27

LUNA

MAYA AND I NESTLED IN A CORNER BOOTH of the lodge's main room, savoring steaming cups of hot chocolate as we indulged in some much-needed girl talk.

"Did you hear Greg Hemsley kissed Harriet Palmer last night?"

The shocking news almost caused me to spit out my drink.

"Isn't he dating Hailey Keller?"

"Not anymore."

Our conversation danced from one topic to the next, animated gestures punctuated our gossip as we dissected the school drama with fervor. Eli and Hudson interrupted our chatter.

Hudson, typically exuding an air of confident swagger, now leaned on Eli's shoulder, wincing with each step.

"What happened?" I asked, standing up.

"We were snowboarding, and he fell."

As Eli spoke, he forgot he was holding Hudson, and moved forward, causing Hudson to fall with a thud.

"Ow." He said, not attempting to get up.

Concern etched across my face as I sprang into action, offering help getting Hudson to his room. Once inside, we lowered him onto his bed. I perched on the edge of his bed, my heart swelling with empathy.

"Is there anything you need?"

He winced as he shifted his weight before turning his head to look at me. He flashed me a boyish grin.

"Just you."

I squinted at his cheeky remark before punching him in the arm. He groaned and clutched his arm, wincing as if I'd broken it. So dramatic.

"If you need anything, call me." I said, before exiting the room with Maya.

"That boy has it bad." She said into my ear once we entered the hallway.

I shoved her.

"He's just being Hudson."

Our banter continued as we reached my room until my phone interrupted our conversation.

I'm bored.

Hudson. I arched an amused brow at his ridiculous behavior.

"I'll be right back," I said. "Hudson needs me."

A smirk danced at the corner of Maya's lips, but I ignored it and went to get Hudson some food before going to his room. I entered, carrying a tray with a bowl of soup and a cup of hot chocolate. Eli's bed was empty. I set Hudson's food down and turned to face him. He leaned against a stack of pillows.

"You need to eat something."

I pushed the tray towards him. He smirked, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"I love it when you're bossy."

I gave an exasperated eye roll, trying to suppress a smile.

"Stop deflecting and eat."

He pouted but ate his soup. It's the only time he's silent. He placed his bowl on the table and fell back against the pillows.

"I'm cold." he said, feigning a shiver.

Now he's just looking for attention. I indulged him.

"I'll see what I can find."

"You could always keep me warm."

I ignored him, and grabbed a blanket on the recliner, draping it over him.

"Isn't that better?" I asked, a hint of amusement in my voice.

"Not really."

As I tucked him into the blanket, he gazed at me with an unrecognizable expression. I raised an eyebrow, a blush creeping into my cheeks.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked, feeling self-conscious under his gaze.

He smiled, his eyes reflecting fond memories.

"You were always good at taking care of others."

I blushed deeper, a shy smile gracing my lips.

"That's because I got practice patching you up when we were kids." Our eyes locked, lost in the shared memory, before I shook myself back to reality. "I'll check on you later. You need some rest."

He nodded, and I wasted no time rushing out the door. There was too much nostalgia.As I left the room, my thoughts churned with confusion and frustration. I was almost to my room when I realized I'd left my phone with Hudson. Turning on my heel, I hurried back, only to find him standing upright. His injury miraculously healed.

My gasp of surprise echoed in the room as he froze, caught red-handed. I glared at him, anger flashing as I snatched my phone from the bedside table.

"Luna -"

"Save it." I said, my voice trembling with betrayal.

He opened his mouth to respond, but I cut him off with a sharp head shake. Ignoring his protests, I stormed out of the room. His calls for me to come back fell on deaf ears.

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