Aisling enters the high school, wearing a cotton short-sleeved cherry printed dress with a pair of red flats. She stops at her locker, soon being joined by Maddie. She grabs a dark red one-subject notebook with pen scribbled drawings of tent and camping lanterns all over it from the top shelf of the locker.

"3 days left. Then we're free. We are officially seniors". Maddie takes a sip from the plastic green straw of her grande Starbucks iced chai latte cup.

"We are not technically seniors until we return to school" Aisling tells her.

Maddie rolls her eyes. "I disagree,".

"Kyleen mentioned you texted her yesterday, about being concerned about me. Could you just believe me when I say I'm okay. I already get enough of a lecture from Kyleen. Especially since the funeral" Aisling explains.

"Okay. I don't believe you're lying. I...I just want to be honest. I feel you've closed off a part of yourself to protect yourself from grief" Maddie confesses. "When is the last time you visited your grandma's?".

"A couple times since the funeral. Kyleen and I went there mostly to help clean out and organize stuff" Aisling answers.

"Have you grieved his passing? And don't say something about the funeral. Have you really grieved? And settled with your emotions regrading his passing?" Maddie asked her.

Aisling closes her locker, pressing the grey metal door closed. "Yes, of course".

   Then both of the girls maneuver around fellow classmates. Aisling passes through the history classroom doorway first. She takes a seat near the front of the room. Maddie sits down at a neighboring desk. The teacher Mr. Hall resides at his desk, organizing informational packets for a local history-based summer volunteer program. Other students file into the room, just before the bell rings.

   Another class cycles through the morning schedule, Aisling heads to her locker again. This time to find two guys standing in front of her locker. Aisling greets them, politely. She moves around them, eyeing her friend the whole time. Aisling turns the padlock dial to unlock the door.

"So, you stated you had no plans for summer" Her friend Tyler recalls.

"Currently that's true" Aisling replies, while she switches out her books.

"Meet Preston" Tyler informs.

"Okay. Hi Preston" Aisling replies.

Preston nods and gazes down the hall.

"Did you know Preston and you share a common passion? He has a healthy fixation with camping as well" Tyler explains.

"That's nice," Aisling replies.

"Preston is looking for company on an impending camping weekend" Tyler informs her.

"So, you figure I'm the lucky stranger" Aisling presumes, hiding the fact she is slightly displeased by the situation.

"That's what came to mind" Tyler confesses.

"I don't know...its camping...I...I'm over it". Aisling shuts the locker door and begins to walk away.

   The boys exchange a look. Tyler tells Preston in a low voice to hold on. Tyler goes after Aisling, who is halfway down the hallway.

"You over camping. I never thought I'd live to see the day" Tyler comments, when he reaches her.

"Well, it's true" Aisling replies.

"It's a shield". Tyler pauses as she turns to face him. "You're closing off a piece of yourself. So that you don't have to deal with your grandpa passing".

"You're crossing a line" Aisling warns him.

"Or hitting an obvious nerve" Tyler presumes.

"Tell Preston, I'll join him". Aisling crosses her arms, holding her books tightly to her chest and looking down to the floor. Then she returns her gaze to Tyler, displaying an angry expression. "As for my grandpa, you have no right to talk about him...ever".

    Tyler heads back to pass along the information to Preston. A short black haired freshman girl stands next to Preston; dressed in a dark red tank top with glittery hearts all over it, a pair of ripped jeans and a pair of red flip flops.

"Finally getting the date you've always wanted" The girl comments, watching Tyler return.

"Maybe and the camping weekend isn't intended as a date" Preston defends.

"Oh, that's a lie and you know it" The girl replies.

"The verdict is a yes. As her friend, I think this will be good for her" Tyler tells Preston.

"Not a date, huh" The girl teases, before departing their company.

Tyler watches her walk away, curious about who she is.

"That'd be my little sister Renley. She likes to make a lot of smart ass comments about my life" Preston informs. "But that's good Aisling will accompany me. Is there any favorite snacks she likes? Any guidelines for camping trips I should know?".

"Uh, I'll make you a list" Tyler replies, enjoying the ironic turn of events.

    Maddie joins Aisling at a table in the cafeteria. To some degree, she appreciated the fact her friends were checking up on her. But to another degree, Aisling wishes that everyone around her would find a new topic of conversation. The way Tyler had behaved with Preston, it didn't particularly sit well with her. Aisling proceeds to explain the awkward event earlier to Maddie.

"Don't be mad," Maddie suggests.

"Don't be mad. Oh, don't be mad. I've been set up on a blind camping date scenario with someone I don't know very well" Aisling explains.

"Even if you don't like the guy. You at least get a camping trip out of it" Maddie replies.

"Easy for you to say," Aisling comments.

"Give it a chance A," Maddie suggests.

   Aisling places her cup of orange Jello back on the tray. She becomes quiet. Maddie peels back the lid of her chocolate pudding.

"Why does everyone want to control my life all the sudden?" Aisling asks, annoyed. "I mean, if Preston desired my company. Then why not ask me directly. Everyone is so concerned about me. Just let me live my life".

"Preston?" Maddie inquires.

"The guy Tyler set me up with for a camping weekend" Aisling explains.

"Tyler was just trying to help you. We just don't want to see you stay homebound all summer. Preston could good company for a weekend" Maddie tells her.

"I still don't like the way Ty did things" Aisling replies.

     Mid-Saturday morning, Aisling ventures down the staircase with a blue backpack on her back and a worn out dark blue duffle bag at her side. The pair of bags are set on the hall tree. There were about two hours until Preston would pick her up.

"Don't you usually bring a lot more on a camping trip?" Kyleen asks.

"Uh, he said he had all the other supplies. Preston is his name, by the way" Aisling answers.

"Preston. You two have been talking?" Kyleen asks.

"Just about the trip and he is a big camping fan" Aisling answers.

"Sounds like a new potential friend" Kyleen replies.

"Yeah, maybe". Aisling rolls her eyes.

"I bet you will have fun" Kyleen presumes.

    Finally, Preston arrives at the house. A dark red truck with a red cap over the back proceeds to park in the driveway. Preston exits the truck, goes around the back and lifts the tail gate.

"Looks like Preston is here," Kyleen comments, loudly.

Then Aisling comes into the living room and goes over to the picture window.

"Nice truck" Kyleen says, before heading to the front door to open it. "Hello Preston. I'm Kyleen, Aisling's sister. How is everything?".

"Hi Kyleen. Everything is good. Where is Aisling?" Preston asks.

"Oh, I'll get her". Kyleen walks over and pauses in the living room doorway. "Preston is here".

"Are these her bags?" Preston asks, residing by the hall tree.

"On the hall tree, yes" Kyleen answers for Aisling.

Preston picks up the two bags and disappears to the truck outside.

"Remember to have fun,". Kyleen hugs her. "If you need me, I'm only a call away".

"Yeah, I know". Aisling brushes a strand of hair away from her face and begins to walk down the pebbled walkway to the truck.

"And hey Preston" Kyleen calls out.

"Yeah," Preston replies.

"Take care of her. I'm trusting you with her safety" Kyleen reminds him.

"Oh, I promise I'll be the prefect gentlemen". Preston closes the passenger door, walks around the front of the truck and settles into the driver's seat. He proceeds to place the truck in reverse. "You ready?".

"Sure,". Aisling bends down and places her navy crossbody purse on the truck floor.

    Preston carefully back up the truck onto the road. Aisling watches Kyleen head back into the house. Preston glances overt o Aisling, who resides quietly in the passenger seat.

"Just curious, uh. What's your favorite camping activity?" Preston asks.

"I'm up for anything. It is your weekend. I'm grateful you invited me" Aisling answers.

"No. Nope. Not an acceptable answer. You're dodging the question". Preston shakes his head. "C'mon, there has to some favorite activity you have. Secondly, I might've invited you. But this is our adventure".

"Our adventure" Aisling understands.

"Yup, our adventure" Preston confirms. "So, activity. What is it?".

Aisling places her Google Pixel phone in the empty cup holder.

"No answer. Really? nothing comes to mind". Preston pauses and slows the truck at a stop light. "Fine, I'll give you my response. My favorite camping activity is when the site is completely set up. I know that sounds weird. But I like it. After all the setup, the only priority is to do nothing but relax".

"Makes sense," Aisling replies.

"So, are you going to tell me your favorite activity?" Preston asks.

"I don't know". Aisling shrugs. "I guess everything. But if I had to pick one favorite thing, I'd say...roasting marshmallows. Making smores".

"A smore girl. That's Cool". Preston turns the wheel, directing the truck onto another paved road. "I don't mind marshmallows. Never really liked smores...something about them just never appealed to me".

"Okay. What's your favorite camping snack? For camping" Aisling asks.

"Favorite and a must need camping trip would have to be Chex mix" Preston answers.

"I like Chex mix" Aisling reveals.

"Good to know,". Preston reaches another stop light. "Can I ask something? How'd you become so into camping?".

"Family, I suppose. Kind of grew up camping" Aisling answers.

"I suppose I could say the same" Preston replies.

"Even though I agreed to this trip, you still haven't exactly told me where we're going" Aisling points out.

"Camping somewhere local. A family member's camping site. A year round site, actually" Preston tells her. "I know camping isn't usually year-round. But as long as there is good weather, I'm good to camp".

   After a couple more stoplights, which merely cause a short delay to the overall trip and a rest stop or two, the pair of brand-new friends reach their destination. Now the truck happens to be parked outside the camp store. Preston expresses he will go check them in and return shortly. Aisling decides to wait in the truck.