Lights Out, Campers

Chapter Nine

My eyes shoot open with the sound of Levi's alarm clock. My body feels refreshed, as if I have only just now truly got over my jetlag. Levi's single bed is nowhere near big enough for the two of us, but we made do, our bodies interlocked, saving space.

Unlike yesterday morning, my head is clear. The memories of last night flood back to me. Levi's warmth. The sweet taste of his lips. The gentleness of his hands curled around my body. He made me forget all about Arabella and Robyn, and when I slept, Amelia was gone. But now that I'm awake and Levi is still snoring two inches away from me, the pain caused by what Arabella said about me seems to worsen.

I'm still in shock. She hates me. How can I possibly spend the next six weeks living with two girls who despise me so much? At least I have Levi. I continue thinking about him to drown out the other two. The things he did to me. The way he made me feel. It makes my cheeks blush.

I check the alarm clock. It's ten to seven. We've only got half an hour until breakfast. My eyelids are heavy, and all I want to do is lay my head down on his chest and go back to sleep. But I can't. As much as I dread facing Arabella and Robyn, I need to return to my cabin and get ready.

I poke Levi's chest. He doesn't wake up. I do it again and again until, finally, his eyelids flicker open. He glances at me, a cheeky smile spreading across his face.

"Good morning," he mumbles as he kisses my forehead. Then, he finally registers the maddening sound of the alarm clock and reaches over, turning it off.

"Morning," I reply, my head falling onto his chest. The feel of his muscles sends butterflies erupting through my stomach.

He leans his head onto mine, wrapping his arms around me. "How are you feeling?"

I don't even know where to begin. When I'm wrapped in his arms, I feel fantastic. When we had sex last night, I felt terrific. But there's still a dread in my stomach that I can't ignore.

"Great," I respond, choosing not to bore him with my troubles any more than I have already. "As long as you're here."

He grips me tighter. "Thinking about Arabella?"

I nod, hoping he feels the movement of my head on his chest. But I don't want to talk to him about it. I don't want to make what was an incredible night into something depressing.

"But you don't have to worry about it," I say.

"Of course I do," he responds. "What they said was so fucked up."

"I know. Trust me, I know. But it's something that I need to figure out."

He lets out a small sigh. "Okay. But please, if they keep being nasty, let me know. Please."

I smile. I haven't had someone care about me this much in such a long time. I think back to Will. Before he gave me those pills, did he ever really love me? I'm sure he thought he did, and I thought I loved him. Isn't that the same thing? Isn't that all love is? But this feels different. When I look at Levi, I know I love him. Well, I don't love him yet, it's very soon. I know I will grow to love him. There's not a doubt in my mind.

"I will," I say.

Levi's cabin door swings open, startling the two of us. Wyatt and Dean stand in the open frame, soaking from head to toe. Their eyes are panicked, and they are entirely out of breath. However, their panic morphs into surprise when they see me tucked under Levi's covers. I sit up straight, covering myself with the blankets.