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I patted the space next to me. “Come on.”
Penny slowly inched down until she was kneeling next to me.
“You have to lie back, silly.” I chuckled. “Or you won’t see them.”
“See what?”
“Just trust me. You’ll want to see them,” I said.
She laid back, and a few wisps of her hair brushed my face. We were shoulder to shoulder, staring up at the sky.
“Wow.” Her voice was so quiet.
“Yeah, wow,” I replied, admiring the stars. Relieved that my plan worked.
But how could it not?
They shone even brighter when it was a clear night, and tonight was perfect.
Neither of us said anything else. Besides, I didn’t bring her out here to talk. I just wanted to share this with her.
It was my favorite place in the world.
The first time Lucas brought me here, he told me this was ours. Somewhere we could come when things at the house got too much. I didn’t know what he meant back then, but I quickly learned.
My eyes tracked the stars, trying to identify the constellations Lucas had pointed out to me during our nights spent out here. I could still only pick out Cassiopeia. I was halfway to making out Ursa Minor when Penny cleared her throat quietly.
“Thank you, Blake,” she whispered.
It was only three little words, but they changed everything.
CHAPTERFIVE
Penny
Beinga camp counselor was hard work.
The days were endless, my time was no longer my own, and I hadn’t felt clean in days. But it was hands down the most rewarding thing I had ever done.
“First group is done. Congratulations, people.” Troy clapped his hands together and grinned at the campfire.
I turned and smiled at Marissa. Despite no longer bunking together, we’d become good friends. I still hadn’t opened up to her much, but I was starting to trust her.
She had joined me and my group of girls for breakfast a handful of times and helped me deal with a couple of teen girl dramas. We made a great team, and I finally felt like I had a purpose for the first time since the accident that stole everything from me.
The only thing holding me back was my anxiety at the close physical proximity to the girls and the instructors. I was generally okay when I expected it, like a high five from one of the girls or when I had to help them climb or hold something, but I still couldn’t handle the unsuspecting moments.
At the end of the first week, Chelsea, one of the youngest girls in my group, had finally managed to complete the Camp Chance obstacle course. She was so proud of herself that she’d thrown herself at me without thinking. Instead of sharing in her excitement and personal achievement, I’d been overcome with panic as she’d latched onto me like a koala bear.
Somehow, through my alarm, I’d managed to pat her on the back. She didn’t notice the way I edged back slightly to put some distance between us without actually shrugging her off. But the guilt had been eating me up ever since and I’d had to cover the welt on my wrist with a hair scrunchie.
“Penny, earth to Penny, are you with us?” Troy was staring right at me, and I blinked before murmuring something unintelligible while my cheeks exploded with embarrassment.
“Good job with the girls last week.” He winked and turned his attention to someone else.
I could sense somebody staring at me, but I knew it wasn’t Troy as he was busy singing praises of John, one of the other counselors who’d had a particularly difficult group.
Even though I knew who I would find across from me, I couldn’t resist the urge to peek in his direction.
