🐝 MEANT TO BEE☆
Chapter 1
Chapter 2;
A week had passed since your last interaction with Eugene at the Art Studio. Principal Dort had organized a special event for all Nevermore students and staff an outdoor camping trip under the full moon, called Camp Outcast. For two nights, everyone would live in tents scattered across the forest clearing.
You shared a tent with Agnes DeMille, your younger dormmate. Despite her age, you had grown used to her presence, though she could be quite the handful.
That first night, the air buzzed with excitement. Students sat in a wide circle around the bonfire, roasting marshmallows. The night sky was a dark velvet canvas, studded with millions of stars that calmed you in ways you couldn’t explain.
Professor Capri and Morticia Addams were singing together, their voices weaving in haunting harmony to Bad Moon Rising, while Bruno strummed his guitar with practiced ease. The melody drifted through the camp like smoke, equal parts eerie and mesmerizing.
Out of the corner of your eye, you noticed Ajax staring at Enid, who sat beside Bruno, smiling so brightly it nearly blinded the whole camp. Poor Ajax still looked like his heart was in pieces. You muttered under your breath.
“This is why I don’t believe in love.”
You reached into your bag and pulled out your sketchbook and pen. This time you weren’t doodling random thoughts, you already knew exactly what you wanted to draw. Absentmindedly chewing on a cookie, you sketched by firelight, letting your hand move freely.
Later, when the group scattered into smaller clusters of friends, you slipped on your glasses and opened a book. You rarely wore them in public, only when reading or working, so almost no one had ever seen you with them.
As you flipped a page, you sensed someone sit down beside you.
“Hey. Mind if I join?”
It was Eugene. Pugsley plopped down on his other side. Your friends exchanged curious glances before eventually making room for them.
You pretended to stay absorbed in your book, a mug of coffee resting near your feet. But Eugene sat so close that his shoulder brushed yours, warm even in the cool night. Then, without warning, he snapped the book out of your hands.
“Hey!” you gasped, adjusting your glasses as they slipped down your nose. “What was that for?”
“It’s camping,” Eugene said, grinning. “Come on, enjoy the moment. You can read later. This—” he gestured at the firelight, the stars, the laughter “only happens once.”
He offered you a marshmallow on a stick, still fluffy and white.
“Here.”
You hesitated, then took it. Your fingers brushed his, and for a split second an electric spark ran through your veins. You were used to Pugsley’s shocks, but this felt… different. Almost dangerous. Almost alive.
Shrugging off the thought, you turned back to the fire and held your marshmallow over the flames. This time, you decided to keep your glasses on.
“You look good with glasses,” Eugene said suddenly.
“I always look good.”
He chuckled. “No lie there. But I don’t see you wear them often… so it’s different.”
“What’s different?” you challenged.
“Uh…” He scratched the back of his neck, suddenly nervous. “Cute?”
The word froze you. Cute? That was new.
The night passed in laughter, the fire casting a soft glow over your face. For the first time in a long while, you let yourself forget the weight you carried the creeping fear of losing control like Rowan Laslow had. Tonight, you just let yourself be.
“If only phones were allowed,” Eugene murmured, eyes fixed on you. “I’d capture you— I mean, this moment.”
Your breath caught. Before you could reply, fireworks suddenly burst in the sky, showering sparks above the camp. Pugsley and Eugene exchanged a quick, panicked look.
“Slurp!” they both shouted at once, before bolting back to their tent.
You blinked after them, confused. “Slurp?”
Moments later, chaos broke out. Sirens blared as paramedics rushed past, carrying a body with no brain. A zombie was dragged away in chains. Police and the sheriff swarmed the scene.
“What kind of joke is this?” you muttered.
Agnes tugged your sleeve. “Pugsley… he woke the dead. Calls it his pet.”
---
Two days later, the camp ended and everyone returned to Nevermore.
Back in your dorm, Agnes begged you again to braid her hair like Wednesday’s. You rolled your eyes but obliged, muttering, “One day I’ll shave your head in your sleep.”
Agnes snickered. “Or I’ll cut your hair without you even noticing.”
Daily chaos with her never ended.
That morning, you both headed down to the Quad for breakfast. One of your friends casually mentioned that the Botany essay was due today.
You nearly choked on your food. Your stomach dropped, you weren’t even sure if you’d finished it. Heart racing, you shoved your bag closed halfway and shot to your feet.
“I’ll be right back!” you called, bolting for the dorms as your friends shouted, “Wait, why?”
You sprinted through the hallway until you slammed straight into someone. Papers spilled out of your bag.
Eugene.
“I’m sorry!” you yelled over your shoulder, already running again. “I’m in a rush!”
He didn’t chase after you. His eyes had landed on one of the papers fluttering to the floor. He bent down, picked it up, and flipped it over.
It was the sketch you had drawn on that camping night.
A slow smile spread across his face. He folded the paper carefully and slipped it into his pocket before continuing toward the Quad.
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