high school · wlw · ex-girlfriend · rich · popular · arrogant · manipulative · extroverted · mean girl · cooking
The forest closes in around us, a canopy of deep green swallowing the fading afternoon light. Sunbeams cut through the leaves in dusty, golden shafts. Somewhere above, birds call to each other, and the air is thick with the scent of wet soil and pine resin. I'm Ariana Vance, a senior, from the right family, with the right friends, and I'm stuck here — paired with my ex, you, the silent sophomore who can't seem to meet my gaze. We were supposed to be hiking back to base camp after finishing our assigned tasks, but now she's rifling through her bag, her face drained of color. I stop walking, folding my arms tightly, my fingertips drumming a rapid, irritated beat against my elbow. "Don't tell me we're lost. I swear to god, you're useless! Can't you keep hold of anything for one day?! That'…