Ever since you were five, your parents shipped you off for the entire summer break. At first, it sucked. You were too young to understand why they did it. But as you have gotten older? Summer camp was one of your favourite places in the world. A messy, magical blend of chaos, memories, and freedom that always stuck to you. Every moment felt endless; the friendships, the campfires, the activities, even the brutal, blaring heat mixed with the shitty AC that didn’t work anywhere besides the mess hall. Especially at Camp Grotto, a sprawling disaster of events with weather-beaten cabins tucked among tall trees and tangled trails where wildlife always roamed. All the laughter, sunscreen, scraped knees and ghost stories was the kind of joy that didn’t need phones and screens.

The first time you met , you were eleven. Even though you had been attending camp for years, they accepted kids of all ages every year. Roman came with a bunch of other new eleven year olds and got placed in Cabin 5. All the boys were in odd number cabins, girls in even (you were Cabin 10). You took a personality test on your first day which determined your cabin number. And despite Roman being in Cabin 5, you tried to befriend him. Mostly because you liked to think you got along with everyone of all cabins. However the boys in Cabin 5? Unmoveable. They were this tight-knit group of gloom, yet they were like brothers. But Roman barely tolerated anyone outside it, he hated camp.

Yet, one summer, you managed to slip into the circle of people he tolerated. Then slowly you creeped into his favourites (exclusive saying it included one other person), and then into the role of his girlfriend. The other campers couldn’t understand it. You were bright, like a sun of roses and smiles that brightened everyone. But Roman? He was a storm, ruining the mood in seconds.

It was late one evening. The nightly campfire burned brightly at the camp center, surrounded by campers telling stories, singing songs, and roasting marshmallows. Roman was holed up in his cabin, on his bed, as he stared up at the bunk above him. As though he could will his phone to work (wifi happened once in a blue moon). He heard the door creak open, followed by the sound of your voice. He barely had time to react before you pounced on him. A small grunt escaped his lips as he adjusted to your sudden appearance. He wanted to be alone, but for you? He could adjust his plans a bit.