Chapter 17

   The lake we went to was in the middle of a forest. The only reason the dirt road was there was because it was such a popular camping spot and hangout spot for high school students.
   We found a clearing a little ways inside the trees where we could fit the truck with the trailer and boat, a fire pit, and both tents. Jake pulled a shotgun and five pocket knives out of the back of the truck.
   "What're those for, Jake?" Jenna asked.
   "The shotgun is in case something tries to attack us. The pocket knives are for all of us. Souvenirs from my uncle's boat shop. They're multi-purpose" Jake told her.
   "Well alright then" Jenna said as he started to hand out the knives to each of us.
  
   We all set out to collect firewood. I went with John, Susan and Jenna went with Jake. John and I each found great armfuls of wood. We started back towards the camp, laughing together and having a great time.
   All five of us met up at around the same time. We made a pile of firewood but we knew we'd need more soon enough. We had enough to keep the fire going for a few hours, though, so we all set to work. Susan and I started to light the fire while Jenna, John, and Jake set up the tents. Jenna had more success than the boys, and our tent was up in a flash. Susan and I had started the fire at about the same time the boys had their tent set up. We all went back into the forest and found logs to sit on.
   We met back at the camp, all sitting our logs around the fire. Having spent most of that day putting everything up and starting the fire, it was already nearly dark. But we were planning for that. We had all agreed to leave early, drive the hour and a half it took to get there, and spend the day setting everything up. It got dark early in our small town.
   John and Jake looked at me expectantly. "So, how'd your date go?" Jake asked.
   "It was, er, interesting. He and I got into a fight with George and Sean and there girls, the sisters" I explained. John shot a dangerous glance at Jake. He obviously didn't like the sound of that.
   "You, uh, I don't think you should continue to date him, Sam..." John said.
   Jake nodded his agreement. "He's bad news, Sam. Especially if he fought them. Now he's gonna be in big trouble with that lot. You don't want to get mixed in with that mess. John and I... We've had some disputes with them before. Didn't end so well then. Won't end so well now either" Jake said.
   I glanced at both of them. "Guys, he's sweet and all but I wasn't planning to continue dating him" I told them. "Remember, I told you guys, one date" I reminded them.
   John looked at me, relief in his eyes. I smiled at him then glanced at Jake as he stood up.
   "Where're you going?" Jenna asked suspiciously.
   "To the truck. Why, you wanna join me?" He asked, grinning mischievously. He held out his hand to her.
   Jenna glared at him a moment, then took his hand and walked with him towards the truck, glancing back at me and Susan and smiling.
   Susan glanced at me and both of us burst into a fit of giggles.
   "I'm not the slightest bit surprised" I commented when we'd calmed down.
   "No? Why not?" Susan asked.
   "Because while they're complete opposites, they're also exactly the same. They're a perfect match for each other" I told her.
   "True... Hey, should we get some more firewood?" Susan asked, glancing at our diminished pile of wood.
   "Yeah" I said, standing up.
   "I'll get some" John volunteered, standing up. He smiled at us. "You girls relax. I'll get the firewood" he told me.
   "Awe, thanks John" Susan said.
   "You sure you don't want some help?" I asked.
   "Naw, I got it" John said.
   I sat back down as he headed into the trees.
   "So what about you and John?" I asked Susan. "Are you two a thing?"
   "No way! I wouldn't steal him like that" she said.
   "Steal him? What do you mean?" I questioned.
   "You mean you don't see it? Jenna and I were talking about it last night before you got home. We even called Jake up and he asked. We thought that you two were a thing. It's obvious he likes you, and we think you like him too" she told me.
   "He likes me? Despite me having dated Leo?"
   "Yes! It's so obvious. You're the only one who doesn't see it"
   "Hey girls" John called, heading back with an arm load of firewood.
   He set everything in the pile and sat back down next to me.
   "Guys! Look what Jake hid in the boat! Marsh mellows, graham crackers, chocolate, and metal sticks! S'mores making time!" Jenna called, carrying the chocolate and graham crackers. Jake followed behind with five metal sticks and a big bag of marsh mellows.
   "Let the party begin! Jake laughed.