Authors: Katlyn Duncan
“See you.” I march into my house and close the door behind me. The second wind has disappeared, leaving an empty feeling in my chest.
Hadley
“Earth to Hadley,” Lily says in a robotic voice.
I swivel my desk chair in her direction. She’s draped over the side of the bed, her head upside down, facing me with a goofy grin. “Sorry.”
She raises her eyebrows. “Are you?”
I groan and stand up, closing the door. “I thought this was going to be easier. We could just pick up at the point right before he left and it would be totally fine. But it’s really not. He’s changed and I’ve changed.”
“And there’s also the fact that he kissed you.”
I sink to the floor, my back against the wall, and stare up at her. “I meant before that part.”
Lily sits up, crossing her legs in front of her. “You both haven’t changed that much. At least in how you feel about each other. That’s obvious.”
I scoff. “I meant our friendship—”
“The one both of you blasted out of this world during that earth-shattering kiss, which you so described it as?”
A small sound escapes my mouth. “It happened once.”
“Sorry, hun, but you are never going back to just friends,” she interrupts. “So why not take this summer to explore what you guys had?”
“That’s ridiculous—”
“Is it?”
“It’s the reason I broke it off with Carter, I’m leaving soon. There’s no use hurting anyone.”
“But he’s leaving too.”
“What do you mean?”
She leans back against the pillow. “You both know where you’re going at the end of this. Right there is half the battle.”
“I can’t. There’s too much history between us. And I can’t go there again.”
Lily’s expression darkens, remembering the same thing I am. “Okay. Then let’s work on distracting you from all this Wadley drama.”
I snort. “What did you just say?”
She smiles. “I think it has a nice ring to it. Come on! Everyone has teams now, you two are Team Wadley.”
I sputter a laugh. “Sounds like the name of a duck.”
“It’s better than Team Hill. Or Widley.” The tension built up inside of me explodes in a fit of giggles. I fall to the floor and Lily joins in, tucking her hands against her stomach as she falls back to the bed. The door flies open and I look at Ethan through blurry eyes.
He smiles as if he’s in on the joke, but his eyes are on Lily.
“What’s up?” I ask.
He breaks out of his stupor and meets my gaze. “Mom says dinner’s ready.”
“Okay, we’ll be right down.”
He turns and walks down the hallway. Lily is still snorting and rolling around the bed.
I hop up and lightly smack her in the leg. “Are you staying?”
She sits up, wiping her eyes. “Do I ever turn down a home cooked meal?”
She opens her hands and I take them, helping her to her feet.
She wraps her arm around my shoulders. “What am I going to do when you go away?”
“I’m sure you will keep yourself busy and make new friends.”
She wrinkles her nose. “No way. I’ve just broken you in and I’m way too amazing to start over with a new BFF.” She gasps and jumps away from me. “Speaking of new friends. Since you and,” she waves her hand in the direction of Will’s house, “are over for good. Eddie’s friend is still coming. Are you in? Don’t worry, I saw a picture of him, he’s definitely your type.”
I want to say no, but think of Will only feet away from where we are. He went in another direction and there’s no reason why I shouldn’t.
“Sounds like fun.”
***
The rest of the week goes by in a blink of an eye. The kids aren’t any closer to picking the solo talent for the show. But with it being weeks away, Will and I aren’t concerned. As the dancer in the group, Jaclyn volunteered her choreography skills for the group number to Harry’s winning suggestion of the latest dance sensation.
“Allison!” Jaclyn barks and storms over to the struggling girl. “Your hands are an extension of your body, they need to be graceful. Like this.” Jaclyn wiggles her fingers as she explains the move.
Allison looks at her hands. “That’s what I was doing.”
“Ugh!” Jaclyn groans. “You’re hopeless!”
“Hey!” Will and I scold at the same time. He’s leaning against the tree with his arms crossed. “We all have different talents and if you are going to continue teaching the group you need to be open to that.”
Jaclyn places her hands on her hips and moves to the front of the group as if we hadn’t said anything. “Let’s start from the top.”
Will turns on the song on his phone and we watch the kids attempt the choreography again.
Jaclyn frowns the entire song while watching the group, but this time she keeps her comments to herself.
I catch Will’s eye and he smirks at me, eliciting a smile from my lips. Over the past few days we fell back into the ease of the job. We remain on neutral ground and dutifully ignore any topics that get close to personal. It feels right between us and I foresee the summer going off without a hitch.
Even Carter has been off my back about Will. I suspect Isabelle has something to do with that. She clings to him like a dryer sheet. I know she thinks I’m jealous but Carter’s flirtatiousness might make her believe she has a chance. A small part of me would hate to see them together but a larger part wants Carter to move on so I can get back on track with how I imagined the summer going.
“All right, that’s it for today,” Will says, as the song ends.
The boys cheer and even Oliver gets in on it. Allison’s face shines with relief.
Kelli makes her way to Jaclyn’s side and whispers something in her ear. Jaclyn gives her a small smile.
“I hope to see you all at the carnival tonight,” I say. “And be sure to stop by the balloon dart booth and say hi.”
“Those game are rigged!” Greg says, with a few encouraging remarks from the other boys.
Will laughs as we usher the kids back to the building. They sprint ahead towards the air-conditioned space.
“That wasn’t so bad for a first rehearsal,” I say.
“I’m just glad she took over, I wasn’t sure if you and I would have to think of another dance together.”
I close my eyes and groan, remembering the last summer we worked together. “Don’t remind me.”
Will hums the song from the finale dance scene from Dirty Dancing.
I swat his arm. “That was an awesome dance.”
I was obsessed with Dirty Dancing when I was eleven and begged our counselor to let Will and I perform it as one of the acts at the talent show. And, minus the lift, it was pretty spot on.
Will calling my name shatters my reverie.
I barely register the thick root jutting from the ground and before I know it my foot kicks out from under me.
Will grabs my arm but we both tumble to the ground. I land on my knee, already feeling the bruise. Will’s shoulder knocks into my chest and air whooshes out of me. Nausea burrows into my stomach. He adjusts himself over me and I peer up at him, a lock of hair blocking my eyes.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
I nod, my cheek rubbing against the grass. I lift my hand and push the hair from my face.
His body hovers over mine and I feel the heat radiating from his body. His eyes dart across my face, his mouth a deep frown. “I saw you heading right for it, but you didn’t hear me. Where did you go?”
I blink a few times, very aware of how close his face is to mine. I tilt my head to the side and breathe a sigh of relief that no one saw me fall. “I must have zoned out for a minute.”
He adjusts his legs so his body moves away from mine and I am able to take a breath. He sits on his feet and his fingers slide across mine. “Do you think you can stand?”
“Yes,” I say, my body battling between relief and intense embarrassment.
He slowly lifts me from the ground and even though I get a slight head rush, I find that I’m not dizzy in the slightest. Even though my knee is screaming. I run my fingers through my hair and pat the dirt off my legs.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
Heat rushes up my neck. “I’m fine.” I stand up straight and meet his gaze.
His hand tucks my hair behind my ear and moves to cup the back of my head. He brings me closer to him and tilts my head upward. “Hold still.”
“Wha—?”
“Shh,” he soothes. His breath tickles my face.
I blink up at the sun for a few moments before he removes his hands from my head.
“You don’t appear to have a concussion,” he says, relieved. “But I think you should have the nurse take a look.”
“I’m fine,” I say breathlessly. I take a step back from him, pulling my gaze back to the ground. “My knee took the brunt of the fall.”
He looks down at my leg. Dark droplets of blood form over the skin. “Let’s get you inside.” He grips the back of my shirt, his hand steadying my racing heart.
We enter the building and he diverts me past the kids and other counselors towards the main office where the camp nurse is stationed. The nurse, Tally, is finishing up with a kid who has a bloody nose. Patrice stands over the boy and when they are finished, they turn around. Patrice notices my injury and Will’s proximity to me. She was my counselor one year and, as big as town was, everyone knows about Will and I, at least the trouble we got into as kids. She keeps whatever comment to herself and leaves the office.
Tally turns her tired eyes to my injury and she indicates for me to sit down.
“She hit her head too,” Will confesses.
I shoot him a glare. But he turns his worried expression to her.
She thoroughly checks me out, asking me a million questions. She bandages up my leg after cleaning it with antiseptic that feels more like acid. I bite my lip to keep from making a sound. She tilts my head up and shines a light in my eyes, as Will had attempted to do earlier. I smile to myself, remembering his drive to be a doctor. He must have picked up on a few things on the ranch, given they don’t have much staff. I can imagine injuries are a daily occurrence when dealing with animals and equipment.
When she’s finished I hop up from the chair, wincing slightly. “See, I’m all good.”
He eyes me warily.
“Thanks Tally.” I wave.
She nods serenely and turns to her desk. “I’ll have to write this up, but you can sign off on it Monday.”
All injuries have to be reported. Dad will definitely look at that and have questions no doubt. I’ll just have to get to him first.
I trudge out of the office. “Thanks for that,” I mutter.
Will has the audacity to chuckle. “I won’t be able to handle that booth by myself tonight. It was purely for selfish reasons.”
I roll my eyes. “Cute.”
The entrance is nearly empty and Lily beelines for me, pushing her hand through the crook of my arm and pulling me away. “Why is there grass in your hair?” she asks, picking at my hair, flourishing a few blades of grass pinched between her fingers.
I point at my knee. “I fell.”
She snorts. “I’m not surprised.”
I don’t dignify that with a response.
Ethan and the rest of the pool staff gather together at the back of the room, their bonds already starting to solidify. The pool staff always come together quicker than our staff do since we spend a majority of time with the kids. But the bond between co-counselors is unbreakable. Which is why I’m not surprised when Will and Aiden gravitate towards us.
I catch Carter’s eye and offer a smile, but he’s laser-focused on the small distance between Will and I. I lean closer to Lily.
Dad practically runs into the room. “Great first week team!” he says enthusiastically. His eyes travel to my knee and it burns under his gaze. But without missing a step he continues on. “The carnival starts at seven. I need you all back here and in position for six-thirty. I have food coupons for you to use at the different carts. But remember, each booth has to be manned at all times. The carnival goes on until ten o’clock. Instructions are at each of the booths, but I do have an experienced staff member at each so if you have questions don’t hesitate to ask.” He claps his hands together. “See you tonight.” He gives me and Will a look and a tilt of his head before turning to his office.
“We’ll be right back,” I say to Lily.
“I’ll walk her home,” Will says.
Lily narrows her eyes at me but I nod. “Catch up with you tonight?”
“Sure,” she says, dragging the word out.
I give her a tight-lipped smile and head in Dad’s direction.
We catch up with him in a small office off the main entryway. His relocated office for the summer makes it easier for him to work in closer proximity to the camp.
“What’s up?” I say, entering the room.
Dad is already sitting behind the desk. “Close the door and take a seat.”
Will reaches behind me to close the door as I take the seat closest to the desk.
Dad moves papers into neater piles. “What happened to your leg?” he asks without looking up.
I shrug “I fell. No big deal. Tally is writing up the report.”
He nods, satisfied. He finally looks up at both of us. “How is your group doing?”
“Great,” I say.
Dad’s eyes meet Will’s.
Will speaks first. “Oliver is starting to come out of his shell. But I am working on him. Hadley’s doing a fantastic job taking up the slack.”
Dad nods and my head snaps towards Will. When did they discover a mind-reading connection? “We’ve had no complaints from his mother yet, but she has commented that he is talking more when he gets home from camp. Just keep that going.”
“We will,” I say.
Dad hands me an envelope. “Everyone gets one of each.”
I open the envelope with the food and drink coupons for the staff. “No problem.”
“I need to speak with Will for a moment, Hadley,” he says.
“Sure.” I get up from the chair, ignoring the stinging pain in my knee. I enter the hallway and close the door behind me. I want to press my ear against the door and eavesdrop but I tear myself away and head back to the main entrance, giving them privacy. Tyler, Leo, Patrice and the only remaining camp staff. I go over to them.
“Here are the coupons for tonight.” I hand each of them two.