Whoever thought it would be a wise idea to bring a bunch of horny teens to a place with secluded cabins and minimal chaperones was a bloody fool. We've only been at Camp Louise for a day and I've seen enough dicks to last a lifetime. Apparently, the risk of being stung by poison ivy or stinging nettle doesn't deter my classmates from banging in the woods. It's quite funny actually, watching our teachers pretend that the yelps coming from the forest are wolves and not the euphoric moans of teenage girls.

"Okay, who's next?" Mrs. Patella chirps, motioning to a bench set up next to the campfire. There are only twelve of us participating in this stupid game. I glance through the burning flames, my eyes trying to read Kennedy's lips as she chats with Maxine. "Someone volunteer or else I'm going to pick one of you!"

"I'll go!" Marcie exclaims, stumbling towards the bench. She giggles as she sits down next to Jasmeen. I suppose playing Bus Stop when you're tipsy is more fun than when you're sober. "Ello Gov'na!"

Oh, Christ. Why am I even here?

"So I have everything set up for tonight," Cliff whispers, shoving a marshmallow in his mouth. "I found this clearing just through those trees-" He points east. "Got a blanket set up, some lanterns, Max's favorite snacks. I think she'll love it." He pauses, swallowing. "Wanna check it out?"

I blink. "Do I want to see where you plan on having sex later? No, Clifford, I do not."

Cliff's eyes widen. "I do not plan on having sex with Maxine," he whispers in a harsh tone.

"No?"

"No!" Offense flashes across his face. "I'm going to ask her to be my girlfriend."

"Ah," I hum, stealing another glance at Kennedy. Maybe I need to do something more romantic. More extravagant. More memorable. "Well, I wish you all the best."

"Just come take a look," Cliff begs. "Please? I don't want to fuck this up."

I groan. "Fine, but make it quick."

"Why?" Cliff asks as we stand up. "So you can get back to creeping on Kenny?" My jaw clenches. "Yeah, it's noticeable."

"Just walk." I shove Cliff's shoulder, using all my willpower not to look over my own. Fuck sakes. How much longer will this continue? I'm on the verge of hiring a damn skywriter.

Flashlight in hand, Cliff leads us through the campgrounds, a variety of music blaring from different cabins. At least everyone else seems to be having fun. Lots of fun based on the giddy screams and woohooing. We pass the last cabin, my least favorite people perched on the wooden stairs.

"Oh my God!" Corrine laughs, scrolling through her phone before shoving it in Larisa's face. "This is totally going to go viral! Look at your face!"

"Don't post that!" Larisa whines, trying to snatch Corrine's phone. "Delete it!"

"No way!" Zeek chuckles, winking at Corrine. "Post that shit."

"You guys stop!" Larisa pleads with a concerned frown. She looks up at Sawyer. "Make her delete it!"

Sawyer gives her an unbothered shrug. "Not my phone. Not my video. Not my problem."

"Corrine!" Larisa huffs, standing up aggressively. "Delete it!"

Corrine smirks, pressing a finger to the screen. "And post!"

"Don't worry, Larisa," Zeek says, wrapping his arm over her shoulder. "It's funny, no big deal."

Larisa rolls her eyes. "You guys suck."

Zeek's head snaps up as Cliff and I come into view. "Well, if it ain't the losers of Hilton out for a nice l'ttle stroll," he says with a God-awful cockney accent. Am I a joke to these people? "Going to the woods to hold hands, are we?"

"Ignore them," I mutter, nudging a stiff Clifford to keep walking. "They're the losers."

"Yeah," he grumbles, turning onto a path that leads through the trees. "I know."

"How far of a walk is it?" I ask, my phone ringing in my pocket. "Hold on a second-" I answer the call. "Freddie? Everything okay?"

"Hi, Ollie," Freddie sings as Cliff motions for us to keep walking. "Everything is fine, just wanted to say hi."

"Really? In that case, hi," I reply, knowing exactly why he's calling. "Guess I'll go now."

"No, wait!" Fred exclaims. "Tell me! Did it work? The photos? Did she forgive you?"

"Not as well as I had hoped," I sigh, the connection breaking up as we continue to trudge through broken branches and roots. "But I'm working on it."

"Bummer," he says, sounding just as disappointed, if not more, than I am. "Maybe you need to-" The phone crackles. "And then take her-" More static. "Lo-"

"Hello?" I ask, looking at my phone screen, 'no signal' written on the top corner. "There's no service here?"

"Not this far up," Cliff explains, pointing his flashlight towards a glow in the distance. "Just call him back later." Or when I have actual valuable information to share and not another failed attempt. "Okay, we're here." He stops in front of the most over-the-top setup I've ever seen. Christ, when did he have the time to organize all this? It's insane. White lanterns, a plush blanket, mountains of snacks, drinks... I narrow my eyes. Are those rose petals? "Well?"

"Clifford," I muse, letting out a chuckle as I pat his shoulder. "Mate, you are certifiably insane, did you know that?"

"Oh, fuck off," Cliff says, tossing me a playful glare. "It might be a bit much but girls love that stuff, okay? This-" He motions are his overt display of admiration. "This will get me a girlfriend."

I purse my lips, my gaze bouncing around the romantic setting. So fucking mushy. Like, really lame. Super lame. I look up at the clear night sky that's scattered with bright stars. You don't see this many stars in the city. Barely any. I click my tongue, shaking my head. I guess it's not that lame. It's actually quite nice here. Quiet. Private. Like a hidden oasis.

Perfect for a talk.

"Cliff?" I say, turning to face my flatmate. "Would you say that we're friends?"

Clifford eyes me warily. "Yes?"

"Fantastic!" I state, turning on my heel. "I need to commandeer your date tonight. Thanks, friend."

"Wait, what?!" Cliff exclaims, jogging towards me. "What are you talking about?"

"Your set up," I explain, using my phone as a light. "I need it."

"No way!" Cliff protests. "I spend so long to-"

"Listen-" I stop, turning to face him. "Maxine's into you, okay? You guys hang out like every day. You're basically official, so you don't really need all of that-" I point to the clearing. "Me on the other hand? That's another story."

"You think she's into me?" Cliff asks. I slap a hand over my face. "What?!"

"Girls don't spend their free time with guys they don't like," I say, taking a breath. "You're in, mate. You got the girl, I promise."

Cliff ponders for a minute before finally saying, "Fine, you can have it."

"Yeah?" I ask in a hopeful tone.

Cliff sighs. "If it'll finally help you stop sulking every night, I guess why not." He gestures to the path. "Well, go! Knowing Kenny, she might already be getting ready for bed."

"Right," I mutter, marching through the dirt, my stomach churning. Oh, fuck. What am I going to say to her?! "Hey, Cliff?"

"What?" he grumbles.

"What should I...uh- tell her?"

"The truth would be a good start," he offers. "Just be honest about how you feel."

"The truth?"

"Is that a concept you're not familiar with?" Cliff teases.

"Toss off," I huff, chewing the inside of my cheek.

Just be honest. Sure. I can do that. I can tell her how I feel. Easy. Totally easy. Not at all nerve-wracking. Gut-wrenching. Anxiety inducing.

It's cool. I'm cool. Completely and utterly cool.

"Watch out for the-" Cliff winces as I trip, staggering forward and almost falling on my face. "Rock." He chuckles as I regain my balance. "Dude, you okay?"

"I'm fine," I huff, pushing past him. "Fucking nature."

"Yeah, blame nature," Cliff mutters as we head back to the cabins.

In the corner of my eye, I see three bodies rushing towards us. "Cliff! Ollie!" Maxine exclaims, giggling. "Come play drinking games with us!"

"Hey, Max," Cliff smiles, his eyes softening as Maxine, Felicity, and Leon come to light. "Sure, I'm down."

"Yay!" Max claps her hands. "We're going to Leon's cabin cause someone-" she rolls her eyes, "wants to study."

"Kennedy?" I clear my throat. "She's uh- in her cabin?"

"Sure is," Max smirks, side-eying her friends who stifle laughs. Dickheads. All of them. "Maybe she needs some company? Why don't you go check on her lover-boy?"

"I hate you," I mutter, flicking Maxine's forehead as I sidestep the group.

"Don't hate the playa," Maxine calls out.

Ugh, does everyone know? Is the whole school looking at me like I'm a chump? Like I'm some lovestruck fool? Fuck, that's annoying. Whatever. In a few weeks, high school will be over and I will never see these people again. Well...hopefully except for one. Only one. No one else matters. No one else is relevant. No one else. No one.

I got this.

Sucking in a deep, steadying breath, I knock on the door of Kennedy's cabin. "Ken? Are you there?"

"Ollie?" Shuffling from inside fills my ears before the door slowly creaks open, Kennedy's head popping out. "Hi."

"Hi." I clear my throat. Be cool. "I uh-" Cooler than that, please. "I want to um..." Dear Lord. Kennedy tilts her head, confused, as I scram to relearn the English language. Fuck it. "I need you to come with me right now."

Kenny blinks. "Right now? I was just about to stu-"

"Right now," I repeat myself, nodding my head. "It is of great importance."

"Is something wrong?" she asks, opening the door a little more. "Are you okay?"

"Just come with me," I state, holding out my hand. She hesitates, biting her pink lip. "Please?"

Kennedy looks over her shoulder, sighing before she says, "Fine, just let me get my phone and purse."

"What do you need a purse for?" I ask as she collects her stuff. "I don't think trees take Visa."

"Funny," she mutters, slipping on her shoes. "I actually have a mini first aid kit in here."

"First aid?" I nod, grinning. "I suppose it is important to always be prepared, you little girl scout."

Kennedy rolls her eyes as she closes the door, looping the bag over her shoulder. "Did you know that there are dozens of bugs and poisonous insects out here?" She pats her purse. "You're gonna want what's in this bad boy when your face is swelling up to twice its size."

"Right, because alcohol wipes and Hello Kitty bandaids are going to save my life when my bloodstream is riddled with toxins," I tease. "Brilliant."

Kennedy crosses her arms, cocking her head to the side. "Tell me why I'm blindly following you again?"

I perk up. Be nicer, you jackass.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to offend your portable nursing station," I say, gesturing in front of me. "This way please."

Kennedy sighs. "This better be something important."

"Oh," I hum, leading her to Cliffords Love Nest. "It is."

Okay, so all I need to do is tell her the truth. And what's the truth? That I can't stop thinking about her? That every day I replay that night in my head and kick myself for being so moronic? That I can't remember the last time I was happy until I met her? That she makes me want to be better? Strive for larger? Accomplish...something. Be someone. Someone worthy of her.

"Oh my God," Kenny says slowly as we reach the clearing, a snort escaping her nose as she looks around. "Wow."

"I know it's a wee bit over the top-" I scratch my head, cheeks burning. Why are they burning?! Be. Fucking. Cool. "But I- um... I wanted to-"

"Cliff really outdid himself," she says, circling the blanket. "I'm impressed."

I blanch, frozen. "What?"

Kennedy giggles, shaking her head as she points to the snacks. "Limited edition Takis? Maxine's going to freak." She clicks her tongue, narrowing her eyes at me. "Why'd you bring me here? For a second opinion?" She plops down on the blanket. "I don't think Cliff has anything to worry about."

Code red. We have a code red.

Improvise.

"You uh- knew about this?" I ask, attempting to sound confident. "He told you?"

I'm going to kill him.

"No, but I saw him lugging a bunch of stuff into the woods earlier," she explains, running her hands over the rose pedals. "He also asked me a bunch of really weird questions about Max." She points to the drinks. "Like her favorite soda for instance. " She picks up a bottle. "Who drinks Chubby anymore? I swear she's a meme."

What the hell do I do now? Do we go back? Do I just spit it out?

Kennedy tilts her head back, gazing up at the stars and letting out a long, somewhat melancholy exhale. "It's pretty up here," she whispers, almost to herself. "Away from everything."

"Yeah," I agree, hesitantly sitting down beside her. "It's like another world."

"That'd be nice," she hums, taking in the stars, the moonlight lighting up her face.

"What would be nice?" I ask as she lays down, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Another world," she replies. She cranes her neck towards me as I lay down beside her. "A place where nothing matters. A place where there's no school, no family drama, no expectations." A weak smile clips her lips. "A place where people just exist."

"Sounds like chaos," I whisper, my shoulder brushing against hers. "A world without structure or meaning would be mad. I wouldn't be able to survive."

"Really?" she hums, her chest rising as her hand drops to her side. "I would've thought you'd love it."

"Chaos is only fun in the moment," I say, inching my fingers towards her, my body thrumming from the thought of touching her. "Eventually, every person craves meaning."

"Mmm..." Kennedy closes her eyes. "I guess."

I look up at the stars, my heart battering in my chest. She's given me meaning. Finally.

"I got offered an internship at a magazine after graduation," I say, the words slipping out of my mouth. "For photography."

"What?" Kennedy opens her eyes, smiling as she glances at me. "That's incredible, Ollie. Congratulations. How did this even happen?"

"Mr. Takanaki is friends with the editor or something," I explain, a flurry of nerves jumping in my throat. "He recommended me."

"I told you that you were talented," she says, eyes glowing with pride. "You deserve this."

"The thing is..." I swallow. "The position is in California."

"Oh," Kennedy whispers, her eyes sweeping across my face. "That's um...that's far."

"Yeah," I agree. "Really far."

"Well," she sighs, forcing a smile. "At least you don't have to worry about the weather right? It's always sunny there."

"I quite like the rain," I say, trying to read her reaction. Is she sad? Does she not care if I leave? "I find the heat to be overrated."

"You'll adjust," she says, looking away from me. "People always adjust."

"So you think I should go?" I ask quietly. "You think it's a good idea."

"If this is something you're passionate about," she shrugs, "then don't let it slip away."

"Right," I say as we fall into silence, the chirps of insects and uncertainty dancing in the air.

She didn't tell me to stay. That's my answer, isn't it? If she wants me like I want her, she'd make me stay. Wouldn't she? I would. I would do anything.

"We should probably head back now," Kennedy says, propping herself up as she takes her phone out of her purse. "Shit, it's late. They're probably doing checks soon."

"Yeah, let's go," I say, standing up and offering her my hand. She takes it, and a buzzing sensation shoots up my arm. I drop my hand, clearing my throat. "Come on, stay close."

Kennedy grabs the back of my jacket as I slowly maneuver us back down to the campsite, carefully this time. I'd like to avoid having to actually use her first aid kit.

"Oh my God," Kennedy cries as a wolf howls in the distance. "How much further?"

"We're almost there," I say, my phone vibrating in my hand. "We're back in service now."

"Thank God," Kennedy says, pausing as she lets out a gasp.

"What?" I stop, making sure I don't flash the light directly in her face. "What's wrong?"

"Shit." Kennedy covers her mouth.

"What is it?"

Kennedy turns her phone towards me, showing me the latest blast from Hilton Hears. Posted an hour ago.

We hear that: one of our very own has a possible bun in the oven. Or would that be Cornbread? We're not all that surprised, when you have that many cooks in the kitchen, something is bound to get baked. Our only question is... will the daddy be Runningback to help? Let's place bets. Don't worry. I think we'll all get our Quarterbacks.

I blink. "What does that even mean?"

"Nothing good," Kenny sighs.

"Who are they talking about?" I ask as we emerge back onto solid, stable ground and head towards Kennedy's cabin.

"Cornbread?" Kenny offers. "Put it together."

"Corrine?" I whisper, everything clicking. "No way."

She shrugs. "Looks that way."

"Fuck," I muse. "Think Sawyer knows?"

"I don't think so..." Kennedy frowns as she rereads the blast, letting out a gasp. "Oh my God."

"What?" I ask as we turn the corner to the far cabins. "What now?"

"Nothing," she peeps, pocketing her phone. She squints when we approach her cabin, the lights on and students gathered around with teachers blocking the entrance. "What's happening?" She picks up her pace. "I hope Max is okay!" She pushes through a crowd of students dressed in pajamas, phones in their hands as they try to record something. "Max?" She looks frantically around the room until she finds Max in the corner talking with Mrs. Patella. "What's going on?"

"Ken-" Max whispers, an apologetic glimmer in her eyes.

"What..." Kenny stammers as Mrs. Patella stalks towards her. "Is something wrong?"

I scan the cabin, both Max and Kennedy's beds turned over, suitcases unzipped, drawers open. An uneasy feeling grips my chest, deja vu flashing in my mind. I've smoked enough spliffs in school to know that they're looking for something.

"Miss Carmichael," Mrs. Patella says in a stern voice. "We've received a very disturbing tip that you are in possession of prescription drugs."

Shit.

I knew it.

"I... uh-" Kennedy swallows, her face losing color. "I don't um..."

"Check her purse," a voice calls out. I turn my head. Corrine.

Mrs. Patella eyes Kennedy's bag. "Your purse, Miss Carmichael." She holds out her hand. "Now, please."

"But I-" Kennedy's hands shake as she hands over her purse. "It's not- I didn't..."

Mrs. Patella walks over to Kennedy's bed, dumping the contents of her purse on the mattress. A first aid kit. A hairbrush. Hand sanitizer. A pen. Paper. Lip gloss. And a mint tin.

The room is silent as Mrs. Patella reaches for the mints, her nails tapping the container as she pries it open.