Chapter 3:...And The Rest of The Week Flew By

Authors Note: As the title indicates, chapter picks up the pace a bit. Hopefully, the scene headings and context don’t cause people to miss transitions to new days.

Of course, I need to give special thanks to AuroraIncident, who not only gave his blessing on this story but also has contributed a significant amount of guidance/suggestions to help it keep that charm so prevalent in his own stories. Be sure to check out his work if you haven’t. I also owe a great deal of thanks to all of my Beta Readers, especially Boots and adub as they continue assisting with the development of this story.

Lastly, I’m considering doing a shorter break between Chapters 4 and 5, so check my author’s page to keep in the loop for that.

As always, any characters engaging in sexual activity are at least 18 years old. 3 - ... And The Rest of The Week Flew By Wednesday, August 16, 8:30 AM, Cafeteria.

“So, have I met anyone else in choir and not realized it?” The thought had plagued Zoe since Seph’s breakdown. She and Cleo sat down at a table already occupied by Amber, Judy, and Lindsay.

“Hmmm, I don’t think so,” Cleo looked toward the ceiling as she tried to recall all their interactions.

“Uhhhh ... Hello!” Amber’s annoyance wasn’t hidden.

“Sorry, don’t know what I was thinking,” Cleo grimaced. “Amber here has a fantastic voice.”

With a mouthful of scrambled eggs, Amber smiled at the remark. Her acceptance of the praise did little to upturn Cleo’s frown.

“You alright?” Zoe asked, noting the particularly worrisome look on her small friend’s face.

“I think I know how Seph felt when she dropped the ball on my name.”

“Except she didn’t forget about someone she spends nearly every day with,” Lindsay said.

“Thanks, Lindz,” Cleo hung her head. “Can always count on you to cheer me up.”

“Don’t mention it,” Lindsay smiled, her obliviousness successfully cheering Cleo up where her words had failed.

Having polished off what was on her tray, Amber rose from the table. She turned and collided with Kristina who was wandering the room.

“The fuck!” Kristina muttered as she pushed the girl away. “Why are you in such a hurry.”

“Sorry, I was- I was just cleaning my-”

“Shut up! In the future, watch where you’re going,” Kristina rolled her eyes. “Now what was I ... Oh yeah. Tab said she announced it this morning but I’m sure you idiots missed it. You’ve got dishes this morning.”

“Already?” Judy counted her fingers between bites. “12 ... Monday lunChapter 11...”

“Are you fucking questioning me?” Kristina grunted.

“NO!” Judy sat upright. “I just ... lost track of-”

“The fuck good do I have for a drummer who can’t keep time?” She turned to Cleo. “Your whole fucking group is already on thin ice. This shit right here? This is why no one wants you to be a section leader.”

Cleo slumped down in her chair.

Amber bumping into her was one thing. But lashing out at everyone is uncalled for. Zoe scowled at the Drum Major. “Hey, wait a min-”

“Oh, no. New girl,” Kristina rolled her eyes. “I’m giving you a pass because you’re new. But if you and the rest of these bitches can’t keep the chatter down when you’re out on the field, you’ll be out of Marching Band before the first field show.”

She shook her head and left.

“Fucking hell,” Judy exhaled once she felt it safe to speak.

“Don’t worry,” Lindsay pat her on the back. “You’re timing isn’t that bad.”

“Not as bad as mine,” Amber gloomed. “What were the odds she’d be standing there right then?”

Cleo shrugged. “Never tell me the odds.”

Across the room they heard Kristina raise her voice at more girls from their cabin.

“Well, she seems lovely,” Zoe scowled. “She said something about being the person who gets to do most of the yelling when I first met her. I think I finally understand what that means.”

“Yeah,” Amber laughed. “It’s what she’s been working toward her whole life.”

The comment lifted their spirits.

“So, today is dishes. Anyone know when we’re scheduled for the washeteria?” Amber asked. Zoe could only surmise that was colloquial for the laundry room.

“Tomorrow, with Cabin 4,” Lindsay responded.

“What cabin is that?”

“Woodwinds,” Judy had kept an eye on who wound up where. “Boys”

“I don’t think I’ve met anyone from there either,” Zoe reflected.

“You’ll definitely have the opportunity. If you see someone cute...” Judy ran her tongue across her lip seductively.

Zoe furrowed her brow at the idea.

“Laundry has a lot of downtime,” Amber shrugged.

“More like going down-time,” Judy nearly cheered.

“Anyway,” Amber rolled her eyes. “It is an opportunity to meet some folks from other cabins. Maybe they’ll be cute, maybe they wont.”

Zoe couldn’t help but take the bait. “Are there a lot of cute woodwind players?”

“There aren’t any MEN if that’s what you mean,” Cleo answered disappointedly.

“Agreed. But there’s Dave, he’s got some money. But you’d probably be more into Ross since he’s got a nice car and he’s always down for a ride,” Judy followed up quickly. “You shouldn’t rule either of them out, they could be yummy.”

“I don’t think the rest of us put as much...” Cleo searched for the words to provide a polite response. “Weight on those things as you do.”

“You can tell yourselves that,” Judy sneered. “But who are you trying to fool? You’re not gonna want to be with someone who doesn’t have money or a car. That’s like buying your ticket to the bedroom rodeo and finding out his steed is already turning out glue.”

“Aw man, I’ve never been to any rodeo. Didn’t even know they had bedroom ones,” Lindsay groaned. “Anyone wanna take me next time?”

The others looked among themselves, uncertain of what to say.

“Buy your own admission and I’ll take you there,” Judy offered.

Zoe looked among her new friends, “Wait, didn’t you say-”

“I think this metaphor got away from them,” Amber giggled. “The point is, that may be what you want, Jude, but it’s not what anyone else at this table is thinking.”

“What about the new girl?” Judy challenged.

“What- what do you mean?” Zoe hadn’t anticipated being singled out.

“Well, you said you’re holding out until you have a ‘man’. Which, unless I’m mistaken, means a career and enough disposable income and autonomy to get around on their own.”

Again, that’s not really what I said earlier. But is it really that far off?

Zoe wanted to object, but she truly hadn’t ever put that much thought into what she was holding out for. When Lindsay had stated she was ‘holding out for a man’ it sounded right. She just had no idea by what metric she was making that distinction.

“Those are ... benefits...” she carefully answered. “But I don’t think they’re dealbreakers.”

“Trust me,” Judy offered. “The only true dealbreaker is when you’re ready for him to batter his corndog and you realize he’s only brought a Vienna sausage.”

Cleo set the hotdog she was eating down on her plate. “Anyone else suddenly lose their appetite?”

12:30 PM, Belews Lake Cafeteria

Screw this day, Seph felt off all morning. Compartmentalizing her personal life with her obligations as section leader was draining. But she’d pulled it off. Aside from Miles or Joe, she doubted anyone else in her section would have noticed.

Meals were a different matter altogether. There was no hiding. No giving orders. Just sitting, eating, and talking with people who actually knew her. The thought of the latter made the first two sound unbearable.

She grabbed a burger, a serving of fries, and a chocolate milk before exiting the cafeteria and sitting alone on the same bench she’d occupied only hours before.

“Missed you at breakfast,” Pixie and Melissa plopped down next to her with plates of their own, “How you holdin’ up?”

“I really feel like I goobered things up,” she shrugged.

“No one’s even thinking about that,” Mel reassured.

“I bet Miles is,” Seph sighed.

Pixie squirmed a little as a blush crept across her face.

“You too, eh?”

“I got to see the hottest guy in school make out with the hottest girl in school last night,” Pixie sounded like she was bragging about just being a witness.

“It was just a kiss,” Seph mentioned quietly.

“Not up here it isn’t,” Pixie tapped her temple.

“Since when do you think I’m the hottest girl in school?” Seph shot her a skeptical look. “I thought you still considered Sar-”

“Screw that,” Mel cut in. “Since when do you find boys hot?”

The comment broke Seph’s sullen mood, “Hey, yeah. For years everyone has known you only have eyes for a certain girl.”

It was Pixie’s turn to sigh, “Not everyone.”

“One love-lorn friend at a time, Pixie,” Mel chided, “We’re here for Seph.”

Seph gave Mel a stern look, then rolled her eyes and shook her head. I really do have good friends.

“What was I thinking?” Seph muttered.

“You were emotional,” Melissa stated, “Just got caught up in the moment.”

“Mr. Dreamy giving you his undivided attention while the rest of us were just chatting away. It was hot,” Pixie added. “No one can blame ya.”

“I don’t think Cam will see it that way,” she looked at the ground and felt disgusted with herself.

“Oh ... haven’t told him, eh?” Pixie didn’t sound overly surprised by this.

“No. We barely talked on the phone last night. I just told him I was tired and needed some sleep.”

“Well, as far as I know, that’s true. So at this point, it’s not like you lied to anyone,” Pixie was good at seeing the bright side of things.

“I guess, but you know that omitting is just as bad,” Mel’s fingers found their way to the cross she wore around her neck. “Some say it’s worse.”

“I probably shouldn’t try to give advice, seeing as I’ve never even been kissed,” Pixie began. “But you and Cam will figure it out. And I think Miles understands, or at least, will understand it didn’t mean anything, once you talk to him about it.”

“We talked last night,” her response startled the other girls. “Didn’t you notice he left when I did?”

“That’s what I thought at first,” Melissa admitted. “But then Chris said he was off to bed early so he could go swimming in the morning. Zoe didn’t contradict him, so I just figured it was right.”

I’m sure Zoe loved that Chris told more people about that. “But didn’t he mention it when ya’ll had breakfast?”

“Nope. Unless he said something to Chris or Joe, I reckon he figured whatever was said between the two of you was best if it stayed between the two of you,” Melissa reasoned.

“Hmm, maybe you’re right,” the thought brought some comfort to Seph, though she didn’t know why.

“That’s assuming he hasn’t told his sister,” Pixie pointed out.

“I don’t think he woulda had a chance. I saw him right before he went to bed, apparently, and we’ve been marching all day.”

“Yeah ... but they’re twins. Sometimes they just know,” the way Pixie said it got both Seph and Melissa cracking up.

It was the first true smile Seph had all day.

“There ya go,” Pixie was relieved to have brought a smile to her friend, “So will you be joining us later tonight?”

“Can’t. It’s Wednesday,” Seph reminded them.

“Oh right,” Pixie had forgotten the girl’s obligations, “Well, maybe that’s your answer.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re going to church, ain’tcha?” Melissa picked up on Pixie’s train of thought, “Pray on it!”

Thursday, August 17, 12:45 PM, Laundry Room.

“Why do they schedule us to have two cabins do laundry when there are only four machines?” Zoe said, annoyed at the overcrowded space.

“You’re more annoyed at that than the fact that we have laundry duty the day after we had dish duty?” Cleo asked.

“Better than if they’d scheduled us to do them on the same day,” she countered.

“Just be glad we actually have these ... industrial-type laundry machines. Otherwise, I’m sure we’d have to spend an entire day here instead of just a couple hours.”

Cleo’s right, these massive machines make this go so much faster than if we used a consumer-sized one.

“Okay, but why aren’t we out on the field while they’re operating? Doesn’t it feel like a missed opportunity?”

“Hey, quit complaining,” someone further inside the room shouted.

“Yeah, this is the best time to take advantage of the grounds,” another added.

She’d seen a few of their classmates sneak off, though the majority were hanging out in the space between the laundry building and cafeteria. Most were chatting. Amber and Lindsay had grabbed a couple of clean towels and were throwing them at each other. No one else from their cabin joined in, but a few guys from cabin 4 found it a good way to interact with classmates they didn’t know well.

“The other campsites don’t have machines like this, right?” Zoe asked Cleo.

“The other campsites don’t have machines,” Cleo clarified.

“So ... next week, do you think it’ll get crazy around here?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I figure we’ll see an influx of people over the weekend. Y’know, for Monday?” Zoe explained.

“You think it’ll get busy?”

“I think that, before we knew we were moving out here, I had my family pretty set on taking a long weekend trip to the southern part of Oregon in order to see it.”

“Woah,” Cleo looked impressed. “But, you’re into astro ... space.”

“And other people are more into ‘astro-space’,” Zoe giggled. “I’m pretty sure places are having trouble keeping the glasses in stock, if that says anything. You have some, right?”

“Oh yeah!” Cleo gloated. “For like a month now. My dad is super strict when it comes to safety.”

As she spoke, Cleo was jostled from a couple of students not paying attention. She nearly fell but was able to to brace herself on a counter.

“Hey! Watch where you’re going, jerk,” Zoe shouted at the unruly duo. “I’m sure he’d be thrilled seeing that.”

“I didn’t love it myself,” Cleo said as she rubbed her arm.

“Hey, it’s too crowded and stuffy in here,” Zoe said. “Wanna head out? Then maybe sneak off to make sure we still look put together before interacting with people again.

“Yeah, some breathing room would be nice.”

“K, let’s go find Judy and tell...”

She watched as a guy caught Judy’s eye, nodded, then escorted her out the back exit.

“Nevermind?” Zoe said as she followed Cleo out the front. Once they were away from the droves of students, she asked. “Any idea what that’s about?”

“Um ... Judy? ... yeah,” Cleo looked away meekly.

“Care to elaborate?” She wasn’t used to the girl being elusive.

“Not really,” Cleo said with a half-hearted chuckle.

“Cleo?”

“Oh ... uh ... remember yesterday when she said ‘Dave has money’?” Cleo clearly didn’t want to provide additional information.

That’s not a real answer.

“She was serious about that? She’ll date a guy just because he has money?”

“Um ... yeah. That’s one way to put it.”

“Wait, so, is he like ... her boyfriend? How come he doesn’t join us at the bonfire?”

“Ohh, No. No. He’s definitely not her boyfriend,” Cleo looked more and more uneasy as the conversation continued.

“Okay? Why do I feel like I’m missing something? How come she didn’t introduce him?”

“He probably can’t afford it,” the small girl mumbled.

“Excuse me?” Zoe’s head didn’t want to accept what Cleo was insinuating.

“Crap, I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“Cleo?” Zoe was trying not to shout, but it was difficult to keep herself at just a whisper, “Are you saying Judy lets boys pay to...”

The look on Cleo’s face told more than her mouth was willing to.

“You’re messing with me, right?” Zoe didn’t want her opinion of their roommate to change.

Cleo shrugged, “From what I know, she charges extra for talking, kissing, how long things take, and how much of a mess there is.”

“You’re not joking.”

“If you don’t believe me, you can go check for yourself.”

Eww. No. I don’t want to see that.

“I’ll take your word for it”

“Okay then, can we please drop it? This isn’t my favorite topic,” her voice sounded more timid than usual.

A lady wouldn’t look. A lady wouldn’t look. She spent several minutes repeating the phrase to herself.

She shook her head and scowled at Cleo.

“I gotta see for myself,” Zoe huffed.

“Well, you’re on your own. Have fun.”

“Oh, I won’t,” she grumbled as she walked away and peeked around the building.

They weren’t even attempting to hide. Judy was bent over, using a towel as padding between herself and the wall. Her shorts were just pulled down past her ass. His were further down his legs, but still not removed. His hands were on her hips, and he was clearly thrusting.

Judy looks completely disinterested.

He let out a grunt, grabbed her tight, and held still.

“No!” Judy scolded, “You’re not supposed to ... Goddammit.”

She pulled away from him, then started wiping herself with the towel.

“You bastard. You know that’s extra.”

“Oh, quit complaining,” he said as he held out a wad of money. “What you charge is more than enough to take care of it if anything happens.”

She took the cash with a frustrated sigh and continued trying to clean herself.

Zoe felt a little sick to her stomach as she returned to her spot next to Cleo.

“Alright. You were completely right. I wanted to believe you. I just had to see for myself.”

“Trust me. It wasn’t something I had an easy time believing when I first found out.”

Zoe’s eyes fell upon Amber and Lindsay, who were still mustering up the courage to flirt with the guys who had come over to play with them. A new thought popped into her head.

“What about them?”

“Nah, for as much time as they all spend together, they’re really different people once you get to know them.”

“Thank God,” she let out a sigh of relief. “I’d feel weird cutting them all out. I just had no idea she’s such a-”

Cleo gave Zoe a disapproving look.

“Y’know, I may have a bit of trouble accepting what Judy is up to, but there’s more to it than what you just saw,” she wasn’t speaking loudly, but Cleo’s tone conveyed a hint of anger. “And at the end of the day, she’s still a good person. In fact, she’s one of the people I trust most.”

Though she stood a foot taller than Cleo, Zoe felt as if the diminutive girl was towering over her.

“You’re right ... I guess I have some biases that I wasn’t really aware of...” she feared burning bridges with these girls she’d just begun to get to know.

Cleo shuffled her feet. “Sorry if I got carried away.”

“No way. I was out of line,” Zoe assured. “If anything, I should be thanking you for pointing out one of my faults. And I should also be thankful that someone who stands up for their friends like you do might be willing to consider me one of them.”

Cleo was about to respond, but Judy, once again fully dressed, showed up next to them.

Zoe and Cleo couldn’t help but exchange an uncomfortable glance.

“Enjoy the show?” Judy asked heartily, “This one was free ‘cause you just caught the end of it, but next time, I’ll charge you too.” 8:30 PM, Bonfire at Belews Lake

Great, Miles is in a funk. Is this because of Seph? Zoe hadn’t seen the other girl since her rushed departure two nights before. That, coupled with the isolation from Miles, made it difficult to pinpoint her brother’s emotional state. We’ve always told each other everything. He’s just been so damn distant ever since we got here. Is this how the year is going to be?

“I can’t wait to actually get our instruments,” Cleo’s comment broke Zoe’s train of thought. “I never go this long without playing the drums. I just wanna bang something.”

“Sweetie, you can’t be that easy. Boys will never take you seriously.” Zoe heard the words before she realized they were coming out of her own mouth. Was that me? I could have sworn that was Judy.

Miles and Joe stifled laughter. Amber, Judy, and Lindsay didn’t even pretend to hold it in.

“Yeah, those eighteen years are really adding up,” Judy stated, then absently gestured toward Miles, “If Zoe talks you up enough, I’m sure you’ll get to bang something soon.”

Zoe couldn’t miss the weary way Miles observed her new friends.

“Drums...” Cleo’s face was beet red, and she wanted to get the conversation back on point. Amber, Judy, and Lindsay kept laughing. “I want to bangPLAY! ... my drums.”

Though she wanted to help Cleo out, Zoe was too distracted by Miles. Please tell me you’re not galavanting off with some enablers after you leave us every night.

“Yeah, I don’t normally go this long without playing guitar or trumpet,” Miles offered as a means to rescue Cleo from the hole she’d dug for herself. “Heck, I don’t even think I’ve gone this long without touching a piano in years.”

He didn’t include swimming on that list. I guess he has been sneaking out. But swimming I can approve of.

“Piano? Seph told us you were spectacular on guitar and trumpet, I don’t think she knows all the instruments you can play,” Joe seemed excited to hear about Miles’s musical abilities.

“Honestly, Joe, I don’t even think I know all the instruments he can play,” Zoe admitted. “I swear he just instinctively knows how to play whatever is put in front of him.”

“Lucky. I work my butt off and still can’t play trumpet that well,” Joe was visibly annoyed at this. “But I’m pretty comfortable on the bass.”

“I only play drums,” Cleo volunteered.

“Yeah, but you’re the best drummer in school,” Lindsay complimented.

“I’m okay,” deflected Cleo.

“Drums?” Miles tilted his head. “I thought you’d say percussion.”

Cleo bobbled her head a bit, “Okay, okay. If I can hit it and it makes noise, I can probably play it.”

“I also only play the drums,” added Amber with a smirk.

“Me too. And if a boy wants to be spanked, I guess that counts too. Oh, wait, and the flesh flute,” Judy added, not missing the opportunity to be crude, “When I get that thing in my mouth you’ll hear sounds like nothing else coming out the other end.”

“Hah,” Miles laughed uncomfortably. “Other than to compliment or encourage, you’d think most guys would keep quiet and enjoy it.”

“You speaking from experience?” Judy challenged, looking Miles up and down. “Or is this from some porn you’ve watched?”

“Uh...”

“Y’know, I really don’t want to know the answer to that,” Zoe stated.

“Well, I do,” Cleo giggled.

“Me too,” Judy winked at Miles. “I can’t help but imagine all about the noises he does or does not make when he’s on the receiving end of a good gucking.”

“Jeezus!” Joe exclaimed. Miles laughed under his breath at the reaction.

“How about you, Lindz?” Amber had long grown accustomed to getting conversations back on track from Judy’s comments.

“Uhhhh ... drums, guitar, bass, piano, harpsichord, accordion, theremin, the hurdy-gurdy, and jaw harp ... oh, and didgeridoo.”

Lindsay’s claim was met with skepticism and looks of bewilderment.

“Are you serious?” Zoe asked, certain she couldn’t be.

“Oh, absolutely. Both my parents are musicians. They did a lot of session work in the before I was born. They still keep in touch with some of the acts they recorded with,” it was more than either Miles or Zoe had heard the girl say since meeting her. “They had a small studio built onto the house, so we always have instruments around. Sometimes someone I’ve never even heard of will just show up and play something incredible like it’s no big deal.”

Miles might try dating her just so he could spend time at her house, Zoe tried not to snort at her own thoughts.

“Well, I gotta say, you play a really bizarre assortment of instruments,” Miles admitted, “But that’s rad.”

Lindsay beamed at his comment.

Definitely seems like he’s warming up to at least one of the girls.

“Hi, friend. Hi, New friend!” Pixie appeared behind Cleo and Zoe, handed each a yellow rose before dancing over and taking her seat between Miles and Joe with the same overly friendly greeting from the night before.

“Where did you get these?” Zoe inquired, smelling the flower in her hand. This thing is freshly cut.

“It’s typically best not to ask those kinds of questions when it comes to Pixie,” Joe advised.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Pixie giggled. “Most questions are safe.”

“Most?” Miles turned his head.

“It’s only the really nosy ones who have to worry,” she said with a wink.

Miles placed his hand to where she’d pressed her lips to his cheek, “I’ll bear that in mind.”

“What’d we miss?” Chris asked as he and Mel found their seats next to Joe.

“Not a whole lot, just finding out how many instruments everyone plays.”

“I play the-” Judy excitedly began to recite her earlier remark.

“We know!” the twins stated in unison.

“Do I even wanna know what that was about?” Chris asked.

The drummers scrambled to keep Judy from repeating herself, the twins shook their heads, Joe provided a slurping sound.

“Ah,” Chris frowned. “Uh ... just trombone for me.”

“Hmmm,” Pixie debated, “I guess I play piccolo, flute, and sax.”

“Yeah, and just sax for me, though since I play baritone, tenor, and alto, so does that count as one or three?” Mel asked.

“Well, aren’t all the fingerings the same? So, it’s not like you had to relearn how to play when you picked up a new sax, right?” Miles suggested.

“What’s this about different fingerings?” Judy sat upright and turned all her attention to the conversation. “Wait, so like, do tenors like a little more key action? Or do you have to caress the body more?”

“Judy!” Cleo said through clenched teeth.

“It’s actually the elbow you have to be mindful of,” Pixie contributed.

“Uh...” Mel blushed. “Just sax. I just didn’t want to only have one.”

“Yeah, that’d be terrible,” Chris rolled his eyes. Mel stuck her tongue at him in return.

The group laughed at the exchange. Miles looked around.

“Where’s Seph and Topher?” Zoe asked before Miles had the chance. “They don’t have church again tonight, do they?”

“Maybe she had to go to the bathroom again, Miles, did she text you?” Cleo referenced their earlier joke.

To Zoe’s surprise, Miles pulled his phone from his pocket.

“Nah, she said she wasn’t feeling well after the meeting,” Chris stated before the screen came to life. “And I think he was meeting with some other juniors.”

“I hope she’s alright,” Miles mumbled, mostly to himself.

Fuck, Miles thinks he’s the reason she’s not here ... maybe he is? Zoe knew her brother wouldn’t be able to write it off.

“Y’know, I think I’m gonna go check on her. Make sure she doesn’t need anything,” Zoe offered.

A trio of knocks interrupted the solitude of the Girl’s Brass Cabin.

“You expecting anyone?” Dianna, who had the bunk across from Seph, asked.

Seph shook her head and the trombone player went to greet the visitor.

“Hello?” Dianna’s voice didn’t have the familiar tone it would have if she’d recognized the person.

“Hey, sorry, I was wondering if Seph was in there?”

“Sure...” she glanced at the bunk but didn’t open the door any further. “I don’t think she’s feeling well, lemme check.”

She closed the door and then turned to address Seph directly.

“Hey. It’s that new girl, the one who looks like a Greek Goddess, you want me to ask her to go away?”

“First of all, I’m the girl everyone is always comparing to Aphrodite,” Seph smirked. “And second ... No. I should probably go talk to her.”

She got up and went to open the door. The look of concern on Zoe’s face caught her by surprise.

“You alright?” Zoe asked.

“I’ve felt better.”

“I- is- is there anything I can do to help?”

She let out a sigh of frustration, “No. I’m just being an idiot about things. And I’m just kinda hiding out now.”

Zoe looked over to the bonfire on the far side of the field, then turned back to Seph. “Miles is gonna think you’re avoiding him.”

Seph had to break eye contact. She couldn’t hide her discomfort. “I ... don’t want to lead him on.”

“Then don’t. That seems fairly simple,” there was a hint of irritation to Zoe’s voice.

“You know, every girl in the band is drooling over him,” Seph knew the comment would come as no surprise to Zoe. “ ... And I have to spend all day with him. When I met you two, or should I say when I saw him, I was really hoping he’d be an arrogant asshole, or stupid, or even just ... I dunno, dense or something. But he’s not any of those things. He’s kinda wonderful. And I don’t know if I can trust myself to be around him in such an intimate setting.”