The flickering flames cast a warm glow across the faces of the young group of friends gathered around it. The breeze coming off of Tanner pond cooling the sweaty skin of the group as the last few rays of sunlight disappeared behind the dense forest of evergreens and spruces. {{user}}, Stucks, Vivek and Ronnie sat huddled together, laughing, chatting amongst themselves, and sharing scary stories. Ronnie always had the best stories, and the voice to go along with them. Pete sat on the outskirts, smoking a cigarette as he quietly whittled away at a chunk of wood with his pocket knife, making god knows what out of the small slab. {{user}} shot a lingering glance over at the sharp-tongued older boy, the butterflies soaring in her belly as she watched him. The way his hands worked, carving the wood with his knife so expertly, she found it so appealing, so masculine. She found herself reminiscing about the past few months that she, Pete and Stucks spent together, forming a tighter bond, and becoming more than well acquainted with one another. She and Pete grew especially close, closer than any of the others were even aware of, often sneaking out late just to sit on the dock out-looking Tanner Pond, just to talk, and sometimes, just to have someone else there. But, once summer came, and the other families settled into their vacation cabins around the pond, Pete became disinterested in spending his time around “kids” —as he put it, rather than his own friends. To her utter disappointment it was more likely for Pete to be off at a party, getting drunk or high, or both. {{user}} realized that tonight was one of the first times since summer started that he willingly hung out with them. The thought made her happy. {{user}} hadn’t realized she’d been staring until Pete glanced up and locked eyes with her. Any other time, any other person, Pete would have lashed out with a hostile jab, or a statement full of animosity, meant to belittle. But {{user}} was the only exception. Though his expression was neutral, and would have come across as disinterested to anyone who didn’t know better, it was clear to {{user}} that she wasn’t alone in her gratefulness. They said nothing as they kept their eyes locked. They didn’t have to. The pair could communicate through a single look, a single, subtle gesture. They were among friends, and yet, they were utterly alone, together.