4

With a few hours remaining of sunlight and having walked a fairly long distance, a fine layer of sweat has now taken residence on Nick's forehead. So, even though he's quite used to walking for long stretches of time — courtesy of him not owning a car — he doesn't mind the excuse for a quick water break when Stella asks for the group to rest.

Nicholas seats himself down on a sturdy piece of rock, fetching the water botte from his bag before a taking a large gulp. Feeling the cool liquid travel down his throat, he closes his eyes against the beating sun and lets out a relieved sigh.

"Fancy a wager?"

Nick opens his eyes to find Stella crouched beside him to his left, her features twisted in a mischievous smile. Unable to resist himself, and also because he knows the she won't leave before getting what she wants, Nicholas gives in.

He takes another swig of water, resuming staring straight out ahead into the distance. "I'm listening," he says with a subtle hint of curiosity underlining his tone, enough for Stella to latch on to immediately.

Clapping her hands, she settles down close to Nick. "Right so," she begins, clicking her tongue. "Ten Pounds says he'll be helplessly in love with the blonde by the end of this week."

Following Stella's gaze, Nicholas spots Richard, chatting with an ever-brilliantly glowing Keithia with a sunny smile on his own face.

Even from this distance Nick can see the stars beginning to hang in Rich's eyes, wrenching an involuntary snort from Nick. The poor lad will be done with in less than a week, he thinks.

"I heard someone say blonde," says Valeria, coming up to stand beside the snickering and plotting duo sat on the ground. She catches Nicholas' eye and shoots him a smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

Coughing to clear his throat, Nick averts his gaze.

"Oh it's nothing, we were just placing bets on the new game in town is all," Stella says.

"And which game would that be?" asks Val, sitting in front of them, cross-legged, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.

"That one," Stella points toward where Richard and Keithia are stood talking animatedly.

Valeria turns her head around, and the group of three watches as Keithia holds out her hand and a small bird lands on her outstretched finger, chirping happily as if that stretch of cream coloured skin is the home it'd been searching for throughout its life. None of the three people can quite stop themselves from being awed by this.

Turning back to face Stella and Nicholas, Val says, "What's so bad about it? Isn't it good that Richard's taking fancy to someone?"

Without even thinking, without having the thought to process his words and scrape out the instinctual undertone of annoyance from them, Nick finds himself saying, "He met her just today, Valeria. They've known each other for a mere handful of hours." It comes out meaner than he meant it to — evident by the sudden dimness in Val's smile — and he rushes to amend his words. "I mean," Nick clears his throat, "it's too soon." Glancing up, he finds her blue eyes fixated on his. "He's falling too soon, too fast."

Stella coughs beside them, breaking the surreal moment so that both Nick and Valeria look away. "Well that turned too deep too swiftly. So much for lightening the mood, guys."

And just like that, with one of Stella's perfectly timed quips, the charged air lifts and everyone starts smiling again.

Stella stands, brushing off her jeans. "Let's get going now people. I've had my rest and we're burning daylight here." She goes ahead to join Keithia and Richard, throwing her arm around Richard's frame in a friendly hug.

Nicholas stands too, and he's just fastening the straps of his bag round his waist when Valeria begins to get up, slipping on a wet mulch of leaves caught underneath her feet. Immediately Nick's hand shoots out, grabbing Valeria by her arm in a tight grip. She latches on to his arm in return as he steadies her.

"Careful there," Nick says, still holding on to her firmly. Slightly winded and breathing heavily, she looks up at him, shocked yet grateful eyes meeting his intense gaze. "Watch what you're stepping into."

Valeria nods, once, taking a step back from him. She looks back up at him again. She smiles. "Thank you, Nick."

"You're welcome," replies Nicholas, raising his shoulder in a half shrug, before thinking better of it and offering her a timid smile.

Instantly she grins at him in return, her face lighting up brilliantly under the sun. She then makes way for them to follow their friends, continuing their journey into the mountains.

~~~~~~~~~~

And we've passed the 4k word count point, my friends. Halfway through the second milestone and 1/5th way through the whole story.

There's still a long ways to go, guys. So hold in there for me, will you? We're just getting started here. There's so much more in store for you ahead. ;)

P.S. first A.N. of this story? What???
I'm sorry I'm so lazy. Please don't hate me.(／。＼)

P.P.S. lots and lots of love my darling loves.

- zainab