City girl or Howard

Chapter 6

The sun broke through the trees, casting a warm glow across the campsite as Ariana sat up in her sleeping bag, stretching her limbs and blinking away the remnants of sleep. The sounds of the forest filled the air: birds chirping, leaves rustling in the gentle breeze, and the distant laughter of the Walters as they began to stir.

Last night had been a whirlwind of fun—around the campfire, they roasted marshmallows, shared stories, and laughed until their sides hurt. As she recalled the way Cole had teased Isaac about his attempt to catch a firefly, she couldn't help but smile. The bond they had formed felt so natural, yet it also complicated her feelings for both boys.

"Rise and shine, sleepyhead!" Jackie called from outside the tent, her voice cheerful. "If you want to catch breakfast before it's gone, you'd better hurry!"

Ariana crawled out of her sleeping bag and rubbed her eyes, glancing over at Jackie, who was already packing up her things. "What's for breakfast?" she asked, excitement bubbling up as she remembered the camping stove they had set up.

"Pancakes!" Jackie beamed. "With plenty of toppings. But you'd better hurry before Cole devours them all!"

Ariana quickly changed and stepped outside, her heart racing at the thought of seeing the boys again. The campsite was alive with activity; the scent of cooking pancakes wafted through the air, mingling with the fresh scent of pine.

As she joined the others around the fire pit, she spotted Cole flipping pancakes like a pro, a carefree grin on his face. "Who wants some?" he called out, glancing over his shoulder at the group. "I promise I didn't burn them this time!"

"I'll take five!" one of the younger boys shouted, and the others quickly chimed in, their enthusiasm infectious.

"Keep it down, or the bears will come looking for breakfast!" Isaac teased, already pouring syrup over his own stack. Ariana laughed, feeling a rush of warmth as she caught Isaac's eye. He had that easy charm about him that always made her feel grounded, while Cole's playful energy sparked something entirely different within her.

Ariana settled beside Isaac, feeling a sense of contentment wash over her as they dug into their breakfast. "This is amazing," she said, savoring the fluffy pancakes. "You've outdone yourself, Cole."

"Just wait until I make s'mores later," Cole replied, puffing out his chest in mock pride. "I'm basically a camping chef now."

After breakfast, the group decided to hike to a nearby lake, their spirits high with anticipation. As they packed their backpacks, Ariana felt a thrill of excitement—nature had a way of making everything feel alive, especially with the Walters around.

The hike began with laughter and light banter, the boys playfully shoving each other and competing to see who could walk the fastest. Ariana and Jackie walked together, chatting about everything from the boys to their plans for the rest of the trip.

"Do you think Cole really likes you?" Jackie asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Ariana felt her cheeks heat up. "I don't know. He's fun, and we get along well, but there's also Isaac. I really like him, too."

Jackie raised an eyebrow. "You're in a love triangle, then?"

"More like a love square if you count how many boys are around," Ariana said, rolling her eyes but unable to suppress a smile. "It's just... complicated."

"I get that," Jackie replied, her tone turning serious. "Just make sure you're honest with both of them. It's better than leading anyone on."

"Right," Ariana said, glancing over her shoulder to see Cole and Isaac laughing together. She felt a pang in her heart, torn between her growing feelings for each of them.