Chapter 1 #2
He mumbles something too low to understand, brushing past us as we follow him to visit Alex and Bay.
Their tent is a dome style pop up with two rooms, and it’s ready to go.
Bay is kneeling on the ground blowing up an air mattress, and I can see Alex inside one section moving around.
“Bay, where’d you get your tent and how is it up already, man?
” Seb asks, bending down to look inside.
“At a sports store in Charleston, and it’s a pop-up. You take it out of the bag and it literally springs up,” Bay answers. Bay is my guy next door, all blond hair and stunning eyes that change color from blue to turquoise, depending on the light. “Why, what’s wrong?”
I show Bay the instruction manual for their tent. He reads it over, then laughs, and I can’t help but chuckle along with him. Alex comes out of his side to see what’s going on. Bay hands him the manual, and a smile graces his face. “Did you not research tents before you purchased this?”
“Not really. I just typed in extra large tent, and this is the first one that popped up.” Seb replies with a frown, looking sullen.
“Perhaps this will teach you to do your research next time. Come on, this will take a while,” Alex says, still smiling, leading us back towards the deconstructed tent.
The six of us spend way too much time building poles and getting the huge canvas tent put together.
It takes all the guys to hold things in place as I direct them where to go and what to do, but we finally manage after almost three hours.
The first attempt failed because it was simply too big for the area it was in.
We tried two more spots before ending up in the central clearing of the right campsite.
It was farther away than we wanted, but it wouldn’t fit in the forested area.
The second attempt had it collapsing on top of Nick because Seb let go of his section too soon.
Nick responded by grabbing a bucket, filling it with water, and dumping it over Seb’s head.
We all laughed as he stood there, shocked. He kind of deserved it, though.
Once we're done, E gets the barbecue ready and grills us some hotdogs while the rest of us set up the central area.
We brought two hammocks with us that get hung on either side of the central area.
Nick sets up our shower for us in the woods where nobody can see.
The coolers remain in the back of the SUV to keep animals away.
I place six folding chairs around the fire pit, and we enjoy chips and hot dogs.
While we eat, someone delivers extra firewood and a boat to our site. Alex and Bay go to the dock to check out the boat while Nick folds himself into a hammock to nap. I head into our tent to call Mal and Jake while Seb and E set up the inside of their tent.
When I’m done, we all go for a walk to find the nearest washrooms. It’s less than a three minute walk to the building.
The washroom is pretty basic, with one side for women and one for men.
There’s a clear plexiglass roof over the brick building that doesn’t reach the walls, so it’s an open-air structure with four sinks and four stalls on my side, but it’s clean and well-stocked.
After I do my business, I meet the guys out front, and we decide to go for a boat ride around the lake.
Alex is cautious as he gets used to the controls, but is soon driving us around the edge of the big lake.
The blue water is calm and clear, reflecting the abundant forest surrounding it.
There are several jet skis flying across the water, bouncing through the waves created by other boats, some kayaks, and a few swimmers jumping off a raft.
I can feel my body loosen as the boat circles around.
I love being on the water and am happy to discover I have no seasickness.
It’s a much different experience being on a lake compared to the ocean.
Still relaxing and beautiful, but missing the powerful energy the ocean brings.
Bay is up front with Alex in the white captain’s chairs while I’m sitting beside Seb on a bench seat across from Nick and E.
Alex steers us near the center of the lake and stops.
He and Bay turn on the swivel chairs to face us.
E opens a cooler and offers us each a drink and a snack as we relax under the sunshine.
This is the life. Closing my eyes, I lean my head back and listen to the surrounding sounds.
Despite the other boats, I can hear children laughing and birds calling to one another.
The guys are talking about what they want to do this weekend.
Alex steers us back to our campsite after a stunning sunset of crimson and pumpkin fading into the twilight of bruised purple. E and I grab snacks for everyone after Nick gets the fire going. I’m happy to realize there aren’t many bugs around as we sit and chat.
Once we’re settled around the fire, bellies full, Alex asks to talk to us. “Despite being on vacation, I think it is important to discuss our plans for this year. We have SAT testing to complete and decisions regarding college and jobs after graduation. Thoughts anyone?”
“You guys know I’m hoping for a basketball scholarship,” Seb replies. “But I’d like to be close to everyone, too. What’cha thinking, Sunshine?” He looks over at me, wiggling his eyebrows.
“Plant medicine, but I’d love to stay close by to be near you guys and Zander.
I’m not ready to move away yet. Does everyone want to stay close to each other after we graduate?
Or are you thinking of moving away for school and jobs?
” I’m hoping we can all stay together in some capacity.
Losing another person from my life is a devastating thought, and imagining it brings an ache to my chest.
“You want us all to stay together, Sunshine?” Seb smiles. “We can do that, right, guys?”
“No Hurry,” I shake my head. Despite how hard it would be, I would never stop the guys from living their dreams. I survived before, so I will again. “Everyone needs to do what’s best for them. No pressure guys. Go where you want.”
“I was planning on staying here and attending medical school,” Alex replies. “You could study plant medicine at the university here as well, Summer.”
“That’s great.” Two people who will remain close. “Where do you want to go, E?”
“There’s a great culinary school in Charleston and another in Columbia, so I'll be nearby no matter which I choose,” he smiles.
“Nick?” I ask.
He raises an eyebrow at me, which I return, waiting for a response. “Full time at Finn.”
“That just leaves me,” Bay smiles. “Like Seb, I’d like to get a scholarship. Staying local is more important, though. In-state tuition and being able to work at the shop will help me pay for college. I’m thinking about some kind of engineering program, but I don’t know what specifically.”
“Awesome!” Seb exclaims. “Looks like you’re stuck with us, Sunshine,” Seb pulls my chair closer, slinging his arm around my shoulders. He’s such a sweetheart. My excited puppy.
“Unless you get a scholarship somewhere else, Hurry,” I remind him.
“Nope. No way I’m moving away when everyone else is staying local. I can get a scholarship here, don’t worry. I'm a pretty excellent basketball player, you know,” he winks.
Smiling at him, I turn back to Alex. “When are the SAT tests this fall?”
“There are several. One this month, another mid-October, mid-November, and two in December. There is also one in January and one in February, but I recommend completing the test before next year. The local college does not require an SAT score anymore, but it is encouraged.”
“Great. Okay, enough serious talk. Let’s do something fun.” Seb suggests a drinking game, and since we don’t have to be anywhere tomorrow, we agree. I stipulate we can drink beer or soda, though, since I’ve never had a drink before.
“I’ll start,” Seb offers. “Never have I ever ridden a motorcycle.”
Bay, Nick, and I all take a drink. “Summer?” E asks.
“Jake’s dad had an old motorcycle,” I shrug. “E, you’re next,” I smile.
“Ok. Never have I ever been to a tropical island.”
Alex raises a brow at E as he drinks. “Never have I ever played basketball.”
Seb and I smile as he, E, Bay, Nick, and I drink. “My turn. Never have I ever had a driver’s license,” I snicker.
Everyone drinks as I watch Nick for his turn. “Never driven a boat.”
Alex drinks again as we turn to Bay. “Hmm, never have I ever had a long-term girlfriend.”
Alex drinks again. “Is this get Alex drunk night?” He asks.
“Nah, man,” Seb says. “Just a coincidence. Besides, you can drink soda.” We all take another turn, and things dissolve from there. Alex and Bay get a good buzz going, and it turns out they’re really talkative when they’re drinking, and Alex is quite funny.