Chapter 5 - The First Round:
"Alright class, make sure you know the plan with your partners," the teacher said as he tried to tame the bubbling chatter.
Today was the first round of competition. Everyone wanted to start off well, so tension was in the air.
Despite feeling like her limbs were going to fall off from the cold, Aelin felt pretty confident. Especially with Rowan as her partner. Their conversation yesterday seemed to create a bond between both broken souls.
Aelin's left leg and Rowan right leg were put in the same sack and Aelin prayed that Rowan, with his huge, toned muscles, wouldn't rip the bag. Stop thinking about his guns, Aelin chided herself. Those hormones were at it again.
Aelin realized that Rowan and she would need to work together to move the bag to the finish line, otherwise they would land face-first into the muddy ground.
Aelin looked at the woods. The trees seemed to be tangled with one another. There was so much fog in the air, she could only see 4 feet in front of her. And there was a dangerous hiss in the woods, making it certain that humans weren't the only animals in the woods. Oh god.
"Ready, set… go!"
"Alright Rowan, I'll go first and you'll go second."
Rowan nodded as they waddled into the woods.
The first problem that occurred was that a tree was in the middle of the sack. Aelin realized that she and Rowan would need to go around it in the same direction, otherwise the bag will rip.
Aelin didn't need to say anything, all she needed to do was jerk her head and Rowan understood. It was like talking without really talking.
Aelin looked back and saw that they were in the lead!
Rowan and Aelin continued and came across another problem. There was a deep stream in their way that would be hard to come across. Aelin didn't have any ideas, but Rowan did. He grabbed onto a branch, wrapped an arm around Aelin and they swung across the stream like Tarzan and Jane.
Aelin and Rowan looked at each other and smiled. Rowan's arm seemed to burn through her. Every part where Rowan and Aelin touched seemed to blaze intensely. Aelin realized how close both their faces were. All she needed to do was come a little closer to Rowan and lean her face just a little closer-
"YO WHITETHORN! DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HER!" said a voice that she knew a little too well. Aedion. Oh boy.
Something predatory gleamed in Rowan's eyes. And Aelin would've normally taken pleasure in it, but not when it was around Aedion. Mischievousness. Rowan smirked and kissed Aelin fiercely and quickly. This left a blushing Aelin and a furious Aedion.
Their little world shattered when another team raced past Aelin and Rowan. Both of whom whipped their heads and glared at their opponent. It was Manon and Dorian. They were not getting ahead of them. All thoughts of the kiss and Aedion evaporated for Aelin's only thoughts were on that witch.
Rowan and Aelin continued, now faster than ever. Aelin seemed to have fire around her. Everything in her way burned away as her sole purpose was to get to that line first. And no witch or prince was going to get in her way. Rowan kept up. While Aelin was the fire, Rowan was the wind that kept her flames alive and stronger than ever. Aelin destroyed everything in their path and Rowan propelled them forward. They were more than just a team, they were equals, a match made in heaven. It was inhuman.
Neither partner remembered what exactly happened, what they do remember is what happened afterward.
They'd beaten the school record by far. Their rank blew up. And Rowan and Aelin couldn't stop grinning at each other.
Rowan hugged Aelin fiercely. For a moment, it was only them. Both high on victory and slightly confused as to where they stand.
"WHITETHORN!" Aedion yelled as he searched the crowd.
"Uh oh. Rowan, I think we should leave before Aedion finds us," Aelin quickly said.
Rowan nodded, "Whatever you want fireheart."
Rowan stopped by Aelin's room, but Aelin had another idea, "Aedion knows where my room is so he's going to look for me here. He doesn't know where your room is so…"
Rowan raised a suggestive eyebrow, "Just me and you. Alone. In my room?"
Aelin laughed and rolled her eyes, "Just lead the way buzzard."
When they had reached his room they drank even though they were underage. Binge Watched "Supergirl" and threw popcorn at each other. Time slowed down for them. And at some point, they had fallen asleep. Aelin snuggled against Rowan and Rowan's hand in her hair.
They'd won their first challenge and all was well. Or so they thought. Somewhere out there, Manon and Dorian were planning their revenge. And somewhere else there was a furious Aedion searching for Aelin and planning Rowan's downfall.
Author's note: Yeah… so this chapter sucks. I just needed to get back on track with the actual plot. Right now Aelin's personal life and school life are separate, but they'll come together. Review!
What's next: Territorial males. (Rowan and Aedion) Girl time. (Aelin and Lysandra)