Love's Second Chance

007

"I can't believe we're the ones stuck getting the sticks while they sit there, probably canoodling back at the campsite," Cameron groaned, leaning over to pick up a stick and etching it into the ground as she walked. "They're really lovesick puppies, aren't they?"

"I don't mind it. If Peyton wasn't expecting, then she'd be doing just as much work as we are. But it's good that she's resting," I replied, giving her a look of empathy while picking up a stick myself.

"Yeah, you must be excited to be an aunt," Cameron said, smiling softly.

"Yeah..." I scratched my neck awkwardly, uncertain of how to respond. It still hasn't fully settled in yet that I'm going to be an auntie. It makes me wonder about my own kids one day. It makes me feel so old. This year I'm only 26! Granted, I wanted kids around 30, but I feel so unfulfilled with my life right now. And I feel like there is no time to fuss about children.

Cameron glanced at me, sensing my discomfort. "Hey, it's okay to feel unsure about the future. We're still young, and there's plenty of time to figure things out."

"Yeah, I know," I replied, trying to shake off the weight of uncertainty. "I just thought I'd have it all together by now, you know?"

Cameron nodded sympathetically. "I get it. But life has a funny way of throwing curveballs at us. We just have to learn to roll with the punches."

"True," I conceded, awkwardly kicking a rock as we walked, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "Thanks, Cam." I chuckled softly, reflecting back to the older days. "You always knew how to put things into perspective."

She smiled back, her blue eyes sparkling in the dimming light of the setting sun. "Anytime, Ava. That's what friends are for," Cameron said, reaching out to pull off a tree branch.

I paused for a moment, the word 'friends' lingering in the air. My smile grew brighter as I acknowledged the title. Heat rose to my ears, and I turned my head away slightly, feeling embarrassed. I was grateful that it was getting dark; she wouldn't be able to see my flushed face.

I turn my head around, and suddenly Cameron is by my ear. "Guess what?" she whispers. "Last one to the campsite is a rotten egg!" she shouts and starts running back toward the campsite. I look at her, shocked, as she struggles to hold the branches while running, little twigs falling around her. I smirk and bolt after her.

"That's not fair! You got a head start!" I shout back, laughing as I try to catch up to her. The forest echoes with our laughter as we race through the trees, the fading sunlight casting long shadows across the forest floor. Despite the weight of the branches in her arms, Cameron moves with surprising agility, dodging around trees and leaping over roots. I do my best to keep pace, my heart pounding with excitement as I chase after her. Eventually, after what feels like both minutes and hours, we burst into the clearing where our campsite is set up, breathless and laughing.

Cameron collapses onto the ground, gasping for breath as she lets go of the branches. "I win!" she declares triumphantly, her face flushed with exertion.

I flop down next to her, still laughing. "Fine, you win this time," I concede, catching my breath. "But only because you cheated with that head start."

Cameron grins and nudges me playfully. "It's not cheating if you're just faster!" she teases.

I roll my eyes, but I can't help but smile. Despite the playful banter, there's a warmth between us that I can't ignore, a connection that feels deeper than just friendship. I feel a sense of contentment wash over me. Maybe this camping trip was exactly what we needed to reconnect and rediscover what we mean to each other. As we catch our breath and watch the sun dip below the horizon, the sky is painted in hues of orange, pink, and purple, casting a warm glow over the landscape. "Wow, this view is beautiful," Cameron murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper, but it catches my attention.