The long road trip had drained everyone. By Thursday evening, after days of activities and traveling since Tuesday, the bus finally rolled into the resort town. The air was crisp, tinged with pine and the faint scent of rain. Students were buzzing with chatter, laughter, and excitement.
Room assignments, however, brought chaos. Pairs were chosen, and when Elise looked at the list, her heart nearly stopped.
Her partner: Davon.
She glanced at him from across the hall. He was unreadable, crimson eyes calm, but his presence alone sent her pulse racing. Anastasia and Patricia weren't there to save her this time. She would have to face this alone.
---
The night fell quickly. Elise found herself staring at the single large bed in the room they'd been given. Her stomach twisted. "This is a mistake," she whispered under her breath.
Davon set his bag down silently, his broad frame moving with grace as he unpacked a few things. Without looking at her, he said flatly, "Don't overthink it. We'll manage."
"I'm not overthinking," Elise snapped, crossing her arms defensively. "It's just… uncomfortable."
Finally, he looked at her—those deep red eyes pinning her in place. "You think I wanted this either?"
His sharp tone stung. Elise turned away, cheeks burning, biting back her words. The tension lingered until both gave up and lay stiffly on opposite sides of the bed, backs turned.
---
The hours crept by. Elise tried to sleep, but the night air was cruel. The room was colder than she expected, and no matter how she wrapped herself in the thin blanket, a shiver ran through her body.
Davon noticed. He always noticed.
With a quiet sigh, he shifted closer, his warmth brushing against her back. "You're freezing," he muttered.
"I-I'm fine," Elise whispered, though her trembling betrayed her.
Without another word, Davon pulled her gently into his arms, wrapping the blanket around them both. She stiffened, her heart thundering in her chest, but gradually, as his steady warmth surrounded her, her breathing slowed. The storm inside her calmed, and before she realized it, she leaned into him.
"Better?" he asked softly, his voice unusually tender.
Elise didn't answer. She couldn't. Her throat tightened, and instead she pretended to drift into sleep.
Davon knew she was still awake, but he said nothing. He only held her tighter, as if she might vanish if he let go.