Drew

Something strange was happening. I did want to apologize to Chloe. For sure. But the second I’d seen her walk up on that stage, I’d also wanted to, I don’t know, touch her I guess. Like hold her hand. See how her hair felt.

So, I’d put my arm on the back of her chair. Touching her hadn’t been awkward at all. In fact, she felt amazing. Her hair was incredibly soft, her skin smelled of the sweet sun and strawberries, and her eyes… This close I could see all the flecks of marine blue that gave them their bright and shiny hue.

And when she’d looked at me. I’d wanted… well, I’d wanted to kiss her. I’d settled for touching my lips lightly to her ear but that only made me want more of her.

The worst part was, I think she hated me. She didn’t even want to help me sing a song. And she was still hung up on Alex. I could see it every time she glanced his way, the way she blushed and stuttered. It irritated me, but I pushed it back down. I wouldn’t get snippy again. Because, while I’d told myself last summer that her perkiness was annoying, I was beginning to wonder if my feelings stemmed from something else entirely. And, honestly, I’d been a jerk. She didn’t deserve to be treated like that and I knew it.

“Fine,” she gave a little huff and her breath blew across my face. It was a sweet as the rest of her. “I’ll help you learn the music.” She was now tucked under my arm and I had this feeling that I really liked her being there.

Deep down, I’d known she would help. She was nice like that. It was one of the things I really liked about her. “Okay, cool,” I said. “Let’s meet on the beach tonight.”

“Oh,” she blushed then, her cheeks turning a rather pretty shade of pink. Not red or splotchy at all. Even her blush was pretty. “Sure, I guess. Would you rather meet during lunch tomorrow? I’m sure you have better things to do with your time tonight.”

Why did I get the feeling it was her who had better things to do? “I don’t,” I replied. “But if you don’t want to, it’s cool.”

“No.” She didn’t sound sure. “The beach sounds good.” She took a breath. “But you don’t have to apologize, I mean. I know I can be overly bubbly. You’re not the only person it annoys. I mean my sophomore year they called me, Pop, like the nickname for soda. I liked that better than Alka Seltzer. My Grandpa takes that stuff and it’s disgusting.” She stopped, her face turning bright red this time. “I’m talking too much. I always talk too much.”

That’s the weird thing, I guess. She did talk a lot when she got uncomfortable. But this past year, when my band dropped me, I’d spent a lot of time alone. And I found myself wishing for a few more friends like Chloe. Even last summer, I’d thought she was super cute. I hadn’t actually called her Sunshine as an insult. I’d meant it as a compliment. Being around her was like basking in the sun. “I don’t think you talk too much,” I said.

She shrugged. “You don’t have to pretend. And you don’t have to like me. I just wish…” she stopped.

“What?” I asked.

We were so close and she leaned a little closer. Her scent was filling my nostrils. “If you could just not tease me in front of everyone, I would really appreciate it.”

I could actually see tears glistening in her eyes and I had never in my entire life felt like such an ass. I had really hurt her feelings. A knot formed in my chest at the thought that I’d screwed this up so badly. “Of course.” I managed to say. “I never meant--”

But I couldn’t finish. Mitch blew the whistle to finish the meeting and signal the beginning of camp. Everyone jumped and began cheering. Everyone but us. We sat there, still close, looking at each other.

Finally, the first strains of Camp Winni started from the back and everyone began singing.

Oh we’re from Camp Winni and we’re on the best team

We do the Wachoosee we’re 7 feet tall!

Mosquitoes might eat us but they’ll never beat us ‘cause we’re from Camp Winni and we’re on the ball

Sing along, sing along, sing along- Oh!

Ungawah, Ungawah, Ungawah, Ungawah, Ungawah, Ungawah, Ungawah-wah-wah

Ungawah, Ungawah, Ungawah, Ungawah, Ungawah, Ungawah, Ungawah-wah-wah!

Chloe blinked twice and then turned away from me, the moment lost. She jumped out of her seat, joining in on the song. I don’t know why but I hated that song. I guess I didn’t grow up coming here and I struggled with how campy the camp song was. My summers, till I became a counselor, were the exact opposite of this sunny joyous display of joinitis.

My mom had split when I was nine and it was just me and my dad. He worked as a mechanic full time and I was left on my own. I’d started playing the guitar just to occupy myself and then I’d started the band for the same reason.

I’d somehow made ripped jeans and old tees cool but I didn’t really have a choice.

Looking at Chloe’s frayed jean shorts, my guess was they were designer, not just old. Which was cool. I envied her a little bit, and not just because of the jean shorts. Because she could give herself over to this and not be self-conscience.

The crowd of counselors started moving off the stage and Chloe moved with them. I jumped up from my seat to follow. “Come on,” I shouted to Alex over the second round of “Camp Winni.”

“We do the Wachoosee,” Alex shouted as he started down the steps. Alex was never self-conscience anywhere about anything. I also really liked that about him. I’d gotten a scholarship to a private high school and Alex was one of the few guys who’d just been my friend. No subtle barbs about how I actually didn’t belong or whispers about my beat-up old clunker of a car.

I saw Chloe’s blond curls fly up as she did a little jump at the part where they cried, “We’re seven feet tall!” And I grinned. For the first time, ever, I enjoyed Camp Winni and all that it stood for. Her enthusiasm was infectious and I was excited to be here. Which was an oddity of its own. Other than playing music I was rarely excited about anything. Getting to do more than set up crafts definitely helped. I got to play my guitar every day. But Chloe was part of my new found enthusiasm too. I could see her happiness and I wanted to experience it the way she did.

Which is why I had to give her a proper apology. She deserved an explanation and I’d skewer my pride to make her feel better. She deserved it.

* * *

Chloe

I looked back over my shoulder to see Drew grinning at me, though several people were in between us. It was a really nice smile. Not a malicious, you’re so stupid, kind of grin. Like he was happy I was happy and that look lit his entire face making my toes curl in my flip flops.

What was happening?

I had completely forgotten Alex sat one person away from me. I hadn’t even tried to speak with him. I had been completely distracted by Drew. The feel of him, the sound of him, and definitely his lips against my ear. Why had we been so close? Why was he being so nice? He wanted me to teach him the songs? He was in a band and I knew he was musically inclined. I’d seen him perform during last year’s talent show. He was amazing. So I knew he knew the songs after hearing them for an entire summer last year.

I looked back again and he was gaining ground, getting closer to me in the crowd. As we started on our third round of Camp Winni, he was next to me. I was singing at the top of my lungs. So was everyone else, except probably Drew. When I started on the “seven feet tall” part, his hands came to my waist, lifting me in the air. I soared above everyone’s heads, a shriek of surprise interrupting my singing. Not that anyone heard. He easily caught me and one of his hands returned to his side but the other stayed around my waist. I liked it.

Actually, I more than liked it. It made me tingle and I stopped singing again to look at him. Millie was right, he was gorgeous.

He was glancing down at me again with that same intimacy I’d felt on the stage. Our pace slowed and people streamed by us. There was this pull like we should be closer and I could feel myself drifting toward him.

“It’s going to be an awesome summer!” Alex yelled as he clamped a hand on each of me and Drew’s shoulders.

I frowned. Then I frowned at my frown. Was I irritated by Alex touching me? This should be exciting, thrilling even. I’d been dying for Alex to touch me and now he was an interruption? On a moment with Drew?

Alex, with a hand still on each of us, and Drew’s arm still around my waist, started pushing us through the crowd, so we moved like some weird six-legged insect.

“There you are!” Millie yelled from my right and then she had grabbed my other hand. Alex took his hand off my shoulder to reach for Millie and squeeze her closer.

“The four of us are going to rock this summer,” Alex tried again, his enthusiasm even louder than my own.

I laughed. His enthusiasm should have been infectious. “We are,” I should have been so excited. I’d been dreaming of Alex including me in a we moment for an entire year. But somehow, it was Drew that I looked at now.

“You know it, dude.” Drew winked at me and it was so sexy, I caught my breath.

I dropped my head to hide how much I liked his wink. It made me feel warm inside, in ways that had nothing to do with this crowd.

Where was the surly Drew that I had come to know? Because this Drew was confusing me in all kinds of ways.

We’d reached the end of the field and everyone was heading toward the beach for the kickoff swim. Real camp didn’t start until tomorrow. Today was a lot of whole group activities.

“Are we gonna do this?” Alex yelled again. It sounded even louder as the crowd had thinned.

Is that how I sounded? I tried not to wince. I guess I hadn’t realized how annoying that could be.

“Yes,” Millie yelled back and I had to chuckle as the two of them ran ahead. Millie was normally quiet and reserved. We actually worked great as friends because she was happy to let me talk. I had this strange moment where I thought she and Alex might make a great couple. What the heck was going on with me? I liked Alex. I shouldn’t be pairing him in my head with Millie. Alex and I would were supposed to be together. We had so much in common, why wouldn’t we be perfect?

“Come on,” Drew started pushing me forward, his arm still around me. “Let’s do this.”

I did something I never, ever thought I would do. I put my arm around him too and started running toward the beach. Yep, my arm was around Drew McCabe. “Last one in is a rotten egg.”

He laughed and it was deep and rich. It made my breath catch.

Then, without warning, he swung me into his arms, carrying me while running. “Oh, I’m gonna be the rotten egg. Cause you’re going in first.”

“No,” I shrieked again. But I wasn’t worried. Not really. At least not about being thrown in the water. I was, however, wondering what was going on with me and Drew.