We finally arrive at the campsite, after all those hours of travelling and antics. I felt relieved and I knew it was the same for the teachers. The image of Derek hugging me filled my mind, but I didn't really feel embarrassed about it. Just a slight bit of worry. But looking at Derek now, he seemed back to his enthusiastic self so that's fine.

The bus was parked outside the campsite which had cabins scattered throughout with an amphitheatre in the middle and a central large cabin.

Out walked a middle-aged man and woman, both giving the most enthusiastic smile they could give, greeting us with enthusiasm. That wasn't enough to lift up the exhausted students and teachers.

'My name is Alex, and this is my partner, Alexia. Our names are quite similar so don't get confused. Welcome to Richford Outdoor Education Centre. We can start off camp by getting you guys to make your tents. Let's get started, shall we!'

We head off to a large campground with a carcass of a fire located right in the middle, with large long logs around on each side.

We get started setting up our individuals and only then did I start to realise how horrible my camping tent actually is. It makes sense since I literally haven't used this in 10 years since I last used this. The thought of bringing out an instruction manual annoys me as everyone can see me and I'll kiss my relaxed social life goodbye.

I try to assemble the poles and match them up. It went well.

Next, I needed to add the tent fabric on top so I can attach it to the poles. The fabric slipped and so did the poles.

Gosh, I hate that I'm here. I'm only here cause of social credit.

I already notice that people were finishing but I decided to ignore them and keep trying to build my tent. Without anyone's help. Cause I am an independent woman who knows how to build a tent.... lord, I need help.

'You need help, Coffee Addict?'

Behind me was the same old, Derek wearing a usual good style of clothing. He always wears hoodies and t-shirts and never really switches up. But today, he's wearing a beige cardigan with a little watermelon drawing on the corner. I was ready to insult but held back remembering what happened on the flight.

'No. I'm fine.' I hold onto a pole as the tent fabric falls off again.

'Doesn't seem so.' Derek walks over to my tent and takes out all the poles and readjusts it.

I was about to stop him but then I realise, "free labour", and let him do my hard work.

'Oi, get over here! You really think I would let you not do any hard work?' Derek shouts, almost as if he can read my mind.

I sigh.

Taking steps towards the tent, I help Derek with setting up the tent. Turns out the place I set it up doesn't have the best living conditions. In a span of 10 minutes, Derek did what I could probably do in 1 hour.

'You have an issue.' Derek hits the pole down and looks up at me.

'What are you talking about?' I ask him.

'Do you not like saying thank you?'

'No. I do say it. I just find it hard to say it to you.'

'Really? Why is that the case?'

'We're enemies.' I finish adjusting the last pole before tightening the tent fabric.

Derek looks over at me with an unreadable expression. Something tells me that maybe he didn't see me as an enemy. At the same time, he contemplates what he's about to say. 'Enemy is a strong word, Miss Monet.'

'You cannot call me that.' I corrected him.

'Sorry.... Coffee Addict.'

This prick. I regret being nice to him earlier.

'Coffee Addict?'

It was Sophie. To complement the cherry on top, Sophie had overheard the aggravating nickname that Derek had given me and is asking a lot of questions.

'Oh, hi Sophie, let's go to the central cabin and have a look with everyone else.' I smile and take Sophie away from Derek.

***

It's night and we are in the central cabin dining room which looked like a middle school cafeteria.

'Are you and Derek dating?' Sophie was taking a sip of her soda.

'No. Never. I only see him as a friend...yeah a friend.'

'You two do seem pretty close though. I've never seen Derek smile that much in my life. I didn't realise that it was your influence that made him so happy.' Sophie finishes her drink and readjusts her chair.

'Derek and I are enem- I mean rivals. It's unlikely we would date, to begin with,' I stated.

I didn't know I had that effect on Derek. But then again, I could just be simply lied to again, and this is all a big prank that Derek is playing.

'Okay if you say so.' Sophie says taking another bite of her dinner.

The conversation progresses to more Bollywood dramas, but I couldn't get that thought out of my head. Did my being competitive with Derek seriously entertain his day? Cause, whether I take this, determines the way I act. Does Derek act differently because he's thinking of potential blackmail or was, he actually enjoying my company?

Either way, I couldn't help but sense that things were starting to change between Derek and me.