A Summer To Remember // A Spot Conlon au

The Final Day

The end of summer had arrived. The air was different now, heavier with the knowledge that it was all coming to an end. The campgrounds were quiet in the mornings, the buzz of energy that had filled the air for weeks now replaced by the soft shuffle of bags being packed and the finality of the last few days of the session. It was bittersweet for everyone, but for Charlie and Spot, it felt like the world was suddenly too big, too fast, and too uncertain.

They tried to make the most of the last few days—sneaking around corners, catching moments alone when they could, and pretending that the looming goodbye wasn't hanging over them. But even in their stolen moments, there was a sense of knowing, an awareness that things were about to change.

Charlie wasn't sure how she felt about that. She wasn't the type to get attached easily, not in the way people expected. But Spot? He'd wormed his way in without her even realizing it.

And now? Now they were heading into the unknown together.

They sat on the dock again that evening, their legs dangling over the edge as the sky darkened above them. The sun was setting slowly, casting long shadows across the water. Charlie could feel the weight of everything pressing down on her—her thoughts, her emotions, and that deep-seated fear of what came next.

"We have to talk," Charlie said softly, her gaze fixed on the water.

Spot looked over at her, his face unreadable for a moment. "Yeah, I know."

There was something about the way he said it, as though he had known this moment was coming. He had always been perceptive like that, even when she didn't want him to be. He knew her better than anyone else, maybe better than she knew herself.

Charlie took a deep breath and turned to face him. "I don't know what's going to happen when we leave here, Spot. I don't know if this is... I don't know if this is just a summer thing, or if it's something more." She paused, swallowing hard. "And that scares the hell out of me."

Spot reached out, his hand brushing against hers, fingers weaving together. It was such a simple gesture, but it meant everything to her in that moment. "Charlie," he said, his voice steady, "I can't promise what happens after this. Hell, I don't know what's gonna happen tomorrow. But I do know one thing."

She looked at him, her breath catching in her throat. "What?"

"I don't want to walk away from this without knowing I tried." He leaned in closer, his face serious. "You make me want to try, Charlie. I don't know if that's enough, but it's all I've got."

Her heart skipped, a mix of relief and nervousness flooding her chest. She had never heard him speak like that—so honest, so open. And for a moment, it felt like the weight of their entire relationship, the uncertainty, the joy, the fears, all melted into that one sentence.

"I don't want to let go either," she whispered, her hand tightening around his. "I just... I just don't want to mess it up."

"You won't," Spot said, his voice soft but firm. "We're both figuring this out, Charlie. Together."

She smiled, though it was laced with a touch of sadness. The world was changing so quickly, and she didn't want to lose him. Not now. Not after everything.

The silence that followed was comfortable, but it was also filled with the knowledge that time was running out. There was no denying it anymore. The camp would close in a few days, and everyone would go back to their lives, whatever that meant.

"I wish we could stay here forever," Charlie said quietly, staring out at the water again. "Just the two of us."

"I'd like that too," Spot replied. "But we both know that's not how life works."

"I know." She gave him a half-smile, her fingers lightly tracing the back of his hand. "But that doesn't mean we can't try."

They were quiet for a while after that, the world around them slipping into night. Eventually, Charlie stood up, brushing her hands off on her pants. She reached down to pull Spot up beside her, grinning at him.

"C'mon," she said. "Let's make the most of tonight. I'm not ready for tomorrow yet."

Spot chuckled softly, his hand finding hers again. "You and me both."

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wc: 724