summer {n.h.}

nineteen

I tied off my braid, and straightened my jacket.

"C'mon, girls!" I say and they quickly grab my hands and I lead them into the cafeteria. They would spending the next couple hours at their dance while us, chosen counselors, would be dancing.

"Do you have to go? Can't you stay with us?" Zoe begs and widens her big brown eyes.

I laugh and give her a hug. "I'll be back in a few hours. I'll even read you guys a bedtime story!"

They cheer and wave me goodbye as I walk away. Taking a deep breath, I tug on the bottom of my dress and glance down at my feet, pondering wild thoughts.

I cautiously open the door to the large auditorium, where the annual camp shows are held. Air conditioning circulates and I look around to see dozens of other counselors talking. Not all were there though, you were only selected for a few of the dances.

"You're here!" Sophia, Liam's long term girlfriend, runs up to me and grabs my hand. "You look great. I saw Niall, he asked where you were," she sings and winks.

I roll my eyes at her and she giggles. "C'mon." I'm pulled into the mass of bodies, and several people say hi. Overwhelmed, I barely respond.

I'm friendly, I am. Just, being a new counselor here, it's a bit weird to see these girls already being best friends. Sophia approaches me with two other girls in tow.

"This is Doniya, Zayn's sister." The girl from Zayn's cabin offers me a shy smile, deep eyes meeting mine. I swallow and feel my cheeks heat up sheepishly.

"He's said a lot about you," She says quietly to me.

"Yeah." I bite my lip and keep my eyes trained on the rings on my fingers.

"This is Gemma, Harry's sister." Her hazel eyes stare at me intimidatingly as she crosses her arms.

"So, you're Sydney's daughter."

"Step." I correct and her eyes narrow.

"Right."

"Uh, I'm going to step out for a minute and get some air. Nice to meet you all." I give them a small wave and walk out the door. Tears sting my eyes and I wrap the jean jacket tighter around myself.

Why am I even crying?

I laugh quietly and walk up a small hill. There's a small rock and I sit down on it, feeling the coolness through my dress. Who knew that coming here this summer would change my life so much.

"Um, hi." An Irish accent rang out behind me and I felt my stomach clench.

"Hey." I turn around and glance at him. He's looking out over me, and out into the distance.

"Beautiful sunset, eh?"

I nod quietly.

"You look really pretty." I feel his gaze on me and I blush.

"Thanks. So do you. I mean, you don't look p-pretty. You look... you look great."

He laughs at my antics and I cross my arms.

"No laughing at me."

"Fine, can I laugh with you?"

I smile at him and he puts his arm around my shoulders. "That would be just fine with me."