It's been a week since Jude and Connor got the news that the seventh graders were going on a camping trip. Both were very excited, although they couldn't share a tent or even hang out. Connor's dad clearly said to the two best friends that they couldn't see each other. And it wasn't now that they were going to break that rule.
Jude was in the front seat of the car next to Lena. Connor, on the other hand, was heading to the camping site with the rest of the kids in a school bus. The thought that Connor could be sitting next to a girl and even flirting with her made him feel something he never felt before. He just wanted his friend back and keep him for himself.
"Are you okay sweetheart?" says Lena. "You look all nervous."
"Oh it's nothing." he lies.
"Are you sure?"
"It's just... I've never been camping before." he lies again.
"Don't worry. You'll love it. Plus, you and Connor can hang out at least a little."
"You know what his dad said. We can't be friends anymore."
"Then you'll probably be mad when I tell you that I paired you and him to share a tent."
Jude turn his head toward his mom, his eyes bigger than ever.
"Mom! Why did you do that? What if Adam finds out? And if he does, you have no idea what he'll do to Connor!"
"He doesn't have to know. I just thought you would've liked to have your bestfriend for a weekend."
"In other circumstances, yes. But now? No!"
"Okay! Okay! Breath Jude. Look, I'll see what I can do to switch Connor with someone else. But the chances are really thin."
Jude sigh. "Okay. I just don't want Connor to get hurt."
Lena nods. "We're here."
Jude looks outside and notice Connor sitting at a table alone. He wonders weither he should talk to him, or not. He then feels the urge to be with his friend and convince himself that Connor wont ever find out. He opens the door of the car and walks nervously to Connor.
Connor smiles. "Hey."
"Hey." Jude replies.
"I'm actually really excited about this trip."
"Me too. This going to be my first time camping."
"Really? You've never been camping before?"
"Nope."
"You must have at least slept outdoors once in your life."
"Never."
"Woah. Well that's not even the reason why I'm excited about this trip."
"What is?"
"After like two weeks, we can finally hang out and talk without my dad being in the way."
"Yeah. Aren't you scared he's going to find out though?"
"A little. But he wont. And how stupid it is that he doesn't want us to see each other? Just because you might be gay, which I don't think you are."
"You're right. I'm not. He has no reason to keep us apart." Jude looks down, knowing that Adam does have a reason to worry. Jude doesn't know exactly how he feels about Connor, but it sure is something he never experienced before.
"Let's go see with who we got teamed up to share a tent."
"Okay." Jude says, knowing exactly the answer to that.
