Another slow song played as campers swayed on the dance floor under the stars. Griff was the DJ for the dance this year and Emma had paid him fifty bucks to keep slow love songs on repeat. Lou stood casually at a tall table near the dance floor. She gently rocked from side to side to the music. Ravi's posture was the complete opposite of Lou's relaxed swaying. His shoulders were tense and his facial expression was worried. His suit matched one of the colors in her dress and he had bought her a flower to wear on her wrist.

"Do you need more punch? Perhaps I should get some more. I'll be right back," Ravi said in a rush. He took a step backward to prepare to leave for the punch bowl on the other side of the dance floor.

His girlfriend shook her head and held up her hand as a signal for him to stop. She said pointedly, "No, sugar bear. If you get me any more punch my bladder will explode." She waved the full glass of red punch in her other hand.

"Oh," Ravi said in a tone that indicated his brain was still buzzing with nerves.

Lou put her drink down on the table. She placed a hand on her boyfriend's shoulder and gave him a sweet smile. She said, "Relax, lumpkin pumpkin."

"I am relaxed," Ravi said unconvincingly. He fidgeted with his hands as he rocked on his heels. He looked down at her shiny shoes. "Are your feet okay in those shoes? Should I retrieve a chair from over there? I'll go get a chair!"

He tried to hurry off, but Lou grabbed him by the back of his suit jacket. She pulled him back towards her and then turned his shoulders to face her.

"Ravi! Relax!" Lou said firmly but with a smile on her lips. She sighed and glanced over at the dance floor. Another slow song started up again. "If you want to do something so bad, why don't you dance with me?"

"You want to dance? We can dance," he said with his voice still on edge.

His hands shook as he led her to the dance floor. She stepped close to him and rested her palms on his shoulders. Her closeness and the gentleness of her touch calmed him. He wrapped his arms loosely around her and inhaled deeply.

"See, isn't this better than running around like a chicken with his head cut off?" Lou said with a loving smile.

"Wow, that's graphic," Ravi replied as he tried not to paint a mental picture from her words.

"You know...you're acting like a wakadoo. All the punch and trying to bring me random things and just being all crazy tonight. We're here to have fun," Lou said. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and then grinned at him.

Ravi's grin was dopey and lovestruck. He gazed deeply into her green eyes and all of his troubles seemed less troublesome than before. He finally felt like he could breathe for the first time that night.

"I apologize, snickerdoodle," he said. "I know I've been… attentive tonight."

Lou raised her eyebrow at him and said, "More like borderline annoying, honey bunch."

Ravi rolled his eyes but he continued to smile. "Fine. But I'm just not used to having… a girlfriend to bring to a dance. I just want you to have a good time."

Ravi's words warmed Lou's heart. She gazed at him as if he were a star in the night sky. "We've hung out at practically every Kikiwaka dance and Ravi… I've always had a good time with you… Anytime I'm with you." She shrugged her shoulders and added, "Except during mail call. You get so prissy over the names."

He playfully narrowed his eyes at her and then chuckled. He held her closer and said, "You're a wonderful girlfriend, Lou."

"I know," she joked.

He leaned in to kiss her, but the slow music changed to something upbeat right before their lips met. Lou leaned away from her boyfriend and tapped her toes as she looked over to the DJ.

"Party people! I think I've earned my fifty bucks. Let's go!" Griff shouted over the mic as he turned up the music and bounced to the beat.

"Mood killer," Ravi muttered as his girlfriend danced around to the music. She took his hands and twirled him. He laughed and gave in to the beat.