Page 148 of She will Always be Mine

Students from nearby colleges, who have come here to participate, mingle all around me. Some are riding on bicycles to roam the grounds while some are walking in groups and clicking pictures. This is nothing compared to how huge it will be the night of the concert.

In the distance, I make out the top of Monica’s head as she stands in a group near the organizers’ table. The first competition—the treasure hunt—is about to commence in less than an hour and I’m tasked with explaining the rules to the participating teams. The winners will receive a cash prize and VIP tickets to the concert.

“Will you be here all day?” I ask Riaan, who hasn’t stopped glaring at the guys who look my way. With his wide frame and quiet intensity, they scatter away like he lit their asses on fire.

“I’m tempted to stay just so nobody attempts to flirt with you,” he growls, his voice dangerously low with possessiveness. “But I have to confirm the arrangements for tomorrow at the office.”

“I’ll be too busy to talk to anyone,” I calmly say and rest my palm on his chest so his attention is on me.

His arm circles my waist to pull me closer. “Don’t go anywhere alone.” he orders. “Be good.”

“I won’t.”

“I’ll come to pick you up. Okay?”

“Mmhmm.”

Our gazes remain locked for a few lingering seconds. The urge to kiss him is strong, but he pulls away with only a heated look. I watch his back disappear into the crowd and with a sigh, I stalk toward Monica.

Sneaking up behind her, I cover her eyes with my hands and whisper, “Guess who.”

“Someone I was about to hire a search party for,” she grumbles in mock annoyance. Twisting in my arms, she snaps, “Dude. Stop ignoring my calls. I was worried you went home again.”

“Come on. I’m not going to ghost you again,” I say with a pout. “The cab took too long so I had to catch a ride with Riaan.”

“If I didn’t love you, I’d be dumping your late ass.”

“Hey! It’s not my fault the traffic here sucks.”

“Excuses, excuses.”

“Shut up,” I snap, rolling my eyes, and she laughs. “Are all the participating teams here?”

“Yep,” She replies. “Each captain has filled out their team members’ names. Everything is in place and I have the first clues right here.”

“Perfect. I’ll go over the rules of each round. Meanwhile, you distribute these to them.”

“Let’s rock this day.” She cheers.

Grabbing the microphone near the makeshift stage we made, I stand at the center and shout excitedly, “Who’s ready to hunt for some treasure?”

The second I have all of their attention, I begin to explain the rules. They are all pumped by the time I finish. To make it interesting, one of the teams who impresses the volunteers through a challenge will be given an advantage in the final round. Monica finishes passing the first set of clues. The teams huddle when I say go and it’s fucking game time.

***

Our brains can sometimes be so easy to distract.

Throughout the day, not once did what happened this morning cross my mind. I got swept away in the whirlwind of games, laughter, and the hidden shots of vodka that Monica and I sneaked in with a few others. It was entertaining to watch as teams fought each other, running all over the campus to win the games.

The treasure hunt was a success and now we’re all having an after-party to end the first day of the festival with a bang.

The sun has long since set and the wind has turned chilly. I can’t feel it, though, because my body is hot from all the alcohol I consumed. It tastes like shit. But fuck, I’ve never felt so relaxed and happy.

It might have been a mistake because I’m beginning to feel the effects. I’m slurring and swaying slightly, but when my mind goes numb I don’t want to step down from the high I’m currently experiencing.

Monica isn’t doing any better. She drank even more than me.

“You’re telling me you never do anything in threes?” she slurs to one of the other girls in our circle. Even they are in different states of drunkenness.

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