Chapter 3~ No one But You

A Chapter by Pammy

Summer is here and a few of our heroes have a camp out

They looked up at the night sky in amazement. The world seemed to stretch before them, and even if it was hard to pick out the stars from the satellites, they still managed to find the few constellations they knew in the darkness. The crickets sang and far off in the distance a cow bayed, probably looking for its friends. The fire crackled and the flames licked the cedar logs that sat at its base. All around there was a lazy hum in the air, as if time were suspended in this corner of the world. And it was all theirs. Four friends sat in the country on that night, and they all looked up at the night sky around the fire together.

“I told you it would be nice out here,” Andréa said from her spot atop Alex’s lap.

“Yeah, you did,” Renee agreed, looking up and around her.

“It’s too bad that we can’t stay for longer"at least we’ve got one more night,” Don chimed in. Work had claimed yet another victim. It just happened to be his turn.

“Yeah, too bad,” Andréa agreed. “I love these trips with you guys. They make me feel like we’re actually living in a world of our own.”

“How so?” Alex asked her. She smiled down at him and hugged his neck.

“Well, here we don’t have to worry about anything but making sure the fire doesn’t spread out too far, and that we don’t breathe in fumes from the flaming Pringles chips,” she jerked her head in the direction of the flames, which were currently being turned green by the guacamole flavored chips Don threw in them. Alex laughed and hugged her closer.

“Blargh” Renee commented at the sight. She stuck out her tongue and regarded the two through her glasses like a teacher. “Am I going to have to separate you two?”

“Pass the brats, would you please, madam?” Don nodded to Renee as he held a plate out to her, interrupting her train of thought.

“Sure thing, sweet cheeks,” Renee answered, grabbing the sausages and handing them over. Don took advantage of the moment by grabbing her wrist and pulling her into a hug. Now it was Alex and Andréa’s turn to gag. Each couple thought each other way too twitter pated. Just like a Disney film.

Their little camp was on a farm, the farm that Don lived on, to be exact. In the middle of the country side, there was literally ‘no one to hear you scream’ out here. But that was all right, because nothing ever happened any way. It was quiet out there, the perfect place to grow up. He and Andréa had gotten into so much trouble at this house in the middle of nowhere; from jumping into puddles to accidentally letting the cows out. This place was full of memories, most of them good. Memories of times when things seemed so simple"of shoes and ships and ceiling wax, of cabbages and kings. Certainly there were also times of fights and problems, of tearful good byes. Now Don and Andréa were sharing a new kind of memory"the stargazing kind.

The night passed without incident, many toasted marshmallows and s’mores were devoured, along with bratwursts and turkey kielbasa. Some peach flavored water and onigiri made the night. After a while, Renee excused herself and retreated to the big tent where all their sleeping bags were, and Alex soon followed, claiming exhaustion. Near the end of the night, the last two lay out on a quilt of Don’s, staring upwards again.

“Do you ever think we’ll get out of here?” Andréa asked him.

He didn’t even shift his gaze. “Suppose so. Guess it just depends on how badly we want it. Although, some money could help.”

“I guess so. And true facts on the second part,” she answered, a smile playing across her lips. After a few moments of silence, she found herself going back to looking for Orion. It was her favorite constellation, probably because of the mythology behind it.

“Renee wants us to move in together,” Don said at last. Andréa stopped searching and looked at him. He looked happy, but exhausted. It was totally unlike his usual self.

She sat up on one elbow and studied him carefully. Usually he was blunt, but it seemed he was taking care with this conversation. “She wants us to move in? Or just you? And how did this come about?” she inquired.

“Just me. And because she said she needed a room mate, and the deadline for campus housing next semester is already up.” He answered calmly, still not making eye contact.

“Oppa"” she started.

“Yes, woman? You know I don’t like it when you pick a language I don’t understand.”

“Fine, let me pick one you do. You’re in love with her, aren’t you?”

“Maybe? I mean, we have been dating for almost a year now.” his voice cracked a little.

“Does Mom know about this?” she asked crossly.

“Does Dad know about you and Alex?” he retorted. “Why don’t you tell him about how you sit on his lap and sneak out to go see him play in concerts?”

“Well I’m going to miss you,” she pouted, abruptly changing the subject.

“Lies,” he claimed. She looked over to see him smiling.

“And slander?” her face brightened up. That joke would never die.

“You’ll have to come over, of course,” he said at last. “And don’t worry; you can bring Alex with you. I don’t mind,” he said, matter-of-factly. “Just as long as Mom doesn’t find out,” he finished.

“Yay! I love you, Oppa!” she rolled over to him and gave him a hug.

“More lies. You’re the devil.” he claimed, hugging her back.

She rolled back to her place and sighed. Even after all these years, it was impossible to win against him. Looking up at the moon, she thought about all of the things each of them had gone through just over the past year and a half. It had been a wild ride, and they hadn’t even left town. What would happen now that Renee was taking him away from her? She felt happy for him, but anxious and jealous at the same time. What would happen indeed? Closing her eyes, she listened to the sounds of the country side; the wind through the grass, and the animals in the near distance. The wind kissed her cheeks and swept her hair across her face, consequently making the fire dance away from her. Without realizing it, she drifted off to sleep; a bittersweet taste on her tongue.