CHAPTER 26

The sunset was magnificent. The orange tinged horizon mixed with the purple-blue sky up above, some stars began to appear in the darkening vault of the heavens. No moon hung on the firmament, so luckily, they'd be able to enjoy seeing the Milky Way. This was going to be a great evening.

A warm breeze coming out of the bonfire grazed Audrey's skin. Enzo was still working on it, the fire not yet at its fullest, but she knew it would be worth it.

He had some students help him build a pyre, with four big sticks acting like posts. They put dry leaves and sticks in it, he said it would help the fire reach higher.

Before long, a big fire lit the side of the camp. Audrey smiled. This was some real ranger stuff she had never seen. Or maybe boy scout? She smiled, either way it was awesome.

Everyone gathered around the fire, some students opened their bags of marshmallows and put them on a stick.

Enzo gave her one, she nodded her thanks and approached the fire.

"You all right?" he asked.

She hadn't been around him much after what they'd done a couple of hours ago, he'd been busy with the students, teaching them lessons in survival that she was sure they would never need. But the teenagers loved them.

"Yes, all good," she replied.

She had some time for herself... she also needed space to think about things. This man wanted her, and she wanted him back even more. But every time she got involved with someone, something happened and everything turned to shit.

Besides, she had an opportunity to make a difference in the school. I won't screw that up. Not for a man.

The kids deserved better. She was finally beginning to feel accepted by them. Coming out here was the best decision she could have made.

Well, maybe.

She took a bite of her marshmallow. It melted in her mouth, the warm, half melted vanilla taste was delicious. She subconsciously turned to Enzo just in time to see his joy when he tasted his own, and the mere sight of that filled her with warmth.

Everything was quiet. People talked in hushed voices, as if this moment was too good to ruin it by speaking out loud.

Enzo walked over to the fire, poked at its base and its hot tendrils reached even higher, lighting the faces of everyone around in beautiful red and orange hues.

Night came, and the sounds of nature enveloped the campsite. They watched the sun go and talked comfortably now. Some of the students laid on the grass and just looked up, admiring the view. She did the same and the magnificence of the firmament made her throat tighten up with emotion.

The multitude of stars, shining over vast distances, their light traversing the darkness of space and finally reaching this place... it was majestic.

"I don't remember the last time I got to see the stars like this," she found herself whispering.

Mr. Dunley talked about something on the other side of the fire, his voice impossible to miss, even if she didn't really understand what he was saying.

"City people don't know what they're missing."

She and Enzo laid next to each other, at a safe distance, of course. None of them wanted the rest of the group to suspect anything.

"Am I a city girl?" she teased.

"Don't worry, it's not so bad," he replied with a chuckle.

She elbowed him.

"Watch out, Mr. Gallagher, city people might be dangerous."

"I'll take my chances."

His pinky finger grazed the outer side of her hand, the butterflies in her stomach made her stop breathing for a second.

Her mind yelled run! but she couldn't do it.

She wiggled her pinky over Enzo's, their hands hidden in the dark grass, the fire barely able to shed light on them.

"Make a wish," he said.

She turned to him, puzzled.

"Why?"

"Just trust me."

She swallowed. Then, up above, a shooting star traversed the night sky. Her chest almost hurt with surprise.

"Did you see that?" a girl a few steps away from her said, "a shooting star!"

The students started talking excitedly. But she couldn't pay attention to them. Enzo called it first.

"How did you know? How—?

"Magic."

Was it possible? She didn't know if she was scared or happy or surprised.

Then she saw another one. Her mouth fell open, then she smiled. It was beautiful.

"I'm kidding," he said.

She turned to him, without saying a word.

"I planned this trip because this weekend is the Leonids meteor shower, we'll have the best show in the past ten years.

Of course. This couldn't just be a camping trip. Oh, no. This guy had to even choose the best date to come out here.

"You're a nerd," she told him.

"You like it?" he said meeting her eyes, his pinky finger wrapping on hers for a second, and that was it. She melted.

"Obviously not. I'm a cool girl. We don't get along with nerds."

He narrowed his eyes, grinning.

"You take that back."

She chuckled, "I won't."

His finger wrapped on hers tighter, "don't make me make you."

"Is that a threat?"

He shrugged, "just a warning."

"I'll take my chances."

She wished he held her right now. Feel his warm body envelop her. That would be the perfect ending to this awesome night.

But of course they couldn't do that.

Their eyes locked and for a brief second she thought he was going to move over and kiss her, right there in front of everyone. A million shivers ran down her spine, she knew that if he did, she wouldn't move away.

He saw her differently now. As if he...

"I brought some blankets—" a student said, stopping before finishing the sentence.

She immediately moved her finger away and reached up, with a half chuckle that she was sure sounded like a crazy person's.

"Yes, thank you!"

Her words came out half mumbled.

The student, Joe, wasn't stupid. His face told her he saw something he wasn't supposed to. He was quiet, pretending he didn't notice anything weird between them.

Hopefully he didn't see our hands.

He gave her the blanket and she covered herself with it.

"You?" he asked Enzo.

"I'm fine, Joe, ask the other girls first."

"Sure," he said, walking away.

It's fine, he didn't notice. We were quick enough.

"Sorry to interrupt," he finished, with his back to them.

Her insides churned. Her heart raced. They made a mistake.