Someone once said, "the best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them". This is what applied to my situation. I only knew this guy for a few days, but I felt like I could've fallen in love with him.
At camp they always have evening activities, such as socials, which combine girls' side and boys' side and they either talk or hook up. There's really no in between. I wasn't planning on going until a certain boy ran towards me that afternoon.
James jogged my way and when he stopped in front of me he took a few deep breaths. "Scarlett, come to the social with me tonight." My body grew to a hat and I narrowed my hazel eyes at his.
"Not going to happen. Besides, what do you need me there for?" I asked. I didn't really understand why he wanted me to go in the first place. A lot of girls he hooked up with years before were going to be there, and probably many more. Noticing how he was waiting for my answer, I decided to study him for a moment. His shaggy brown hair and brown eyes, that weren't too hazel, but yet not too dark. They were just right. I shook my head and returned to the planet Earth. His eyebrows rose, waiting for my answer.
"Fine, but I am not staying there too long. It sounds bleak." He chuckled softly, making my heart race.
"Great. We'll meet up then?" He winked as he headed back to his bunk. Sighing, I went to Sarah to determine what other evening activity was occurring. We ended up at the lower basketball courts, where there was a game going on, but for ten year olds. The chilly air started to freeze my skin. Sarah's brother noticed my shivering and offered me his jacket. The jacket enveloped me since he was much larger than I was. Sarah and I spent time there until the girls started arriving.
"Well that's my cue. I'll catch up with you later." I smiled weakly and sauntered to the fieldhouse, where the social was happening. I held the jacket on me tighter as I realized how embarrassing this night could turn out to be. Once I reached the doors, my body wouldn't let me continue to walk. The fieldhouse doors stood tall in front of me. Before I could enter I felt a hand on my back.
"Come on. I'll be with you." Slightly, I grinned and we went in together. There were different groups of teenagers scattered all over the court. Pulling me out of my trance, James sat me down on the bleachers. "There is absolutely nothing to be worried about." He stroked my arm for assurance.
"Yeah, sure. It's not like any of these girls want to rip out my eyeballs with a spoon." James laughed and relaxed against the bleacher. "I can feel the stares from here."
"Stop thinking, and just do. On another note, can I see your phone?" He fluttered his stunning brown eyes and looked at me hopeful. I rolled my eyes.
"Ugh. Why do you need it? I have some embarrassing information on here." I winked and he just snatched my phone out of my pocket. "Hey! Someone is grumpy." He started taking photos of me, which caused me to dodge it every time. Finally, he took one more and it ended up being the only successful picture he took. I blushed wildly. While he was in the process of tickling me, two girls approached us, causing me to instantly pull away.
"Hey, so you're the girl James is always talking about." One of them said. "So James, want to introduce us?" James glared at the girl before looking back at me.
"Scarlett, this is my friend Rayna and the other one is Julie. Guys, this is my friend Scarlett." They waved at me and my heart ached when he said, 'friend'. A sad smiled appeared on my face.
"Nice to meet you."
"Likewise. I've always wanted to meet James' girlfriend." And with that they walked away. Before I could have a chance to talk to James about what happened, my phone rang. It was a text from Sarah.
Sarah: Hey, want any Blizzards from Dairy Queen?
Me: Yeah. Hit me up with one.
"Sarah is on her way back from getting me a blizzard. Want one?" He nodded.
Me: Get one for James too. He'll pay.
"Alright let's go to my bunk so I can get some money." We headed out into the darkness together and he walked perfectly next to me. Once we reached the bunk, I followed him inside, even though I wasn't supposed to. They kind of have this 'no girls' policy. Oops. "Okay, and I'm good to go." Sarah arrived and gave me the two Blizzards. As she left, James and I began to walk towards the fieldhouse again. Our hands touched and he intwined his fingers with mine. Before getting to the door, he stops. "Ready?" He squeezes my hand for assurance but I drop it.
"Not into that." I laughed and headed for the door.
"Me either. I just wanted to try it out." It felt right when he held my hand in his, don't get me wrong. I was just scared of the way it made me feel. The rest of the night went by in a blur as girls gossiped about me while James and I were eating our Blizzard. By the end of the night, we went out to the side of the fieldhouse pulling me close. "One last time?" As he leaned in and our lips touched, I couldn't get enough of him. My heart raced and I could feel his beating rapidly against mine. He pulled away suddenly, and I grew disappointed.
"Are you okay?" I asked worried. Usually I end up pulling away, not the other way around.
"Scarlett, we need to talk about this. I think that we should stop hooking up. But we can still hang out?" I felt my heart shatter at those words.
"Yeah. Yeah. I feel the same way." Choking down my tears, I looked up at him. "Can I ask why?"
"There's someone back home. I don't want to jeopardize it with her." And that was the first time I ever got my heart broken. My throat started to burn and I tried with my all to remain calm.
"Oh yeah that makes sense. So let's just end it all then." I stood up from the grass we were sitting on and started to walk away when he pulled on my arm.
"I don't want to end it all. I like spending time with you. Stop being stupid!" I didn't know what else to say so I just nodded.
"Alright, fine. Goodnight, I'll talk to you tomorrow." He leaned in and planted a kiss on my cheek before walking away into the trees back to the bunk.
"Yeah. Sure you will." I said to myself as I lowered my head, ashamed of myself for falling completely in love with him.
