^^ art by ameliapanics ^^
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When Alana asked Connor if he’d want to go camping with her family, she wasn’t expecting him to actually say yes to her. Alana always thought she was a nerd, a weirdo who liked the school’s supposed freak. She thought she was weird for being drawn into the boy’s odd aura. That’s why no one knew, after all. Not even Connor Murphy himself.
Even with this unknown information, she was surprised he had said yes. He said it vaguely, but Alana almost expected it. It was almost like he was trying to keep his keen want to come a secret as if he only wanted Alana to know. His eyes screamed excitement, while his tone of voice despised the idea. Just from that, Alana seemed to fall deeper into her measly, “crush,” of sorts. Connor was such a dynamic person to her. She loved it.
Alana sat in the middle seat, just so she could have her little sister leave Connor alone and so she could sit beside the tall boy--mostly the latter. She tried keeping small talk but found out quickly that when the boy had headphones in, he was better left alone.
She didn’t get it. She had this want for a guy who didn’t even show some sort of interest in her--or anyone--yet she still kept wanting. It was a hopeless cause, she knew, but her heart wouldn’t stop fluttering when a strand of hair fell in front of his face, or when Connor’s eyes danced when he saw something he thought was cool. Her brain couldn’t stop her heart’s desire, now.
When they got to the campsite, after a few long hours, Alana immediately tried to show Connor around, talking and talking about the campsite’s history, until he put a finger over his mouth to silence her. Seconds later, he grabbed her hand and pulled her onto a side trail he had seen a bit ahead. She was quiet and a bit scared, honestly. Not that the rumors had scared her or anything. She just never saw this from Connor. Her body rushed with adrenaline as Connor’s pace picked up, and she was jogging to keep up.
Soon, they stopped. Connor didn’t know where he was going, really. He just wanted to be alone with Alana. For some reason, through the facts, he thought of as useless, and the quirky jokes Alana told, he was drawn to the girl. He enjoyed her company--though he’d never admit it. He couldn’t pin his feelings about her.
“Um, Connor?” Alana finally spoke, still speaking quietly, as if her parents would hear her.
“Yeah?” He asked, turning around and glancing at Alana.
“Where are we? Why are we here?” She asked. “This isn’t the way to the campsite.” She looked at Connor with a raised eyebrow.
“I dunno. Thought you’d like it, just you and me in the woods or whatever, but we can go find your parents and sister if you want.” The tall boy started moving the way they came until Alana grabbed his hand again.
“No, it’s actually really nice out here. Let’s keep walking, yeah?” She grinned a little, adjusting her glasses with her free hand. She hoped Connor wouldn’t let go.
“Yeah. Let’s go.” He turned and walked beside her, being slow so the short girl could keep up. He went virtually silent again, just like he was in the car. His eyes portrayed his emotions, as Alana had figured out.
Everything around them seemed to have a song. The trees blew in the wind, the birds chirped, and the leaves beneath the two crunched to the beat of their footsteps. Their hands seemed to swing as they walked, footsteps falling into unison. It was silent between them, but peaceful everywhere because of it. They didn’t need dialogue to connect.
Eventually, Connor found a log they could both sit on. He sat down, and Alana was a bit confused. She sat next to him, of course, but didn’t understand why.
“Are we taking a break, or…?” Alana asked, an eyebrow raised.
“I just figured we could like, hang out or… something. Unless you want to go back to camp, or whatever.” Connor answered, shrugging halfheartedly.
“No! I mean, I really want to hang out, so… That’d be nice.” Alana smiled a little. Connor chuckled dryly.
“Well, what do you wanna talk about then?” Connor raised an eyebrow and looked over.
“Well, I could talk about the camp,” Alana said excitedly.
“I think you’ve told me everything about that,” Connor shrugged, thinking before saying, “Tell me about you.”
“Well… I did 90 hours of community service--”
“No. Not that. You. What’s your favorite color? Have any pets? Shit like that.” Connor corrected.
“Oh, well… I used to have a pet gerbil. His name was Harry. But he died,” Alana chuckled a bit nervously.
“Oh, wow.” Connor laughed a bit, “Tragic pet backstory, huh?
“Yeah. Haven’t gotten a pet since. My mom and dad think that I wouldn’t take care of it or something.” Alana sighed.
“That sucks. My parents think pets are too messy, so… But I’d like a snake.” He smiled a little.
“One of those horrid things? How?” Alana laughed.
“Excuse me? Snakes are fucking adorable.” Connor argued, his tone joking.
“Yeah,” Alana rolled her eyes, “If your definition of adorable is literally Satan with no limbs.” Connor laughed loudly, almost snorting a little.
“Satan with no limbs? Is that the best you’ve got?” He joked, laughing still.
“Why, what’s better?” Alana asked, interested in what Connor would say.
“I can’t even say. It’d hurt all the snakes’ feelings, ‘Lana.” He chuckled, not even realizing he gave the girl a nickname.
“‘Lana, huh? That’s a cute nickname.” Alana grinned brightly, nudging Connor’s side.
“Pff, yeah, whatever.” He scoffed. “It just rolled off my tongue. By accident. Don’t think I’ll keep calling you that.”
“Someone is oddly dismissive.” Alana teased.
“Shut up or I’ll leave you in the woods alone.” Connor threatened, though he really wouldn’t.
Alana gasped. “You wouldn’t!” She chuckled softly.
“Eh, you’re right. I couldn’t leave such a defenseless little girl--”
“Defenseless!?” Alana raised an eyebrow and laughed.
“Nah. You could probably kick my ass if you wanted to,” Connor smirked.
“Well, lucky for you, I don’t.” Alana smiled proudly.
“Whatever. Let’s keep going.” Connor stood, holding out his hand for Alana. Alana took it with a smile, and Connor pulled her up. She ended up pretty close.
“Well, hello.” Alana chuckled, looking up to meet his gaze. His face was a bit red.
“Yo.” He gave Alana peace sign with his other hand and chuckled awkwardly.
Wow, he wanted to kiss Alana, but the odds of her liking him were slimmer than slim. He truly wasn’t confident enough to do it.
But Alana was.
Softly, she kissed Connor’s cheek, smiling and feeling her face burn. Connor’s face was red as ever, and he smiled bigger than he ever had at Alana.
“Oh, uh, that was… nice. Or whatever you say when someone kisses your cheek.” He laughed nervously.
“Thanks. Now, let’s get back to camp. It’s getting dark,” Alana said, taking Connor’s hand and grinning. She looked both ways with Connor but didn’t move.
“Wait, where did we come from?”
