After the teacher explained the room assignments—eight people per room—everyone naturally started grouping up. Daniel's circle had exactly eight people, so they could have just gone together, but Daniel didn't seem interested in sticking to that plan.
"I'll join another room," he said casually, stretching his arms. "You guys take Rowan."
Rowan blinked. "Huh?"
Daniel smirked. "You should stick with them. I already had plans to room with some other guys. Besides, you'll fit right in."
Rowan wasn't sure about that. He barely knew them. But before he could say anything, Ethan threw an arm around his shoulder.
"Looks like you're stuck with us," Ethan grinned. "Don't worry, we don't bite."
Julian snorted. "Speak for yourself."
Ryan crossed his arms. "You sure you're not ditching us, Daniel?"
"Nah," Daniel shrugged. "I'll be around. Gotta mix things up a little." He patted Rowan's shoulder once. "Have fun."
And just like that, Daniel was off, leaving Rowan standing in the middle of the group that was now, apparently, his roommates.
Logan studied him with interest. "So, James actually cares about you?"
Rowan hesitated. He didn't want to go into too much detail. "I wouldn't say it like that. He used to train me a little."
That got their attention.
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Wait—train you? Like, fighting?"
Rowan nodded.
Julian leaned in, suddenly more interested. "What kind of fighting? Are we talking mixed martial arts, boxing, or something else?"
Zach whistled. "Didn't think you had that in you."
Rowan shrugged. "It wasn't anything serious. Just sparring, really."
Ryan smirked. "Still, that means you know your way around a fight."
Rowan wasn't sure how he felt about this sudden attention. The conversation was lighthearted, flowing easily between them, but something about it made him pause for just a second. Maybe it was the way they spoke to him—like he belonged there. Like this was normal.
His fingers brushed over his wrist, a quiet habit of his whenever he got lost in thought. He took in the atmosphere—the banter, the casual teasing, the way they effortlessly included him.
For a moment, something unspoken settled inside him. A feeling he hadn't acknowledged in a long time.
Then, before the thought could linger, Logan clapped his hands. "Alright, enough interrogation. Let's get to the rooms before we end up with the worst beds."
Julian sighed. "Too late. Zach already called dibs on the best one."
Zach grinned. "Survival of the fittest."
The group started moving, conversation picking up again. Rowan followed, letting out a small breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
And, without meaning to, he smiled—just a little.
Bonfire Night Begins
The sun dipped lower, casting long golden streaks across the resort grounds. The sky shifted from orange to deep blue as the evening air cooled, setting the perfect backdrop for the bonfire night.
Ryan, Ethan, Zach, Julian, Logan, Owen, and Adrian stood in front of the open space where the party would be held. A teacher gave them the go-ahead, and almost immediately, the group got to work.
"Alright," Ryan cracked his knuckles. "Let's get this done before everyone shows up."
Julian groaned. "Why do I feel like we're unpaid laborers?"
"You are," Zach smirked, tossing him a bundle of fairy lights.
Rowan stood a little off to the side. He hadn't expected to be pulled into this, but here he was, part of the early setup crew. He glanced at the others, who were moving easily around each other, joking and arguing while setting things up. They had a natural rhythm, one he wasn't a part of yet.
Still, he wasn't just going to stand around.
Spotting Zach struggling with a set of tangled lights, Rowan stepped forward. "Here, let me help."
Zach blinked at him before handing the mess over. "If you can untangle that, I might actually respect you."
Rowan took the lights without a word, fingers working through the knots. Nearby, Julian was struggling to tie decorations onto a post. Rowan moved toward him and silently steadied the pole, making the job easier.
Julian glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "Thanks, dude."
Rowan only nodded. It wasn't much, but he was trying.
The Girls Arrive
By the time the decorations were up and the firewood was stacked, the first wave of students arrived—the girls.
The energy shifted immediately. Laughter rang through the air, voices filling the open space as they admired the setup. Some of them had changed into casual but stylish outfits, while others had gone for a more laid-back look, hair slightly damp from freshening up.
Zach whistled, nudging Ethan. "Damn, some people really dressed up for this."
Ethan smirked. "Gotta look good for the camera, man."
Ryan, wiping sweat from his forehead, sighed. "If only we could have freshened up before setting all this up."
Julian clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Sacrifices must be made, brother."
As the group took in the atmosphere, a new commotion stirred at the far end of the resort.
Daniel Arrives with the Boys
Loud voices, laughter, and an unmistakable presence.
Daniel Carter had arrived.
With him came his new roommates and a bunch of other boys, nearly doubling the crowd in an instant. His arrival was like a wave crashing onto the shore—effortless, commanding attention without even trying.
He was laughing at something one of his roommates said, his usual easygoing grin on his face. The moment he stepped into the gathering, eyes naturally drifted toward him.
But Daniel wasn't in a hurry to join his usual group. He took his time, greeting people, cracking jokes, blending in as if he belonged everywhere at once.
Then, finally, his gaze landed on his friends.
He saw them still adjusting the setup, trying to keep things together while everyone else was already relaxing. A mischievous glint flashed in his eyes as he called out, loud enough for them to hear—
"Looks like you guys have put in a lot of effort. Keep it up, guys. Do your best."
He turned on his heel as if to walk away, hands in his pockets.
But before he could take another step, a firm hand grabbed the back of his collar.
"Where are you going, leader?"
Ethan smirked, holding him in place.
The rest of the group circled around, grinning.
"You're not getting away from work that easily," Ryan said.
Julian cracked his knuckles. "Welcome back. We saved some labor for you."
Daniel laughed, lifting his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, I'm in."
As the laughter and teasing settled, Daniel's gaze flickered toward Rowan.
With a half-smile, he tilted his head. "Hope you're doing good."
Rowan, who had been standing quietly off to the side, blinked.
The way Daniel said it—it wasn't just a passing remark. It was casual, but there was something in the way he looked at him. Like he actually meant it.
Rowan exhaled slowly.
"…Yeah."
And just like that, the moment passed.
As the bonfire was lit, the golden glow reflected off every face. Music started playing, conversations picked up, and laughter filled the air.
For the first time in a long time, Rowan didn't feel like an outsider looking in.
The fire crackled warmly, its glow stretching across the circle of students gathered around it. The soft hum of the speaker played in the background, a mix of old-school classics and newer hits blending into the night air.
Laughter erupted from one side of the group as Julian dramatically recounted some embarrassing incident from earlier that day. On the other side, Ethan and Logan were mock-wrestling, much to the amusement of a few girls watching nearby.
Daniel, lounging on one of the camping chairs, stretched his legs out and sighed. "Now this—this is the kind of trip I was expecting."
Zach smirked. "Yeah, because you didn't do any of the setup work."
"Delegation is an important skill," Daniel shot back, taking a sip from a soda can.
Adrian leaned forward, clapping his hands together. "Alright, since we're all settled in—who's up for a game?"
A few people perked up at the suggestion.
"Oh no," Julian groaned. "Please tell me it's not truth or dare."
Adrian smirked. "What, scared of the truth?"
Julian scoffed. "I just don't trust you."
"I second that," Logan muttered.
Despite the complaints, interest was definitely in the air.
They decided on a mix of truth or dare and random challenges. Nothing too wild—just enough to stir up some excitement.
The first round was harmless. A few dares, a couple of mild truths. Someone had to dance to a ridiculous song, someone else had to confess a past crush, and another person had to do ten push-ups while being lightly insulted by the group.
It wasn't long before Daniel got called out.
Ethan grinned. "Alright, Carter. Truth or dare?"
Daniel, without hesitation: "Dare."
Adrian rubbed his hands together. "I dare you to—" he paused, looking around before pointing. "Carry Rowan on your back and run around the bonfire."
Rowan, who had been drinking water, nearly choked. "What?"
The group burst into laughter.
Daniel, completely unfazed, turned to Rowan with a lazy grin. "Alright, come on."
Rowan blinked. "No."
"C'mon," Daniel nudged him. "Don't embarrass me, man."
Rowan exhaled slowly. He wasn't the type to get flustered easily, but the idea of being dragged into something this ridiculous was completely foreign to him.
And yet—before he could fully reject the idea, Daniel had already moved forward, crouching slightly.
Rowan stared at him. "…Are you serious?"
Daniel grinned. "Do I look like I'm joking?"
That was a stupid question. He always looked like he was joking.
There was a beat of silence.
Then—before Rowan could react—Daniel grabbed him by the arm and effortlessly swung him onto his back.
Rowan tensed as the group exploded into cheers and laughter.
"Daniel, put me down," he said, voice as calm as possible despite the situation.
"Nope."
And just like that, Daniel took off running.
The bonfire's golden light blurred past them as Daniel sprinted in a circle, carrying Rowan like he weighed nothing. The laughter around them mixed with the rush of movement, and despite himself—despite the ridiculousness of it all—Rowan felt something he hadn't expected.
For a brief moment, it was just fun.
By the time Daniel finally skidded to a stop and let Rowan down, he was slightly out of breath but grinning.
"See?" He said, slapping Rowan's shoulder. "Not so bad."
Rowan, dusting himself off, muttered, "You're an idiot."
Daniel just laughed.
As the game ended, the music shifted—this time, louder, with a deep, pulsing beat that vibrated through the ground.
Sarah and Lena, already hyped from the energy of the night, jumped up. "Alright! It's time for the dance challenge!"
The crowd stirred, murmurs rippling through the students. A few cheers rang out, but some were still waiting to see if anyone would actually step up.
Zach leaned forward, feigning confusion. "Dance challenge? Never heard of it."
Julian stretched his arms lazily. "Yeah, no idea what that is."
Ryan cracked his knuckles. "Sounds fake."
The boys all nodded along, pretending to be clueless—but their smirks said otherwise.
Sarah narrowed her eyes. "Oh, really? Because I remember hearing that a certain group of guys have a full routine prepared."
Lena smirked. "And if they don't do it now, I'll personally spread the most embarrassing rumors about them."
Julian groaned. "You're the worst."
Sarah grinned. "And yet, here you are, still my friend."
Ethan sighed, standing up. "Fine. Let's do it."
A ripple of excitement ran through the crowd as Daniel, Ethan, Ryan, Julian, Logan, Owen, Zach, and Adrian stepped into the center.
The music dropped.
For the first few seconds, they stood still, acting like they had no idea what they were doing.
Then—
BOOM.
The beat hit, and they moved perfectly in sync.
Each step was sharp, powerful, and controlled. They didn't just dance—they owned the space. Athleticism combined with rhythm, their movements effortless yet electrifying. Footwork, spins, playful partner moves, even flips from Owen and Logan.
The crowd went wild.
Some had their phones out, recording every second. Others were just screaming. Sarah and Lena were absolutely losing it, while Nina clapped along, smiling.
Rowan, standing in the crowd, arms crossed, felt something unfamiliar creep up—admiration.
By the time the song ended, the place erupted in cheers.
The energy was infectious.
As soon as the boys stepped back, another group of students rushed forward.
A different boys' group—jumped in. Their style was different, more playful and comedic, but the crowd ate it up.
Then came the girls' turn.
Sarah, Lena, and Nina, along with a group of other girls, ran forward.
The music switched up—more attitude, more flair.
Sarah and Lena took center stage, their movements bold and energetic, while Nina, though less loud, kept up effortlessly. Their group danced with fluidity and sharpness, drawing loud cheers—especially from Zach and Julian, who were the most hyped on the sidelines.
"GO SARAH! GO LENA!" Julian was practically jumping.
Zach cupped his hands over his mouth. "NINA, YOU'RE A LEGEND!"
Just when it seemed like things were winding down, a new song started—something perfect for partner dancing.
A few students started looking around, nudging each other.
Then, suddenly—Daniel, Zach, and Julian were pulled in.
Their partners? Sarah, Lena, and another girl from the dance group.
The reaction from the crowd was instant—cheers, laughter, claps.
"OH, THIS IS GONNA BE GOOD!" someone yelled.
The music dropped, and immediately, they fell into rhythm.
It was a mix of sharp footwork, smooth spins, and playful energy. Each movement hit perfectly with the beat—not just a performance, but a moment that pulled everyone in.
Rowan, standing on the sidelines, watched as Daniel and the others effortlessly moved to the rhythm, the crowd completely caught up in the energy.
Even he had to admit—
It was impressive.
Maybe even fun.
As the bonfire burned lower, the energy slowly settled.
Laughter and quiet conversations filled the space. Some students gathered closer to the fire, others sat in small groups, still buzzing from the excitement of the night.
Daniel stretched his arms. "Well, that was fun."
Zach groaned, wiping his forehead. "I'm sweating, man. Who knew dancing was harder than football practice?"
Julian smirked. "Not me. I was born talented."
Sarah rolled her eyes. "You almost tripped twice."
A ripple of laughter followed.
On the sidelines, Rowan stood near a tree, arms crossed, watching them. He had been watching them all night—the way their energy pulled people in, the way their movements felt effortless, the way they just belonged.
For a second, he almost stepped closer.
Almost.
Instead, he smirked to himself, shaking his head.
He wasn't part of that world.
Not yet, anyway.
Night at the Resort
The night had settled, but the energy from the bonfire still lingered.
Through the open windows, a cool breeze carried the distant hum of the forest. Inside, the lodge had quieted—students tucked away in their rooms, winding down from the day's chaos.
Laughter still escaped from some rooms, conversations drifting through the hall, but for the most part, things had finally slowed.
A Movie & A Little Chaos
The soft glow of the television flickered across the room, casting shadows on the walls. Three beds, a handful of snacks scattered on the nightstand, and a group of guys barely paying attention to the action movie playing.
"Alright, I call bullshit." Zach leaned back against the headboard, arms crossed. "There's no way that guy just took down ten people without getting hit once."
"Yeah?" Ethan smirked. "What about Daniel?"
That got a reaction.
A couple of heads turned, smirks forming. Even Rowan, lounging at the foot of one bed, glanced up.
"Exactly!" Zach pointed at Ethan. "That's real. This? This is just bad writing."
Ryan, already tired of the back-and-forth, groaned. "Can you two shut up? Some of us are actually watching the damn thing."
A few chuckles passed through the room, but soon enough, the group quieted. The occasional remark still slipped through—mostly from Zach, who clearly couldn't let things go—but the rest just sat back and let the movie play.
Rowan, usually one to stay at the edges of a group, found himself strangely comfortable. It wasn't that he didn't fit in—he just never tried to. But here, surrounded by laughter, mindless arguments over movie logic, and the simple, unspoken understanding that he belonged in the room…
For once, he didn't feel like a stranger.
And as if on cue, Ethan suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.
"You know, Rowan, you're actually pretty quiet tonight. Should we be worried?"
That got a few laughs. Rowan smirked. "I was just enjoying the movie, unlike some people."
Zach scoffed. "Nah, man, we just figured you were plotting something."
"Maybe I am." Rowan leaned back, crossing his arms. "Maybe it's already in motion."
Ethan grinned. "See, that's what makes you suspicious."
The conversation faded back into casual remarks and occasional jabs. The energy was comfortable, easy.
And for Rowan, that was enough.
Daniel's Room
In the room next door, Daniel leaned back against the headboard of his bed, half-listening to the conversation happening around him.
It had started off normal—complaints about the long day, dumb jokes, someone still bringing up how much food they ate at dinner. But then, as always, the topic shifted.
"Hey, Daniel," one of his roommates started, sitting up on his bed. "Those fight rumors—are they true?"
Daniel glanced at him lazily. "You're gonna have to be more specific."
"You know. The whole thing about you taking down groups of people alone. That kinda stuff."
Daniel sighed, running a hand through his hair. "People exaggerate."
"Not that much."
Another guy cut in, this time with more certainty. "We saw it today."
That caught more attention. A few heads turned, waiting.
"The locals," the guy continued. "You trashed those three guys who were talking shit about us in the bathroom."
Daniel blinked, then let out a short chuckle. "That? That wasn't a fight. That was just handling a problem."
The room buzzed.
"Bullshit. They were way bigger than you."
Daniel shrugged. "They made it easy."
Another voice piped up. "Alright, then. Prove it. Show us something."
Daniel groaned. "Man, I'm tired."
"Oh, come on," one of them pushed. "Just one move."
The look on Daniel's face said he was two seconds away from shutting it down completely. But after a long pause, he let out a sigh and stood up.
"Fine."
The room shifted. Someone moved a chair aside, giving him space.
Daniel rolled his shoulders, stretching, before suddenly—sharp motion, complete control.
His roundhouse kick cut through the air, fast and effortless. The sheer precision of it sent a hush through the room.
Next, a heel kick. Smooth, deliberate, deadly.
"Holy shit."
But Daniel wasn't done. One last move.
With a single explosive burst, he rushed forward, planting his left foot against the edge of a sturdy bed frame. Using the force, he pushed off, twisting midair, his body turning with perfect control.
His right leg snapped outward—clean, brutal—right where an opponent's ear would be.
He landed smoothly, breathing steady, unfazed.
The room lost it.
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!"
"Bro, that was some movie-level shit!"
"No way that works in a real fight."
Daniel just shrugged."Depends who you're fighting."
Then, from the other room, Ethan's voice carried through the wall.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU GUYS DOING IN THERE?
Daniel smirked, grabbing his blanket. "Getting ready for bed."
Eventually, the energy died down. The guys said their goodbyes, filtering back into their own rooms.
Daniel sat on the edge of his bed, rolling his shoulders.
Across the room, his roommate smirked. "Bet you oversleep tomorrow."
Daniel just smirked, setting his alarm. "We'll see."
As he lay back, his body relaxed, but his mind stayed sharp.
Tomorrow? Just another day.