The air around TT Junction was filled with the hum of departure as everyone began to say their goodbyes. Friends who had been split into different groups exchanged last-minute words of encouragent, their voices mixed with laughter and promises to reunite when the expedition was over.
Dave and Simbi stood off to the side, separated from the others. Simbi wrapped her arms around Dave in a quick, heartfelt hug, her voice soft as she wished him good luck. Dave returned the gesture, his embrace lingering for a mont longer than expected. A notification popped up in his mind, indicating he had earned a few energy points from hugging her. It made him smile, but as he looked at Simbi, the smile faltered for a second, he had almost leaned in to kiss her, but the mont was shattered by soone’s interruption.
"You’re hugging only him, won’t you hug too?" Ella’s voice cut through the air, the playful tone laced with a hint of a frown.
Simbi raised an eyebrow, her expression unfazed. "Why should I hug you?"
Ella crossed her arms, giving Simbi a teasing look. "Aren’t you going to miss ? I’m giving you a chance to hug now. I only offer this privilege to Vips," she said, her voice dripping with mock authority.
Simbi smirked, clearly unamused. "Then go ahead and hug those Vips of yours."
"Hope you won’t regret it?"
"Why would I? I can never regret it." Simbi said, scoffing at Ella’s teasing.
Ella’s lips curled into a sly smile as she approached Dave instead, catching him off guard. Before he could react, she wrapped her arms around him in an unexpected hug. Dave’s eyes widened in surprise, and for a split second, he froze. The air around him seed to still, and Simbi’s eyes narrowed as she took in the sight.
When Ella pulled away, she smirked again, her expression triumphant. "Are you sure you don’t regret that?" she teased, her eyes briefly eting Dave’s before quickly darting away as if avoiding the gaze she had been so eager to catch.
Simbi, clearly surprised but trying to mask it, scoffed and turned on her heel, walking away with a subtle smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "That silly girl. Does she really have to do that now, of all tis? Well, take care of our man till I return."
Dave watched her walk off, still trying to process the strange and unexpected mont. He exhaled slowly, unsure whether to laugh or sigh. He didn’t know if Simbi was mad or not at him, but with the way she stord off, he could only guess it was the forr. She had left with her group mbers, those who had included Tasha.
"Well, till we et then." He said.
As Dave’s group started to gather, he noticed a familiar face among them, a teenager he hadn’t expected to see. It was one of the boys from earlier in the expedition, the one he had saved during the boulderback beast attack. He was a bit surprised to find him here, and it seed like fate had brought them together.
"Hi, I’m Eric, your third mber," the boy said, extending his hand with a confident smile. Dave took it, shaking it firmly.
Dave nodded. "I’m Dave, and that’s Ella." he said, gesturing to Ella beside him, who gave a small wave but didn’t co any closer. She still looked a little awkward, her gaze flicking between Dave and the others, clearly feeling uneasy about what had happened earlier.
Eric’s eyes shifted between Dave and Ella, then settled back on Dave. "Thanks for saving back then," he said, his tone a little more serious now. "I was so caught up in what happened with Gunther that I didn’t even see the beast right in front of . You really ca through."
Dave shrugged, trying to downplay it. "It’s no big deal. Honestly, I think it was just instinct or sothing. I didn’t even realize I was doing it at the ti."
Eric chuckled, his smile widening. "Well, whatever it was, it worked. If you hadn’t stepped in, I wouldn’t be standing here right now."
Dave smiled back, feeling a warmth spread through him. "I’m glad you’re okay. And hey, at least we won’t be missing one mber, right?"
The two boys laughed, the tension easing between them as they bonded over the shared experience. It was that easy camaraderie that seed to happen quickly among boys, a simple connection forged by a dangerous mont. For a brief second, the reality of the grim situation around them faded, replaced by a sense of unity, of surviving together.
Ella watched the exchange quietly, but there was sothing in the way Dave and Eric interacted that made her feel a little more comfortable. Even though she had kept her distance, seeing Dave’s easy rapport with Eric helped her feel like things might just turn out okay. For now, at least.
At that mont, Eric dropped a surprising piece of information that caught Dave completely off guard.
"I know you," Eric said, his voice full of excitent. "You’re attending Westmore high school. I watch you swim every ti there’s an interschool competition. I’m your biggest fan."
Dave blinked, a little stunned. "Really? I’m flattered. I didn’t know I had fans from other schools."
Eric grinned, clearly enjoying the mont. "I’m attending Neverland, I’m in senior year two, and I’m also the class captain. Ella’s in my class too," he added, his grin widening as he leaned in a little closer to Dave, hoping to deliver his next words in a whisper. "You know, Ella’s the prettiest girl in our class. Every girl’s jealous of her, and all the guys are head over heels for her."
Dave chuckled at Eric’s enthusiasm, though the way he leaned in could hardly be called a whisper, Ella clearly heard him, judging by the way her eyes narrowed.
And as if on cue, she had replied. "You know I can hear you, right?" she quipped, her tone playful yet pointed. In a quick motion, she attempted to jab Eric in the neck, but he dodged, retreating behind Dave as if hiding behind a shield.
Ella’s eyes locked with Dave’s, and in that instant, she seed to rember the awkwardness between them. A flush crept up her neck, and she quickly turned away, clearly embarrassed.
Yet, Dave’s voice was calm. He decided to speak, his words cutting through the tension. "It’s okay, Ella. You don’t have to feel embarrassed. You can’t hide from forever. We still have to head to our assigned location."
Hearing him, Ella visibly relaxed. The embarrassnt that had tightened her chest had soon lted away, replaced by a small but genuine smile. "Right," she said, her voice lighter. "Let’s get going then."
To Dave’s surprise, she slipped her arm through his as they all began walking, heading toward a specific direction.
As the trio moved off in the direction of Willow’s street, heading toward the restaurant, a group of people nearby watched them go. Their mouths twisted in a barely contained scorn, their eyes narrowing as they observed the trio’s movent. And as they watched them leave, they hadn’t said anything, they were rely just watching them in silence.
***
I appreciate everyone’s support so far. Without you, I wouldn’t have made it this far. Thanks for reading!
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