"If you don't fight with your best friend that friendship is not real." - Unknown

SANA sighed, feeling a weight lift from her chest as she pulled Julia into a tight hug. "I'm sorry, Julia," she murmured, her voice soft with guilt.

Julia chuckled, her arms wrapping around Sana. "It's okay, Sana. Really, I get it. You've been stressed about this whole Sidharth situation. I know he's a jerk and can be such a pain in the ass. I should've been more considerate."

Sana pulled back slightly to look at her, shaking her head. "Still, I feel bad. I didn't mean to take it out on you."

Julia gave her a warm smile and shrugged. "It's okay. I'm not mad at you anymore." She broke the hug gently, her eyes soft with understanding.

Sana returned her smile, feeling a rush of gratitude. "Thank you," she whispered, truly appreciative.

"Don't be silly," Julia waved her hand dismissively, but her expression quickly turned serious. "But now, tell me about Vyas."

Sana blinked, trying to maintain an innocent expression. "About what?"

Julia shot her a knowing look. "Don't act over-smart with me, Sana. You know exactly what I'm asking about. What happened with you two last night? What did you both do? Together?" A mischievous smile curved on her lips as she winked teasingly.

Sana bit back a smile, but her voice was firm as she replied, "We did nothing. We just talked and sorted everything out."

Julia's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Really? Just talked?"

"Yes," Sana nodded.

Julia gave her an incredulous look, folding her arms. "I can't believe you guys just talked. That's it?" There was a tinge of disappointment in her voice.

Sana narrowed her eyes at her friend. "What were you expecting?"

Julia shrugged casually, a deadpan look crossing her face. "I don't know, maybe I thought you'd be out there... well, you know, fucking."

Sana's jaw dropped at Julia's bluntness. "You're impossible!" she exclaimed, smacking Julia lightly on the arm, half-shocked and half-amused.

Julia burst out laughing, clearly enjoying Sana's reaction. Without warning, she pulled Sana back into a hug, her arms tight around her. But then Sana felt Julia's hand move down to her stomach, and before she could react, Julia launched a surprise tickle attack.

Sana let out an uncontrollable burst of laughter, her body writhing as Julia's fingers tickled her sides mercilessly. "Julia, stop!" she cried, barely able to speak through her laughter, trying to push her hands away.

"No way, you little brat!" Julia teased, continuing her playful torment, her own laughter mixing with Sana's.

Just then, Siya entered the tent, her eyebrows raising at the scene unfolding before her. "What's going on here?" she asked, grinning.

Sana, sensing an opportunity to escape, quickly pleaded, "Siya, help! She's tickling me to death!"

Siya's grin only widened. In a flash, she joined in, attacking Julia with her own tickling assault. "No mercy!" Siya laughed as Julia squirmed, trying to fend them both off.

"Siya, stop!" Julia begged, her voice breathless as laughter consumed her.

Sana and Siya exchanged a quick, wicked smile before doubling down on their attack, both girls tickling Julia until she was a helpless, laughing mess on the floor, gasping for breath and covering herself protectively.

"Stop... bitches!" Julia mumbled, still giggling weakly, her voice breathless and exhausted.

Finally, Sana and Siya relented, collapsing onto their beds in laughter, their bodies shaking with the aftermath of the tickle war.

"That was fun," Siya said with a mischievous giggle, wiping away tears of laughter. But her expression changed when she noticed the glint in Sana's and Julia's eyes. "No, no, don't even think about it!" she shouted, bolting out of the tent before they could attack her next.

Julia and Sana couldn't stop laughing, exchanging a high-five as they watched Siya make her escape.

"Thank you," Sana said again, quieter this time, the words filled with warmth.

Julia rolled her eyes, playfully exasperated. "Will you stop thanking me already? Let's just get ready for tonight. I've got some fun planned."

Sana eyed her suspiciously. "Fun? Why do I feel like you're up to something?"

Julia quickly turned away, rummaging through her bag. "Nooo," she said in a singsong voice, her tone completely unconvincing. "Not at all. Just a little fun."

Sana crossed her arms, one eyebrow raised. "Uh-huh. I don't believe you."

Julia threw her hands up. "Okay, okay. Maybe I'm planning something a little mischievous," she admitted, grinning. "But trust me, you'll love it."

Sana sighed, shaking her head. "Alright, but if this backfires, I'm blaming you."

"Deal," Julia laughed, already pulling out her outfit. She chose a sleek black crop top, pairing it with high-waisted denim pants and a matching jacket, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Let's get dressed, babe. Tonight, we're gonna slay."

Sana smiled, feeling some of the tension from earlier melting away. She pulled out her own outfit-an elegant knee-length red dress that hugged her curves perfectly. She paired it with a denim jacket and matching undergarments, not paying attention to Julia's knowing look.

Julia smirked as Sana laid out her clothes. "Matching undergarments, huh?" she teased, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Shut up and get ready," Sana retorted, brushing off the comment with a smile.

With a playful eye roll, Julia got dressed, pulling on her black ensemble and fixing her hair. Sana followed suit, slipping into her red dress, the rich color complementing her skin. She stood in front of the small mirror propped against the tent wall, touching up her hair, which she let loose in soft waves.

As for makeup, both girls went bold. Sana applied a deep red lipstick that matched her dress, accentuating her lips, and added a smoky eye look that made her dark eyes pop. Her lashes were long and thick, giving her a sultry, confident appearance. Julia went for a similar look, emphasizing her eyes with bold eyeliner and a rich berry lip color that completed her outfit.

Once they were fully dressed and made-up, the tent filled with a buzz of excitement as they started taking selfies. They snapped solo shots, posing confidently, and then took several duo pictures-some with serious model faces, others with goofy expressions, their laughter ringing through the small space as they made funny faces for the camera.

"These are going straight to Instagram," Julia said, scrolling through their photos and smiling in approval.

Sana laughed. "You really want the world to see all this craziness?"

"Of course! We look hot and hilarious at the same time. Perfect combo," Julia replied, striking another exaggerated pose.

They shared a few compliments, boosting each other's confidence as they admired their bold looks. "You look stunning, Sana," Julia said, her voice sincere. "That red dress is a killer."

"You're not too bad yourself," Sana grinned, tugging at Julia's jacket playfully. "Black really suits you."

Julia winked. "Thanks, babe."

After their impromptu photoshoot, they both stepped out of the tent, ready to join the others for the night. The cool evening air wrapped around them as they walked towards the bonfire area, their heads held high, looking every bit the dynamic duo they were.

Just like the night before, the teachers took charge, organizing the students for the evening's tasks. The boys were sent off to gather wood and dry leaves for the bonfire, while the girls were assigned dinner prep duties, led by one of the female teachers. Everyone moved about with excitement and enthusiasm, the thrill of the night bubbling in the air.

Sana joined the other girls near the camp's cooking area, but even as she cut vegetables and passed ingredients, her focus kept slipping. Her eyes drifted to where the boys were working, particularly one boy-Sidharth Vyas. Her gaze lingered on him, her breath hitching slightly.

He was dressed in all black-an Armani T-shirt that clung to his well-built frame, matching slacks, and a sleek black jacket. His hair was slightly tousled, as if he'd run his fingers through it multiple times. The messy look only added to his rugged charm, making him appear effortlessly attractive.

"Sidharth really knows how to make black look good." Sana thought to herself, feeling a sudden rush of warmth spread through her. She swallowed hard, her mind running wild with thoughts she wasn't sure she should be having.

She couldn't help but wonder: Did he notice her dress? Did he think she looked good? Was the makeup too much, or did he like it? Her heart thumped in her chest with anticipation.

Does he think I look hot?

Meanwhile, on the other side of the camp, Sidharth's attention was equally divided. He could feel Sana's eyes on him, and the tension between them simmered beneath the surface like an unspoken understanding. His gaze kept slipping back to her, trailing over her figure in that form-fitting red dress that hugged her curves just right.

"She looks incredible in red." The thought came unbidden, and he couldn't shake it. There was something about that color on her that made his blood run hotter.

"She should wear red more often," he mused to himself.

His eyes traced the line of her neck, the way her hair cascaded in waves over her shoulders, the way the lipstick accentuated her full lips.

"I wonder what color her undergarments are?" His thoughts took a dangerous turn, imagining if they matched the bold red of her dress.

He pictured pulling her aside into the darkness of the forest, pressing her against the rough bark of a tree, and fucking her senseless. His pulse quickened at the fantasy-his hands on her hips, her breathless moans in his ear.

"She'd love it," he thought, a wicked smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

He knew she wasn't like other girls-Sana was bold, confident, and wild in her own way. She wasn't clingy or needy. She was fiery, just the way he liked it.

As his thoughts grew more intense, he was snapped out of his reverie by the voice of his friend Akhil.

"Isn't she hot?" Akhil blurted out, not even bothering to lower his voice as he too admired Sana from a distance.

Sidharth's eyes immediately darkened, shooting Akhil a cold, warning look. His jaw clenched. It was a look that meant stay in your lane.

Akhil, oblivious to the tension he had stirred, smirked and leaned closer. "Why? Are you into her or something?" he teased, nudging Sidharth lightly with his elbow.

Sidharth didn't respond, his gaze fixed ahead, his jaw still clenched. He wasn't about to admit anything, not to Akhil, not to anyone.

Akhil let out a low chuckle, clearly enjoying himself. "Of course, you're not. I mean, you hate her, right? She drives you crazy." He nodded to himself, as if confirming it aloud.

Sidharth remained silent, not trusting himself to speak. His mind was too clouded by thoughts of Sana-thoughts he couldn't control. But he certainly didn't appreciate Akhil's commentary.

"But I don't hate her," Akhil added, casting another glance toward Sana. His tone turned more suggestive, almost playful. "In fact, I think she's pretty damn hot."

At that, Sidharth's temper flared. His eyes snapped to Akhil, his voice low and dangerous. "Fuck off."

The edge in his voice was unmistakable, and for a moment, Akhil's playful demeanor faltered. He raised his hands in mock surrender, a knowing smirk still on his lips. "Alright, alright," he said, backing off slightly. "Touchy, huh?"

But before Akhil could dig himself deeper, their teacher called out to the boys to focus on lighting the bonfire. With a final glance at Sidharth, Akhil dropped the subject and returned to his task, still smirking to himself as if he'd uncovered some juicy secret.

Sidharth, however, wasn't done seething. He kept his eyes on the bonfire but couldn't shake the possessive feeling that surged inside him. The idea of Akhil-or anyone else-looking at Sana like that made his blood boil. He wasn't sure what it was about her that got under his skin so much, but it was driving him crazy. His grip tightened on the pile of wood in his hands as he tossed it onto the fire, the flames reflecting the heat that was already burning inside him.

From across the camp, Sana caught another glimpse of Sidharth. Her pulse quickened again, and she shifted on her feet, trying to focus on the dinner preparations. But no matter how hard she tried, her eyes kept straying back to him. She couldn't help but notice the tension in his shoulders, the intensity in his gaze as he worked on the bonfire. There was something electric in the air, something pulling them together despite everything else.

"What is he thinking?" she wondered, biting her lip. "Does he feel this pull too?"

As the evening continued, both of them danced around their own thoughts, the air between them heavy with unspoken tension. Neither dared to make a move yet, but they both knew this silent game couldn't last forever. The heat between them would eventually catch fire, and when it did, it would burn everything in its path.

After an early dinner, all the students gathered around the bonfire, the flames casting flickering shadows across their faces. The air buzzed with excitement as they prepared to play a game. Tonight, it was Spin the Bottle, with a twist of Truth or Dare. A few daring souls had initially suggested playing Kiss the Bottle-where the bottle spinner would receive a kiss from whoever it pointed at-but the idea was shot down quickly by couples not wanting anyone else to kiss their partner.

Sana and Sidharth were among those who felt a wave of relief wash over them at that decision, but Julia wasn't as pleased, rolling her eyes in disappointment.

"Seriously, who doesn't want a little chaos?" Julia whispered to Sana, smirking as she settled into her seat around the bonfire. Sana couldn't help but chuckle.

Julia's master plan, however, was already in motion. She had made sure to sit across from Ram, and with Sana beside her, everything was perfectly aligned. Sidharth had unknowingly played into her plan as well, sitting across from Siya, who was on Sana's other side.

The game began, and laughter echoed through the camp as students took turns spinning the bottle, giving out dares, or asking bold questions. One dared someone to dance; another made someone sing an embarrassing song. A few boys showed off by doing shirtless push-ups, much to the delight of the girls. But what struck Sidharth the most was that Sana never once glanced at the guys flexing their muscles. While the others were busy cheering and laughing, she had been looking directly at him, their eyes locking for what felt like an eternity. The silent connection between them was impossible to ignore, and it sent a jolt through him.

Finally, it was Sidharth's turn to spin the bottle. With a flick of his wrist, the bottle spun and slowly came to a halt, pointing directly at his friend Karan. Karan grinned confidently and chose without hesitation.

"Dare," he said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Sidharth smirked, already knowing exactly what to say. "I dare you to propose to Payel, right here, right now."

The group erupted into excited cheers and whistles, eyes turning toward Payel, who looked utterly shocked. Karan, on the other hand, seemed prepared. He stood up with a dramatic flourish, pulling a small ring box out of his jacket pocket.

Payel gasped, her eyes wide. "Karan! You had this planned all along?" she asked, her voice trembling with emotion.

Karan smiled softly, dropping to one knee in front of her. "Payel, I've liked you for a long time. And I know this might seem sudden, but... will you be my girlfriend?"

The entire group held their breath, watching the scene unfold. Payel's eyes welled up with tears as she nodded, too overwhelmed to speak at first.

"Yes, you idiot! Of course, yes!" she finally said, before throwing her arms around him and sealing her answer with a kiss. The crowd erupted in cheers, some clapping, others hooting at the new couple.

But Sidharth, though he'd helped his friend plan the proposal, couldn't help the slight grimace that crossed his face. He wasn't one for public displays of affection, and seeing the kiss made him cringe inwardly.

Sana noticed.

"He hates it, but he still helped Karan." She smiled to herself, finding it oddly endearing.

The game continued, growing bolder with each round. Dares ranged from harmless pranks to slightly more risqué challenges, and the questions became more personal. Finally, it was Siya's turn, and she spun the bottle. It slowed and came to a stop-pointing directly at Sidharth.

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