Vicky reached for Sara's bags. "You don't have to do this, Vicky. I can carry them myself, thank you," Sara said firmly.
Vicky met her eyes and smiled. "It's okay. As coordinator, I'm supposed to help my juniors. Let me."
Sweety narrowed her eyes at him, a playful grin tugging at her lips. "Then, Mr. Senior, why don't you carry my bag too?"
Vicky turned to her, his smile turning sarcastic. "Ms. Junior, don't you have hands? Help yourself."
Sweety glared and immediately ratted him out to Sara. Sara just smiled.
He likes you, Sweety. That's why he keeps picking fights, she thought, watching them bicker.
"Sara, come check out our tent! It's amazing," Sweety called, tugging her away.
Inside, Sara took in the green hills and crisp air. Her heart felt light. David noticed her smile and felt something ease in his chest.
Our last trip… you were this happy too, he thought. Ah, how long do I have to wait for you? I've waited long enough, Rabbit. Why can't you see it? But he said nothing.
_*
Inside the tent, Sara unzipped her suitcase and froze. She stared at the clothes, then slowly turned to Sweety. Sweety was digging through her own bag for her campfire outfit and held up a dress.
"Sara, look! I'm wearing this with my jacket," Sweety said, holding up blue jeans, a white T-shirt, and a thick, fur-hooded winter coat.
Sara kept staring.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" Sweety asked, confused.
Sweety glanced at Sara's open bag.
_
That morning…
Sweety was frantically packing Sara's clothes. "Oh my god, she's still asleep. I have to pack everything before she wakes up." In her rush, she didn't check what she grabbed.
_
Present.
Sweety gave a nervous smile. "Look, Sara… we were running late. I honestly don't know what I packed. I just grabbed whatever I saw."
Sara glared at the suitcase. "Are you serious? Look at what you packed for me! You could've at least told me."
Sweety had packed only thin cotton dresses. Summer clothes.
"Sara, I… I…" Sweety stammered.
"Enough," Sara cut her off, staring at the useless pile. "How am I supposed to handle this weather?"
Sweety immediately held out her jacket. "Here. Take mine if you want."
Sara shook her head. "No need. If I take yours, you'll be cold. And I know you wanted to wear that for the campfire. I'm not even cold right now. I like this weather. I'll manage."
Sweety didn't push. She knew Sara wouldn't take it. So she stayed quiet.
Lecturer Jake's voice boomed outside. "Come on, everyone! It's evening. Campfire time. Gather around, take a seat."
Everyone circled the fire, laughing and singing. David's eyes found Sara. Why isn't she wearing a jacket? It's freezing and the wind's brutal, he worried.
"Come sit by the fire, Sara. You won't feel cold," Sweety said, pulling her closer.
Vicky frowned at Sara's clothes. "Sara, why aren't you wearing a jacket? It's really cold." He started shrugging his off. "Here, take mine."
"Ooooh, Vicky's taking care of his girlfriend!" the group teased.
David stepped in fast. "It's cold. Don't take yours off."
Then, without a word, David placed his own jacket in Sara's hands. "Wear this. It's really cold out."
The camp went silent. Everyone stared.
"What the…? Why is David sir giving her his jacket?" a student whispered.
"Don't you see? She didn't bring one," another replied.
Sara accepted it silently and slipped it on. A moment later she asked, "Sir… then what will you wear?"
"I have another one. I'll wear that," David said easily.
Sweety and Sara sat by the fire. Sara felt everyone's eyes and her cheeks burned. Sweety watched them, a suspicion forming. Mr. Handsome likes Sara? No way…
The students sang and played. David walked up to the fire. Sara glanced at him and froze.
This jacket! From our vacation… how does he still have this? her mind raced.
David was wearing the jacket she had given him on their trip. The special thing? A small D&S embroidered near the chest pocket in italic.
Memories hit Sara like a wave.
_
Flashback – Vacation
David pulled the jacket from his luggage and saw a tear near the right chest pocket.
"God, what do I do now? This is the only one I brought," he muttered. After a pause, "It's fine. I'll buy a new one," he said, tossing it toward the bin.
Sara walked out of the washroom just then. "Hey, wait! What are you doing? Why are you throwing that away?"
He showed her the tear. "It's okay. I'll get another."
Sara studied the damage and smiled. "Give it to me."
"Why? What are you gonna do with it?" David asked.
"You'll see, handsome," Sara replied with a wink.
Later, she returned it. David looked at the torn spot. She'd stitched D&S over it in elegant italic. He smiled, pretending not to get it. "What does this mean?"
Sara glared. "Don't you know? Are you blind?"
She turned to the mirror to get ready. David hugged her from behind. She pretended to be annoyed, but her heart was smiling. He turned her around, cupped her face. "I love it."
Sara's face lit up. She smacked his arm playfully. "So you did it on purpose, didn't you?"
_
Present – Campfire
Sara snapped back to reality when Sweety nudged her. "Earth to Sara. What happened? What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing," Sara said quickly, shaking her head.
Everyone begged David to sing. He refused. "Ms. Stella is here. She'll sing for us," Sweety chimed in.
All eyes turned to Stella. "Okay, guys. I'll sing," she said. She glanced at David. Mr. David, this one's for you, she thought.
Stella began singing 'Daylight' by Taylor Swift. Everyone was hooked — except David and Sara. They were locked in a silent stare across the fire. Only the crowd's cheer broke them out of it.
"Wow, Ms. Stella, you're amazing!" everyone cheered. But Stella only looked at David. He said nothing.
Jake clapped his hands. "Alright, get some rest now. Big day tomorrow. We've got games. You'll find out what in the morning. Have dinner and sleep."
_
Next Morning
Everyone gathered on the ground. Jake greeted them. "Okay, listen up. The game is simple. We've hidden flags around the trees. Don't worry, you can reach them. You'll each wear a GPS tracker watch and go separately. Find all the flags and come back here. Got it?"
"YES, SIR!" everyone shouted.
"Ms. Stella, hand out the trackers," Jake said.
Stella gave everyone a watch. Sara and Sweety hugged.
"Let's do this, Sara. We've got this," Sweety said.
Sara started toward the forest. "All the best, Rabbit. Do well," David called out.
Sara glared over her shoulder. "Thanks. You too." A pause. "And don't call me 'Rabbit.'"
David just smiled.
Stella watched them, a cold smile on her face. Oh Sara… let's see if you even make it back.