Chapter 13: Chapter 13

We were now hiking towards the lake. It was a 20 minute walk from the camp. Everyone was excited to go there. When you're always surrounded by buildings and busy streets every day, you appreciate nature and the peace it emits.

Mila and Remi started their childish bickering again, knowing I'd get dragged again, I walked up ahead towards Ren. He was being quiet and thoughtful as usual. I noticed he was always like that even if he was with friends.

"Hey." I greeted him as I matched his pace.

He took a quick glance at me and smirked. "Are you having a crush on me, princess?"

I rolled my eyes. "Princess? Well, that's new."

My eyes drifted towards Keelan. He was talking to Remi's friends. It looked like a serious conversation. Their faces showed a thoughtful look.

He chuckled. "It's easier than your name."

"Kyree. Now, repeat after me. Ky... ree..." I taught him with sarcasm.

He laughs. "No."

"I don't like being called other than my name." I whined. "I'm far from being a princess anyway."

"Really? Cause I see you like one." I eyed him in disbelief. He then shrugged. "You're quite untouchable, you know. And you have this air of being regal. You dress so simply but you have class."

I raised my brow. "I think you're describing Mila."

"I think Mila's more of a rebel princess."

I laughed at his remark. He smiled at me. "So... your scar."

He laughed. "So you haven't moved on from that."

"I haven't seen anyone who has that kind of scar. Like a stab wound." I mused. "You're the first so it's actually triggered my curiosity.”

He then looks at Keelan's direction. "I had a bad encounter when I was young. Let's just say I mixed in with a bad crowd. My uncle's bad crowd."

"You grew up with your uncle?" I asked, suddenly became interested in his past. I mean this guy is just plain mysterious. He was quiet and reserved but he could laugh when he wanted too.

"No, not really. My parents died when I was thirteen. My uncle became my guardian."

"I'm sorry." Suddenly feeling regretful for prying his past.

He shook his head. "It's okay. I don't mind." I thought he was going to stop the story considering it was a touchy subject but surprisingly, he continued. "One night, when my uncle and his friends were having their usual drinking party, he met the person who broke his arm. It turns out he was harassing a girl before and his arm paid the price for that."

Just listening to him made me realize how bad he's uncle was. It must be hard for him.

"Funny though because the person who did that was a girl. She saved her friend and beat my uncle." He chuckled. "She was a student in a military school apparently."

"How did you come into the picture?"

"My uncle wanted payback. He thought he was lucky cause he's mates were with him. I was included by the way. But number wasn't the problem for her and she beat the shit out of them."

"Them? So you weren't beaten?"

"The girl has someone with her. My uncle wanted me to get her instead so I chase after her. I almost got her but I was stabbed with a knife. Actually the knife was thrown directly to my back."

I gasped. That's just horrible but I couldn't blame the girl for what she did. She saved her friend. I'm just shocked that this happened to Ren who was now my friend. I'm surprised even more that he smiled at me instead of being angry at what happened.

"You know that girl..." He paused and looked at Keelan again. "It was his sister." I followed his eyes and looked also at Keelan.

"The one who stabbed you?" He nodded. "Is that how you two met?"

He smiled. "It's a long story on how we met but pretty much, yes."

"Well, I wanna hear it." I shrugged. "We still have ten minutes til we get there." I grinned.

---

When we reached the lake, the guys threw their shirt off and jumped in the water.

"I hate Remi for not mentioning this beautiful lake. Such a waste not wearing our bikini." Mila said while standing beside me.

"Well, you have his boxers." She eyed me as if I were crazy.

"Have you looked at the water? It's like it’s straight from a fantasy book. It's so instagram worthy. Really a shame we don’t get a picture looking hot with our bikini. Now let's go take a dip." She grabbed my wrist and dragged me towards the water. We spend an hour having fun and laughing in the water. We played games til we're worn out from laughing too much. We're probably going to have aching muscles tomorrow.

We decided to go back when it was time to prepare lunch. While trekking, I underestimated the cold when I shivered from it. I just brought a loose t-shirt and my wet shorts are still on. I looked at Ren who was talking to Chris and Ian. I enjoyed talking to him. He was easygoing and despite his past, he was really a good guy.

Suddenly, a towel hugged my body. I looked up to see it was Keelan. I was stunned at his gesture since he's been ignoring me all throughout the week.

"You keep looking at him. Do you like him?" He suddenly asked.

I frowned. "No. You haven't talked to me in a week and that's all you ask." I spat suddenly irritated at his presumption.

He shrugged. "I was just asking. I mean if you're dating someone, you shouldn't be eyeing other guys."

I stopped walking and faced him. He stopped as well. "What's that supposed to mean?" He remained quiet and looked somewhere else. Why is he suddenly so infuriating? "I'm not dating anyone, Keelan." I said rather roughly. "And if you're upset because I cancelled our date, well, I'm sorry. You didn't have to be a dick about it." I took the towel and threw it at him. "I'd rather get sick from the cold."

And I left