Reignite | Currently Revising

Chapter Twenty-Two

~Melanie~

The fluffy white square marshmallow stuck at the end of my branch quickly turns golden brown in the flames of the firepit. I lick my lips in anticipation as I grab the paper plate holding the graham cracker and chocolate, ready to turn into a s'more.

"Wow," James says next to me on the log.

"I know. Grandma Hansen's homemade marshmallows are the best," I say.

I pull my marshmallow out of the fire, blow the small flame out, and then build my s'more. I squish the two graham crackers together, melted marshmallow oozing out the sides, and then take a bite.

The sweet flavors fill my mouth as some warm chocolate drips onto my fingers. I look around the firepit as everyone else enjoys their s'mores or roasts their marshmallows, then lick my fingers.

As the moon rises higher in the midnight blue sky, our parents say goodnight. Our grandmas are already in bed in the cabin.

"Let's grab some beers and go night swimming," Charlie suggests to the group.

"That sounds awesome," Kara says.

Bianca, Marisa, Kevin, Kara, and Graham start heading to the dock. Charlie and Sean head to the garage, most likely grabbing beer for everyone.

James stands up from the log. "Want to join?" he asks.

"I don't want to get wet. Plus, someone has to watch the fire," I say as I look at the firepit slowly burning the crumbling logs into ash.

James shrugs, "Okay, well, I'd like to cool off in the water. Are you sure you're okay here by yourself?"

"I'm not going either, so she'll be fine here with me," Ethan says from behind us.

James grunts, pats my shoulder, then heads off toward the dock with everyone else.

I raise an eyebrow at Ethan as he sits next to me on the log and looks at the fire. I don't say anything. He doesn't, either.

"Hey, is everyone at the dock already?" Sean asks, standing behind us next to Charlie, both holding armfuls of beer.

Ethan nods, "Yeah, we're not gonna swim."

"Want one?" Charlie offers us two beers.

"Sure, thanks," I say, grabbing them both and handing one to Ethan.

Charlie and Sean start walking toward the dock, but Sean turns back to stare at me with furrowed eyebrows. What is that about? I wonder as he faces forward again.

Ethan opens his beer can and takes a sip. I do the same, enjoying the only sound of the fire crackling sitting next to him. It's nice not to have to do or say anything. Just sit here sipping beer and watching the embers smolder slowly.

I sigh and feel the urge to lean my head on Ethan's shoulder. He looks at me, and I turn to look at him. He smiles, and I can't help but smile back as small butterflies flurry in my belly.

He takes another swig of his beer and looks back to the dying fire. I've always been comfortable around Ethan. It's just always felt so natural – I can be myself around him, even now, after how many years have passed since we last hung out. But why has he been avoiding me until now?

"Why have you been avoiding me since I got here?" I ask, staring into the fire.

He halts mid-sip of his beer and says, "I'm hanging with you now."

The fire is only embers as I stand up and see shadows walking from the dock to the garage. I walk toward the garage with my beer, leaving Ethan at the firepit. I hear him sigh and follow me through the brush.

~~~