summer love

2

We pile into the lunchroom for salad rolls, I sit down at an empty table yet again observing the people surrounding me. It's a strange feeling, looking at Mia and her being a stranger when we have experienced all the things together, the memories that only we share.

I'm halfway through my lunch when someone pulls out the chair next to me, quickly I turn around to see it's a boy, one I had never seen before. There are rarely new kids at this camp and the ones that do join are already friends with someone here.

He is seeming different though but I'm not exactly sure why.

"um" he clears his throat "can I sit here?" he asks

"oh yeah, of course," I push my things to the side making space for this mysterious boy to sit with me, me? Who would have thought?

"so, what brings you here?" I'm surprised with myself, I never start a conversation

"parents sent me here I guess," he says back fidgeting with his fingers as if he has something else on his mind

"oh cool," I say, he's definitely distracted with something so ill let him think, I am somewhat grateful that he doesn't seem to want to talk as I am not good with people.

Once lunch is over, he gets up quick and collects his things

"Thanks for letting me sit with you," he says quickly

"Yeah sure, uh, thanks for sitting with me" he gives me a small nod, turns away, and walks straight out of the hall.

What a strange guy.

• • •

After lunch we had a couple of hours of free time, usually, you wouldn't have this long but on the first day, they give us time to settle in. I decide to walk along the beach and find somewhere to sit and possibly read. It's quite peaceful being alone, your thoughts having full control over your brain. I find a quiet spot on the sand dunes and open my book.

I must have been there for an hour when I hear some speaking in the sand dune next to me, no one is talking so it can't be a group of people, could it be the mysterious guy? He intrigued me more than anyone. I end up getting up and walking over to see who it is. It's him. The nerves intensify in my stomach. I want to build up the courage to go and walk over to him, I really want to.

But I can't.

That just isn't who I am, shamefully I walk back over to my spot, frustrated with myself I just sit there and think,

Think about how great it would be to be able to walk over there and start a conversation, even to be able to keep a conversation would be a great trait to have, but no, who am I kidding, it's me. The person who turns her back to social interactions. But I can't stop thinking about how great it would be to be able to do all that.

I must have been making some noise sitting here as I turn and notice the boy standing next to me gesturing if he can sit, I nod and move over awkwardly.

"ah, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I love this book," he says grabbing my book and inspecting it

"yeah, I only started reading it today, it's really good" no one I know has really even shown interest in reading books, they all think it's a waste of time, but here he is showing interesting in the same books as me.

We sit there in comfortable silence, it's nice, enjoying each other company. I don't know how harry styles thinks it's overrated. After sitting there for a bit, he pats the ground starting to get up

"well, I better get going." He says

"wait, what's your name?" I quickly blurt out before I give myself another time to think over it,

"oh, um Louis, and you?" that's a cute name

"Tilly"

"that's a pretty name" I feel the heat creep up on my checks, he clears his throat "it was nice meeting you today, Tilly"

"you too Louis" and that's it, he's gone.

A/N

Thank you for continuing to read this book, I appreciate it a lot. I also probably need to go back and edit it properly!

How are we feeling about Tilly and Louis?

Stay safe, I love you <3

-E