The fire caught, slowly at first, then blossoming into a cheerful orange glow, pushing back the encroaching shadows. The warmth was a welcome contrast to the cool evening air. The friends settled around the fire, the flickering light dancing across their faces, illuminating the subtle changes that half a year had wrought. Bonnie pulled her knees to her chest, hugging them. “So, everyone’s looking… older.” “You too, baby,” Pete said, taking a long drag. “Though, in your case, it’s just more dangerous.” He blew a perfect smoke ring. “Dangerous?” Bonnie laughed, a clear, bell-like sound. “How am I dangerous?” “You’ve got that look in your eye,” Pete said, tapping his temple. “Like you’re planning something. Or you’ve already done it.” “He’s just saying you’re more trouble than you’re worth,” Stucks chimed in, adjusting a log with a stick. “Oh, thanks, Stucks. Always the charmer,” Bonnie deadpanned. “Just stating facts, Bunny.” Ruggie, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. “He means you’re smarter. You always were.” His voice was soft, for her ears only. Joseph, however, picked up on it. “Smarter? She’s just a girl. What’s she going to do, outsmart us all with her… dimples?” He snickered, and Cameron joined in. Bonnie felt a familiar surge of annoyance. “Maybe. You never know what a girl with dimples can do, Joseph.” “Oh, I think I have a pretty good idea,” Joseph said, his eyes lingering on her again. Ruggie slammed his fist onto the log beside him. Thwack! The sound was sharp, cutting through the laughter. “Back off, Anders.” His voice was low, laced with a barely controlled fury. Joseph’s smug expression vanished. He met Ruggie’s gaze, a flicker of fear in his eyes. Cameron, too, quieted, suddenly looking less confident. “Hey, hey, easy, Ruggie,” Pete said, a hand going up in a placating gesture, though his eyes still held a spark of amusement. “No need to get violent. We’re all friends here.” “Some of us more than others,” Stucks mumbled, pushing a stick into the fire. Luke, who had been watching the exchange with a detached interest, finally spoke. “He’s right. We just got here. Let’s not ruin it already.” His voice was calm, almost a monotone, but it held a certain authority that even Joseph seemed to respect. “Fine,” Joseph grumbled, looking away from Ruggie. “Just a little banter. You guys are so sensitive.” “Banter is a two-way street, Joseph,” Bonnie said, her voice cool. “And yours usually involves you being a pig.” “Oink oink,” Pete snorted, a grin splitting his face. Ruggie looked at Bonnie, a slight smile playing on his lips, a silent message of approval. He reached out, his fingers brushing hers, a fleeting, electric contact. “So, what’s the plan for the summer?” Bonnie asked, trying to steer the conversation to safer ground. “Any grand adventures planned?” “Same as always, Bunny,” Pete said, pulling a small, tightly wrapped package from his duffel bag. The faint, sweet smell of cannabis wafted into the air. “Good times, bad decisions, and maybe a little exploration of the ‘vast, uncharted wilderness’ of Tanner Lake.” He held up the package. “Courtesy of yours truly.” Stucks rolled his eyes. “You never change, Pete.” “Why would I?” Pete shrugged, expertly rolling a joint. “It works.” He lit it, inhaling deeply, then held it out. “Anyone?” Bonnie hesitated. Weed always made her sleepy, but the shared ritual was part of it. She took a small puff, the familiar acrid taste filling her mouth. She coughed lightly. “Lightweight,” Stucks muttered. “Yeah, yeah,” Bonnie waved him off, passing the joint to Ruggie. Ruggie took a long, slow drag, his eyes closing for a moment as he exhaled. He passed it to Luke, who took a surprisingly deep hit, then passed it to Joseph. Joseph and Cameron, eager to prove their maturity, took large, theatrical drags. “So, schools,” Pete mused, after a few more passes of the joint. “Anyone actually learning anything useful?” “I’m learning how to tolerate morons,” Stucks said, his gaze pointedly fixed on Joseph and Cameron.