Night fell fast at boot camp. The stars blinked above the wooden lodges, and the scent of pine lingered in the cool air.
After dinner, the instructors gave one last warning lights out by ten. Of course, that meant one thing to the students:
Time to break the rules.
"Yo!" Doo Lee grinned as he wrapped his arms around both Daniel and Jalen like an overexcited big brother. "Let's sneak some drinks! I got connections!"
Daniel blinked. "Wait, where'd you even get"
"Don't ask questions!" Doo shoved two small bottles into their hands. "Let's go behind the main lodge. We'll drink like real men!"
Jalen raised a brow. "Tempting. But…"
He glanced at Daniel.
"…we already have plans."
Doo pouted. "C'mon, you guys are no fun!"
"We're plenty fun," Daniel smirked. "Just not with you."
Before Doo could argue, the two slipped away, quiet as ghosts, heading toward one of the far lodges where Zack Lee and Mira Kim were known to be staying.
The lodge was dimly lit, laughter already spilling out from the inside.
When Daniel and Jalen walked in, Zack, Mira, and a few other students were already halfway into a drinking game, using soda bottles refilled with who-knows-what and a pack of cards that may or may not be from an actual drinking game set.
"Hey! The princes finally arrived!" Zack shouted, waving them over.
Daniel took a seat and blended right in, the goofy energy pulling him in easily. Jalen, cool and calm, sat between Mira and one of the other students, resting his arms across the back of the couch.
The game started fast. Truth or Drink. Kings Cup. Spin the Bottle.
Everyone laughed. Everyone drank.
Zack got dared to do 50 push-ups and passed out after ten.
Daniel had to confess his most embarrassing moment and turned beet red.
Jalen?
He was holding his own, barely sipping the drinks handed to him, while observing, watching. His tolerance was better than most. But still
Eventually, the room dimmed with snores and sprawled-out bodies.
Everyone was out.
Everyone... except for Mira Kim and Jalen Creed.
The room was quiet now. Moonlight poured through the window, painting soft shadows on the wooden walls.
Mira sat cross-legged on the floor, hugging a pillow. Her eyes were glassy but sharp, a light blush on her cheeks.
"You don't drink much, huh?" she asked softly.
"Bad for recovery," Jalen said with a lazy smirk. "And I like being in control."
Mira tilted her head. "You're different. Most guys are all bark. You just… sit there. Calm. Confident. No need to prove anything."
Jalen leaned back on his hands. "You noticed?"
She chuckled. "I'm observant."
A pause.
Then Jalen, ever the smooth talker, said, "You're dangerous, Mira."
"Why's that?"
"Because the more I look at you, the harder it is to look away."
Her eyes widened just a bit. Then that little red hue returned to her cheeks.
"Cheesy," she murmured.
"True," he replied.
Mira shook her head, but the smile on her lips lingered. "Whatever. Go to sleep before you start reciting poetry."
"I could, but I might just end up dreaming of you anyway."
She turned away, hiding her face behind the pillow.
Jalen leaned his head back against the couch. The room was warm. Her presence was soft.
And just like that, they both drifted off, the night silent once again except for the quiet heartbeat of something beginning.