"Hurry! Hurry! Good luck!" Leila waved as Sylva got out, locked the car, and ran, darting through the campus courtyard. The crisp Devon air carried the distant hum of conversations and the occasional rustle of leaves as students bustled around.
Sylva glanced at her watch—ten minutes left.
Not wasting another second, she quickened her pace, dodging a group of students before taking a shortcut across the lawn.
The Biological Sciences building loomed ahead, its sleek glass doors reflecting the overcast sky. As she approached, she spotted familiar faces heading inside—some in deep discussion, others yawning from late-night study sessions.
"Sylva!"
She turned just in time to see a girl with tightly coiled red curls jogging toward her, clutching a stack of books against her chest.
"Naomi," Sylva greeted, slowing down slightly as the girl fell into step beside her.
"Leila told me you were at the gym again before class. Do you ever take a break?" Naomi asked, adjusting her glasses as they neared the lecture hall.
Sylva smirked. "Nope, no chance."
Naomi rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, Miss Overachiever. Anyway, Professor Hensley is already inside, and Acacia is in full form today."
Sylva raised a brow. "What's new?"
"Nothing," Naomi sighed. "She just won't shut up about how she aced last week's field report. You'd think she discovered a new species."
Sylva hummed, unfazed. Acacia's obsession with being the best wasn't news to her.
They reached the door just as the last few students shuffled in. Naomi shot her a look. "Ready for another round of 'Who Can Outshine Who'?"
Sylva grinned, pushing open the door. "Always."
Dr. Calloway, their fieldwork coordinator, clapped his hands, signaling the start of the session.
The lecture hall was filled with the low hum of conversation. Acacia sat near the front, surrounded by her usual entourage. Her golden-brown tousled waves bounced as she laughed, her eyes glinting with satisfaction.
"Right on time, Smith, Woods," Dr. Calloway noted, arching a brow as they moved to their seats. "Alright, everyone, let's begin."
Sylva took her usual seat a few rows back, Naomi sliding in next to her.
Dr. Calloway strode to the front, adjusting the projector. The screen flickered to life, displaying a detailed map of Dartmoor National Park, their designated research site.
"Today, we're covering fieldwork protocols, risk assessments, and equipment usage," he announced. "By the end of this session, you should be able to set up and operate field monitoring devices without supervision. This is crucial, as once you're out in the field, we won't always be there to hold your hand."
The class murmured, some exchanging glances.
Sylva pulled out her notebook, flipping to a fresh page. She was already familiar with most survival techniques thanks to her mother.
Dr. Calloway's voice pulled her back.
"First, we'll go over the equipment checklist."
He clicked through the slides, displaying images of GPS trackers, motion-activated cameras, specimen collection kits, and weather monitoring instruments. "Each group will be responsible for maintaining and using these tools properly. Any mishandling and you could compromise the entire study—or worse, injure yourselves."
Sylva leaned back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other as she listened. From the corner of her eye, she caught Acacia watching her, arms folded, expression unreadable.
Of course.
Sylva wasn't surprised. Acacia had made it her mission to cause trouble for her since sophomore year, always looking for an opportunity, a misstep—anything that could knock her down from the top. Sylva had long stopped paying her mind.
But today, something felt… different.
Acacia wasn't smirking. She wasn't whispering to her little clique. She was just watching.
Sylva ignored the annoying ass and focused on Dr. Calloway.
"You'll be assigned field groups by the end of this session," he continued. "Teamwork is crucial. Dartmoor is unpredictable, and I expect you to watch each other's backs."
Sylva resisted the urge to sigh. Great.
She preferred working alone. She was efficient that way—fast with no distractions. But she knew she wouldn't get that luxury this time.
"Now, let's break down emergency procedures." Dr. Calloway clicked to the next slide, a detailed flowchart of what to do in case of injury, equipment failure, or—he gestured toward the screen—getting lost.
"This area has limited cell service, so your primary communication will be through radios provided by the university. Do not wander off the designated paths unless necessary."
Sylva's pen hovered over the page. She knew Dartmoor's dangers better than most. Its history was layered with myths.It reminded her of how she used to test her own stealth as a child, sneaking through forests while her mother trained her to remain unseen.
A voice broke her thoughts.
"Miss Smith," Dr. Calloway called, making her glance up. "If you were monitoring an otter population in Dartmoor's river systems, where would you place your camera traps?"
Easy.
She straightened. "Near narrow riverbanks and under bridges. Otters follow established paths, so positioning the cameras along known feeding and grooming sites increases the chance of capturing footage."
Dr. Calloway gave a pleased nod. "Good. You'll be setting up real cameras next week, so remember that."
However, Acacia held her hand out, smiling sweetly. "I'm sorry but Sir, if I may interject," Acacia said, her voice honeyed with feigned politeness. "But while Sylva's suggestion is… functional, it's not necessarily the most effective. You see, recent studies have shown that otters in Dartmoor are far more active in deeper, slower-moving waters, particularly near reed beds. Placing cameras under bridges?" She let out a soft, deliberate laugh. "That seems more like a beginner's mistake than a strategic choice."
A few students murmured, some glancing at Sylva for a reaction.
Sylva merely rolled her eyes before raising her hand. "Professor?"
Dr. Calloway gestured for her to speak.
"I appreciate Acacia's… enthusiasm," Sylva began, her tone smooth, "but she seems to be confusing river otter behaviors with those of Eurasian otters in broader wetland environments." She tilted her head slightly, feigning curiosity. "Or perhaps she didn't read the latest research conducted by the Devon Wildlife Trust? Because if she had, she'd know that otters in Dartmoor rely heavily on fast-moving waters and confined passages for both protection and travel. Bridges, for instance, are frequently used as crossing points, making them ideal for camera placement."
She offered Acacia a pleasant, pointed smile. "But I get it. Not everyone can keep up with current data."
A few snickers broke out across the room.
Acacia's lips pressed into a thin line, but before she could retort, Dr. Calloway spoke. "Good points from both sides," he said, though the slight nod toward Sylva didn't go unnoticed. "But Miss Smith is correct in this context. Camera placements must align with species-specific behavior within their given habitat, not just general studies. Next time, let's be sure to differentiate the two, shall we?"
Acacia's expression tightened, but she forced a smile. "Of course, Professor."
Sylva leaned back in her seat, winking at Acacia who snorted, flipping her hair.
"Now," Dr. Calloway continued, pulling out a list, "for your field groups."
The class collectively tensed. Some people whispered hopeful prayers to be paired with friends, and some were excited. Others simply didn't care who they were paired with.
Sylva? She just braced herself.
Dr. Calloway started reading names. One by one, students nodded as they were assigned their teams.
Then—
"Sylva Smith, Acacia Lovell, and Nathan Collins."
Sylva blinked.
You have got to be kidding me.
She slowly turned her head.
Acacia was already looking at her, a slow, knowing smile curling on her lips.
Sylva exhaled through her nose. Fucking perfect.
After all the groups were assigned, Dr. Calloway answered a few lingering questions and gave them notes to review before leaving.
Sylva took her time packing up, pulling out her phone to message her mom.
Sylva: Hey Mom! Just one more class, and I'll be home soon!
Reina Mía: Really? That's great because I'm making dinner right now.
Sylva: Perfect. After training and everything? I'm starving!
Reina Mía: The food isn't going anywhere. Even if you're late, I'll heat it up for you. Just focus on class, okay? It's your final year.
Sylva: Are you doubting your genius daughter? I'm not getting anything less than 99.9%.
Reina Mía: I trust you. Take care of yourself. I love you.
Sylva: I love you too, Mom! See you soon!
Reina Mía: Bye, darling.
Just as Sylva was about to type another reply, something slammed into her back, making her hand jolt against the desk. Her phone slipped from her fingers, clattering onto the floor.
"Oops! Sorry, I didn't see you," a voice chimed—mocking, not apologetic.
Sylva exhaled sharply, already knowing who it was before she even turned.
"Oh? Smith, what's wrong?" Acacia's voice was syrupy sweet as she sauntered over, feigning concern. Her lips were pressed together, but the glint of amusement in her eyes gave her away.
Sylva clenched her jaw, inhaling deeply as she picked up her phone.
She had dealt with Acacia's petty games for years and she was fucking tired of it.