Dierra smiled lightly and nodded, "Maybe if we both survive this we can talk more." The familiar beep that signified the start of the contest went off and she grabbed his arm, already taking off towards the other end of the arena, "C'mon, we only have five minutes, that's not even close to enough time to get there, we need to make it count."
Griffin was jerked forward, and, if he tried, he could've broken free, but he ran ahead of her for a second before slowing and matching her pace.
"You…are…an ass," Griffin joked, and a meek smile was offered to Dierra.
"The feelings are mutual buddy," She joked back, a small grin on her face. She let go of his arm once he started running and she focused on putting as much distance between them and the other team as possible. The others had already taken off, going different directions as they entered the woods.
"Got…any…good…ideas?" Griffin huffed, making sure he matched her speed, knowing that soon he'd have to slow down or brave it and sprint.
She jumped out of the way of a tree before continuing to run, "Get far away from the other team. That's my only idea right now." She admired that he was able to keep up to her and she slowed down a tad, swerving out of the way of another tree, "That and maybe after we regroup we can head to the big hill and set up camp there."
"'Kay," Griffin noticed the abundance of trees and rocks, obstacles that, if he wasn't careful, could cause him to trip and waste their time. He ducked and weaved, always keeping an eye on Dierra, and hoped for the best.
She kept going, glancing over at Griffin every so often to make sure he was keeping up. She shook her head as she dodged another obstacle, thinking about the girl he liked and a pang of jealousy shot through her, "Stop it Dierra, he's got his eyes on someone else." She muttered, but the feeling that she was starting to have feelings for one of her teammates didn't go away.
"Did you…say something?" Griffin saw her mouth move, but he couldn't tell what she was saying.
"Hm? No, it's nothing, I'm talking to myself." She said, running a little faster to keep her mind off of that thought. The beep that signaled the end of the five minutes went off and she shook her head, "We need to keep going before they catch up to us."
"M'kay. Lead the way, I should be able to keep up. If I fall or whatever, don't wait on me. I'd rather fight them off than them catch us if you wait for me." Griffin nodded in her direction and he has a throwing knife in his right hand.
She continued on but looked back at him the first chance she got, "If you fall I'm waiting for you. I told you I had your back," She grabbed one of her daggers and held it tightly in her hand, "Two people are better at holding off enemies than one anyway."
"Don't. I'm serious." Griffin huffed.
(I gtg…)
(K)
"Don't tell me what to do, I'm staying with you if you fall whether you like it or not." She said, slowing down slightly as they reached a field, in the very center was a crystal clear pond, almost looking too perfect.
"Look, I…I care about your wellbeing, okay? And I'd rather you not risk your life on the one girl I like who happens to be the girl standing right in front of me!" Griffin's voice was hostile and concerned before he covered his mouth, but what was said was said. His voice dropped. "I…I didn't mean…I-I'm sorry, I didn't think that…" Griffin was at a loss for words. He really liked Dierra, but he didn't know if she felt the same way.
She stopped and turned to him, "Wait, you?" She pointed to him, "Like me?" She pointed to herself and shook her head, a small smile growing on her face, "Why didn't you say that earlier? It would've made things a lot easier." SHe felt herself blush slightly and glance behind them, "Anyway, let's keep moving, before I say something really stupid and things get awkward."
"I…okay." Griffin's face went from nervous and apologetic to serious and he nodded. "Is this a good place for us to stop? Besides just for its beauty?"
"We could stop there, but I'd say we should set up camp in those trees," She jabbed her thumb towards the trees on the other side of the field and tightened her grip on her dagger, "Our teammates will be able to find us up there." She looked at the water and scowled at it, "I'm not to trusting of that water either, it's too clean."
"Same. Too noticeable of a spot. I wouldn't be surprised if it's acid or poison. I think setting camp's a good idea, in the trees." Griffin bit his lip. How had that gone by so easily? The fact that I liked Dierra didn't do so much as catch her off guard for a split-second! "So, are we just going to be laying low for now?"
She nodded and started jogging towards the trees, staying clear of the pond. "Yeah, we have to lay low until we regroup with the others, we don't want to die before the others meet up with us."
"M'kay. Griffin jogs with her, darting his eyes around to make sure they wouldn't be jumped.
She stopped at one of the trees on the edge of the clearing and put her dagger away, "You go up first." She said, clasping her hands together to give him a boost up since the first branch was quite a ways up.
He runs and uses Dierra's boost, grabbing a tree branch. "I'll help 'ya up," and he extends his hand downwards.
She grabbed his hand and nodded, glancing at the field to make sure no one was coming, "Thanks." She said.
"No problem." Is she ignoring the fact that I like her? "So what should we do in the meantime?"
Dierra shrugged, "I have no clue." She looked out at the field and glanced back at him, "You know when I said we should keep moving so that I didn't say anything stupid or embarrassing?"
"Uh, yeah. Kind of. Why?" Griffin was curious. He was ready for her to deny him, like she did during the flirting game.
"Well, this might seem childish, but when you talked about the girl you liked, and I didn't know it was me, I was jealous of her." She rubbed the back of her neck and glanced at him, her face heating up, "I was jealous that you liked some other girl and that you weren't interested in me..ok? I like you, to put it simply."
"Why are you so-Why are you not freaking out? Is that exclusive to every other girl but you, or am I crazy?" Griffin chuckled. "I'm usually the one to not freak out, but it looks like the roles have been reversed…" Griffin tried not to look at her, but couldn't, even if his cheeks were turning a deep crimson. "I like you, too, Dierra."
She shook her head, "Trust me, in my head I'm flipping out, I'm just trying to act calm so that we don't get caught and killed." Her face was bright red and she could feel it. Looking at Griffin she was relieved to find that at least his cheeks were red.