Campsite

"That would embarrass me to death!", Interrupts Johnny, "Anyways... You're not dating, right?"

"Yeah we're not", Add Romeo, shrugging his shoulders, "I don't think that she can have feelings for a weirdo like me, to be honest."

"She's head over heels for you that's crystal clear", Thinks Johnny as he was sighing, before leaning getting back to work, "You're just way too dumb to get it."

"Here's the thing, Romeo", Says Johnny, making the atmosphere a bit intense with his serious tone, "If you try to upset Sara intentionally in any way... If you even think about making fun of her feelings...", Then he stands up and glares at the boy, "You'll find me facing you right away, got it?"

"Got it", Answers Romeo, raising a thumb.

-Johnny: "I don't think that you're getting..."

"I understand that you have a thing for her to the point that you'll hit innocents like me for her sake", Interrupts Romeo, putting Johnny in an embarrassing situation.

"Good", Exhales Johnny, finally relaxing, "Let's get back to work then."

When they get back to the camp, they find Adam waiting patiently for their arrival, "It took you long enough", Says Adam.

He gets to work lighting the campfire. The crackling of the wood and the smell of smoke fills the air, "That's some fire you've got going there, Adam", Says Johnny, breaking the silence.

"Thanks, man", Adam replies, wiping his brow, "It's all about the technique."

Johnny watches intently, admiring the way Adam expertly handles the task. Meanwhile, Romeo makes his way over to the kitchen to find Lina and Sara, who are busy getting ready to make dinner, "Girls, any chocolate left?", He asks, leaning against the door frame.

"Oh... H... Hello, Romeo!", Greets Sara, who seems a little busy, "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid the only chocolate left is for dessert..."

"Too bad", Replies Romeo while sidling up to Lina, "Oy, smol thing. What are you doing?"

"Marinade for the fish!", Grins Lina as she shows him the bowl of marinade, "It's almost ready!", After that, she stretches her hand to the other side of the table, grabs some chocolate, and lends it to Romeo, "You can have my share of chocolate... It's not like I want to give it to you or anything... You're just... Acting like a kid when you don't have chocolate", Stammers the girl.

"Well the kid appreciates your kindness then", He says, taking the chocolate and digging in.

"You're spoiling him a bit, Lina", Adds Sara, a soft giggle tagging along.

Alex and Alphonse are excited to go fishing. They walk towards the lake, their fishing rods in hand, chatting about their expectations for the day, "I'm going to catch the biggest fish", Rambles Alex.

"Yeah yeah you will", Adds Alphonse, listening patiently.

As they arrive at the lake, they set up their rods and settle on the grassy bank, waiting for a bite, "Here it is!!", Exclaims Alex excitedly as he notices the rod bending down and the line starting to pull, causing Alex to leap into action. He begins to reel in the line as fast as he could, his heart racing with excitement, while The sun is shining down on him, glistening off the water and casting rippling reflections onto his face. The fish finally breaks the surface of the water, thrashing and fighting against the line. Alex expertly reels it in, his arms bulging with the effort until finally, he has the fish in hand. He holds it up triumphantly, a huge grin spreading across his face, "Look at this catch Al!", Being the first to catch a fish, he lets out a triumphant yell.

"Man, you do know what you're doing!!", Adds Alphonse, amazed at Alex's swiftness, can't help but laugh at his excitement. The rest of the journey is filled with laughter and the sound of fish being caught as Alex and Alphonse enjoy their time fishing.

As they make their way back to the camp, Alphonse can't help but notice the bright smile on Alex's face, which was clearly a result of their fishing session. Alphonse appears hesitant as he says, "Umm... Alex? What is it that has made you so cheerful during our fishing?"

The grip on the fish bucket tightens as Alex looks down, his smile fading a little at Alphonse's question. But it doesn't take long for Alex to lift his head and regain his joyful expression, "Al, my parents died in a plane crash when I was very young", Says Alex, looking up at the sky as he recalls the memory.

"Oh, I'm sorry... I'm sorry for your loss," replies Alphonse, gently patting Alex's back.

"It's okay, Al," Says Alex, with a warm smile, "The only memory I can recall perfectly of my parents is our Sundays. My dad had a boat and loved to fish, so he would take us out every Sunday to spend time with us. He taught me and my brother how to fish properly, and then my mom would show off her cooking skills by grilling the fish we caught", Alex adds, looking up at the sun and shading his eyes, "When I'm fishing, it feels like I'm with them... Like I'm home as if we've never been separated. That's why I love it so much."

Alphonse nods silently, taking in the story of Alex's past and the memories he holds dear, "His parents are... dead?", Alphonse thinks to himself, still gazing at the cheerful expression on Alex's face, "And yet, he can smile like this so freely."

"You're amazing, Alex!", exclaims Alphonse, placing his hand on Alex's shoulder.

"Hey, be careful!", Says Alex, almost losing his grip on the bucket, "Do you want to get rid of our dinner or something?"

"It's okay", Grins Alphonse, "Nothing happened! Hey, why don't we make fishing a weekly tradition for us?", The two continue to the camp, surrounded by joy and happiness as they plan their future fishing trips.

Edward is tasked with taking care of the tents and he approaches the job with determination, "I bet Romeo won't be able to handle such a task on his own", He thinks to himself as his arms are crossed, wearing a look of pride. He takes his time to gather all the necessary materials, such as tent poles, pegs, and guy lines... He also makes sure to pack his trusty mallet to ensure the tents are securely set up. He lays out the tent fabric, carefully positioning the poles and guy lines, making sure to align everything just right. He drives in the pegs, testing each one to make sure they are secure. With the tents up, he makes a quick inspection, checking for any loose fabric or potential tripping hazards. He then double-checks all the guy lines, adjusting them where necessary to ensure the tents will stay in place throughout the night. Edward is quite meticulous in his approach, taking pride in a job well done and ensuring his friends will have a comfortable and safe place to rest.

"You finished it in no time", Exclaims Adam after realizing that all the tents are perfectly built, "That's impressive, Edward!"

"Of course it is", Grins Edward, looking proud of his work, "Romeo would never be able to do it perfectly in such a short time!"

"Yeah he won't even think about doing it", Replies Adam, a soft grin tagging along, "Romeo and Johnny brought the sticks so I already finished lighting the campfire and the grills... Anyways if you're finished, can you come with me for a sec? We need manpower to move the boxes and you're the muscle head of the group!"

"The what?", Questions Edward seriously, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm asking your highness to help us transfer some heavy boxes... We need your aid... Ahaha", Says Adam after starting to lead the way.

"Okay, ladies, this is our catch!", Says Alex after putting the buckets down, and showing them to Lina and Sara. As the sun sets over the campsite, Sara and Lina are busy over the fire pit, grilling the freshly caught fish. They work efficiently, with Sara flipping the fish with precision, while Lina prepares a flavorful marinade for the fish. The aroma of herbs and spices fills the air, making everyone's mouths water. As for Romeo, he's just watching both of them do their thing while giving Lina's hair a ponytail, ensuring it stays out of her way while she works.

Lina grins excitedly as she places Romeo's fish on the grill, "This one's special," she says with a twinkle in her eye, "I added a little extra spice, just for you."

"You know that much about me ha?", Adds Romeo, "Are you a stalker or something?"

"Oh, come on", pouts Lina, raising her head to meet his gaze, "We're besties, nerdy boy. It's normal for me to know that you enjoy spicy food."

"By the way...", Adds Lina while slicing tomatoes, "Don't you think that it's taking you too long to do my hair?"

"I already finished it long ago", Answers Romeo, leaning closer as he takes a slice of tomato and eats it, "I'm just playing with it for now", Then he puts his hand back on her hair and starts running his fingers through the free side, "Your hair is really nice, Lina!"

"I take good care of my appearance you know.", Adds Lina after feeding him a second slice of tomato, taking the compliment gladly, "We're making some grilled salad as well, hope everyone will like it."

"Just don't add too much garlic, okay?", Requests Romeo, "I don't really like garlic."

"You're so picky", Lina responds, sounding a bit serious, "You should try eating healthier you know, instead of surviving on chocolate..."

Moments after, the sound of cameras clicking interrupts their conversation. Lina, immediately realizing what's happening, points her knife towards those two, "Oy, ALEX, MARIA!!", She screams as she keeps glaring at them, "You're doing it again, aren't you?"

"This one is pretty cute!", Says Alex, ignoring Lina's protests as he gazes at the brand-new photo.

"Yeah", Nods Maria in agreement, "I think It'll become my favorite instead of the one they got while they were escaping from school!"

Finished with grilling the fish, Sara places the plate next to Lina and then keeps looking at those two for a while. Feeling a bit envious as she pouts her cheeks, "Romeo... Don't you think you're not letting Lina work efficiently?", She says while putting the fresh vegetables on the grill.

"No... No, it's... It's okay", Adds Lina shyly, her cheeks reddening, "I don't... Mind him staying around..."

"What's wrong with that expression of hers?", she keeps standing around them, biting her lower lip as she thinks, "They really are so close to each other... Wish I was in your place Lina, I'm starting to envy your relationship..."

After around 20 minutes, Lina and Sara join the dining table, holding plates symbolizing their hard work, "Dinner's ready!", Says Lina while starting to put the plates around. The aroma of herbs and spices fills the air, making everyone's mouth water as they anticipate the delicious meal to come.

"Djfhfbr g dufbd fjf fudcbf", Exclaims Anna, unable to contain her excitement.

Edward chuckles, "I wish I could see Anna acting like a girl while eating for even once!", He says, with a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Seriously, you two are amazing! How much time do you spend in the kitchen to learn this kind of stuff?", Asks Anna, admiring their grilled salad.

"It's really nothing, seriously!", Says Sara with a smile while shrugging nonchalantly.

Lina nods in agreement, "Yeah, we just played our role in the camp that's all!" She says with a cheerful smile, as she raises a forkful of grilled salad, eating it with appetite.

"By the way," Edward chimes in, "What do you have in mind for the rest of the night? I'm up for staying a bit longer!"

Maria's face lightens up as she picks up her phone and opens a certain app, "How about a test of trust?" she suggests, grinning mischievously, "This app can supposedly detect whether someone is lying or not. If the phone beeps, then you're lying. It's pretty simple. We can ask each other about our weaknesses or fears."

"A test of trust? That sounds intriguing," Alex laughs, but Sara looks hesitant.

"I don't know if that's such a good idea," Sara begins to object, but Maria cuts her off excitedly, "Oh, come on, Sara! It'll be fun. You can go first!" she urges, pushing the phone towards her.

Feeling self-conscious, Sara's cheeks redden as she closes her eyes, hoping to avoid revealing too much, "Well, I... I'm afraid of losing. I really hate losing," she admits, covering her face with her hands.

"It didn't beep," Maria announces, looking at the phone screen. "It appears you're telling the truth, Sara. Can you explain a bit more to us?"

Sara takes a deep breath and decides to open up to her friends, "Well... I always strive to be the best girl in school," she begins hesitantly. "It's not about having the highest grades, being the best athlete, or looking the prettiest. It's just that since I was little, I was always in the spotlight. I got used to getting what I wanted most of the time. So, if I were to lose something or someone important to me, I'm afraid it would break me a little... I know it sounds selfish," she trails off, covering her face again.

Anna quickly steps in, placing a comforting hand on her friend's back. "No, Sara, it's not selfish at all," she reassures her, "We all hate losing, and it's understandable that you feel that way. It's okay to be vulnerable and share your fears with us."

"I'll go next, okay?" Maria says, her face unexpectedly flushing. She keeps waving her hand over her face to cool off her temperature, and the group, except for Romeo, wears a surprised expression, "I bet this is my first time seeing her act like a shy girl," they think to themselves.

After playfully slapping her face with both hands to muster up her courage, Maria leans forward and decides to spill the beans, "I... I'm afraid... Of... Of breaking up with you", she confesses, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she looks away, avoiding their gazes.

Feeling a chill run through his body, he becomes the first boy to blush romantically. Her words echo in his head, and he can't believe what he had just heard. As Maria turns her head slowly to meet his gaze, their eyes lock, and a magical spell seems to be cast. Their love for each other deepens as they share that moment.

Smiling shyly, Alex puts his head down while closing his eyes, fidgeting with his feet. Maria does the same, but her eyes remain wide open as if to say, "Gosh, I just went for it, didn't I?" The air between them is thick with tension and unspoken feelings, and the group watches on in silence, amazed by the raw vulnerability of their two friends.

As Lina playfully teases Maria, pressing her finger over her shoulder, the rest of the group watches on with amusement. "It's been a while since we saw this side of you, tomato girl", she says with a grin.

Maria responds by trying to push Lina away, but her friend playfully dodges her attempts. Alphonse joins in, placing a supportive hand on Alex's shoulder, "You're a lucky man, Alex. You've got quite the catch in Maria".

Alex remains quiet for a moment but then looks up with a small smile on his face, "I... Don't want to break up with you either."

Hearing those words, Maria stops her playful quarrel with Lina, "I... I see", She replies, "Well... That's good to hear!", and then she wears a smile at its finest.

As the tension between the two lovers builds, the rest of the group can't help but grin at the sight. Maria's smile widens at Alex's words, and the group lets out a collective "aww" before bursting into laughter at the awkward yet adorable moment.

As Maria smiles, the group exchanges glances, all feeling a sense of relief and happiness for their friends. Lina, again, grins mischievously at Maria, nudging her with her elbow, "See? He doesn't want to break with you either!"

Anna giggles, covering her mouth with her hand, "I think it's cute, you guys are perfect for each other!"

Romeo, who had been quiet until now, finally speaks up, "I agree, you two are great together. You both make each other better."

Alphonse nods his head in agreement, "And you guys have our full support, always."

Alex and Maria exchange a look, their eyes filled with joy and affection. They both knew that they had something special, and hearing their friends' encouragement only made their connection stronger.

As the group's jovial chatter and laughter fill the air, Lina eagerly awaits her turn to share her fear. When the phone finally lands in her hands, she beams with excitement and begins to speak. "Well, guys, I have to say that I have nothing to fear anymore," she declares, flashing a bright smile that lit up her face and radiates warmth all around her.

Everyone expected the phone to beep, signaling the end of Lina's turn, but it remained silent. Suddenly, he reaches out her head and playfully tousles her hair, causing her to look up at him with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. As her gaze meets his empty eyes, a shiver runs down her spine, but she soon relaxes when he speaks.

"Lina, you were afraid of loneliness, weren't you?" Asks Romeo, his voice deep, soft, and gentle as usual.

As she hears those words, Lina's face flushes with emotion, and she finds herself wondering, "Am I that easy to read? Or is it him... That keeps hitting my weak spot?", She can't help but feel drawn to him, and his enigmatic presence, which seems to hold the key to unlocking the mysteries of her heart.

"You're right," she admits, her voice barely above a whisper. "Ever since I was little, I've been moving from place to place, never really having the time to make lasting friendships. My dad works so hard that I hardly ever get to see him, and it's just me and my mom most of the time. But when we decided to settle down here, something inside me just knew that I was about to meet some really interesting people who would fill the emptiness in my life."

As she speaks, Lina feels her heart beating faster, and her thoughts begin to race. It was as if she had finally found the missing puzzle piece that had been eluding her all this time. And then, as she keeps gazing into his eyes, she realizes that Romeo is the one who had been destined to fill the void in her heart all along.

"It's because I was destined to meet you that my emptiness got filled from the first day", She thinks to herself, feeling a sudden burst of energy out of nowhere, "Your selflessness, your coldness, the way you keep pushing past your limits to help us while avoiding our aid. Romeo... Thank you... For slaughtering my fear!"