"So, what is your day off schedule look like?" Allison asks Vince as the two continue to eat their breakfast.

After finishing his French toast, Vince replies, "Thursdays every week. That should be nice. What about you?"

Allison smiles. "The same. I'm pretty psyched they rearranged it all. I think I'll be with more people that I feel comfortable with."

"I can understand that. Allison, can I ask you a question?"

She pauses but nods her head. "Sure Vince."

"This is sort of random but I was wondering when you found out that you would never be able to date and if you ever resented your parent's decision."

Allison blinks for a few moments and smiles. "Okay, what did you do with the real Vince?"

Vince chuckles. "Haha. I'm serious. I guess I've been thinking a lot of my past with dating and such and am wondering what it is like on the other side of things. Of course, this is all on the d/l. Wouldn't want to spoil my macho reputation."

"Of course not," she responds with a laugh. "To be honest, I have times when I get so frustrated because there is a guy that I meet that I would love to at least go on a date with but I can't. However, most of the time, I think it's okay. Neither a blessing nor a punishment. I will admit though that after seeing my friends get hurt as a result of dating, I am grateful for just being arranged. It makes things less complicated and messy."

"I think I have to admit that I envy that."

"What's gotten into you?"

"Just in despair really. I just can't seem to find the right girl and I'm kind of giving up hope to be honest."

"No, don't do that. She'll come around, really. Besides, I thought you were quite favored by some of the women here."

"You know, you do wonders for a guy's ego," Vince says with a smile. "Thanks for talking to me about it."

"Any time Vince."

"Good morning! Wow, you two look rather intimate," May says, taking a seat across from the pair. "Is it me or are the campers starting to look more tired in the morning?"

"Probably because they sneak off in the middle of the night. Raiding the kitchen, drinking alcohol til they puke, and of course, sharing drugs," Vince says with a straight face.

"What?" Allison asks in shock.

"Didn't you know Allison? May here supplies them with every horribly addicting thing their little hearts desire."

"All right, now I know you are teasing. May would never do that, right?"

May smiles. "Of course not. The second week is usually when the campers lose that first week excitement and start dragging. Don't worry about it though. It'll get better once the program starts."

"Program? By the way Vince, that wasn't a funny joke at all!" Allison exclaims.

Vince chuckles but lets May speak. "The program is about three weeks long where some of the classes we teach are substituted by mini-sessions we have to teach the kids. This year is health I believe, if I remember correctly. There are a lot of rumors running around about what it is all about but I have faith that it will be a killer program."

"Should I be scared?" Vince asks. "I mean, everyone knows I'm really into my drinking and drugs. Heaven knows if I'll be made an example of."

The two girls roll their eyes. "Right. Perhaps if I let Kathy know, she'll go out of her way to do that for you."

"Speaking of, didn't Jason and Kassandra make some type of bet? Didn't Kassandra lose?"

"Oh, I totally forgot about that!" Allison exclaims. "May, do you know anything about that?"

"No, actually, I haven't heard anything about that. I am sure we'll all know whenever Jason decides her fate."

"They really do have an interesting relationship."

May laughs. "That's to put it lightly. Vince, if you thought Joey and Kassie had interesting memories, Jason and Kassie have even more."

"Ooh! Do spill!"

"No way. I think I've spilled enough about those two. Switching topics, have either of you seen Vicky?"

Allison shakes her head. "Nope. I think she's found a cooler crowd to hang around than us."

"Oh really?"

Vince chuckles. "I guess you could call it a cooler crowd," he says with a roll of the eyes. "But hey, to each their own."

"You know, you have a lot more depth than you lead us females to believe."

"And I will take that as a compliment. Thank you Allison."

"My pleasure," she says with a smile. "So May, what's going on with you and Andrew? Are you going to see him on your day off?"

"Friday? Possibly. Not too sure. I don't even know where this is going."

"Well do you like him?"

May blushes. "I think so."

"You think so? Man, this is the whole reason why I can't get a girl. The indecision!" Vince exclaims.

"Typical guy. Let's talk about this away from the testosterone here," Mays says to Allison with a smile. "I think he may flip out if we continue this chick talk, as he would call it."

"I can handle it!"

"Oh, okay. So Allison, did you ever have those extraordinary cramps with your period? You know, when you feel that it's gushing…"

"ENOUGH! I'm too weak for this and so is my stomach that just got fed breakfast. I am out of here!" he yells, getting up and leaving the table before running out of the dining hall as fast as he could.

"That was classic," Allison says, laughing at the sight.

"Absolutely. I try my best," May returns.

The two continue to eat their breakfast, discussing their teaching plan for that day and sharing a few laughs.

Jason arrives at the docks a half an hour early and is surprised to find the rowboats already placed and tied to the dock. 'Wow. She must have gotten up really early.' He looks around in search of any sight of her but realizes that she is nowhere in sight. 'It's better this way anyway Jason.'

He walks over to the side of the dock, takes off his shoes, and dangles his feet into the ocean water, enjoying the feel of the cold water lapping over his feet. 'Today is definitely going to be the most challenging you've had in quite a while buddy, but you can do it,' he thinks, prepping himself. Suddenly, his thoughts are interrupted as he notices a figure emerging from the water. Upon closer look, he realizes that Kassie is emerging from the water and walking towards the shore in her black one-piece bathing suit. 'Well, that answers the question of where she is.'

Kassandra begins to dry her hair when she notices a figure sitting on the docks. She looks over and feels surprised to see Jason staring back at her. She smiles and is relieved when he returns it. 'Hmm… Well, it's better to get this over with now than later,' she thinks as she finishes drying her body off and slips her board shorts on. Kassandra walks over to Jason and joins him on the edge, hugging her knees to her chest.

"Hey," she says, looking sideways at him.

"Hey," he returns, not knowing what else to say.

"So," she begins.

"Kassie, I have…" he says at the same time.

The two laugh a little. "You first," Kassandra says.

"Kassandra, I'm really sorry about the other night. I didn't mean to make everything all weird for you or us. I guess I just let the song get to me. I know it was inappropriate, but it's what I felt at the time, but know I realize what an idiot I was, and I wanted to say that I'm sorry."

Kassandra smiles slightly. "Well, I was going to tell you that you didn't offend me. If anything, you surprised me. I mean, it kind of came out of nowhere, but I can understand how you were moved by those lyrics. It seemed like it spoke from the heavens above in some ways, but I also understand that it was just a 'moment' thing."

Jason sighs. "That's the thing. I don't know if it was just a moment thing. Is this freaking you out?"

"To be honest, a little, but we made a pact a long time ago to be honest and upfront with each other. I'd rather hear it from you than hear it from someone else."

"I'm glad to hear that," he replies. "Well, to be honest then, I don't know how to deal with these new thoughts about our friendship. I mean, I've always seen you as one of my best friends, as my little sister, but somehow this summer, I'm seeing you in a different light. I know when you were going out with Seth, I was a bit crazy. I didn't understand what you saw in him and God only knows how much I wanted to hurt him for doing what he did to you."

"The point is though that he didn't succeed. I appreciate how much you and Joey have always cared for me though. Even when you two would torture me in our earlier years, you would never let another do it. It's oddly amusing to think about now, I think."

"You have a point. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't know what I feel to be exact, but I want to apologize for having made things weird for you if I did. I mean, I know it's crazy to think that you could feel anything in return. You just got out of your thing with Seth and everything."

"Jason, this whole thing is such a big change and a surprise. Can I have some time to think about it? I mean, I really don't want to make the wrong decision here and hurt anyone unintentionally by making the wrong move. I don't know what I really feel these days. Since I let my heart go with Seth only to have it shattered, I've been living day by day, just getting by and not pushing myself to think too much."

"That's understandable," Jason says, staring at his clasped hands in his lap. "Look, I don't want our friendship to get all weird now."

"Of course not," Kassandra replies with a smile. "You'll always be one of my best friends Jason. Nothing will ever change that."

"I'm glad," he says. "Hug?"

Kassandra lets out a laugh and nods. "Definitely."

Jason gathers her into his arms and pulls her close, enjoying the feel of her in his embrace, her head under his chin. 'This is heaven,' he thinks, memorizing the moment.

She pulls away and smiles. "So what's on today's lesson plan?"

"Umm, teaching them what to do when the boat capsizes?"

"Sounds like a plan. I think I hear some of them heading our way now. So we're good?"

"Yup," he replies. "We are definitely good and I'm glad we had this talk."

"So am I," she returns, giving his hand a squeeze. "Jason, you mean the world to me. Never forget that."

He smiles back, squeezing her hand back. "Ditto."

"Christian!" Caitlin calls out, racing to catch up with him. "Where are you going in such a hurry?"

Christian smiles down at her and gives her a quick kiss before continuing on his mission. "I'm running a few errands for Kathy and checking out the lake. We're going to have that lake party on Saturday after Vince's and Joey's tournament so she wants to make sure it is all safe. Want to come?"

"Sure!" she responds with a smile, blushing as he takes her hand in his.

"How have you been? I am sorry that I didn't get to spend much time with you yesterday. Jason and I were really busy with the guys and having a bonding session."

"It's okay, don't worry about it. So what were you guys bonding over?"

Christian chuckles. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Duh, that's why I'm asking here."

"Well, we were doing guy bonding talk. Sports and what's going on with each other. Learning about each other."

"Hmm, chicks too?" she asks innocently.

"Yes, chicks too," he admits. "I hope you don't mind, but you were definitely talked about by me. I might as well tell you that I'm really into you." When Caitlin just stares at him, Christian feels his confidence weaken. "Caitlin? Should I not have said that?"

Before he could speak again, she pulls him against her and kisses him with all the passion she feels at the time, which he happily returns. She pulls back and smiles. "That's more than okay with me because I return it."

Christian smiles. "Great! You know, I always thought that you were quiet and shy."

Caitlin could feel the blush return to her cheeks. "Okay, stop. You're making me really blush here."

"It's cute on you," he says, brushing back some of her brown hair. "So this isn't going to come as a surprise if I ask you to be my girlfriend?"

"Huh?" she asks, confused and caught off guard.

"Hmm… Not the response I was looking for there. I know it's sudden, but my gut feeling is that if I don't ask you now, I'll regret it later."

"What do you mean?"

"Have you not noticed the many guys that stare at you at camp? You're gorgeous," he claims, chuckling again as the blush deepens. "I never want to regret anything when it comes to you."

Caitlin remains silent but nods her head.

"Does that mean yes? I can call you my girl?" he asks, hoping he didn't sound too much like a pushover.

"Yes," she whispers, giving him the brightest smile he has ever seen.

Christian quickly gathers her in his embrace and squeezes, giving her the biggest hug she has ever experienced. "I think you have just made my summer!"

"Now, I think you way over exaggerate now!"

"Then you obviously don't know how much I feel for you then, which I have to say is driving me crazy."

"Good, because you've been driving me crazy."

"Good. I hate to break this moment but I have to get to those errands," he says, giving Caitlin another kiss.

"Why don't I help? I have nothing else to do and God only knows I don't want to let you out of my sight right now, not after that."

"I feel the same, trust me. I'd love it if you would come."

"Then I will."

The two head off towards the lake, hand in hand, thinking only of the possibilities that lay in front of them for the rest of the summer.

Next Day
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