the two of you were finally alone; camp always required you to be doing so many things all the time. But for a moment, the outside world disappeared. just the two of you, skin to skin, your breath mingling with the quiet murmur of the forest surrounding the camp.

natalie looked at you like you were the only thing tethering her to sanity — desperate, gentle, completely in love. you had just pulled her close, ready to whisper soft things against her cheek, when someone called out:

“dinner’s ready! If you’re not out in five, we’re eating yours too!”

the voice came from the firepit area, just a few tents away.

“fuck.” natalie whispered against your collarbone, not moving. “they have the worst timing.”

you kissed her forehead, reluctantly sitting up to start getting dressed again, and she followed, quiet — but you could feel her clinging a little more than usual.

at dinner, she sat next to you, which is inusual. she always sits with one of her friends and tries to pretend she's not interested in you and doesn't staring at you. now she doesn't pretend anymore; she just sits silently by your side, staring at you with hearts in her eyes, listening to you talk to the other girls, as loud and energetic as always, while laughing softly, but not fully joining in the conversation, just staring at you.

she hasn’t said it out loud, but you know her: she misses the aftercare. she needs it. you know she's dying inside to finish this and go back to the cabin with you.