Alex Gaskarth Imagine (Personal) - Going Camping

"Whoops, there we go," you say as you pound the last peg into the ground. "Jack! Your tent's ready!" He walks over, holding a half-eaten apple.

"Thanks, Emily!" He took another bite of his apple then said with his mouth full, "You're the best."

You smile. "I still can't believe you don't know how to put up your own tent. Hey, where's Alex?" You try to sound nonchalant, but are sure that if Jack doesn't already know about your crush on Alex, he does now.

Jack smirks and you feel yourself flush. "He was down by the lake. Why do you want to know, Emily?" He makes each word longer than it should be, and also uses a sing-song tone. "I think," he pauses to take the last bite of his apple, "that somebody," he stops again and throws the core into the woods, "has a crush."

"Don't tell anyone, please? Lisa just broke up with him last weekend. I don't want him to think I'm like, trying to take advantage of him or anything." Your voice is a low whisper; you know Jack can be very immature and might not understand how important it is to you.

"Of course, Em!" Jack grins. "I knew you liked Alex. And between you and me..." Jack trails off as Rian and Zack walk over to where you guys are standing. You really want to know what Jack was going to say, but can't bring it up again now.

"Can I start the fire now? I want s'mores," Rian complains, flicking his lighter on and off.

"No! Later," you laugh as you walk away, calling back over your shoulder, "I'm going down to the lake, okay? No fire-starting or I'll make Cassadee come watch you guys."

You head down the dirt road to the lake, kicking at a pebble with your black flip-flops and letting out a sigh. You've liked Alex ever since eighth grade, when you first met. Of course, the feeling had never been mutual. He and Lisa had been together for a long time, and you'd actually been surprised when they broke up, though not unhappy. Getting lost in your thoughts, you don't notice that you've walked so far down to the lake that with one more step you'd be off the dock and in the water.

"Emily! Look out," says Alex, coming up behind you and steadying you by wrapping his arms around your waist. Your heartbeat picked up like it always did near him, and you felt empty when he removed his arms. "What's up?"

"You gonna come hang out with us?" you ask quietly. "It's no fun without you."

Alex looks at the ground shyly. "Well, I was going to do something really special." He has a wide grin and your heart sinks.

"Did you and Lisa get back together? Is she coming?" Your tone is bitter.

"No, I'm over her now. I don't know why I got worked up about it in the first place," Alex responds, brushing your question off casually. "I was wondering if you wanted to maybe take the two-man kayak out on the lake?" He fiddles with the hem of his shirt.

Your eyes widen, even though you know he must surely mean only as friends. "Yeah, sure. Let's go." You make your way to the red kayak, sitting down in one of the seats as Alex gets in the other, grabbing the paddle. Together, you push it away from shore and he paddles to the middle of the lake.

"Emily," he says after a moment. "I need to tell you something."

"Of course, Alex. I need to tell you something, too, actually." You figure that if there's any time to admit your feelings for him, it's now.

"Can I go first?" Without waiting for your reply, Alex continues, "There's this girl that I know, and I really like her. Actually, I think I might be in love with her." You can feel tears of disappointment coming on, but you blink them away and nod in fake encouragement. "I need to let her know soon, or she'll slip away. I'm afraid I might've already lost her by dating Lisa when it was her I knew I loved."

"Alex, she's the luckiest girl in the world if she gets to be yours. I'm sure that you have more than just a chance with her," you tell him, careful to keep your voice steady.

"Do I, Emily?" He smiles and puts the paddle beside you two in the boat, accidentally splashing a little water. Then he takes your hands in his. "Do I have any chance at all with a perfect girl like you?"

A wide grin creeps across your face. "Yes." Alex leans forward and kisses you lovingly, and you return it. You can hear Zack, Rian, and Jack cheering and whistling from the side of the lake, but you don't care. The kiss only deepens.