This is where it's going to get interesting, hope you enjoy and don't hate of what I write. You'll appreciate me later I promise.
Chapter 3:
They arrive back from their walk, they were all eating sandwiches, except Mac.
"Mac still in the tent, huh?" Stella asked.
"Yeah, we've tried getting him out, but he's just being stubborn," Danny told the two.
"He'll come out some time though."
"I hope so," Don frowned. "Mac's never like this."
"I know, I actually hope that he's going to be okay," Stella frowned. "I think I just made the whole thing worse."
"Don't say that Stell, he just needs to be alone and probably take a nap."
"I guess," Stella sighs and the two join them at the table so they can eat as well.
After their lunch, they are all fixing to go swim in the lake.
"Maybe Mac'll want to join us," Danny suggests.
"I doubt it, but I'll go see," Adam said heading in his tent.
Mac was lying face down.
"Hey boss, we were just going to go swimming, and were wondering if you wanted to come."
Mac turns over, his eyes were very red, and all he did was shake his head no. Adam sighs and was fixing to go back outside, when Mac mumbled Stella's name.
"What? Do you wanna see Stella?"
He nods. Adam gets out of the tent.
"Well, is he coming?"
"No, but he wanted to talk to you Stella."
"Okay, well you guys go I'll meet you later then," they all nod and head to the lake.
Stella who was confused slowly entered the tent. She saw Mac in his sleeping bag.
"Is everything okay?"
He shakes his head and slowly sits up. He just looked at her for a few seconds and decided to speak.
"Sorry…" he whispers.
"Mac, I should be sorry, I shouldn't push for you to tell me something."
He shakes his head, "Stell, you don't hate me, do you?"
"I can't hate you Mac, just worried."
"How was it when you lost Frankie?"
"It wasn't that upsetting, just the part about him almost killing me I was scared. I didn't really love him, it hurts when you lose someone you love."
"Like Peyton," he frowns.
Stella nods, but has a frown. "You really loved her, didn't you?"
He shakes his head yes. "She was the first person in my life that I loved since Claire…"
"And the way she dumped you, was a bad way to end a relationship," Stella says getting closer Mac, and putting an arm around his shoulder.
"She practically hated you though, which is probably why it was harder to have a relationship with her."
"Yeah I know, Frankie wasn't real fond of you either, but I didn't love him."
"The thing that sucks is that I still love her," he said with tears rolling down his cheeks.
How much Stella hated that woman she would still be there for Mac… she embraces him with a hug.
"Everything will be okay Mac, I'll be here for you."
"I know you will," he smiles a little and then releases the hug. "Thanks," he smiled and kissed her cheek.
"Well, I'll be heading to the lake."
"All right," he half smiles and Stella left.
On her way to the lake she couldn't stop thinking about what just happened.
Don gets out of the water and greets Stella.
"How'd it go with Mac?"
"Good," she said with a smile not going to let her tears show from what he admitted to her. 'Thanks for being there for us, I don't know what we would do without you."
"No problem," he blushes and kisses the cheek that Mac didn't.
"Um Don, what was that for?"
"Um nothing, really, just… I don't know."
She takes him to the nearest tree.
"Are you sure Don? What's been up with you lately?" she asks angry, but kind of happy inside.
"Nothing, sorry, just forget it happened."
"We should talk about this Don."
"Maybe later."
"Okay, but we will talk about it okay?" she asks and he nods and they go back down to the lake. Stella took off her clothes with the bathing suit underneath and jumps in the water.
A few minutes later Adam comes out, and sits next to Don.
"What the hell was that about Don?"
"I don't know Adam, it just got to me. She's lonely and I just wanted to comfort her."
"Sure, you mean have her for yourself," Adam grunts as Stella comes out of the water.
She sits next to Adam.
"Stella, we should chat a little. Alone," he said directing to Don.
She looks from Don to Adam, "All right."
Don got up and went back down in the lake.
"Okay Adam, what's this about?"
"Well… how can I put this? I care about you a lot Stella. You are the greatest woman that I've ever known."
"Aw, thanks Adam, you're a great guy yourself."
He blushes and scoots closer to Stella, who doesn't notice.
"Stella, you looked nice when the sun was rising today."
"Really? Thanks," she said embracing him in a hug.
After she lets go Adam was fixing to kiss her cheek until she turns her head and he ends of touching her lips instead. It seemed like forever until Stella let go even though it was only for a split second.
"Adam, what was that all about?" she asked half shouting.
"Oh I'm so sorry Stell, I didn't mean to."
"No please don't apologize, I'm fine, let's just forget that that ever happened."
He nods quickly as everyone came up to them.
"What in the hell was that?" Don asked lifting Adam up by his collar.
"It was nothing, it never happened," Stella said making Don let go of Adam. "It's okay Don, just don't kill him, he didn't mean anything."
"If you say so," Don said calming down and gave Adam a hug. "Sorry."
They all remain quiet until they got back to the campsite. Stella took Lindsay in their tent and told the guys to take a walk.
"What happened at the lake?"
Stella tells Lindsay the whole story, ever how she was feeling at the time.
"Okay when Mac kissed my cheek he was just being friendly, with Adam it was a complete accident, but with Don it made me warm.
"Well, there you go Stell, you like Don the best."
"Really?" she asked she was just great friends with them.
"Yeah, come on it won't harm anything… I promise, and if it does I'll murder him," she smiles.
"I don't know, I'll think about it."
On with the guys journey…
"Adam, I can't believe you kissed Stella," Danny told him with a smile.
"I'm just surprised she didn't slap you after you did such a thing."
"I don't even think she enjoyed it."
"Don't worry Adam, they'll be girls out there for you."
"I guess, but none as great as Stella."
"You got that right bud, I don't even think I'll have a chance with her," Don frowned.
"Okay you guys are really driving me crazy. Can we please stop talking about Stella?"
"Fine Danny, so how's it going with you and Lindsay?"
"Good, hey you guys, I was just thinking and I think me and Lindsay should take a step forward."
"Great, that's good Danny, so what are you gonna do?"
"I don't know Don, haven't really thought it through. I love her, but don't know how far I want to go in this relationship."
"Maybe she's wondering the same thing. I say move ahead, but not too bad to freak her out."
"So what, send her flowers or what?"
"I think you should marry her," Adam got into the conversation.
"Are you nuts man, I can't do that…"
"And why not she's a great woman, and you love her a lot."
"Yeah I do, but I still don't know if it's a good idea, but I'll think about it."
He says ending the conversation and let them enjoy the rest of their walk.
Back at camp Lindsay and Stella came out of the tent and headed for the picnic table. Moments of silent chatter Mac comes out of the tent.
"Hey ladies, where are the guys at?"
The girls turn to him.
"About time you're out of the tent," Stella smiles. "They went on a little walk."
"Oh, well mind if I join you guys?"
"Why not?" the girls grinned and he sat in front of them.
"So, how is your vacation going?"
"It's all right, but it'll get better the longer we're out here."
"I guess," he frowns looking glum. "Um… so how was the lake?"
"Nice, you should come down there sometime."
"Yeah… I was thinking…" Mac said with a low tone.
"What is that?"
"We should um… switch tent partners. Adam and Don are all right, but their driving me crazy."
"Well I don't know I like sleeping with Danny and Stella."
"Maybe it was a dumb suggestion."
"No it's not I'll take them and you can have Linds and Danny."
"Really Stell. I would really appreciate that," he says smiling.
"Anything for friends," she said looking at the frowning Lindsay.
"I guess, but Stell you're such a good tent mate."
"I know, but Mac needs some time away from them."
"Why can't he just take Danny and keep Adam?"
They both got into conversation, Mac had to stop them.
"Girls, I glad you guys want to help, but I'll probably be too tired to notice."
"Fine, it's settle you'll have me and Danny, and Stell will have Adam and Don."
"Okay, but no more arguing."
"Mac, we weren't arguing just trying to find what's best for you."
"I don't really care, I just need someone to love with someone who loves me back."
"Don't worry, you'll find someone," Stella nods as the guys come back from their walk.
They tell them the plans about switching tent partners. Don was happy, and couldn't tell about Adam or Danny.
As it got darker they set up a campfire. It got a little colder than the night before. Danny was keeping Lindsay warm and everyone else used the campfire.
Don who was sitting next to Stella scooted closer and was holding onto her, because she was freezing.
Adam looked at them and snarled. Everyone else was shocked looking at the two. They were even more surprised that she let Don hold onto her.
An half an hour later they all started getting tired and went into their tents. Adam couldn't stand looking at them.
"Thanks for keeping me warm Don, I really appreciate it."
"No problem, you looked extremely cold," he smiled.
"We should really get to sleep, we're supposed to go hiking tomorrow," Adam grunted and turned around.
Don and Stella looked at each other.
"If you get cold tonight I promise to keep you warm."
"All right Don, thanks," she smiled and kissed his cheek.
"We have to talk Stella."
"Tomorrow morning, okay?" she asked and he nods. They both go into their sleeping bags.
In the other tent Mac kept on muttering in his sleep, making Lindsay and Danny smiling at him.
No one could await the next day which would be filled with major surprises.
I'm warning you now, be aware of my next chapter, and please don't start a mob and kill me… just yet.