chapter 25 - trip 2

Amy stormed off, only to crash straight into Zahn. "Ow!"

"Where are you running to?" he asked, steadying her.

"Ah... Zahn..." Her face was still flushed from the earlier conversation.

He raised an eyebrow. "Something up? Why's your face so red?"

"Nothing at all!" she blurted out.

"Oh?"

"Really! Teachers are calling everyone over there... Let's go!" Amy grabbed his arm, eager to change the subject, and pulled him toward the gathering crowd.

The teachers introduced a professional nature guide, an expert in the local wildlife with years of experience leading excursions. He handed out notebooks and cameras to each pair, then gave a brief overview of the task.

"Your goal today is to observe and document as much wildlife as possible. Pay attention to their behavior, habitat, and any interesting characteristics. Remember to respect the animals and their environment."

The students were paired up randomly, and to Amy's dismay, she ended up with Ella. She let out an audible sigh, rolling her eyes.

With their assignments in hand, the pairs ventured into the woods. But rather than focusing on the wildlife, most students seemed far more interested in just passing the time.

Ella and Amy trudged through the woods, the silence between them thick with unspoken tension. Amy, someone who thrived on conversation, felt the quiet pressing down on her like a weight. Why her? Of all people, why did I have to get stuck with Ella?

The frustration bubbled over, and before she could stop herself, she blurted out, "Why are you even on this trip?"

Ella shot her a sideways glance, unimpressed. "I'm here to learn and gather information. Unlike you, who probably thinks this is just some fun picnic."

Amy scoffed. "Excuse me? Just shut up."

She quickened her pace, refusing to give Ella the satisfaction of a response. The narrow mountain trail twisted ahead, sunlight filtering through the canopy in golden streaks. Then, something caught Amy's eye—a bird, its iridescent feathers shimmering as it perched gracefully near the edge of a rocky cliff.

She declared. "I'm taking a picture of that bird."

Determined, she stepped forward, angling for the perfect shot. The moment felt almost magical, as if the entire world had faded away.

"Hey, don't go too close!" Ella's voice cut through the moment, sharp with concern.

Amy ignored her. The shot had to be perfect. Just a little closer…

Then—her foot slipped.

Time stretched as the ground crumbled beneath her. Panic surged through her veins as she lost her balance, her body lurching forward. She reached out wildly, fingers grasping at nothing but air—until, at the last second, her hand caught onto a thin tree branch. The rough bark bit into her palm as her body dangled over the cliff's edge, the vast emptiness yawning beneath her.

Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.

"Amy…!!!"

Ella’s scream tore through the forest.

The branch groaned under Amy's weight, its brittle wood cracking ever so slightly. Below her, the cliff plunged into a terrifying abyss, the sheer drop making her stomach twist in fear. Her breath came in short, panicked gasps as she clung desperately to the fragile branch.

Ella’s eyes widened in horror as she scrambled to the edge. "Hold on!"

Amy's heart pounded as the branch beneath her fingers began to splinter. She made the mistake of looking down—her vision swam, and for a split second, it felt like her soul had left her body.

"Oh my god! If I fall, I'm done for!"

Ella groaned, panic lacing her voice. "Gosh, are you dumb?! Stop talking and grab my hand!" She reached down, her arm stretched out in urgency.

Even in the midst of life-threatening danger, Amy couldn't help but snap back. "Ugh, you must’ve cursed me just to steal Zahn away from me!"

Ella gaped at her. "Are you serious?! You’re hanging off a cliff, and that’s what you're thinking about?! hold my hand quick!"

Amy huffed, "No… You’ll fall too. Just go get someone else!"

"Are you insane? What if your hand slip before I come back? " Ella's voice rose, her urgency unmistakable.

Amy gritted her teeth, willing her shaking arm to move. But her muscles screamed in protest, her strength fading fast. "I… I can’t…! I can’t hold on any longer!" Her grip slipped an inch, her fingers burning from the strain.

She squeezed her eyes shut, her heartbeat a frantic drum against her ribs. I don’t want to die here…!

Just as Amy felt her grip slipping, a strong, familiar hand grasped her arm. Before she could even process what was happening, she was yanked forward—straight into the warmth of his embrace. Her head pressed against his chest, his arm wrapped securely around her, holding her close. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat echoed in her ears, and for the first time since the fall, relief flooded through her body.

She blinked in disbelief, tilting her head up. "Zahn...!"

His hands trembled slightly as they cupped her face, his eyes scanning her with raw concern. "Are you hurt? Amy, are you okay?" His voice, usually so composed, wavered with urgency.

Amy could feel the warmth of his touch, the way his fingers lingered against her skin, as if reassuring himself she was real, safe. Her heart pounded—not just from fear but from something else entirely. She took a shaky breath, trying to steady herself. "I'm fine, really," she murmured.

Zahn didn’t let go. His fingers traced lightly over her cheek, his gaze intense, searching for any sign of injury. He exhaled deeply, his grip finally loosening. "Thank goodness," he whispered, his relief palpable.

But then his expression darkened in an instant. The warmth in his eyes shifted to something sharper. His brows knitted together, frustration overtaking his fear. "How did you even fall?!" he demanded.

Amy hesitated. "Uh… I was trying to take a picture of a bird… and, um, I just… slipped."

Zahn’s jaw tightened. "How can you be so careless with your life?!"

She lowered her gaze, feeling both embarrassed and unexpectedly touched by his concern.

Zahn turned his gaze sharply to Ella,  startling her, his frustration clear. "What were you even doing? Couldn't you have helped her? Stopped her from being so reckless?"

Ella opened her mouth to protest, but before she could say anything more, a few other students arrived, eyes wide in surprise at the scene before them."Oh, look at what happened now!"

The news had already spread—Amy had slipped from the cliff but had been saved, fortunately, at the last second.

The teachers arrived shortly after, their scolding loud and sharp. Amy was reprimanded for breaking the rules and endangering herself. To make matters worse, she was suspended from participating in any activities for the rest of the trip.

The punishment was harsh, but the silence in her tent afterward was heavier. Zahn sat across from Amy, his expression grim.

Amy glanced down, her voice barely above a whisper. "Oh please, I’ve already been scolded enough. Don't start that too."

"You think I won't be angry?" Zahn’s voice was firm, though the concern still laced his words. "Amy, do you have any idea what could’ve happened?"

She sighed, her face falling. "I would have died..."

"Don't say that so casually!" He shook his head, exasperation evident in his every movement. "You're too careless... What am I supposed to do with you?" His arm pressed against his forehead in frustration.

Amy felt the weight of his words, guilt gnawing at her. She spoke softly, her voice trembling. "I'm sorry, Zahn... I’ll be more careful... ow..."

Zahn’s attention snapped to her when he heard the soft wince in her voice. "What happened?"

She glanced down at her foot, now slightly swollen and turning red. "I think I sprained it earlier..."

Without hesitation, Zahn got up, his movements swift. He returned moments later with a pain relief spray and gently applied it to her foot, his brow furrowed in concern.

"You can't put yourself at risk anymore," Zahn said, his tone firm. "We're not attending any more trips like this."

Amy shrugged nonchalantly. "I won't. The college probably won’t take us on any more trips anyway."

Zahn stared at her, disbelief in his eyes. "Huh, you still can't be serious, can you?" He lightly pinched her nose, a teasing gesture, though there was worry beneath it.

"Ow!" Amy flinched but couldn't help a soft laugh. "I'm really sorry, okay?" She looked up at him, her voice sincere. Then, without warning, she nuzzled against his chest, seeking comfort from the warmth of his presence.

Zahn let out a long, exasperated sigh, his frustration easing as she leaned into him. He knew he couldn’t stay mad at her for too long. She was just... too precious. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her closer, feeling the familiar warmth of her body against his.

His chin rested gently on the top of her head, and his voice softened, filled with affection. "You know I can't stay mad at you longer.."

Amy snuggled closer, her heart beating in rhythm with his. "I promise I'll be more careful," she whispered, her words muffled against his chest.

Zahn's arms tightened around her, a sense of peace flooding through him. "You're forgiven," he murmured, his fingers tracing light, soothing circles on her back. "Just... stay close to me."

Though Amy couldn't partake in any other activities for the rest of the trip, she found comfort in Zahn's unwavering presence. He stayed by her side, offering support, and thankfully she was allowed to join the others for the campfire dinner that night.

Her friends gathered around her, concern in their voices. "Amy, you're too careless," Ruby exclaimed, shaking her head.

"You didn’t even notice the cliff?" Noah added, his brow furrowed in disbelief.

Amy frowned, crossing her arms defensively. "Ugh, enough! I’ve already heard this a hundred times. I don’t want to hear it anymore!"

As Amy chatted with her friends, Zahn sat a little farther away, but his peace was soon interrupted when Jack plopped down next to him.

"Yo, bro."

Zahn barely acknowledged him, his gaze locked on Amy, unable to pull away.

"What?" he muttered, barely glancing at Jack.

Jack chuckled, not bothered by Zahn’s disinterest. "Didn’t expect you to come on the trip, but it’s fun, right?"

"Mhm, but yeah… a bit of trouble," Zahn replied, his mind still replaying the terrifying moment Amy had slipped from the cliff. The image haunted him, and he couldn’t stop thinking—What if I hadn’t gotten there in time? The thought still chilled him.

Jack, oblivious to Zahn’s anxiety, waved a grilled corn stick in front of him. "Wanna try some corn?"

Zahn blinked, startled. "Huh?"

Before he could process, the corn was already in his hand.

"I just grilled it with butter," Jack said with a grin. "It tastes really good. Try it."

Zahn sighed, still distracted. "No thanks."

Jack shrugged. "Don’t be so distant, okay? We’re friends."

Zahn rolled his eyes, When did I become his friend? Still, he bit into the corn, his expression softening as the flavor hit. "It tastes good..."

Jack grinned widely. "Right? I’m surprised you actually praised it! Big deal."

Zahn raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting slightly. "Oh?"

Maybe, as Amy said, Jack really did want to be friends. But for Zahn, it was always hard to trust anyone—he was cautious about their intentions and unsure of whether he wanted to form any real connections.

"You know, Zahn," Jack continued, his voice thoughtful, "you're unique."

Zahn glanced at him, his curiosity piqued. "Am I?"

"Yeah, you're so different," Jack said, leaning back slightly. "It’s like you care for nothing but your goals and studies—except for Amy, of course. But you’re so determined. Your parents must be proud, right? I wish I could be more like you..."

Zahn’s expression hardened just a little. "I’m not doing it for my parents’ approval, or whatever. I don’t care if they’re proud or not. I just want to achieve what I want. It’s not that hard if you know what you want and just work for it."

Jack was momentarily stunned, his eyes widening as he processed Zahn’s words. "The way you talk... it’s stunning," he said, his voice filled with admiration. "Your words are inspiring, and you sound so mature. I think I need to hang out with you more. Get some lessons!"

Zahn shook his head, unamused. "Huh? Don’t—"

Jack cut him off with a playful grin. "Oh, come on! Let me hang out with you. I need you as my mentor!"

Zahn was left speechless for a moment, not sure how to respond. After a beat, he just nodded reluctantly.

At that moment, Amy looked up from across the campfire and saw Jack and Zahn talking. A wave of satisfaction washed over her as she watched them, feeling a quiet sense of relief. Good... This way, he’ll be more open to others.

The last night of the trip was peaceful. Everyone had fun, played games, and enjoyed a warm dinner by the campfire. As Amy stared up at the beautiful night sky, her thoughts wandered. The stars twinkled above, and for a moment, everything felt perfect. But there was also a nagging sense of unease.

She was young, just a 20-year-old college student. Life was easy now, but would it always be like this? The future felt uncertain, and the idea of growing up was intimidating. Amy tried to push the thoughts aside and focused on the present, trying to embrace the peace of the moment.

__________________________

The next morning, Amy woke up to find Ella outside her tent, an unusual look of guilt on her face.

"How are you?" Ella asked softly.

Amy raised an eyebrow. "I'm surprised you're asking me."

Ella quickly shifted back to her usual sharp tone. "Yeah, I am. But it was your fault. You really need to grow up."

Amy frowned, annoyed. "Don't tell me."

Ella’s voice softened slightly, a strange sincerity in her words. "Zahn... he cares so much for you. I was surprised when I saw how much concern he had for you yesterday.."

Amy let out a breath of relief. "Phew, good. You know that now? He loves me a lot. I hope you understand that."

Ella eyed her, a flicker of amusement in her gaze as she watched Amy’s boastful expression. "Don’t be so happy about it. I still don’t think you two match, or that your relationship will be smooth. Maybe you should try to be better for him."

Amy rolled her eyes, confident. "No need for you to think about it. It’s going to work out perfectly. You’ll be invited to our wedding in a couple of years."

Ella’s smile was faint, a mix of hurt and something else—perhaps resignation. "Okay... let’s see."

Amy looked at her, confused, but brushed it off. The exchange was the least of her worries now.