Author's Note: Wow, thanks so much for the reviews and follows, your response is so very much appreciated. The summer has just begun for our girls, it's gonna be a fun ride. I hope you continue to enjoy.

Chapter 2 – We own right now

My hand stayed mingled with Bo's as I returned her smile. Now that my conscious mind had rejoined my body, I noticed how soft and warm her skin felt, it would have been comforting had I not been completely and utterly mortified at being caught in this crazy moment. I had a sudden flashback to information I read early on at University about Walter Cannon of the Harvard Medical School in the 1920's coming up with the 'fight or flight' mechanism. He discovered that when animals are faced with danger they prepare to either fight or flee to safety. Hormones are released which cause stored sugar and fats to enter the bloodstream and provide a ready source of energy. Respiration, heart and blood pressure all increase, ensuring enough blood is circulated to the muscles. In a threatening situation, it was a useful response. If my response here was to flee, where would I go? Did I really want to flee? Part of me registered that my body's immediate response to meeting Bo was anything but normal and that I should fight to see what that was destined to be, but that part of me was seemingly at war with my need to retract and protect myself. Looking at Bo again, I swallowed hard, took a deep breath and decided it was time to be brave.

"I am so sorry Bo, I promise I'm not usually half naked and dancing like a lunatic, but you kinda surprised the hell out of me and apparently rendered me temporarily mute, it's really nice to meet you too. Ciara has been excited about the arrival of the infamous Bo and Kenzi for days". I let go of Bo's hand and instantly missed its warmth. It was the first time I had a chance to look at her in her entirety, taking in her tight jeans, boots and black tank top, she was absolutely beautiful with long chocolate hair matching her eyes. There was a certain aura about Bo, a hard edge that demanded immediate attention but also a softness that was silky smooth and calming. I was beginning to freak out again. I needed to get dressed, this situation was getting ridiculous. "So…I'm just gonna go put some clothes on. I wasn't exactly sure what to wear, but I will follow your lead and go with jeans". Bo laughed at me softly "Hmmm I personally don't think customers at the Dal would mind you wearing exactly what you are right now". Apparently Bo was not going to let me escape this embarrassing situation any time soon as she made herself at home on the empty bunk nearest to mine with a renewed smirk on her face. "OK I'll bite. Who is Trick exactly?" I asked with sudden curiosity and a need to deflect attention from myself. "Trick is the owner and bartender extraordinaire of the Dal. During camp season he's known as the Willy Wonka of Booze. He mixes wicked cocktails of every flavour imaginable and every colour of the rainbow. He's also my grandfather". Bo's eyes seemed to shine with pride as she talked about Trick but there was also an unmistakable sadness.

I could see Bo was deep in thought, the cabin was engulfed with a comfortable silence as I grabbed my favourite jeans from my pack. When I wore them it always felt like I was being hugged, they were faded and torn a little around the bottom from travelling just about everywhere life had taken me over the years. I knew that they fit me in all the right places, sitting low on my hips and just tight enough without being dangerous to my health. I needed that extra confidence tonight. I teamed the jeans with a light purple tank and my trusty brown leather boots. It was early June, so the days were warm but I had discovered since my arrival that the nights were chilly still. I started to worry because Bo hadn't said anything else. "I'm sorry Bo. We don't have to talk about Trick if you don't want to. I'm kinda socially inept these days, so I'm sorry if I upset you somehow". She flashed me that smile of hers and those eyes again before answering. "Wow you seem to love apologising to me. It's fine, in fact I love talking about my grandfather. I can't wait to see him tonight, it's been a few month since I've been back to town. I actually grew up here. My mum died in a car accident when I was 6. I lived here with Trick and my grandmother Isabeau until I left for College in Boston. I've been coming here to Chipewa since I was little, it's here I first met Kenzi and then over the years our friendship morphed into more of a sisterhood. If I seemed sad talking about Trick it's because being here, everything reminds me of my grandmother. All the places we drove past on the way here, the smell of the bakery in town and especially the lake, everything here holds memories of her. She passed away 9 months ago. I'm nervous about how Trick will cope through his first camp season without her".

I was fighting the urge to apologise again. I envied the way Bo was able to be so open with me, we had literally known each other for 10 minutes and she was happy to share her thoughts and fears. I wished I could be like that again. I sat down on my bunk, now facing Bo and holding her eyes with mine I wanted to lighten the mood again "I want to apologise again, but I won't I promise! I'm sure Trick will be ecstatic to see you tonight and having you here in town, close by will only help him. Turn up the music again on the Ipod if you want to. I'll just be 10 or 15 doing my hair and makeup then I can finally see the Dal, you can see your grandfather and I can drink until I forget to be embarrassed. Where is Ciara anyway"? My meeting with Bo had taken up all space and time and I had forgotten about Ciara completely. I popped my head around the corner of the bathroom space to look back into the main bunk area. I could see Bo scrolling through my Ipod, clearly amused. "Ciara is with Kenzi in the main hall. When I left them they were already arguing about scheduling specifics for the talent show next week. It's the first event of the camp season and is hosted by the arts program staff. You probably know Ciara works in both the arts program and land sports areas. Keniz is the arts program head this year and she loves her drama, so I'm sure she's driving Ciara insane by now with her ideas for which dangerous theatrics and props to use this year. That's why I volunteered to come and meet you, and what a meeting it was" Bo was beaming up at me again and I had to turn my attention back to the mirror and my makeup to avoid freaking out yet again. I noticed Bo hadn't turned up any music and wondered why. "Lauren, your play lists are hilarious. Do you always organise and categorise everything?" I smiled sheepishly before answering "Actually yes. Life with me consists of work, study, sleep and exercise. So there are play lists for each of those, there's also my 'driving' play list and of course my 'styling' play list which is the home of my collection of 'Salt n Pepa'". Bo seemed content to leave our conversation there for a while. After another couple of minutes I was ready to go. Hair and makeup done, I felt relieved to be leaving the confines of this bunk which over the last 20 minutes had been transformed into my personal bubble of embarrassment.

I walked out of the bathroom space and noticed Bo was still sitting on the bunk but she was a million miles away, apparently high up in her mind castle somewhere checking out the view. I reached out and touched her lightly on the shoulder to get her attention "Bo I'm ready to go, are you all good?" At my touch her focus drifted back. She took my hand in hers and used my weight to pull herself up from the bunk, bringing our bodies close. We smiled at each other shyly before Bo stepped away and moved quickly to the door opening it for me and motioning for me to step through "After you! The Dal is waiting and I'm feeling the need to wrap Trick in a huge hug". I walked through the door looking out at the lake until I felt Bo beside me. We walked down the stairs in step with each other until our feet touched the soft grass of bottom field. There was just one more thing I wanted to say to Bo while it was just the two of us. "I know I said I wasn't gonna apologise again, but well I'm sorry. I'm so sorry about your mum and your grandmother. I just wanted you to know that". Bo took my hand and gave it a little squeeze before dropping it again and simply saying "thanks" before we walked silently up to the main hall.

Catching up with Ciara and meeting Kenzi felt like a blur. Kenzi's first words to us had been "yo bitches" and since then we had been dragged up on stage and asked to referee between Ciara and Kenzi's differing opinions of what was possible and practical in terms of lighting and props for the talent show. That was all in the space of about 10 minutes and I felt utterly exhausted. Kenzi was this ball of intense energy, she was physically tiny in every sense of the word with long, straight dark hair that had bright purple streaks placed randomly through it. She was wearing a tight, bright pink Camp Chipewa shirt with tight black leather pants and boots. To be honest, she scared the shit out of me. I really needed a drink and fast. Bo seemed to be thinking the same thing because she grabbed a pacing Kenzi in a huge hug and whispered something I couldn't make out in her ear. Kenzi smiled back at Bo and before I knew it we were all piled in to Bo and Kenzi's beat up yellow muscle car and on route to the Dal.

Ciara was apparently designated driver tonight and Kenzi was taking the opportunity to talk heatedly with her in the front of the car, still harping on about the talent show. In contrast, Bo and I were sitting quietly in the back together. Bo was staring out of the window, I suspected lost in memories. My own thoughts drifted to home. I had only arrived at camp four days ago and had called my mum every one of those days to say hi. I missed her so much already and couldn't imagine her not being in my life. I felt Ciara pull us in to the carpark outside of what I assumed to be the Dal. The car engine being cut effectively pulled Bo and me out of our respective internal reflection. At first glance, the Dal looked just like the lodge at Chipewa. It was a large log cabin with a wrap around porch. The porch was covered with fairy lights and hanging baskets with all kinds of flowers. It was filledwith different swing chairs, hammocks and bench seats with tables, overall quirky and pretty damn cool. Bo moved past us quickly and swung open the heavy, wooden double doors leading inside the Dal. I followed close behind, eager now to see inside. "Wow" was the single word that slipped out of my mouth.

In contrast to the very rustic exterior, the inside was modern with plush purple carpeting and a huge main bar area on one side with bottles and bottles of liquor, some were stock standard and others looked home made. The bar top looked to be made of a giant fallen log which had been chopped through, exposing its growth rings and polished to a mirror like finish reflecting all the bottles which sat behind it on glass shelves. A man looked up as we entered and once he spotted Bo he was out from behind the bar in a flash and enveloping her in a huge bear hug, holding on tight. He and Bo were both sniffing and crying happy tears. So this must be Trick I thought with a smile. He was not exactly what I'd been expecting. He looked weary from his years but wise at the same time, holding the room and demanding respect. He had a quirky sense of dress too, wearing a purple shirt that almost matched the carpet, jeans and boots with a black leather vest. Bo and Trick reluctantly parted from the hug but stayed connected holding hands. Trick greeted Kenzi and Ciara both with hugs as well before turning to look at me. He seemed to have a similar aura as Bo, hard and soft at the same time. I assumed Bo must have looked more like her grandmother though. Bo wiped at her tears and looked at me warmly "Pops this is Lauren Lewis, our newest Chipewa recruit". She was looking at me strangely with a look of almost pride as she introduced me to Trick. Trick looked between Bo and I for a little while, he seemed to be assessing something. He then grinned at me pulling me in for a hug as well. "It's nice to meet you Lauren. I look forward to getting to know you over the next couple of months. Welcome to the Dal". "Girls, I have reserved you your usual spot out back on the porch. Kenz, I assume you have my music for the night?" Kenzi pulled out a USB and handed it to Trick "You know it Trickster, it's just the thing to get the party started later" she replied with a wink.

Bo led us out onto the porch to a wooden table that was almost identical to the bar top inside with padded, plush high back bench seats on either side. The seats were covered with a soft cow hide and there was a black candle burning in the centre of the table. The table setting combined with the fairy lights and the soft glow of dusk was stunning. I sat next to Ciara on one side of the table with Bo opposite me, our knees brushing. Sitting next to Bo, Kenzi suddenly turned her full attention to me, almost scrutinising me with her intense pale blue eyes. "So Lauren, me and Bo Bo don't' know a lot about you yet and if you're gonna be part of our merry little band of misfits this summer, we need to do something about that little factoid". I gulped loudly and couldn't help but feel my throat get dry. I was not an open book type of person, especially not with someone like Kenzi. But as I looked at Bo, smiling reassuringly at me and seemingly excited to discover more, I knew I had to at least return the favour and be open with her. For the first time in years, I had met someone and I actually wanted to know more about them and I actually wanted Bo to know more about me. I wanted these women to be my friends and I wanted to be friends to them. The thing that really scared me was once I had shown them who I am, would they like it?

Magically on cue, Trick appeared with a tray of shots. There were four different shots, one of each for all of us. Trick was suddenly my favourite person. "Ladies here are my four newest creations. As usual don't bother asking what they taste like or what's in them, because you know I never give away my secrets, not even to you Bo". Trick simply laughed at our mystified looks and went back inside. I noticed the Dal was filling up fast. I recognised some of the other campers from Chipewa and there was also a crowd of families and groups of friends who I assume were locals. Kenzi's eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning looking at the tray of shots. Rubbing her hands together with delight she looked back up at me. "Perfect way to break to ice wouldn't you say? I propose we do a shot, then each take a turn at asking Lauren a personal question. Four shots means four questions, you game?" I had to look away from Kenzi's intense gaze for my own sanity and decided to look at Bo again to set my resolve for the onslaught. I grabbed one of the shots and downed it quickly, feeling the alcohol slide down my throat, leaving a pleasant after burn. The taste of the shot was delicious, peppermint and chocolate. I reluctantly tore my eyes from Bo's and looked at Kenzi almost challengingly "lets do this" I stated with resolve.

Kenzi, Bo and Ciara all downed their shots straight away and had a similar reaction to me, licking their lips from the deliciousness of the shot. Kenzi jumped straight in "I get first question and I'm curious as to what exactly you do back home? Ciara told me you're from Sydney, but that didn't give me any clues, normally I can get a feel from someone right away, but you've got me stumped". I felt relieved, that was an easy question to answer. "In simple answer to your question Kenz, I'm a vet. I never wanted to be anything else. I always loved animals and have always been fascinated by them. There are so many different types and classifications. They fly, swim, and run at great speed. I love the science behind that, the biology and the anatomy. Animals are so in tune with the earth, sometimes sensing earthquakes and storms before theyhappen and getting themselves to higher ground. I've finished my undergraduate study but have been thinking about specialising in veterinary surgery which would mean more work". I hadn't meant to get so in depth but my work was my passion. "Whoa a vet, that's cool. You're a complete nerd, a hot ass nerd". Kenzi looked impressed, Bo and Ciara just laughed at her. I hadn't even told Ciara about my career, it had just never come up.

We all took our second shot and it was better than the first, like drinking an apple pie. I could taste apple, cinnamon and butter. Ciara turned to me and asked "How about sisters or brothers? I know a little about your mum and dad, but never asked if you if you had siblings". Kenzi groaned "Ciara that is letting her off the hook big time". I laughed and answered "I have one older sister, Karen. I live with her actually. She had my nephew Mason just over a year ago. Her hubby Jason is in the Australian Army and got posted for 7 months over in Afghanistan so I moved in with her to help her out". Kenzi's eyes seemed to warm up a little at my answer before she said "I get the whole sisterly love thing. Bo Bo here is not technically my sister but I love her as though she is and would do anything for her". Bo looked at Kenzi and threw an arm around her back, I knew she felt the same, she had told me so earlier. We all looked at our third shot, I couldn't wait to try it and see what flavour explosion I would get. We clinked glasses and downed the liquid together, wincing from the sour cherry taste. It was a shock to the system but equally as yummy as the two previous sweet shots. It was Bo's turn to ask me a questions and I was nervous about what she might want to know. "OK Lauren, my turn" she said. I could see there was something she wanted to ask but was debating if she should. "I want to know what you're passionate about, what you love to do". I could tell Kenzi wasn't happy with Bo's question either, but she didn't voice it, just rolled her eyes. Bo on the other hand was poised waiting for my reply "My passions hmmmm. I love mountain bike riding. It's the closest thing to what I imagine flying feels like. I love the feeling of my body heating up, the burn you get in your lungs and muscles, the air flying past your body at speed, the adrenalin rush. It's like meditation to me I guess, a way to expel stress, think and prepare. I also love to cook. I love the way you take all these random elements, bind them together and get something completely new". She seemed to understand exactly what I meant and smiled as she replied "I totally get you about the riding. I feel the same thing when I swim. Well in water generally. I love the way the water makes my body feel lighter but heavier at the same time and the way all sound is blocked out when you're under water, its peaceful. That's my program area at Chipewa. I'm the program head for water sports down at the lake".

Bo's smile and look of excitement suddenly faded with the entry of a group of guys wearing camp shirts from 'Camp Romanac'. Kenzi and Ciara had followed Bo's line of sight to the guys and both looked concerned. "Bo don't worry, you know Dyson's not in town yet, relax". Kenzi looked from Bo to the guys again before returning to the tray of shots, the last one beckoning us to taste. "He just makes me feel so guilty every time I see him". Kenzi looked at Bo and shrugged "You know I love you Bo Bo, but you did totally break his heart, you need to give him time to deal and heal". Bo picked up the last shot and we all followed her lead clinking the glasses together. The last shot was the best so far, it was like eating a handful of buttery, salty popcorn. My senses felt tricked, my brain associated the taste with a crunch but got only the feeling of the smooth, cool liquid. Trick was a genius and I loved the Dal. After four shots in quick succession, I was feeling warm and light headed. I was also trying to get a read on Bo who had seemed to move inside herself after talk of her ex Dyson. Kenzi had revealed that Bo 'broke his heart'. I had only known Bo for a couple of hours, but I couldn't imagine her hurting anyone. I didn't want to think she could do that. Then again I had been wrong in the past, so wrong. Kenzi broke out sudden silence, concentrating on me again "so Lauren, I think I will take the last question on offer. Lets get down to it, are you single or has someone swooped your sweet, nerdy doctor Doolittle ass up?" Suddenly all eyes were back on me and I could feel Bo's warm brown gaze waiting intently for my answer. The answer was easy but the associated hurt and betrayal was hard. I knew I had waited too long to answer and they could all feel my discomfort. I braved a smile and answered truthfully "I'm not in a relationship. I haven't been in a relationship for over 2 years". Kenzi looked disappointed with my answer, I guess she really did like drama. Ciara just looked sympathetic and offered me a warm smile. Bo was looking at me fiercely, It felt like she was trying to get inside my head, trying to read me and it was too much. This day had been too much. The feelings I was having were too much.

I needed air. "Sorry guys, but I'm starting to feel the shots kicking in. I'm gonna take a walk around and check the rest of the Dal out, grab some water inside. It'll keep me stronger for longer" I managed a smile before hopping off the bench seat and heading back around the porch and inside. I didn't know where I was going, so I just headed back out to the carpark and sat on the hood of the car, dangling my feet off the front. The sky had turned dark now and was scattered with stars.

I wasn't alone for long. Bo propped herself up on the hood next to me so our legs were just touching. She just looked up at the stars with me for a long while before breaking the silence "Maybe it's my turn to apologise. I'm sorry about Kenzi and the questions". I looked at Bo and seemed to have no control over what came out of my mouth next "Did you cheat on Dyson?" I couldn't believe I had just asked that and from the shock on Bo's face she couldn't either. I don't know why, but he answer to my question was really important to me "No I didn't". My mind was reeling and I wanted to take the question back "I'm sorry…I" I started before Bo cupped her hand over my mouth tightly effectively shutting off my apology and shaking her head with frustration "you REALLY need to stop doing that, it's infuriating. Dyson and I were together for two and a half years. He was loving, supportive, great in bed". Bo smiled sadly before continuing "we met in Boston once I moved to go to College. He was everything I thought I always wanted. Around the time my grandmother got sick, I came to stay here in town at Trick's lake house for a while. I was devastated and needed to be close. I woke up late one night and heard my grandparents whispering out on the back deck of the house. There was soft music playing and they were dancing under the stars just gazing at each other and holding on tight. When I looked outside I could see stars, the moon shining off the lake, the way the landscape was black and glossy with night fall, so many beautiful things. But the only thing they could see was each other. Nothing else existed for them. That's when I knew Dyson wasn't my future. I had never looked at him that way. I know it's a romantic ideal, but I want what my grandparents had. I want that great love, that magic and electricity. I broke up with Dyson a little over 9 months ago. I never meant to hurt him, but I wanted to be honest. He can't seem to understand that I do love him, but that I'm not in love with him the way I need to be if we were going to build a future together. I don't want to be someone that settles for something less than unforgettable".

I didn't know how to feel about Bo's revelation. Her eyes were so truthful and full of soul and looked absolutely guilt ridden and beautiful. I wanted to cry at how at home I felt with her. I owed her my story in return so that maybe she could understand me. I turned to her apprehensively and started "I met my ex Mark at university. He was smart, funny, ruggedly beautiful and I fell madly in love with him pretty much instantly. We were together for 3 years. I had made all the grand plans in my head for marriage, kids, a future. I devoted myself to our relationship, I gave him all of myself and it was all a waste. The whole thing was such a cliché. He had fallen in love with one of my best friends Ness and as clichéd as it is, I found them together. I don't think I've ever really recovered to be honest. It took me a long time to speak to either Mark or Ness after that, but I have since and I've forgiven them to a point. They are actually engaged now and getting married next year". I looked at Bo again, feeling lighter than I had in a really long time. "I've never met Dyson, but from meeting you something tells me you would be near impossible to get over, give him some time, hopefully it helps him the same way it helped me. I wish Mark or Ness could have been honest with me the way you were honest with Dyson, maybe then I might have been able to have a relationship again". "You haven't even tried to be with someone since then?" I sighed with regret before answering "I've met people, but I just don't have any trust or faith that I would be able to give anything to someone. The thing that has hurt me most about what happened wasn't the betrayal or broken trust it was that I used to believe in the same idea of a grand, magic love but that's been stolen from me.

I wish I could believe in that again but I don't know how. I gave him everything and it meant nothing. How can I ever let myself by open like that again and have faith that I will ever be enough for someone?". Bo's eyes were intense as she looked at me and then back up at the stars. "The universe works in mysterious ways Lauren. I know Dyson isn't the love of my love and clearly Mark wasn't the love of yours. It doesn't mean that kind of love doesn't exist". Bo and I looked down from the stars at the same time, locking eyes "I'm hopelessly hopeful that it does". Bo's words and the conviction in her eyes had me believing that too for the first time in years. "You don't trust easily, I get that. How about you experiment with me? If you can be open with me, with Kenzi and Ciara, we will have the summer of a lifetime I promise. But you have to promise to not hold back. I in return will promise to always be honest, even brutally honest if I need to be. Do we have a deal?" Just like the first time we had met hours ago, I found myself gripping hands with Bo and again the sensations she provoked in me were intense. "You've got a deal" Bo smiled at me before jumping off the hood of the car and again offering me her hand, leading me back inside the Dal which had been transformed into a makeshift nightclub. Bo dragged me straight into the fold with Ciara and Kenzi, who handed me a bright purple frozen cocktail with a wink. The next couple of months were mine to own.

End chapter two