Our Summer

The Talk

Esmeralda's POV

He was sitting there, unknowing of my presence.

"Esme..." He called out before passing out. Dumbass...

I came out from under the tree and shifted him onto my back. Then I began the long journey back, literally carrying my burden.

It took about 30 minutes to get us both back to camp. Given that we didn't really have much of a reason to visit the nurse, I took him to his cabin.

Surprisingly, it was empty. Did... they all stay at the dance?

Easing him onto his bed, I took his shoes, socks, and was reaching for his vest when his eyes snapped open.

"E-esme? What're you doing?" he stammered.

"You passed out, so I decided to bring you back and take off your clothes so you don't get pneumonia. But now that you're awake, you can do it yourself," I stated, getting off the bed and booking it to the door.

"Esme, wait! About the kiss... I swear it-"

"Didn't mean anything?" I cut in, sighing, "Andrew... it's still cheating."

"I genuinely thought it was you, I couldn't see well," he argued.

"Regardless... she's shorter than me, had a different mask, a different dress, and a different shade of brown hair... did nothing scream at you that something was off?" I retorted.

"You know what? Why should I even care about this? The guys can just win this stupid bet and keep their money..." Andrew grumbled. Bet..?

"Bet?" I echoed. He stiffened.

"Shit..."

"So all of this... our time spent together, the feelings, the memories... it was all for some stupid bet? You played with my heart for a BET?" I screamed.

"Esme... I..." Andrew struggled for words.

"Don't call me that anymore. And answer the damn question," I shot.

"...Esmeralda. Yes, it was a bet. But that doesn't-"

"You know what? We're done!" I yelled, storming out.

"Never wanted you in the first place!" he called after me. I slammed the door and sprinted to my cabin.

I turned the knob, but it was stuck. I hammered on it and luckily Kelsey answered.

"Hey gur- what happened to you!?"

"Don't wanna explain," I replied shortly, tears beginning to brim.

"Oh honey... come here, let's get you fixed up," she uttered before going to my box and grabbing me some sweats and a camp hoodie.

I took them with me to the bathroom and attempted to dry my hair before I changed my pants.

I was rubbing warm water on my face when the cabin door opened.

"We couldn't find her..." Sammy choked, muffled by the door.

"She's in the bathroom. Came back like 15 minutes ago, looking like a wreck," Kelsey filled her in.

"Thank God... then can you help me with Mila? She... she was suffering through hypothermia looking for her," Sammy replied. I quickly put on my hoodie and rushed to the main room.

"She what!?" I gasped as I saw her. Before I knew it, my legs were rapidly pulling me closer to her until she was in my arms. She's sleeping.

We changed Mila's clothes for her and gave her our blankets. Soon she was sleeping more peacefully.

"Esme... are you feeling alright? Do you want to talk about anything?" Sammy asked gently after changing into an old camp t-shirt and shorts. I shook my head as there was a knock on the door.

"I got it," Kelsey muttered gently. In the doorway stood Ted, armed with blankets and a container of hot chocolate.

"Sorry, it took a while to find the powder packets," he explained. Sammy got up to start the coffee machine.

"Did you know?" I spoke quietly. He looked at me with confusion.

"Know what?" he asked. I felt white-hot heat bubble under my skin.

"THE BET. DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THE FUCKING BET!?" I screamed. His eyes widened.

"After a while, we all forgot that it started because of a bet. Yes, I knew. But I also know that Drew would risk his damn life to help you. He didn't stay with you this long just for a dumb bet, Esme; you should be smart enough to have figured that part out at least," Ted explained calmly.

"What's happening again?" Sammy asked as she grabbed the packets. Ted told all of us the whole story. Or at least the parts that he knew for sure.

Once he finished, we all just sat in a circle and sipped our hot chocolate from our blanket cocoons.

"I can't believe that Andrew would agree to that," Sammy started. I was crying again, but luckily no one was really looking.

"I can't believe that you guys would even bet something like that," Kelsey scolded.

"I can't believe that he didn't recognize that it was Evelynne," I managed to speak out. Sammy set down her cup and put her arm around me. I ended up putting all my weight on her and sobbing into her shoulder.

Third Person POV

Esmeralda fell asleep like that, hiccuping into Sam's shoulder.

"The damn bitch," Kelsey spat, clenching her cup.

"Ultimately, it is Evelynne's fault," Ted stopped as Sam shot him a death glare, "of course Drew is partially responsible too."

"Regardless, Andrew cheated. And I dunno about you, but I want to kill Evelynne," Sam growled. Everyone's eyes widened.

"Woah now..." Ted backed up a little.

"...That's a bit out of character for you," Kelsey shifted.

Sam sighed, "I suppose you're right. After all, that's not meant be the end of this book."

"End of... huh?" they questioned, perplexed.

"Nevermind. Ted, you should head back to your cabin. I doubt that Andrew is having a good time with Noel and Dae," she pointed out.

"I don't think that he's doing well in general. Goodnight, I hope that you guys are able to sleep well after all of this," Ted then tucked Mila in, lightly kissing her forehead, and left.

"He must've been worried," Kelsey stated as she gathered the cups, "he didn't even stop at his cabin to change clothes."

Sam kept silent as she hoisted Esmeralda into her arms, setting her on the bed and tucking her in.

The silence continued as the two girls cleaned up the blankets, hung up the dresses, and settled in their own beds.

----------------------------

"Kels?"

"Yes Sammy?"

"I can't sleep. I don't want morning to come."

"I know. None of us really want it to."

"...don't forget about me Cherry."

Soft sobbing could be heard. It made Kelsey want to comfort her as soon as possible.

"I won't Apricot. None of us will," Kelsey reassured.