While the boys were on their way back to the cabin Megan had talked softly to Larry who was consumed with guilt after Charlie's reaction but Larry recovered well when he noticed Amita came back to join them. Amita being preoccupied with her appearance, she didn't have a chance see if her eyes would betray she had been crying, was unaware of Larry's subtle rebound to normal behavior.

As Charlie and Don walked back into the cabin Megan and Larry stared at the two brothers dying to know what had been going on. Amita looking away from Charlie not knowing how to react after what she had just heard.

When don opened his mouth to say something Charlie quickly cut him off.

"So, where are we of to next?" He said in a chipper voice. Don was not sure if he had heard it correctly. Didn't he just tell Charlie he was going to call off the hike?

Larry and Megan looked equally confused after Charlie's cheerful remark. This was not what they had expected at all.

"Well, it's Larry's and Megan's turn to take the lead, Larry, Megan why don't you tell s where we're going" Don replied trying to keep his voice steady.

Larry exchanged looks between the boys and Megan before explaining where they were going next

"Uhm…well…right. When Don said we were going on a hike this weekend I initially wanted to pass as there is a meteorite shower passing by tonight I wanted. Then I realized there is no reason why we can't all watch. We're going star gazing a couple of miles out. We're going camping." Larry said with a smile.

"If the weather let's us that is" Megan said peering out the window. "Some friends of mine will be making a drop off at the camping site to make sure we have sleeping bags and something to eat and drink. The hike up there from where we are right now is too rough to have taken all that stuff along ourselves"

"Uhm, Larry, unless we all develop superhuman eyesight before the night falls, how do you suppose we are able see the meteor shower without any proper instruments?" Charlie asked.

"Ah! You are absolutely right Charles. That is why I have brought two magnifying glasses, a cardboard tube, duct tape, scissors and a newspaper. We are going to build a refracting telescope!" Larry explained excitingly.

Charlie was impressed with the thorough preparation the three had done to for this hike.

Even though Don was still a bit thrown off as to why Charlie wanted to continue the hike he couldn't help but enjoy their plans continuation. He had been looking forward to Larry and Megan taking the lead. He had thought their first night in the cabin would set the mood and the star gazing would surely do the rest. In the original plan that was…. Now the tables had turned on them. Charlie had a plan of his own. As did Amita…

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They all packed up making sure the fire was really out and they didn't leave anything behind as Amita kept on looking at Charlie, only to look away quickly whenever their eyes met. But Charlie didn't respond to her anymore the way he used to. He seemed…different… more distant then usual. When she had trouble closing her bag it was Don who rushed in to help, not Charlie even though he must have seen her struggle.

When they left the cabin Charlie walked up front alongside Larry while Megan with Don walked right on their heels, she was thankful she could spend some time alone with her thoughts. Her mind was contradicting her heart and she had a difficult time deciding which was the right one to follow. But one thing was sure. She had to make a decision fast before it was too late.

"Charlie, are you going to share what happened outside with Don this morning?" Larry asked carefully

"Let's just say this is the last time I ever agree on going anywhere with the bunch of you" Charlie replied. "But it's nice knowing I have people around me that care enough to go about arranging an insane hike with an even more insane ulterior motive" He quickly added with a smile.

"So Don told you everything huh" Larry asked.

"No not really. It was more me telling Don everything. But never mind this morning. I'm looking forward to building that refracting telescope". Charlie said hoping that Larry wasn't going to make him say more.

He also wasn't entirely sure yet if Amita had any idea of what had been going on which bothered him immensely. It had seemed that she was still unaware, but then again Amita was a star in keeping a straight face. He prayed she didn't know. Just thinking of the fact he might lose her as a friend, he felt a sting in his heart. He would do anything in his power to prevent that. That's why they had to continue the hike.

Megan was asking Don the same questions Larry had asked Charlie.

"Don, are you going to tell me what you and Charlie were talking about outside this morning?" She kept her voice at a low tone to keep Amita who was walking behind them from hearing.

"I was right, and wrong about the situation." He replied. "I was right assuming Charlie has feelings for her, but I was apparently wrong about her feeling the same way about Charlie. Charlie went hysterical this morning when he found out what we were doing. He said the reason why he hadn't made his move is because she had told him she was not ready to commit to anyone yet. Scared she feels they can't stay friends anymore if she found out how he really feels"

"Ohhh, well that explains a lot about his behavior towards her" Megan whispered.

"By the way, where was Amita during this whole episode this morning?" Don asked.

"She was at the outhouse, but came back to sit with us from the bedroom just before you guys returned" Megan said. "I never heard her came back in the cabin or even go into the bedroom. Poor Larry didn't know what to do with himself after Charlie dragged you outside. I was trying to calm him down a bit"

"You think she knows?" Don asked

"I don't think so, but she was asking me questions before the whole ordeal this morning that were pretty vague about changed situations and the old not being true anymore. When I asked her if it had to do with Charlie she denied, but I can't help but feel it in fact does."

"Well, we're backing off from now on. No more match making. Charlie is on his own no, as I promised him. Amita and he will have to figure this one out on their own."

Megan didn't reply. What promises Don had made with his brother were his business. She on the other hand had not made any promises to Charlie or to Amita for that matter. She was not going to sit back and see them take a turn for the worse. Her female instinct just wouldn't let her.

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The hike indeed was a very rough one as Megan had warned them. Much sooner than expected they stopped for a fifteen minute break as Larry's leg muscles went into a spasm. Megan sat down next to Larry to give him some water and give him a treat to some teasing age comments. Don was busy looking at the map to look up the best way to continue their hike. This normally was Charlie's expertise, but Charlie was couldn't think of calculations as he saw Amita walking up to him.

She sat down next to Charlie"

"Hi" She said.

"Hi" he replied.

Her beautiful eyes gazed directly into his. Butterflies surged again. She sat so close.

"Are we ok?" Charlie blurted out with a quiet voice. "I mean, you know. This morning in the bedroom. It know it must have been a bit embarrassing to you and I'm sorry… but we're still friends right? No weird feelings?" and he turned his look to the ground.

Amita wasn't near feeling ok, and weird wasn't at all the best way to describe the way she was feeling but for lack of better words she just nodded.

"Sure we're still friends Charlie." With one hand she brushed some curls to the side so she could see his face.

He looked at her again, surprised at the sudden gentle touch and smiled. Thank God, he thought gratefully.

It seemed that Larry was feeling better and they continued their hike to the campsite, Don now listening along with Megan as Larry explained what they were going to hopefully be able to see tonight as Charlie had found the confidence to walk aside Amita again.

By the end of the afternoon they finally reached three large lumps in a large open space. That must be the stuff Megan's friends had dropped off for them. The afternoon was chilly, and chilly meant a clear, cloud free sky. All fear of not being able to see the meteorite shower faded away as Larry contently had notified them of the excellent weather conditions.

Don turned to Charlie as Megan had started unpacking the three lumps and asked him to gather some large stones and wood for a fire. Charlie again looking forward getting to build another fire walked off.

"I'll go too!" Amita said as she jumped up and ran to catch up with Charlie.

Don just shook his head as Megan shrugged. Trying to understand Charlie was near impossible, everybody knew that, but as for Amita…. She was a good runner up in that same category.