Boot Camp

34: Old Version

At around midnight I'm still not tired enough to sleep yet. I kick my tangled sheets off me and walk to my desk, flipping on the small lamp.

I pick up the envelope bursting with papers and forms given to me at the end of the camp. I pull out the letter from Bob explaining what I've won and feel my ego boost for a good two seconds before I remember I'm going to have to work for this man. I peer deeper into the envelope to see if there's anything I've missed, and to my surprise, there is.

I slip my hand in and take out a piece of paper folded into the shape of a small rectangle. I unfold the corners and reveal a small handwritten note. I read it over.

Whitney,

I hope this prize reached your expectations. I know if you had found out a month ago that being a trainer was the grand prize, you might have thrown up at the idea. I definitely wouldn't have blamed you, you gloriously lazy human.

But I think at this point, you'll say probably yes. Maybe I just can't imagine coming back to this camp next year and not having you there. My life would be a little empty without your wit.

I don't know when you'll read this, but I just want you to know right now that the world is a better place with you in it. Actually, scratch that. My world is a better place with you in it.

Don't forget that.

And I hope you don't forget me either.

- Axel

I couldn't count the number of times I read that note in the minutes afterwards. I force myself to put it away while my fingers gravitate to my messages app. I haven't talked to Axel since the day I left, the gray of his message seeming to pop in front of my eyes. I begin to type something before shutting my phone off altogether.

Tomorrow, I tell myself as I slip under the covers, prepared to sleep well, at last.

***

"Hey."

I turn around to look at the doorway of my room, seeing Poppy there with a smile on her face. She has on a pretty blue maxi dress resembling the color of the evening sky, making her seem taller than she already is.

"Oh hey, Poppy," I answer and walk over to her. "It feels like it's been ages since I've seen you."

"I was over visiting Levi's parents at their apartment in New York," she answers. "I brought him back for dinner tonight. Mom apparently made something really good."

I laugh a little, realizing I'm going to miss her cooking when I head off to college this fall. "I don't know if I've said this, but I'm really glad everything is working out between you and him."

She closes the door and leans against it. "It's a really nice feeling meeting someone and knowing he's the right one," she tells me. "I don't think it matters how big or fancy your wedding is or how great looking of a couple you are if you don't truly love that person and are ready...ready to spend the rest of your life with him."

I'm quiet for a moment, admiring her words. "That was a lot deeper than what I was expecting."

She chuckles. "I'm sorry, I sound all sappy, but I just want to give you some good advice. Anyway, Mom told me you got a dress, so can I see it?"

I nod and walk to my closet, pulling it out. I hold it up in front of my chest, striking a stupid pose, and her eyes widen.

"The color is gorgeous." She thumbs the material and then swats at the arm I've raised above my head like a failing model. "You're going to look stunning."