“Anyways we’ll catch up with you boys later, we’re off to paint our nails and gossip about you behind closed doors,” Keomi stated grabbing hold of Geneviève’s hand.
“And here I was thinking we were friends.” River hummed. “Don’t speak too ill on my name.”
“They love us don’t worry.” Jace laughed.
The very instant the girls were gone Jace sat down beside River, leaning on his hand and staring at him with his father's enchanting eyes. He smiled at River.
“What is it?” River asked knowingly.
“Can’t I just stare at you because you’re beautiful?” Jace flirted effortlessly and River rolled his eyes at him playfully. “There’s that attitude I know and love.”
“I don’t have an attitude,” River grumbled.
“Yes, you do,” Jace argued.
“No, I don’t.”
“Yes, beautiful you do.” Jace finalised sneaking his hand onto River’s knee.
“You’re killing me.” River retorted.
“Maybe we should participate in an activity,” Jace suggested and River was immediately dreading the idea.
“Please, nothing to do with hiking.” River scorned.
“Hmm, I was thinking that maybe we could do our own thing, just the two of us.” Jace suggested, “We could go up to the peak and watch the view, I heard it’s great up there.”
“Just the two of us?” River thought out loud,
“As it always has been, always will be,” Jace affirmed standing up, he reached his hand out to River and he timidly latched onto it, threading his fingers through his.
“Okay.” River nodded, “Let’s meet up there at sunset.”
Keomi, Geneviève and Merilla waited patiently in their cabin for their activities to commence, painting each other’s nails and giggling about trivial things. As Merilla painted Keomi’s nails a bright shade of yellow she looked up at the girl, a heavy question weighing on her chest.
“Hey Ke you wouldn’t mind if I asked you something would you?” Merilla lingered, catching her attention.
“Of course, you know you can talk to me about anything!” Keomi assured her, taken aback by her formality.
“Well, this isn’t about me this time it’s about you,” Merilla explained and Genevièveimmediately perked up.
“Well now I’m interested, do air your grievances.” Gene encouraged me.
“When are we going to discuss the Fabian thing?” Merilla deadpanned and Keomi’s eyes widened in shock.
“I—I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Keomi lied.
“Come on Keomi, I see how you look at him and how sad you get when he’s with other girls. I’ve been watching you silently pining over him for months.” Merilla expressed.
“I mean, it is true. It’s kind of obvious that you have feelings for him.” Genevièvestated and Keomi swallowed hard.
“Whatever I feel doesn’t matter, he’s obviously into Elle right now. And then after her it’ll be someone else, there’s never enough room for me in his heart as more than a friend so just…drop it okay?” Keomi asked, looking down and fidgeting with her fingers.
“Okay I’ll drop it but, sometimes it’s better to just be honest and hope for the best.” Merilla comforted her, placing a hand on hers.
“Yeah and if he doesn’t like you back then, then it’s him who’s the problem because you’re an amazing person and no stupid boy is ever worth making you feel so uncertain,” Geneviève spoke rather directly.
“Maybe someday.” Keomi sighed glancing out the window, watching as Fabian made his way up to the peak with Elle and her friends, looking at everyone who wasn’t her as always.
