The lush green forest looked like something from a fairytale, but I didn’t get much time to admire it as Leo and I ran through the trees.

I didn’t ask questions, just ran.

Eventually, my lungs were screaming and I collapsed to the ground, my vision going blurry.

I freaked out, but eventually, my eyes cleared. I was still gasping for air, but at least I knew I was alive. Leo helped me up. “You okay Dedri?” He said, breathing heavily himself. I nodded, but still wobbled as I tried to walk.

“I’m sorry I slowed you down,” I said, my breath finally catching up with me.

“It’s fine, we can climb up this tree.”

Finally, one thing I _could_ do, though I wasn’t sure why we were climbing trees.

I pulled myself up the branches effortlessly, until I was high enough up that I couldn’t be seen. Leo was only a few steps behind me.

I maneuvered myself to a branch just a little bit above the one I had previously been sitting on so Leo could sit.

He pulled himself up, bumping my leg and making me lose balance. I fell backward, but Leo caught me by the waist just in time.

We just stared at each other for a moment. I looked at his gorgeous eyes before clearing my throat, my face burning.

He pulled me forward and made sure I had a good hold on the trunk before moving his arms.

“Sorry about that…” Leo said, his face red, and his arms too. He hissed in pain and swatted at them.

“I get a little overheated when I’m, um, embarrassed,” he said, scratching the back of his head.

“Oh,” I said, unsure of what else to say. He was going to be in a lot of pain around me.

I reached for his arm again and inspected the small square stuck in it. “Cedar…” he started.

I shushed him.

It seemed simple. I just had to pull forward and then violently push backward.

I tried, it failed. Leo let out a small cry of pain. “I’m so sorry I didn't-” “Cedar don't you think I’ve tried before? It’s no use.”

I hung my head and we didn't talk the rest of the time. It was too awkward. He burned himself again.

Alea suddenly came up the tree and plopped herself down next to me, dropping a bag of goldfish into Leo’s lap.

Kai came running after her and scrambled up the tree with a large backpack on.

We heard yelling in the distance, and Alea showed me how to tuck my knees to my chest and rest my head on them.

But the main goal: don’t make noise.

I had no idea what was happening.

And I was scared.