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When we finally arrive at the campground, the sun has just begun to set, painting the sky with streaks of yellow, orange, and pink. Groves of pines surround the cabins situated on sandy lake shore. The air is still; the surface of the water peaceful.
Mr. Tanner’s booming baritone breaks the tranquil atmosphere as he calls out the cabin assignments. I’m the first name in cabin five, and to my relief, I hear Julie and Shannon are assigned there as well. Just as important, Madison is not.
We’re assigned to tables in the main dining lodge based on our cabins, which solves one dilemma for me. Caleb doesn’t make any attempt to talk to me during dinner, which resolves another.
There’s a massive campfire blazing next to the lake when we walk back to our cabin after dinner. I spot a few classmates darting off into the woods, but most people seem to be actually heading into their cabins. Most everyone is probably biding their time by trying to lull the chaperones into a false sense of security, but I couldn’t care less either way. I don’t have to pretend like this is my usual bedtime, because it actually is.
I’ve just exited the cabin’s small bathroom in my pajamas when Shannon approaches me. “We’re sneaking out in a bit,” she tells me. “Do you want to come?”
I’m surprised—and touched—she’s including me, but it doesn’t change my answer. “I’m really tired,” I reply, giving her a smile I hope conveys how much her offer means. “Rain check? I’ll go tomorrow night.”
Shannon shrugs. “Okay. Night!”
She slips out of the cabin with the other girls right behind her. I climb the rungs of the ladder to my top bunk bed.
Everything inside the cabin is decorated in soothing tones of off-white, honey wood, and light green. We’re so close to the edge of the lake I can hear the water lapping against the shore, and the sound lulls me to sleep.
* * *
When I descend the ladder the next morning, it’s to a disaster zone. There’s nowhere to step. Clothes, magazines, and makeup cover the floor. Our cabin looks like the aftermath of a middle school slumber party.
I clear a path to my duffle bag by sweeping most of it toward the side of the cabin with my bare feet. I get dressed, use the bathroom to brush my teeth, and then step outside.
It’s early. I didn’t bother to check the time on my phone, but I’m guessing my internal alarm clock ensured I was up no later than usual. The sun has barely begun to rise.
Each cabin has its own front porch, but I don’t stay on mine. I walk over to the fire pit. Charred remains sit in the center of the stone circle. There’s a long bench on each of the four sides, a thick tree trunk that looks like it was cleaved in half. I expect the surface to be rough, but my fingers skim across it without encountering a single splinter.
I take a seat on the one that faces the lake. Mist hovers across its surface, obstructing my view of the smooth water.
“Had a feeling you’d be up.”
I look behind me, although I don’t need to. I recognize his voice immediately.
Caleb’s walking toward me, hands shoved into the front pocket of hisLandry Baseballhoodie, and sleep still visible in his blue eyes.
“Habit.” I shrug.
He takes a seat next to me. My body hums from the proximity. It seems like the amount of time I’ve spent this close to him lately should have built up some immunity to his presence, but my body is excruciatingly aware of the short distance between us.
Caleb seems oblivious.
“Want to do some actual sight-seeing?” He nods toward the lake.
“What? Now?”
“No. In three hours when everyone else wakes up.”
I ignore his sarcasm. “I don’t really think we’re supposed to…” In fact, I’m certain we’re not supposed to leave the campground by ourselves. And we’re definitely not supposed to go out on the lake by ourselves. I imagine the only reason none of the chaperones have mentioned it yet is because they didn’t think anyone would be up this early.
Caleb stands and walks toward the shore. “Come on, Matthews. What are they going to do?”
I stand, following his steps to the edge of the lake. “I’m more worried about you getting us lost.”
“It’s a lake, Lennon. We’ll hit shore, eventually.” Caleb grins, and it’s dangerous. Not because it’s the practiced one I’ve seen him give a lot of girls. Because it’s a secret one I’ve only ever seen him give me.
I cave like a poorly stacked house of cards as soon as a dimple appears. “Okay. Let’s go.”
Caleb hauls a bright yellow canoe from behind some ferns and slides the very front into the blue-gray water. “Get in,” he instructs.
