wake you when we get there," his caring voice whispered in my ear, soothing me as I teetered on the edge of sleep.
Suddenly, a loud shout cut through the air.
"My dear friend!" The voice rang overhead, snapping me instantly awake.
"Give me back the chips you're hiding in your bag!" Eve stood by our seats, a wide grin spreading across her face.
Felix's eyes darkened with irritation as he addressed the blonde. "Before you open your mouth, look around. Didn't you notice Selena was already asleep? Think before you act, noisy girl."
"Sometimes it seems like your brain stopped developing at age five," he added sharply.
"Oh, and you're as grumpy as always. Like you're the one who woke up," Eve rolled her eyes dramatically. "Selena's not mad at me, you are. She can speak for herself. You don't need to do it for her."
"I have to, if you're teasing me."
Eve crossed her arms and snorted.
"He thinks he's a knight on a tiny horse," she taunted, twisting his words to rile him up.
Felix shot back with a smirk, "The important thing is that it's full of spirit."
"Felix," Eve dragged the name out, clearly proud of him. "I like that."
I flushed with embarrassment. Quickly, I grabbed the chips from the bag and tossed the packet at Eve, silently wishing she'd go back to her seat before she dragged this topic any further.
"I'm off, lovebirds," she called over her shoulder.
From the other end of the bus came Mike's whiny voice, "Blondie, where are you? Come here with those chips! I'm starving!"
I leaned over the seat and saw Eve freeze mid-step as she passed Sebastian's spot. He looked relieved, having managed to squeeze in beside his classmate before she could claim the seat. That way, Eve wasn't stuck with him but with her soulmate.
The bus jolted to a sudden stop, and Eve fell onto Hannah's lap. She grinned widely.
"Oh, I missed you," she said warmly.
Hannah pushed her off. "Get lost, airhead."
"As you wish," Eve replied with a mischievous smile.
I shook my head, watching my friend with a mix of amusement and affection. She was one of a kind. Sure, sometimes I got sick of her, but I wouldn't trade her for anyone else.
She was unique.
*
In one hand, I held my suitcase, while the other was entwined with Felix's. We followed the group behind the caretakers, heading to the guesthouse we had booked for two nights.
Walking ahead of us, Eve draped her arm over Mike's shoulder. They'd been best buddies for a long time, clearly on the same wavelength. I had no doubt they'd be inseparable on this trip, even if my friend planned to hunt down Sebastian. I bet Mike would be right there helping her.
"It's lucky they've humbled themselves," Felix said, nodding toward our friends. "At least we'll get a break from them."
"Think they'll forgive us that easily?" I asked.
"I hope so."
We entered the guesthouse and waited while the caretakers handled the formalities at the reception desk. Leaning my head against Felix's shoulder, I watched Eve with amused eyes as she whispered her plans for hunting a classmate to Mike.
"It's hard for me knowing we can't share a room on a school trip," I admitted, blushing. Thank goodness my face was pressed to Felix's shoulder, so he didn't see.
"But aren't school trips made for sneaking off to other rooms in the middle of the night?"
"Felix," I whispered, embarrassed. "Keep your voice down, or the caretakers will hear."
The adults returned, announcing that the rooms were doubles. Eve and I picked up our keys together, though I suspected that if she still fancied Hannah, she'd surely try to set me up to get into her room.
How funny fate was — Felix and Mike ended up with rooms just across the hall from ours.
"Later tonight, we'll sneak over to your place for some booze and kinky games. Wait," Eve whispered, winking as we stepped inside our room.
"Please, don't be so loud," I whispered, closing the door behind us. "You're braver with my boyfriend than I am."
"That's exactly why I'm doing this — to shake you up. Around him, you're like an angel sent from heaven. You don't have to wear blush because you're already blushing all the time," she teased. "By now, you should have your favorite positions."
"Eve, I'm begging you, our relationship is still fresh."
"Well, that's perfect! It should taste delightful, but it seems you're waiting until it's overripe," she declared, jumping onto the bed. "Everything tastes best the first time. You need to unwrap the package to enjoy it fully."
"Why are you comparing our relationship to food?"
"The last two sentences? That's about Felix and his sausage. It's time to unwrap it and eat."
Eve's words made me flush scarlet. "Please don't say things like that around Felix — I swear I'll never unwrap his sausage."
She sighed dramatically.
"So I guess Felix is the one biting into the bun first." My face burned with embarrassment. "Still uncut and crunchy."
"Eve!" I shouted, probably loud enough for the whole guesthouse to hear. "What have you been eating to get so perverted?"
"I'm sorry, but I was talking about food. You're the one with dirty thoughts. To the hungry, bread's all they think about."
"Not bread at all — rolls," I muttered. Eve burst into loud laughter.
"My stomach's growling. I'm starving."
"That's what I was talking about. Let's unpack and head to dinner. The babysitter said we should go down to the restaurant at one."
*
I felt trouble brewing. It was already eleven o'clock, and the plans had completely changed. Eve and I weren't in Felix and Mike's room anymore — Mike had invited several others from the group over. Luckily, the guesthouse walls were soundproofed; otherwise, the caretakers would have dragged us out long ago.
My friend was practically buzzing with excitement as we sat in a circle, waiting for the bottle game to start. Her energy wouldn't be so intense if Sebastian weren't among us.
I caught a glimpse of Sebastian silently praying the bottle wouldn't land on him even once. He clearly didn't want to be part of this game, but the others had forced him into it.
"Here we go..." Ian announced, acting as the host. "Girls have priority, so Eve..."
The blonde grabbed the bottle and, before spinning it, fixed her gaze on the helpless Sebastian.
"My strong desire will make it land on you," she declared.
Everyone watched the bottle carefully until it finally stopped — on Mike.
Eve gave him a reproachful look.
"Seriously, soulmate?" she sighed, shaking her head. "Question or challenge?"
"Challenge," Mike answered boldly, confident this crazy girl wouldn't humiliate him since they'd become friends.
"Then kiss Felix on the lips."
Felix shot her a furious look that could've killed. Mike, on the other hand, just grinned.
"Won't Selena get jealous if I kiss him to death?"
"Not about you, never," I replied, and everyone laughed. The alcohol was loosening them up, blurring what they saw and did.
Mike's wild personality made me watch with amused eyes as he licked his lips, ready to pounce on his best friend. Felix, however, looked utterly disgusted.
"Seriously, do you have to do this? You make me want to throw up."
"Don't pretend you don't want it. Selena's just your cover," Mike shot back. "Deep down, you want your brother."
Laughter erupted around us.
"Go on, then. But be warned — you'll wake up dead in the morning."
"Meaning I'll be a ghost?"
"Don't play dumb. Your real face's visible from miles away."
With that, Mike kissed him hard on the lips, squeezing the air out of Felix's lungs. Felix tried to push him off, but Mike kept kissing him all over his face.
"I've always wanted to kiss that sweet face."
Even I couldn't hold back my laughter at the murderous look Felix gave him. Mike just smiled wider, ignoring the warning finger Felix wagged.
Mike spun the bottle again. It landed on Sebastian.
"Sweet boy..." he teased, making everyone laugh again.
"That sounds weird coming from you," Sebastian's classmate commented.
"Scared boy," Mike corrected, eyeing Sebastian's terror. "Question or challenge?"
"Question," Sebastian replied timidly.
"Is there someone here you like? Tell us who. If you refuse, the punishment is to strip and run naked around the guesthouse," Mike threatened.
Sebastian swallowed hard.
"Yes," he answered quickly, then took a big gulp of alcohol to steady himself. "It's Eve," he added in a whisper, his cheeks flaming.
Surprise rippled through the group. Everyone had assumed he hated Eve.
But Eve was delighted. She jumped up, grabbed his hand, and said, "That's enough for me, sweetie. Now let me protect those innocent lips." She led him toward the door, leaving everyone staring in confusion. "Well? Selena, spin the bottle for him since you're his classmate. Have fun."
I scratched my head nervously. It was my turn. I hated coming up with questions or challenges in front of a crowd. I was terrible at it.
Felix blinked at me, smiling faintly. I spun the bottle. It landed on Mike — again.
"Question this time, please," Mike said, smiling warmly at me.
"I heard you have a crush. Who is it?"
Mike's face seemed to drain of color. He stared at me, suddenly lifeless. He wasn't the radiant boy from before.
"This..." he began, nervously glancing at Felix. Felix furrowed his brow, then looked at me. "Just let me run naked around the guesthouse."
Mike tried to stand, but Felix held him down.
"Do you like someone? Why keep it such a secret that even I don't know? Why won't you answer?"
The room fell silent. People looked confused and waited, sensing the tension. I regretted asking the question — Eve had warned me Felix knew nothing.
"It's just some girl. Let's not make a big deal. I'd rather not say, especially since you're deep in love yourself."
Felix squinted, furious.
"It's not just some girl — it's Selena. I'm not stupid, Mike. I noticed how you looked at her ages ago," he said, and all eyes turned to me. Heat rushed to my cheeks. Felix turned to me, voice sharp. "Did you ask him this on purpose? Does it thrill you to have other guys chasing you?"
I looked at him with scared eyes.
"I had no idea. It must be a misunderstanding, Felix. Don't attack us."
"Or maybe you like him, that's why you asked! Are you hoping for something?" he yelled, and I blinked wide-eyed, terrified.
"Hey, you're overreacting. Chill out. Selena's not involved. Take your anger out on me," Mike said, trying to protect me. But that was a mistake.
Felix lost control and punched Mike hard in the face.
Everyone gasped, but I was the most shaken. I rushed to Felix and pulled him away, helping Mike to his feet. Felix grabbed my shoulders and stared at me with blazing eyes.
"Why did you ask him that question?" he demanded.
"Because Eve said she liked someone. I didn't know who. I didn't want any trouble," I explained.
"No!" he shouted, shaking me. "You knew exactly what you were doing. Admit you're excited and want to swap me for him!"
His words pierced my heart. Tears welled up in my eyes.
"Fine. If you think that, then so be it," I said, breaking free. I hurried out of the room and glanced back to see him following — furious. Panic seized me. I quickened my pace and ran, with him close behind.
This was only the start of the night, and it promised nothing but chaos.