Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 680

Next to them, Slater, grinning like he was up to no good, was holding a water bottle, with Arkle trailing behind, arms full of gear and snacks.

Roseanne looked away.

She wasn't exactly close with Grace.

"Roseanne!" Mamie called out from a distance, waving at her as she jogged over, a hefty backpack strapped to her back, bulging at the seams. It was stuffed with sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, water bottles, and of course, a stash of snacks.

"I've packed a bunch, we can share later!" Mamie beamed.

"Sounds good," Roseanne replied.

"Hey, where's Scales? Hasn't he shown up yet?" Worrying about being late, Mamie had sprinted the whole way, even arriving five minutes early.

Scales, who was there before her, quipped, "Where did you get the confidence that I'd be later than you?" Mamie pouted, "So what if you're two minutes early? I just hit the snooze button one too many times. But... why do you guys have such small bags?"

Roseanne didn't need to say anything, and even Scales had only a small backpack that looked nearly empty, hardly weighing anything.

"We heard the botanical facility we're visiting is pretty well-equipped, so I just brought the essentials," Roseanne explained.

Scales nodded in agreement.

Mamie was speechless.

only one who

everyone's names, and they lined

facility located in the outskirts, over 60 miles away, requiring a three-hour

bus, Mamie and Roseanne sat together, with Scales

had to navigate a winding mountain road en route, where cell signal

out his Kindle to catch up

quite sociable, struck up conversations with

with nothing better to do, leaned back and enjoyed

it was winter, the sun rose late. Despite the early start, daylight had only just begun

like a white shawl draped

sun was just about to peek through,

for as long as the drive

they arrived at

was divided

A

further segmented intohet

planted with different

main entrance, the groups went to check in and drop off their luggage. The exam would last two days and one night, with the deadline for submission set for the following

of their final grade. Finding rare specimens would earn them bonus points, with each discovery worth an additional 20%.

Completing the mandatory tasks

decent grade, while the optional ones were a chance to score extra

in, the

we head to