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🏔️ Trip
​The air in the valley was crisp, biting with the promise of high-altitude adventure. A fleet of three brightly colored tourist buses, their engines sighing to a halt, marked the starting point of the group's New Year's trek.
​The door of the First Tourist Bus hissed open, and the first figure to step out was a vision of effortless, cool confidence: Gabriella. She looked utterly at ease, a contrast to the rugged landscape. Her outfit was simple yet perfectly styled—high-waisted dark denim shorts and a crisp white crop top, balanced by classic white sneakers. It spoke of laid-back summer days, not mountain climbing, yet she wore it with an air of knowing exactly what she was doing.
​Right behind her, Jake emerged. He was dressed in an expensive, casual ensemble: black slim-fit jeans, a designer hoodie, and a bright white baseball cap that cast his eyes in a slight shadow. He moved with a relaxed grace, his eyes fixed on Gabriella.
​As they moved aside, the second bus disgorged a torrent of other students. Among them were Raina and Selina. Raina was all sharp angles and attitude, her style cold and bold—a black leather jacket over dark clothes, grounded by heavy combat boots. Selina, by contrast, looked every bit the elite prep student in her impeccably clean, designer sportswear.
​Then came Han, wearing a relaxed, cool costume, blending into the crowd with an easygoing vibe, followed by the rest of the student body.
​From the third bus, Ronnie and Lara stepped out, their closeness obvious. Ronnie immediately put his hand on Lara's shoulder.
​"Do you like trekking?" Lara asked, her voice laced with playful challenge. He just nodded, the action pulling the white T-shirt he wore over his stunning blue jeans tight across his chest—he was, undeniably, hot. Lara, for her part, wore a short skirt and a fitted corset top that screamed confidence and trendiness.
​Lastly, after every other student had cleared the third bus, Elisabeth made her entrance. She wore a small, knee-length gown of striking red, making her stand out starkly against the practical clothes of everyone else. She looked cold, her face a mask of calculated indifference. Her eyes scanned the small crowd, locking onto Gabriella and Jake. Seeing Jake trailing Gabriella like a loyal puppy, her perfect lips twisted into a snarl of jealous rage. She ground her teeth.
​🎒 The Push and The Glare
​As Gabriella was about to grab her backpack from the bus's luggage area, Jake was quicker. He pulled it out for her.
​"I can carry it myself," Gabriella snapped, snatching the bag from his grasp.
​Jake merely smiled, an infectious, challenging curve of his lips.
​Once all the students had gathered in the valley, their Professor clapped his hands for attention. "Listen up! We are only staying two days in the hill area. For the climb, you only need to carry two changes of clothes and necessary items in your backpack. We climb and stay the night, and tomorrow we climb again to reach the top, the snow area! You'll need your heavy winter clothes for that. After New Year's on the mountaintop, we come back down to this valley by cable car to stay here for two days. Are you excited?"
​A massive cheer erupted.
​It was then that Gabriella's attention was drawn to Elisabeth. The sight of her created a confused flicker in Gabriella's eyes. She glanced at Jake. He was staring at Elisabeth, too, but with a look of pure shock. Why is she here? his expression seemed to ask.
​Gabriella, annoyed by the sudden shift in the atmosphere, quickly ignored Elisabeth. She spun around to walk, and Jake immediately followed.
​Selina approached Elisabeth, a casual question on her lips. "You said you weren't coming."
​Elisabeth gave a cold, dismissive look while her eyes remained glued to the retreating backs of Gabriella and Jake. "But I changed my decision," she said coolly, pulling on a pair of oversized sunglasses.
​Selina's lips curved into a knowing smile. "I got it."
​Elisabeth started walking, and the group began its ascent.
​🧤 A Moment's Warmth
​The hill quickly morphed into a dense, rainforest-like landscape. There was no snow yet, but the breeze was sharp and cold.
​As Gabriella started to climb, her hands grew painfully cold. She rubbed them together constantly, trying to generate some heat. Jake, who was always just a step behind her, noticed.
​He suddenly darted past her, overtaking her to stop directly in her path. She paused, confused. He gently grabbed her hands. She tried to pull away, but he tightened his grip just enough to hold her still.
​"Wait," he said, his voice serious. He rubbed her hands between his own. She could feel the immediate, incredible warmth of his touch, and his concern for her made her momentarily lose herself.
​He then pulled out a pair of gloves from his backpack and gently put them on her hands. "Now you don't feel cold," he said simply.
​Before she could speak, he snapped his fingers in front of her face, pulling her back to reality. "Are you mesmerized by looking at my handsome face?" he asked, a playful smirk twisting his lips.
​Gabriella immediately turned her face away, blushing hotly. As she started to walk, she tripped on a hidden root. Jake's hand shot out, grabbing her arm and steadying her before she could fall.
​Once she was steady, he leaned in, his breath warm near her ear. "I didn't see a clumsy Gabriella before," he whispered, a playful, soft smile on his face.
​💖 A Painful Kiss
​Ten steps behind them, Ronnie and Lara were having a very different experience. Lara was walking with super-cool confidence, but Ronnie was already exhausted.
​"Where is your strength?" Lara chuckled.
​"I'm exhausted. My legs are hurting," he complained, sinking down onto a fallen log.
​Lara came and sat beside him. "I haven't felt any pain," she mocked. "As a girl, I have this much strength. Why don't you, as a boy?"
​Ronnie stared at her, unable to hide his tired frustration. She only smiled. She pulled out a pain-relief spray and gently applied it to his ankle. He winced. "Sorry!" she whispered, spraying more gently this time.
​Ronnie's eyes melted as he watched her concern for him. Lara looked up, and in that moment, Ronnie leaned in and gently kissed her mouth. She hadn't expected it; she was literally stunned into silence.
​He pulled back just slightly. "Are you feeling warm? Why are you blushing so?" he smirked.
​Lara stood up quickly, unable to speak, a swirl of confusion and warmth in her chest. "Let's go," she finally managed. He stood up, she helped him, and they started walking, both smiling a little secretively.
​🔪 The Venomous Smile
​Two hours later, Selina, Elisabeth, and Raina were resting in the middle of the hike. Selina handed soft drinks to her companions.
​Raina looked at Elisabeth. "I thought you would go abroad," she asked, devoid of any emotion.
​Elisabeth smiled, but it was cold, calculating. "I won't accept defeat that easily. I have a lot to do."
​Selina, sensing the tension, intervened. "Okay, Raina, how are things going between you and Felix?" She playfully raised an eyebrow.
​"What does that expression mean?" Raina asked, her face unreadable.
​"Are you guys really going to marry?" Selina pressed.
​Raina froze for a split second, then chuckled, a cold, hard sound. "Why are you suspecting us?"
​"Because you aren't excited about your engagement," Elisabeth cut in, her tone just as cold. "Am I right, Selina?"
​Raina scoffed. "But I'm not the kind of girl who gets excited that easily."
​Selina understood: Raina wasn't in the mood for a friendly talk. Elisabeth's smile was venomous, a predator watching its prey.
​Suddenly, Raina's phone rang. She checked the ID and picked up. It was Felix.
​"Hello," Raina said flatly.
​"Are you on a trip right? Aunt told me. Where exactly are you now?" Felix asked.
​"Why are you asking?" Raina shot back, her voice straight and emotionless.
​Felix chuckled. "Why shouldn't I, Raina?"
​Raina scoffed and walked a little further away from them.
​Selina whispered to Elisabeth, "I think they have a lot to talk about in private." Elisabeth smiled faintly.
​Raina continued the call. "I think I have the right to ask this question, because I'm your fiancé," Felix said.
​"It's only acting. Don't take it as real, okay?" Raina hissed, annoyed.
​"I know. Just curious, so I asked," Felix replied.
​"Where are you?" Felix asked again.
Raina suspicion rising, but she told her location...to him.
​"Okay, then let's see tomorrow," he said.
​"What? Our trip actually ends four days later," Raina said, confused.
​"Oh, yeah, sorry. I was about to say, 'See you after the trip.' Bye." Felix hung up.
​"Weirdo," Raina muttered, rolling her eyes.
​She looked up and saw Gabriella and Jake sitting together a little ways off. Raina narrowed her eyes. When did they get close? she whispered to herself.
​Gabriella took a long drink from her water bottle. As soon as she finished, Jake snatched the bottle from her and drank from the exact spot.
​"That's mine!" Gabriella said, annoyed.
​Jake looked at her, his expression confused for a second, then he grinned. "We're lovers, so yours are mine, and mine are yours," he declared.
​Gabriella stared at him. He thought he might have said too much and quickly turned his gaze away.
​While Gabriella was scrolling on her phone, Jake suddenly spoke, his voice serious, all traces of playfulness gone.
​"I know you as Andria... before."
​Gabriella froze, stopping the scroll. She turned, her eyes wide, meeting his gaze. His golden hair seemed to shine in the mild afternoon sun.
​Jake held her look, his eyes piercing hers. "And you are the same as now... too bold." He paused, a knowing smirk slowly spreading across his face. "You even slapped Harry's face... tightly."
​Gabriella's heart hammered against her ribs. Her eyes were locked with his, searching for an answer she couldn't grasp.
​How does he know this? she thought, the realization hitting her like a physical blow. Is that true? He knows me as Andria?
​The revelation hung heavy in the cooling forest air, a dangerous secret exposed, and Gabriella knew, with chilling certainty, that her carefully planned revenge might have just become a deadly game where she was not the only player with a hidden past.
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To be Continued....
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