The cheery cacophony that resulted when the entire camp met in one space greeted Allison warmly as she entered the dining hall. It felt especially loud and boisterous tonight, likely due to the fact that the camp was amped up with the expectations for the campfire that night. While some of the other extra events had portions of the campers excited based on their preference of activity, the excitement that built up around the campfire was always the highest., and Allison felt herself smiling at the infectious enthusiasm.

Campers used to having sit-down entertainment from the TV and internet were starved of it after just a few days, and having the time to just sit back and enjoy the staff’s elaborate acts ended up being some of the most enjoyed and talked about moments of the week. And with the steadily rising competition each year between the various staff teams, the sophistication of the acts had grown along with them. Allison still wasn’t quite sure how the Wilderness Survival staff from last year had managed to work out a safe pulley system that allowed them to have one of their members literally fly over the stage platform, and they had kept it a close secret in case they ever wanted to use it again.

Allison got in line for the buffet behind a group of giggling girls that had obviously just come back from the tennis courts, their tennis rackets in bags slung over their shoulders. The smells of the food up ahead had her stomach rumbling as she tried to discern what was on the menu for that night. The dining hall generally also got in on the action with an improved menu for the week, and particularly for the dinner before the Starfall Campfire. Last year had been chicken cordon bleu, ever since Allison had been hoping that it would, at some point, become a part of the bi-weekly menu rotation.

“Heard you had a bit of a situation down at the beach today, Allison!” Allison looked up as she approached the start of the buffet and smiled. Bobby Killarney, the Food Service Director, was loading up another fresh pan of food into the buffet line, it’s cover still concealing it’s contents.

“Nothing too crazy, Bobby. Just another day of fun down on the lake.” She replied. Bobby smiled back, putting her hands on her hips as she came around the side of the line.

“Couldn’t catch me down there doing what you do, wouldn’t be able to stand just sitting on those stands for hours. Gotta keep active if I’m gonna work off all the food I get to taste before I serve it.” She laughed, patting her generous stomach.

“Speaking of which, what’s on the menu tonight? It smells to die for.” Allsion replied. Bobby scooted back around behind the line, lifting the cover off of the fresh pan in a cloud of steam.

“Grilled teriyaki marinated steak tips! Let it never be said that we can’t do good food just because we’re a summer camp!.” Bobby boasted. Allison’s grin grew tenfold as the campers on either side of her cheered.

“Bobby, you’re amazing! How’d you manage to convince Finance to pay for it?” Allison asked.

“Just threw around the fact that it’s the centennial celebration and they nearly fell over themselves to give me extra money for this week. Not too much more, but enough to splurge for some goodies. Go on, dig in, I gotta get back to the kitchen before Alex accidentally burns the dessert. Boy would burn ice cream if I didn't keep an eye on him.” Bobby replied, turning around.

“Thanks Bobby!” Allison called, grabbing a plate from the stack as the camper ahead of her served themselves. The steak tips were followed up with garlic mashed potatoes and mixed root vegetables, and Allison skipped out of the rest of the line as the food transitioned to the vegan and other dietary restricted options.

Allison headed over to the seating area, where the volume rose considerably as she approached the majority of the camp. The tables were separated by cabin group, each cabin assigned to a specific table, with staff tables spread evenly between them in order to keep a staff presence nearby each cabin table. The theory was sound, Allison supposed, but it hadn’t really worked out the way it was intended as staff work shifts ended and started at different times around dinner, many overlapping a part of each mealtime. Still, it ended up being a better system than assigning a staff member to actually sit at the tables with the campers, as there had been a few times Allison had heard of a scheduling mishap around staff switching to cover each other in case of illness and left a table completely unattended. At least with small staff tables spaced between the cabin tables, the staff naturally spread out among the entire dining hall and ensured that there was always a staff member within close proximity to each table.

Allison sat at one of the empty four-seaters after scanning the dining hall and not finding anyone immediately apparent that she wanted to sit with. In any case, her time was limited, as the boathouse staff would soon be heading down to move the BFR to it’s temporary spot between the docks, where final preparations for the pirates would take place. Allison wanted to be a part of it, being on the ‘opposing side’ and not able to be on the boat for the act, so being on the boat for the move beforehand would be the next best thing.

Allison dug into the dinner with gusto, the sweet and tender steak tips giving her tingles on her taste buds. It was official: Bobby was a genius in the kitchen, and Allison would be petitioning the Finance Department to give Food Services a bigger budget. They certainly deserved it.

“Hey Allison, mind if I join you?” Allison looked up, smiling as she swallowed her last mouthful. A lanky redhead with a face covered in freckles smiled back at her.

“Sure thing, Finn. I don’t have much time though, so I hope you don’t mind if I skip out in a bit.” Finn grinned, setting his plate down at the seat opposite her.

“No worries, we’re on a bit of a tight schedule as well. Still so much left to finish getting ready before the campfire tonight. I hope you’re ready for us to blow you out of the water.” Finn waggled his eyebrows. Allison rolled her eyes.

“Yes, I work at the waterfront, I get the joke. And no, we’re definitely going to beat whatever you craft shop people have come up with. I certainly hope it’s better than last year’s attempt. Your whole paper-mache animal parade didn’t impress too many people.”

“Kids these days don’t appreciate good craftsmanship. At least we didn’t have to clean up the amphitheater the next day.”

“Good point, and again, water balloons were not my idea. Not making that mistake this year.” Allison shivered.

“Well, we’ve got a dream team of craft shop staff this year, you won’t believe what we’ve come up with.” Finn said, a sly grin on his face as he stared meaningfully at her. Allison rolled her eyes.

“No, Finn, I’m not going to ask you what you’ve got planned, I know better. You’d turn it right around and ask me what our plans are, and there’s no way I’m giving up the game this close to the end. You'll just have to wait and see like everyone else.” Finn exaggerated a snap of his fingers.

“Oh well, it was worth a try. Can’t blame me for being curious, I’ve barely seen any hint of preparations from you guys.”

“Then we’ve covered our tracks well. Wouldn’t want to accidentally spoil the surprise.”

“Did you come up with the plan for this year then?” Finn asked, spearing some of the steak on his own plate.

“It was a collaborative effort, for the most part. I’d like to see anyone try to get Peter on board with anything close to resembling fun.” Allison griped. Finn laughed.

“I hear you, some of the older folk of the craft shop are the same way. Arnie came up with our idea and had a heck of a time selling them on it this year. Kudos to you for not having to result with that. Wish we had someone like you on our team. Arnie’s great and all, but he doesn’t really have the leader vibe, if you know what I mean.” Allison groaned.

“Arnold’s perfectly fine, Finn. You’re just sour he got chosen over you for Team Leader.” Finn raised his hands.

“Me, team lead? Not a chance. I enjoy my freedom with my metalworking, team lead has to do all the organizing and dealing with admin for supplies, no thanks. I’ll leave that to talented people like yourself.” Finn replied, leaning forwards, a wide smile on his face.

An unpleasant coil of anxiety twisted in her stomach as she looked back at Finn. Was he…? Allison shook it off, returning her attention to the rest of her dinner.

“Talented? Please, I only got the job as the only lifeguard who came back from a previous year, not out of any sort of merit. I still feel like I have no idea what I’m doing, it just seems to be working out.”

“That’s a talent all in itself. You’ve obviously learned from the mistakes of the previous years and are doing a great job in making sure they aren’t repeated. Give yourself some credit. I remember hearing how many incidents there were in previous years, and you’ve come in and now there’s barely been any? You’re doing something right, even if you don’t feel like it.” Finn replied easily.

Allison’s eyes narrowed, the tension in her gut tightening. She recognized the tone in his voice, and it wasn’t one she liked hearing anymore. It felt too fake, too smarmy, buttering her up with some goal in mind other than just giving her compliments. The last time she’d heard that tone, it had been just before…

Allison leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms in front of her.

“Well, thanks I guess. It’s nice to know that someone feels I’m doing well. The rest of my lifeguards don’t really give me much feedback since it’s their first year, they don’t really have any other experience to compare it to.” She said. Finn’s smile grew wider, looking pleased with her reaction.

“Well, someone’s gotta say it every once in a while. You wouldn’t happen to have some time this weekend to give me some pointers, would you? I’d really like to know how you’ve been able to work with all those people and convince them to do what you want.” Finn winked at her.

Allison’s stomach heaved as her suspicions were confirmed. He was trying, badly, to flirt with her.

Allison’s mind slammed back to her last two relationships, both starting with the terrible flirting, followed by requests to hang out under some stupid pretense, getting somewhat serious way too quickly with the ever-looming deadline of the end of the summer hanging over the entire relationship, only for it to crash and burn as things got going much too quickly for her to feel comfortable with and they just kept pushing with the knowledge that time was running out and they had to do something before that deadline and she was swept along, screaming inside as everything spiraled out of her control-

“Allie! There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you!” Allison’s head snapped to the side as Madison wound her way through the tables towards them. The knots in her chest and stomach immediately loosened, and Allison could breathe again.

“Mads! How’d things go with Luke? Have you already had dinner, you don’t have a plate.” Allison asked as Madison sat down. Madison looked between the two of them, one of her eyebrows going up. Allison looked back at Finn, who looked a bit torn at Madison’s arrival. After a moment, Madison turned back to her, a small smile coming back on her face.

“Already ate. Good stuff today, had nothing but cold oatmeal this morning since I was running late. Cold oatmeal’s the worst.” Madison shivered, and Allison smirked, rolling her eyes.

“You wouldn’t have that problem if you’d just set your alarm earlier.” Allison rebuked, and Madison pouted.

“Meh, I enjoy my sleep too much to get up earlier. Gotta get as much beauty sleep as possible around here. Anyways, Luke’s fine, it wasn’t as bad as it looked. Some bandage wraps, some disinfectant, and he was out the door again, happy as a clam. How’s the other kid, Greg? Did you ever figure out what happened?”

“Jack talked to him a bit more, but Greg was adamant he wasn’t involved. Even had a few other campers come up and vouch that they were all swimming laps, trying to outdo each other’s time.”

“So the mystery continues, I guess.” Allison sat back in her chair, mulling it over.

“Well, no use in getting worked up over it. Hopefully it stays an isolated event.” Allison replied.

“Maybe it was the Lake Horicon monster, trying to take the kid to his lair to eat him!” Finn burst out, a wide smile on his face as he looked expectantly between the two. Both Allison and Madison stared at him for a second, and he wilted, sitting back into his chair.

Allison looked up as, over Finn’s shoulder, a group of staff members all stood at once. Elizabeth, William, Charlie and Doug. The Boathouse crew waved at her as they headed to the exit.

“Oh crap, I’m late! I gotta go help with getting our stuff ready.” Allison shoveled the rest of the food on her plate into her mouth as she scrambled to stand and get going.

“I’ll walk down with you, at least to the beach. It was nice seeing you Finn, talk to you later!” Madison said as she stood as well. Finn waved, a weak smile on his face as they turned to leave, dropping her plate off at the dish line before following a distance behind the boathouse crew. Madison turned to her, an apologetic look on her face as they exited the dining hall, dodging around a black-haired girl with an orange backpack who was just entering.

“Sorry, did I come at a bad time? I didn’t realize the two of you were talking until I already said something.” Madison said. Allison turned to look at her, a grin on her face.

“No, you came at the perfect time. I really didn’t want to have to break it to him that I’m not looking for a relationship right now.” Madison gasped, her eyes growing wide.

“No way! Was he asking you out?”

“No, just flirting terribly. I didn't realize it for a bit until he really kinda fumbled over the finish line. I’m not even sure he knows how awkward that was.” Allison groaned. “He’s a nice enough guy, I suppose, but he doesn’t seem to have much relationship experience. Seriously, ‘I want to spend time with you and talk about leadership’?” Madison burst out laughing.

“He sounds sweet. Just a bit…”

“Awkward.” Allison repeated, sending the both of them into another giggle fit.

“Seriously, Mads, you came at the perfect time. After the last two years, I’m really not ready for just another summer fling.”

“You going to be okay? You were really broken up after...well, you know.” Madison asked, looking closer at her.

“No, it’s fine. Well, maybe a little. But it’s all good now.” Asllison replied. Madison searched her face for a moment before the smile returned to her face.

“That’s good. Just remember, I’m here if you need anything, even if it’s just to save you from over-enthusiastic boys.” She teased.

“Better than needing to save me from whatever got to Luke earlier. I’m glad Jack got to him first, cuts like that still make my stomach turn.” Allison shivered.

“Well it’s a good thing injuries like that are rare at the beach. We wouldn’t want you fainting on the job, like you almost did the first time you rescued someone.”

“That was a one-off, if Calvin hadn’t been so slow to act I wouldn’t have had to swim nearly the entire swim area to rescue a guy in the deep end, who, might I remind you, ended up being nearly twice my weight at the time! I swear he was trying to drown the both of us.” Allison groaned.

“Better you than me, if it were me we definitely would have drowned.”

“And better you than me taking care of the icky stuff that’s supposed to stay inside your body.” Allison replied. Madison grinned.

“Your guys plan for the campfire all set? First aid never has the time or people to do anything for it, so I’ll be looking forward to what you guys all do.” Madison said, a slightly wistful tone in her voice.

“We’ll be ready. Honestly, you’re not missing much by not being in one, it’s literally weeks of planning and buildup for just a few minutes of payoff. I’d much rather be sitting and watching the whole thing without the pressure of performing. I’m a terrible actor.” Allison replied.

“Any hints about what to expect?” Madison pried. “I’ve got a bet going with Owen that you guys beat everyone else. A lot’s riding on you!”

“Way to add to the pressure, Mads. Now I’ll probably end up doing something stupid and trip over myself.” Madison laughed.

“Don’t worry, I’ll have the band-aids ready for your boo-boos.” She teased.

“The only hint you’re getting out of me is that it’s a good thing we’re teamed up with the boathouse again, and you should have your emergency bag with you just in case someone does something stupid.”

“Hmm, so the boats are involved somehow. Good thing the amphitheater is so close to the water’s edge.” Madison mused. “I’ll make sure I’ve got it ready. You got Mike’s permission for this?”

“Nope, but I got Chris on board for the act, and he’s over the moon to be a part of it.” Madison gaped, then grinned.

“Now I’ve got to see it. I don’t think anyone’s thought about getting the director involved in their act before.”

“Or if they haven they just never worked up the nerve. Lucky for us, Elizabeth is Chris’s niece once or twice removed or something like that. Their family is a bit odd so I never really understood how they're related, except that they are.”

“Secret weapon! Looks like I was right to bet on you, this is gonna be great! Are you going to be on the boat?”

“Not for the act, the boathouse crew is in charge of that. Figured I’d leave that to the pros, and to make sure Peter doesn’t get on our case if something does go funky with it.” Allison replied as they neared the beach. Madison stalled, leaning against the nearest fence post as she looked out at the lake.

“That’s good. At least you’re getting to have some fun. I need to get out on the lake soon, I still haven’t even gone swimming yet this year.” Madison sighed. Allison frowned.

“You need to take a break from all that studying, you’re going to burn yourself out before you even get to next semester.”

“There’s still a ton of material I have to go over. If I had known medical school was going to be this tough, I might have changed plans.”

“No you wouldn’t have, you would have just barrelled into it even harder.” Allison replied. “You’re one of the most stubborn people I know, and you’ve had your eyes on this for years.” Madison laughed.

“True, true.”

“Come sailing with me this weekend. Take a break for a bit.” Madison groaned.

“I’d love to, but I really need to-”

“No buts! If you don’t come with me I’ll just have to go and be bored out on the lake all by myself and take pictures to show you to make you feel bad you didn’t come.” Allsion whined. “You gotta come, Mads. Please?”

Madison looked at her, struggling to keep a straight face as Allison pouted at her. Finally, after several seconds of intense staring, Madison broke, giggling furiously.

“Fine! Fine, I’ll come sailing with you. You do realize you’d be doing most of the work, I still haven’t had the time to learn how to sail those sunfish.”

“No time like the present, I could teach you a bit when we go this weekend!” Allison cheered. “No backing out, it’s a promise.”

“Promise.” Madison replied.

“Good. I gotta get going, the boathouse crew is probably waiting for me.” Allison pointed down the path where the quartet they had followed had disappeared down the trial.

“Go for it, I’ll see you at the campfire. Have fun!” Madison replied.

“We will, you’re sure to enjoy it!” They waved at each other as Allison turned and jogged down the path out of the camp by the waters edge, towards the inlet where the BFR was stashed. She soon rounded the corner, where the boathouse crew were busy checking over the finished vessel.

“All set?” She asked. Elizabeth looked up at her, a smile on her face.

“As much as we can be. Here’s your paddle.” Elizabeth handed a canoe paddle to her as Allison clambered into the closest of the tied up canoes.

“Has the ship been christened yet?” Allison asked?

“We’ve decided on ‘Van DerMeer’s Revenge.’ Figured some of the older crowd might get a kick out of that.” William replied, jumping into one of the canoes on the other side.

“Hopefully the ghost of Thomas Van DerMeer doesn’t mind too much.” Charlie continued. “We’re ready to cast off back here, you all settled up there?”

“Ready as we’ll ever be.” Elizabeth replied. Allison nodded.

“All right then! Here begins the maiden voyage of Van DerMeer’s Revenge!” Allison swayed as the five tied-together canoes were shoved into deeper water, the sunfish mast behind her creaking as it shifted position. Their departure was easy, the lake quiet as the afternoon breeze disappeared, the sun low in clear skies over the surrounding mountains. Allison smiled, feeling the gentle rocking of the waves underneath her. Her heart swelled as the blanket of shimmering waters stretched out before her. She wished for a steady wind, and that she could just reach back and hoist the sail to see what their cobbled-together vessel could do.

Allison dipped her paddle in the water, her mind already focused on the weekend. An uninterrupted afternoon of sun, wind and sails with her best friend called to her, and she couldn’t wait for the days to pass until that time arrived.