Mitchie dumped her last bag into the trunk of her parents car. "That's the last of it," she announced. Things were still a little frosty between them, but Mitchie was confident that after the new article came out, everything would return to normal.

"Okay," Connie said. "Did you double check everywhere?"

"Not yet," Mitchie replied.

"Well, go!" her mother comanded. "I'll give you a few minutes to say goodbye to friends."

"Okay, Mom." Mitchie walked slowly to her cabin, taking in the sights. She sighed. She really didn't want to go. Not yet.

She slowly pushed in the door of her cabin. Caitlynn was there packing the rest of her stuff. "Hey," she greeted Mitchie sadly.

"What's wrong?" asked Mitchie, peeking under her bed. The memory of the midnight walk suddenly flashed in her mind and she smiled.

"Camp is over," Caitlynn sighed. "And I won't see you, Nate, or anyone for a whole year! Is that fair?"

Mitchie smiled at her. "You can always call me," she suggested. "And Nate. I'm looking forward to it."

Caitlynn smiled. "So you finally told Shane?" she asked.

Mitchie nodded and sat on her bed. "I feel like an idiot now," she chuckled. "He liked me all along, as I liked him. We could have done more things together."

"Well," Caitlynn said, trying to jam her belongings down enough so she oculd shut her suitcase. "At least you told him."

"True," agreed Mitchie. "Need help with that?"

Caitlynn pushed down on her suitcase and sighed. "Yes," she admitted. "Care to lend a bottom or two?"

"Sure," Mitchie said. She crouched on the lid and looked out the window. Nate and Shane were crossing the lawn, heading for their cabin.

"Caitlynn, your boyfriend is coming," she said as the zipper zipped close.

"So is yours," Caitylnn pointed out.

"No, not yet," Mitchie argued. "I'm a minor. I could get Shane arrested!"

"Wow you can do that?" Caitlynn asked. "Sweet."

"No it isn't," Mitchie shook her head. "I'll have to wait."



The door opened. Mitchie hopped down from the bed and took Shane's arm. "Give them privacy," she hissed in his ear. He nodded and snickered. Nate glared at him before Mitchie dragged Shane out the door.

Shane sat down by a tree and motioned Mitchie next to him. "So," he sighed. "We finally tell each other and then camp ends."

Mitchie leaned against him. "Yep," she said. "Sad."

"We'll have to wait until you're 18 you know," Shane mentioned conversationally.

"I know," she sighed. "I'll wait."

"Me, too," Shane promised.

They watched a few ducks glide across the lake surface in silence. A few puffy clouds wafted across the blue sky. Fain chatter of the campers echoed across the grounds.

"Keep in touch?" Mitchie asked finally.

"I've been thinking about that," Shane said. "We both know you're an awesome singer."

"Not really," Mitchie blushed.

"Modest little Mitchie," Shane smiled, touching her cheek. "You're better than Tess."

"Really?"

"Duh."

Mitchie smiled. "What does this have to do with anything?"

"Does a recording contact intrest you?"

Mitchie gasped. "What?"

Shane shrugged. "Oh, you know," he said easily. "CD. You. Singing. Making a CD. Blah blah blah."

"Me?" Mitchie breathed.

"If you want to I can hook you up. And you could tour with us!" Shane said suddenly, his eyes excited.

"Wow," Mitchie said, letting out a breath. "I don't want to take advantage, though."

Shane patted her knee. "Tell you what," he said. "Call me if you decide to or not."

"Okay."

They stood up and hugged. "I'm going to miss you," Mitchie said.

"I'll miss you, too," Shane said gently. "Call me. Promise?"

"Promise."

They seperated and hurried to their cars. Mitchie rolled down her window and waved to Connect 3. Jason grinned and saluted her. Nate held up a camera and winked. Mitchie rolled her eyes. Shane just waved.

Caitlynn stood next to her father. "Call me, Mitchie!" she called. "Or e-mail!"

"Okay!" Mitchie called back. "I promise if you promise!"

They waved good bye.

Mitchie leaned bak as the car left the camp. She sighed. "This has been a perfect summer," she whispered. "Absolutely perfect."