Chapter 30 – Fourth Day of Rest (Part 3)
Water still dripped from his hair as Cody stepped out of the lake, feeling the cool breeze against his skin.
His mind was calm after swimming, but it didn't take long for the rhythm of camp life to pull him back—especially when he suddenly ran into Courtney.
And at first glance, she didn't seem to be having a good day.
Courtney stood with her arms crossed and a deep frown, clearly caught in a wave of frustration.
She didn't need to say a word for Cody to know her team was, once again, completely disorganized.
Because if there was one predictable thing on this island, it was that Courtney didn't tolerate chaos.
"If they weren't so incompetent, we could've finished everything hours ago," Courtney muttered, shaking her head in annoyance.
Cody smirked slightly, amused by how predictable it all was.
"Leadership problems, huh?" Cody asked, in a relaxed tone.
Courtney sighed deeply before looking at him.
"Leadership problems, coordination problems, everything problems. Just thinking about it gives me a headache," Courtney replied, exasperated.
Cody ran his hands through his hair to dry it off, then tilted his head with a calm expression.
"Want to take a break?" Cody asked, flashing that confident smile that always seemed to loosen tension.
Courtney furrowed her brow slightly, not answering right away.
Her mind was still tangled in the day's frustration, in everything that hadn't gone her way.
But then she looked at Cody.
His relaxed posture, his carefree expression, the way he seemed completely untouched by stress.
It was irritating… but also tempting.
"A break?" Courtney repeated, doubtful.
Cody simply nodded, not rushing her.
"Sure. You want to clear your head, and I'm amazing at that," Cody said, keeping his tone light and confident.
Courtney watched him for a few seconds before letting out a soft sigh.
Maybe a little distraction wouldn't hurt.
"Fine. But don't waste my time," Courtney said, with a touch of seriousness.
Cody only smiled wider.
"I never would," Cody said, giving her space to unwind.
And just like that, the tension of the day began to dissolve as Courtney, for the first time all day, decided to stop thinking about her team and their problems.
Even though she knew Cody wouldn't make it easy to keep everything under control.
But maybe, just for today, that wouldn't be such a bad thing.
Courtney walked behind Cody, still unsure where he was taking her, but with a hint of curiosity.
After all, if there was one thing Cody was known for, it was always having some unconventional idea—and for now, letting herself be led seemed like the best option.
But when they finally arrived at the treehouse, Courtney's expression changed completely.
Her eyes widened slightly as she inspected the structure in detail.
"How the heck did you build this?" Courtney murmured, crossing her arms as she examined every angle of the treehouse.
It was big. Very big.
Nothing on this island should've been built with such precision—especially not in four hours.
But there it was. Elevated, solid, full of details that spoke of impeccable planning.
And the most surprising part was that Cody had led the whole thing.
"I don't get it… How did you get everyone to do all this?" Courtney asked, genuinely incredulous.
Cody leaned casually against one of the beams, naturally enthusiastic.
"Teamwork, clear vision, and well… a few helpful skills," Cody said, relaxed.
Courtney looked at the structure again, her thoughts circling around one point.
Cody had natural leadership.
But he wasn't the kind of leader who imposed authority.
He was the kind who made others want to follow him on their own.
And that, in her experience, was extremely hard to achieve.
"If I tried something like this with my team, they'd be arguing before even lifting the first piece of wood," Courtney thought.
But with Cody, everything flowed differently.
And that was what confused her most.
Courtney climbed with Cody to the main platform of the treehouse, her steps firm as she continued analyzing the build with a critical eye.
But Cody, still relaxed, decided to shift the tone of the conversation.
"You know, you stress too much," Cody said bluntly.
Courtney turned immediately, frowning.
"What?! I don't stress too much. I stress just enough because people don't know how to do things right," Courtney replied, with energy.
Cody let out a soft laugh, unfazed.
"See? Even in a casual conversation, you're ready to fight," Cody said, playfully.
Courtney opened her mouth to respond—but stopped.
Because she realized he was right.
She was always in a state of tension, ready to respond to anything with intensity.
Always on alert, always making sure everything was under control.
When was the last time she simply… enjoyed something without worrying if it was done right?
Courtney exhaled, crossing her arms as she looked out at the view from the treehouse.
"I can't just shut off my mind and let the world do whatever it wants," Courtney said firmly.
Cody shrugged, looking up at the sky with his usual carefree energy.
"No one's saying you should shut it off," Cody replied. "Just let yourself enjoy the experience. Not everything has to be a constant battle."
Courtney stayed silent for a few seconds.
Because even if she didn't want to admit it…
Maybe, just maybe, Cody was right.
The treehouse felt different in that moment.
The wind gently moved the leaves, letting sunlight cast uneven shadows across the wooden floor.
Courtney continued exploring the place with her eyes, admiring the structure with a mix of surprise and critical analysis.
Then Cody did something that defined the tone of the moment.
He pulled out his music player, turned it on, and let a soft melody fill the space.
Courtney, whose mind was always in strategy mode, couldn't help but notice the immediate shift in atmosphere.
The music gave the conversation a lighter tone—something Cody had clearly intended.
And it worked.
"Music? Seriously?" Courtney asked, raising an eyebrow.
Cody smiled as he placed the player on the wooden table, taking his time.
"Why does that sound like a complaint? You should be thanking me for my amazing taste," Cody said, playfully.
Courtney let out a soft laugh and shook her head.
"I'm not complaining. Just surprised," Courtney said, crossing her arms.
And it was true. She hadn't expected Cody to be so thoughtful about the mood.
But there he was, creating an atmosphere completely different from the one she'd felt all day.
Courtney watched as Cody leaned casually against the treehouse railing, flashing that confident smile of his.
It was irritating… but also intriguing.
"He never seems stressed about anything," Courtney thought, studying him more closely.
Always relaxed, always sure of himself, like he understood the rules of the game better than anyone.
And the strangest part was how people followed him naturally.
Not because he demanded leadership—but because following him just felt like the logical thing to do.
"How does he do that?" Courtney wondered.
Because she had never managed that with her team. She always had to demand, correct, reinforce authority.
But Cody just… made things work.
"So… do you like the house?" Cody asked, tilting his head with a sly expression.
Courtney crossed her arms, still inspecting the structure with a critical eye.
"It's impressive," Courtney admitted.
Cody lit up even more before dropping a line in that ever-carefree tone of his.
"Well, if you like it, we could call it our secret base. Exclusive to members with high standards and fierce attitudes," Cody said lightly.
Courtney let out a small laugh, unable to help herself.
"Oh sure, because this definitely screams exclusivity," Courtney replied with a smirk.
Cody gave her a satisfied look.
"See? You're relaxing," he said, nodding slightly in her direction.
Courtney opened her mouth to respond—but stopped.
Because she realized he was right.
She sank onto the wooden bench, exhaling softly.
"When was the last time I enjoyed a conversation that didn't have a strategic purpose?" Courtney thought.
In her world, everything had a clear objective. Every move had to be logical, every decision impactful.
But with Cody…
Things just flowed.
No rigid structure, no clear rules.
Just the moment, the conversation, the background music, and a dialogue that moved effortlessly.
"It's annoying… but also refreshing," Courtney thought.
And that put her at odds with herself.
Because no matter how much she tried to deny it, being here with Cody felt strangely natural.
Cody watched her for a few seconds before leaning slightly toward the table.
"You know, you could spend more time like this," Cody said, his voice relaxed.
Courtney raised an eyebrow.
"Like what?" she asked, mildly curious.
Cody grinned before delivering the line with total confidence.
"Relaxed. Seeing the world more as something to enjoy and less as a constant competition."
Courtney scoffed and shook her head.
"I can't. My brain just doesn't work that way," she said, still firm.
Cody chuckled softly.
"Oh, right. Because it's impossible for Courtney to let her guard down and enjoy something without looking for the strategic angle," Cody teased.
Courtney rolled her eyes—but couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips.
"Strategy is important," she said.
Cody looked at her calmly before responding with something more sincere.
"Yeah. But so is enjoying the moment when you get the chance."
Courtney didn't reply right away.
Because, as much as she wanted to deny it—Cody was right again.
The sun was slowly setting, painting the sky in golden and orange hues. The treehouse felt peaceful, almost private, like it existed in its own little pocket of the camp.
Music floated in the air—soft but present—setting a relaxed rhythm to their conversation.
Courtney didn't seem as rigid as when she arrived. She wasn't fully relaxed—her nature didn't allow her to let go that easily—but something had shifted.
She spoke more, gestured with less tension, and though she didn't realize it, her posture no longer screamed "ready for battle."
And Cody, with his easygoing energy and light teasing, let the moment unfold without pressure.
Because he didn't need to convince her of anything.
He just needed to give her space to figure it out on her own.
And little by little, she was.
Sitting on the edge of the platform, Cody ran a hand through his still-damp hair from the lake.
"You know, if we'd built this house with your team, how long do you think it would've taken?" Cody asked, with a light smile.
Courtney let out a small laugh, not even thinking too hard.
"Weeks. Maybe months," she replied, resting her arms on the table.
"Weeks?" Cody repeated, feigning shock. "Come on, they can't be that bad."
Courtney raised an eyebrow, as if evaluating whether Cody truly understood her suffering.
"If I told you what they put me through today, you might reconsider your faith in humanity."
Cody laughed, tilting his head with interest.
"Wow. That sounds like a story I need to hear," Cody said, playfully.
Courtney exhaled—not with frustration, but with that energy you get when you remember something ridiculous and can't help but share it.
As she spoke, Courtney moved more freely. Her expressions were more natural, more spontaneous.
As if, without realizing it, the structure of the conversation had let her ease into comfort.
"First, Duncan disappeared for two hours with no explanation. Then Owen mistook the map for his napkin and smeared it with sauce. After that, Harold tried to fix it with his 'photographic memory'—turns out he remembered a completely different map that had nothing to do with the challenge. And to top it off, Trent slipped and fell on all our gear," Courtney said, with a huff.
Cody listened with a growing smile, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Wow. You really have a talent for picking teammates," Cody said, mockingly.
Courtney shot him a sharp look—but it was more playful warning than actual annoyance.
"Oh sure, because we get to choose," Courtney replied with sarcasm.
Cody rested his chin on his hand before dropping another line in his usual light tone.
"Well, you could always consider switching teams. I accept applications—though the entry fee is steep."
Courtney rolled her eyes—but for the first time all day, she didn't feel stressed.
She felt… amused?
It was strange.
But she wasn't against it.
"Why does it feel so different talking to him?" Courtney thought, glancing at him from the corner of her eye.
Cody didn't try to challenge her like Duncan. He didn't try to test her patience like Owen.
He just… existed. Letting the conversation flow without pressure.
No expectations. No demands.
"Is it the way he smiles all the time?" Courtney wondered, exhaling softly.
Because somehow, that carefree confidence was annoying… but also intriguing.
And it was putting her in unfamiliar territory.
Because she wasn't used to letting her guard down.
But for some reason, with Cody… it didn't seem so far-fetched.
Cody looked at her calmly, as if he could sense something in her expression had shifted.
"You know, you should relax more often. It suits you," Cody said, with a smile that carried a hint of mischief.
Courtney crossed her arms—but the way she did it wasn't defensive.
It was more like she was holding back a response that might be too honest.
"It's not like it's easy," Courtney said, with a soft sigh.
Cody tilted his head before replying in his usual laid-back tone.
"It doesn't have to be easy. It just has to be worth it."
Courtney looked at him for a few seconds, processing his words—then let out a small smile.
And there it was.
The exact moment Courtney realized Cody had something that was impossible to ignore.
Something that made being around him feel… different.
Something she'd now have to figure out.
After a while, Cody could tell Courtney was more at ease—but still carried that slight edge of someone who couldn't fully let go of control.
The music still played softly in the background, keeping the atmosphere calm—but Cody wanted to take it one step further.
He needed something that would distract Courtney completely. Something that would pull her focus away from strategy, away from her team, away from the chaos of camp.
Then he had an idea.
"You need a challenge that doesn't take much effort, but still makes you think," Cody said, with a sly smile.
Courtney looked up, intrigued but still cautious.
"What are you planning now?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Cody pulled out his phone, tapped quickly, then held the screen up to her.
"Trivia games," Cody said confidently. "Quick, fun… and perfect for someone like you who loves proving she has the sharpest mind in the room."
Courtney frowned for a second, evaluating the proposal.
It was simple.
But also perfect.
Because yes—he was right. She loved to win.
Courtney exhaled and nodded calmly.
"Fine. But if we're doing this, make it challenging. No boring questions," she said, settling into her seat.
Cody grinned wider, seeing his plan working.
"Oh, you want hard? Perfect. Because now I have a mission: make you miss at least one," Cody said, playfully.
Courtney rolled her eyes, but a smile crept onto her face.
"Good luck with that," she replied, feeling the thrill of competition spark inside her.
Cody selected the first questions and started the game.
"First question… What's the only letter that doesn't appear in any U.S. state name?"
Courtney blinked a few times, then answered confidently.
"Q?"
Cody checked the answer and raised his eyebrows.
"Correct! But that was too easy… I'm going soft on you," he said with mock disappointment.
Courtney chuckled, crossing her arms.
"Not my fault you underestimate me," she said, challengingly.
Cody raised an eyebrow and fired the next question.
"Okay, next: Which country has the most pyramids in the world?"
Courtney hesitated for a second, then answered with certainty.
"Egypt."
Cody laughed softly and raised a finger.
"Wrong. It's Sudan."
Courtney paused, mouth half-open to protest—but stopped.
Because after thinking about it…
She knew he was right.
She stared at Cody, feeling a flicker of discomfort at losing—but also a strange excitement.
Because Cody wasn't just relaxed.
He was smart.
And worst of all, he made it look effortless.
"How does he have so much confidence without even trying?" Courtney thought, adjusting her posture.
Cody had that way of moving, of speaking, of smiling like he already knew how the game would play out.
It was irritating… but also attractive.
And that put her in an unexpected internal dilemma.
"I can't lose," Courtney thought, feeling the competition take on a new kind of meaning.
Cody noticed her reaction and leaned into it.
"Surprised I beat you on a question?" Cody asked, tilting his head slightly.
Courtney narrowed her eyes before replying.
"Not surprised. Just didn't expect you to enjoy it so much," she said, trying to sound indifferent.
Cody smiled wide.
"I won't lie—it's fun. You know what else is fun? Watching your face every time you feel like you're losing ground," Cody said lightly.
Courtney gave him a sharp look, but it was more playful than annoyed.
"I'm not losing ground! I was just… evaluating the answer," Courtney said, in classic competitive fashion.
Cody leaned a little closer.
"Oh sure, like your 'strategic evaluation' has nothing to do with the fact that you're watching me more closely now," Cody said, with a sly grin.
Courtney felt her face warm slightly and rolled her eyes, trying to regain her balance.
"Just keep asking questions," she said, realizing the game now carried more weight than she expected.
The questions continued, the mood relaxed, and somehow, the competition began to feel less like a challenge and more like a connection.
Courtney stayed sharp, but with each question, each laugh, each teasing comment from Cody—something shifted in how she saw him.
Because he didn't just make her compete.
He made her enjoy the moment.
And that, though she didn't want to admit it, was one of the hardest things to achieve with her.
But Cody, without even trying, was doing it.
The treehouse had become an improvised trivia arena, with Cody and Courtney on opposite sides of the table, their rivalry energy growing.
The music floated in the air, giving the scene a light rhythm—but the real show was how deeply they were getting into the game.
Courtney was more focused than ever, determined to win each round, while Cody—strategically—started letting her win little by little to help her relax.
But he did it so subtly, Courtney didn't notice.
She still believed she was winning on pure merit.
Cody rested his chin on his hand, watching Courtney with an amused expression as she answered another question with full confidence.
"The answer is… Marie Curie!" Courtney said, crossing her arms with satisfaction.
Cody checked his phone screen and nodded slowly.
"Correct," he said, adding a small gesture of mock surprise. "Wow, you're smarter than you thought."
Courtney raised an eyebrow, her smile proud.
"What are you talking about? I've always been smart," she replied without hesitation.
Cody smirked and rolled his eyes playfully.
"Sure, but at one point I thought you were more dictator than genius," he teased.
Courtney scoffed, but her tone was far more relaxed now.
"Just because I like things done right doesn't mean I'm a dictator," she said, rolling her eyes.
Cody leaned his elbows on the table, his tone sly.
"Well, at least now you're enjoying something without trying to control every detail," he said, clearly pleased.
Courtney paused for a second before realizing… he was right again.
And that annoyed her.
But it also made her feel more at ease.
The trivia continued, and Cody shifted his approach.
He no longer tried to beat her in every round.
Now he let her win small victories—just enough to boost her confidence, but not so obvious she'd notice.
And slowly, Courtney became more competitive, more engaged… more immersed in the game.
"Ha! The capital of Mongolia is Ulaanbaatar," Courtney said, grinning triumphantly.
Cody glanced at the screen and moved slowly.
"Well, looks like world domination is near," he said, adding dramatic flair.
Courtney leaned toward the table, her smile sharp.
"You better be ready. I don't like winning by a small margin," she said, challengingly.
Cody chuckled.
"Oh, right. Because this is war, not a game," he said, still relaxed.
Courtney shot him a warning look.
"It's always war," she said firmly.
Cody watched the way her eyes sparkled with determination and knew his strategy was working.
Courtney was fully focused on the competition—not on the stress of the day.
"Why does it feel so good to be here?" Courtney thought, taking a breath.
It was strange.
Normally, if someone wasted her time, she'd be gone.
But with Cody…
Time moved differently.
She wasn't worrying about strategy or fixing her team's mess.
She was just here, enjoying the moment.
And that was dangerous.
Because it made Cody feel more interesting.
More attractive.
Harder to ignore.
Cody looked at the next question and decided it was time to let her feel like she was dominating the game.
"All right, this is the final question… and it's the hardest one," Cody said, with a serious tone.
Courtney straightened in her seat, ready for the challenge.
"Go ahead. I'm ready," she said confidently.
Cody read the question slowly from the screen.
"How many symphonies did Beethoven compose in total?"
Courtney thought for a moment, then her expression shifted.
"Nine," she answered, with absolute certainty.
Cody paused dramatically.
Then nodded.
"Correct! Congratulations, you've officially become the queen of trivia," Cody said, raising his hands like he was announcing her coronation.
Courtney let out a soft laugh and leaned on the table.
"I wouldn't expect anything less," she said, satisfied.
Cody watched her relaxed expression, her genuine smile—and knew his mission was complete.
Courtney was finally enjoying something without overthinking it.
And that, in itself, was a victory far greater than any trivia round.