Words: 1976

I woke up on my bed the next day, Saturday morning . I looked on the other side of the room. There slept Zach. We shared a cabin, which my mom would be completely against, but thank the Lord that there were two bathrooms. I sat up on my bed and looked at the clock on the wall as the sun started coming up. 6:03. I slowly stood up and walked over to my suitcase. I quickly grabbed some clothes and went to the bathroom to change. I walked out hearing small snores coming from Zach's side of the room. I smiled at him and slowly walked towards him. I knelt down by his head. He was facing the wall, but I could still see his sleeping face clearly. I raised my hand and slowly ran my fingers through his soft brown hair. He stirred a little so I pulled away as fast as I could. I walked to my side of the room, as he looked my way.

"Good morning" he said in his raspy morning voice. 'And here come the butterflies'. I heard shuffling behind me, then footsteps come up behind me.

"Well I think that it's safe to say that you don't talk much" he continued. I turned to face him. I looked up, just now taking in his height and the fact that he has no shirt on. I blushed and nodded, as a sign that he was right. I walked around him and to my suitcase that was by the door, near Zach's bed. I got out our schedule and looked at what we'd be doing today.

Friday: Arrival

Saturday: Break Day On Campus
9am: Breakfast
12pm: Lunch
6pm: Dinner Around The Campfire
10pm: Lights Out

Sunday: Break Day On Campus
9am: Breakfast
12pm: Lunch
6pm: Dinner Around The Campfire
10pm: Lights Out

Monday: On Campus
9am: Breakfast
12pm: Lunch
1-3:30pm: Recreational Activities
6pm: Dinner Around The Campfire
10pm: Lights Out

Tuesday: Off Campus
9am: Breakfast
12pm: Lunch
1-3:30pm: Recreational Activities
6pm: Dinner Around The Campfire
10pm: Lights Out

Wednesday: Off Campus
9am: Breakfast
12pm: Lunch
1-3:30pm: Recreational Activities
6pm: Dinner Around The Campfire
10pm: Lights Out

Thursday: On Campus
9am: Breakfast
12pm: Lunch
1-3:30pm: Recreational Activities
6pm: Dinner Around The Campfire
10pm: Lights Out

Friday: Off Campus
9am: Breakfast
12pm: Lunch
1-3:30pm: Recreational Activities
6pm: Dinner Around The Campfire
10pm: Lights Out

Saturday: Leaving
10-11am: Leaving

I turned still looking at the paper then up at Zach, who had changed into ripped black jeans and was currently putting a black cookies shirt on with a little bit of red, white, and blue. I blushed and looked at the paper once again. Once Zach had a shirt completely on, I looked up again and walked up to him, with the paper in hand. I gave him the thin sheet. He just looked at it.

"What do you want me to do with this?" He said looking at me with confusion. I rolled my eyes and walked over to my bed, where my charging phone lay. I unlocked it and went to my notes. I quickly typed out what I wanted to ask and turned to show Zach the bright screen.

"What do you want to do today since it's a free day," he whispered to himself. He looked at the paper and scanned over the options for on campus activities.

"Um...how about we go swimming?" He looked at the paper for a few seconds more, before turning to me. I nodded and put my phone into my pocket. I walked out the door with Zach close behind. We just walked around the campus to see where things were, so we wouldn't be confused in the future. At around 8:30 am the both of us walked up to the metal building where they held breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Our group, along with a few other groups, were first for every meal so that meant that we could line up first, before anyone else. After we had gotten to the metal building a few kids from our group were already in line. I stood next to Zach and looked around. I was one of the shortest people in line so far, which believe me is very intimidating. I stood closer to Zach as some weird kid walked up next to me with another guy next to him. They were shorter than me, thank the Lord. Zach looked at me when I accidentally touched his arm while I was getting away from the interesting boys next to me. Zach leaned down by my ear. The hair on my neck stood up as I could feel his breath on my ear when he spoke.

"Is everything ok?" He whispered. I nodded my head over to the two boys next to me. He nodded in understanding and put his arm around my waist. My eyes widened as he pulled me closer. I looked at the brown haired boy with wide eyes. He had a smirk on his face while looking ahead of him. He looked at me just as the doors opened. All the kids walked in. We made it in and slowly made our way to the kitchen. Once we got our food we walked outside and sat on the picnic table across from each other. Not much small talk was made, so it was kinda awkward. Zach looked at me.

"How did you sleep?" I looked up as the words left his mouth. I nodded slowly, confused as to why he would ask such a random question. He chuckled slightly at my expression.

"You were moving around a lot last night as if you were having a nightmare, so I was just asking if you were ok," he said looking at his plate and continued eating his food. I stared at him with my mouth hung open slightly. 'He cares, I can definitely see that. But why? No one but my mom has ever cared about me' I finished my food and threw my plate away in the nearest bin, Zach right behind me. I looked around. There were so many kids. At least around 200. Zach started walking down the path that lead to all of the cabins. I followed him. He walked off the path to the left and headed to the basketball court. He walked over to pick up a basketball.

"Have you ever played basketball?" He asked me. I shook my head and he smiled.

"Well, maybe I could teach you," he suggested. I shrugged. He rolled his eyes with a smile on his face and walked over to me. He grabbed one of my crossed arms and dragged me to the court. He walked a few feet in front of me and turned around, passing the ball to me which I caught with ease. He clapped and I laughed slightly. He raised his arms in victory.

"Yes! I made her laugh!" I shook my head and smiled at his childishness. I turned the ball in my hands. I dribbled the ball and walked up to the goal. I looked at the goal and held the ball. I tried shooting but it just hit the backboard and fell to the ground. I sighed and walked over to grab the ball. Once I stood back in front of the tall goal, I shot again, but also failed. As I was about to run after the ball, Zach went for it instead.

"You're missing because you don't have the right form," he said walking up to me. He stood in front of the goal and showed me the correct way to hold it. He shot the ball and made it in. He grabbed the ball and handed it to me.

"Now you try," I nodded and stood before the goal. I held the ball the way Zach showed me, but again failed at making a goal. I sighed in defeat as Zach grabbed the ball again and walked up to me. He put the basketball in my hands and went behind me.

"Here let me help," he put his hands on mine, his chest pressed against my back, as my heart raced. He positioned my hands and shot the ball. It went in. I stood there shocked, then turned to Zach and smiled. Unaware of what I was doing, I hugged Zach. He slowly wrapped his arms around me, as if he were shocked, and we stood there for a good ten seconds before we pulled apart. I backed up and looked down, realizing what happened. I could feel eyes burning into the top of my skull.

"Um...uh...I'm gonna...go...get ready for the pool...ummm...yeah," he stuttered out slightly above a whisper then turned around. I nodded and followed behind him to our shared cabin. After about thirty minutes and going down the water slide a couple times I decided to just lay down on a lounge chair. Luckily I had brought a bag, that me and Zach had packed together with stuff we might need, with a book and some snacks in there. Also a couple of towels and goggles. I grabbed my book and continued where I left off on chapter 18. I had just finished the 31st chapter when I got a text. 'That's weird, no one ever texts me' I picked up my phone and saw a text from my mom. I smiled and opened up her message.

Mom: how's my baby girl doing today? Have you done anything fun?

I smiled. My mom was the nosy one, but I loved her for it. I quickly typed out a response.

Me: I'm doing fine mother. I'm currently at the pool reading the book you gave me

Mom: aww I knew you'd love that book! So are you alone at the pool?

I quickly took a video of Zach playing in the pool with some kid he'd quickly become friends with. I sent the video to my mom.

Me: this is who I'm with right now. He's my buddy for the week. The tall, brown haired one

She almost immediately messaged back.

Mom: he's cute 😉

I rolled my eyes playfully.

Me: mom 🙄

Mom: sorry sweetheart I'm just stating the truth

I rolled my eyes once again. 'Yeah he is pretty cute' I thought while looking at him with a smile on my face. He looked my way and waved. I waved back as I got another text.

Mom: well I'll leave you now. Have fun sweetheart

I quickly said bye and put my phone down. I continued reading until it was time for lunch.

Lunch was pretty much the same as breakfast. We got our food, sat outside in complete silence, then threw our trash away. The rest of the day was just spent either at the pool or just walking around with him doing all of the talking.

~

At around dinner time, the different groups in the camp sat around different campfires. Everyone sang campfire songs and was having a good time. I, on the other hand, felt like I was alone. Like I was the only one there. Like I was on a sinking ship, while everyone I knew and loved floated on a raft to safety. Like I was in a burning building, and everyone but me was being pulled from the flames. I was taken out of my trance when someone said my name.

"Winter, are you ok?" I turned to my right and saw Zach looking at me with worry in his eyes. I nodded and looked down. He put his hand on my knee.

"You're not alone, ok?" I looked up at him with confusion. He didn't react. He sighed and smiled.

"I'm here."