I didn't want to go to camp.
Three days without Wi-Fi, video games, or the sweet escape of scrolling through Webtoons sounded like a nightmare. But my parents, in their infinite wisdom, thought it would be "good for me."
"You need to socialize more," my mom said as she stuffed my duffel bag with clothes I didn't want to wear. "You're too attached to your screen."
"It's a healthy attachment," I'd argued, but it was no use. By Friday morning, I was being herded onto a bus full of overly enthusiastic classmates, already regretting every life choice that led me here.
But then something unexpected happened.
The first game of the camp was some team-building relay thing. Normally, I'd have groaned and stayed in the background, hoping no one noticed me. But when the counselor announced my teammate, my heart practically leapt out of my chest.
"Alex Pierce and Madison!"
Alex Pierce. Alex Pierce.
Forgetting everything, I straightened up, smoothing my hair as if I hadn't just spent two hours on a bus. This was it,the chance to actually talk to him without my friends interrupting or Ben Carter lurking somewhere, ruining everything.
Alex jogged over to me, his easy smile lighting up his face. "Looks like we're teammates," he said, his voice as warm and perfect as I'd imagined.
"Yeah," I said, suddenly hyper-aware of how stupid my camp T-shirt looked on me. "Cool."
Get it together, Maddie, I told myself. You're a human being, not a malfunctioning robot.
The game involved running through a series of obstacles crawling under nets, balancing on logs, and solving puzzles together. Normally, I'd hate this kind of thing, but with Alex? It felt like an adventure.
"You're good at this," he said as I successfully untangled a rope knot during the second round.
"Really?" I asked, trying not to blush.
"Yeah. You've got quick hands."
Quick hands. Quick hands? I didn't even know what that meant, but I decided it was the best compliment I'd ever received.
We worked together seamlessly, passing each obstacle with surprising ease. I forgot all about my protests against camp, my lack of Wi-Fi, and even my lingering annoyance at being dragged here in the first place. For those few minutes, it was just Alex and me, laughing and strategizing like we were the stars of our own adventure movie.
When we crossed the finish line, breathless and victorious, Alex turned to me with that dazzling smile of his. "That was awesome," he said. "You're a great teammate."
"Thanks," I managed, my voice somehow not betraying the butterflies doing somersaults in my stomach.
For a moment, I felt like I was floating. No awkwardness, no distractions,just me and Alex, finally connecting.
But then, as if the universe couldn't let me have one perfect moment, I heard it.
"That was lucky," a familiar, infuriating voice drawled from behind me.
I turned to see Ben Carter leaning casually against a tree, watching us with that trademark smirk.
"Didn't think you had it in you, Maddie," he added, his tone dripping with mock surprise.
My bliss shattered. Of course he was here. Of course.
"What are you even doing here?" I snapped, glaring at him.
"It's a school camp," he said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Why wouldn't I be here?"
Alex glanced between us, his brow furrowing slightly. "You two know each other?"
"No," I said quickly.
"Yes," Ben said at the same time, grinning.
I wanted to strangle him.
"Barely," I added, shooting Ben a warning look.
Alex seemed to accept that, but Ben's smirk only deepened. He gave me one last look half amused, half something I couldn't quite place,before strolling off to join his group.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the frustration bubbling in my chest. Alex didn't need to know about my history with Ben. This was my moment, and I wasn't about to let him ruin it.
"Ready for the next round?" Alex asked, his smile snapping me back to the present.
"Yeah," I said, forcing a smile of my own. "Let's do this."
For the rest of the day, I pushed Ben Carter out of my mind and focused on Alex. He was all that mattered.
Or so I told myself.