Chapter 40

All I can do is stand there as Lucius walks over to the bus, stowing his bed and getting on.

Should I just bounce? I could find something else to do this summer. I could read or study, that's fun.

Do I really need to get on a bus with my two step brothers who I’ve both slept with and who have deep seated issues with each other?

Also with the headmaster I’m crushing on who made it perfectly clear that my steamy dreams of us in his office will stay only dreams?

And to top it off, the bus also has Satan's hell spawn, who wants me dead?

That doesn’t exactly scream happy summer fun time, now does it?

Right as I’m about to turn and make my exit stage left, Lucius spots me still standing where he left me.

Opening the window he looks over at me. “What are you doing?”

His actions caused everyone currently on the bus to turn and look at me. Noticing I was the last to get on.

Rebecca smirks, probably already guessing that I was thinking of bailing. I really didn’t want to get stuck in the wood switch of this particular group but I couldn’t bail now that everyone was looking at me.

Especially because my pride wouldn’t let me know Rebecca would get all cocking and obnoxious about it.

I refused to give her anymore amo for her to use to insult me with.

So, I stowed my bag and climbed on, taking the first available seat I saw. Unfortunately for me, it happened to be the seat right next to Lucius.

Oh shoot me now.

I tried to ignore the piercing looks coming from certain individuals behind me, namely Draven and Rebecca.

All while trying to make sure I didn’t bump or brush up against Lucius as the bus started off to the campsite.

The campsite was located further in the back mountain. It was more isolated so humans didn’t stumble upon them easily and it was right next to a large lake that the school kept fully stocked.

My once excited attitude for this camping trip has quickly dwindled to near nonexistent.

With Lucius being one of the instructors I couldn’t help but stress out. Due to the previous photo scandal mess that Rebecca caused.

Regardless if anyone was caught I knew it was her, but anyway, since then my once good, hell probably overly fond impression of Lucius has dwindled some.

Do I still think he’s crazy hot? Yes. Do I sometimes still have steamy dreams that leave me to be over heated and in need of a cold shower? Yes, yes I do.

But the warm fuzzies I used to get have faded more to a dull itch at times. Since he made it clear nothing's going to happen I know I have to move on.

It’s just that moving on is a lot easier to do when you're not inches away from the person, and can smell the faint scent of their shampoo.

I try to shake away the wayward thoughts that keep trying to creep in as we continue our journey.

Hopefully, the amount of times Lucius and I interact is minimal over this trip. I’d be best for my sanity and for my heart.

Once we arrive at the campsite an hour later, I practically jump off the bus, I don’t really but it’s so close to happening.

Honestly, if I did jump off the bus like my ass was on fire, I would want to disappear into the lake and never return due to massive embarrassment.

But nope, I exited normally, grabbed my stuff and waited for Cathy to find me off to the side.

Once she bounced over to me, I felt like I had seen an angel. If my luck had improved we’d be partnered up and I wouldn’t have to interact with any of the four thorns in my side.

Once everyone was off the bus Lucius called us all over to get our team assignments. Cathy and I clung to each other like we were back in pre-k about to get picked for kickball teams.

Anyway, I’m aware that I’m being quite dramatic but what can I say, I need my angel. I dramatically wipe a non-existent tear from my eye.

Lucius rattles off the other teams and I only pay attention when my name pops up.

“Alright, Katie,” Lucius starts, looking over his IPad for a moment, “you’ll be teamed up with Cathy -”

“Yes,” I said excitedly, accidentally interrupting Lucius, smiling over at Cathy.

“Can I finish first before you start celebrating?” Lucius asked, a hind of amused annoyance colors his tone.

“Sorry.”

“Alright, so, group four will be Katie, Cathy,” Lucius begins again, focusing back on his IPad, “and Draven and Adrian.”

“Huh?”

That’s all I can manage. Having Cathy as my teammate is awesome but the other two. I don’t know why I even try anymore, my luck is dismal.

Before Lucius moves on to group four the other instructor walks over to him, whispering in his ear a moment.

“Ah, I see,” Lucius said, taking a longer look at his IPad before turning to Cathy and I.

Dread fills me like I just stepped into a horror movie. No, please no.

“Due to the number of people here this year, we’ll have to have two teams with only three people,” Lucius explains, and I swear, I could see a smirk pop up for a mintie before it flashed away.

“So, we’ll have Cathy join team five and team four will be Katie, Draven, and Adrian.”

How is it that all of the things I wish for not to happen, happen? How does that work out?

With the teams set up, we’re instructed to pitch our tents and create our own small fires in two hours.

The team that can’t manage that will be responsible for fishing for their dinner in the lake, with only sharpened, wooden sticks.

Once we arrive at our campsite I turn to the others, trying to make this go as smoothly as possible.

“How about I work on getting firewood and starting the fire, you two build the tents?” I asked, trying to step into the role of team leader since neither of them seem inclined to do it.

“Does that work for you guys?”

“Sure,” Adrian agrees, at least trying to work with me.

Our relationships definitely have been better since we talked and trained and tutored together. I really think we could end up friends, or maybe even closer to actual siblings.

Draven on the other hand just gave me a barely audible “mm,” and walked over to the tent gear.

Trying to keep my temper in check so we don’t get derailed, I turn to grab some sticks nearby. I haven’t even gone five feet when the bicker starts.

Both of them think they're right about how to set up the tent. Both want to work on the same tent, instead of one grabbing a different one.

It’s incredible how in the span of three minutes, I can be headache free then suddenly have a crippling migraine the size of the grand canyon.

Rebecca’s POV

Sneaking over toward Katie’s camp, I spot her trying and failing. I might add to mediate some type of pointless quarrel the brothers are having.

They may be hot as hell and I want them both, but I can’t say I’m disappointed that Katie ended up being the one to deal with their mess this trip.

Smirking, I quickly switch out the map laying down next to Katie’s bag before heading back to camp.

“Let’s see how you handle this little curveball bitch.”