Chapter 7

Max POV and

The light in the room caused me to wake up. I blinked the sleep away from my eyes and looked at the clock on the shelf next to me.

"6:47? What the hell?" I whispered to myself as I realized that the the blinds weren't closed and let all of the early summer sun in the room.

I was about to get up to close the blinds and go back to sleep, but something held me down. Then I remembered. Truth or dare, the kiss, Harrison, sleeping with Nikki… wait. I looked behind me to realize that Nikki was still hugging me, but from behind. So yesterday actually happened. I slowly pulled her off of me and got up. I closed the blinds, the room plunging into darkness once more. I hesitated to go back to bed with Nikki, but unfamiliar feelings hit me like lightning, making me want to throw up. Anger, confusion, love, jealousy… they were all there. I went downstairs and made myself some coffee, and brought it to the couch. Last night's events played over in my head, bringing every feeling I felt with them. Nikki was dared to kiss a camper of her choice, and she kissed Harrison. I love Nikki and I don't blame her for wanting someone like him, but if only she knew that Harrison only ever liked her because she's hot and nothing else. Jealousy swept over me as I thought of Nikki liking Harrison. Worst of all, Harrison is already with Nerris and he doesn't seem to mind at all.

"Well, at least I'll be busy with today's activities, I won't have to talk to Nikki at all." I thought out loud before realizing… it was Saturday.

I have no activities Saturday! I'll have to talk to her. I don't know why the thought of talking to Nikki made me angry. She couldn't have known that I liked her, but still, she hurt me in ways I never thought possible. Then, I did something I didn't do since parents day when I was ten. I started to tear up. The tears stung my eyes as if they were made of fire. I was so mad, but not at Nikki, at myself. For being so stupid for thinking I ever had a chance. I was right, love is a waste of time. It always leaves you broken mentally and physically.

"Max?" Said a voice behind me.

Nikki was standing on the stairs, the swelling in her eyes had gone. I just got up and quickly walked to my room, brushing by her. I couldn't let her see me cry.

I slammed my bedroom door and locked it. I don't know why I was so fucking angry and sad at the same time. After all I can't blame Nikki for my feelings! I lay on my bed, and for the first time in six years, I cried. All the hurt over the years just tumbled out in hot stinging tears. I silently cried, hugging Mr. Honeynuts, wishing I was never born. That my parents never sent me to this god forsaken place. That I never met Nikki.

After half an hour, I had stopped crying and I was dressed. I was still depressed, but I couldn't let Nikki know how I felt about her. I crept downstairs to get out of the cabin and go to the lake, but I was stopped by Nikki on my way out.

"Max, wait! Please." I whipped around, trying my best to hide the hurt in my eyes.

"What do you want?" I sighed avoid eye contact.

In a quiet voice, almost a whisper, she said,"I want to explain what happened… why I kissed Harrison."

"I know why you did it, and I don't blame you. Harrison is a good guy. To you at least." I added the last part under my breath. I turned around and walked out the door without looking back.

The sun was well up in the sky, and the campers were starting to get out of their cabins to go eat breakfast. I wasn't hungry, I just walked into the woods, heading for the farthest beach of the lake.

Nikki POV

I ruined my friendship with Nerris, Harrison, probably every camper, and now Max? God I hate Preston right now. Last night, when Max slept with me, I felt comforted, like everything was going to be okay. But it's not. Everything's wrong and Max won't even talk to me. I saw the pain in his eyes and it just teared me apart. Why do I have to be so goddamn stupid?! I need to fix this… I'll find a way. I ran out of the cabin, desperate to find Gwen, when I ran into David.

"Good morning Nikki! What are you up to this fine Saturday mor...ning? Nikki? Why are you crying?" Shit. I didn't realize that a single tear had escaped my eye.

"I'm fine, I just need to find Gwen." I said, wiping the tear away.

"She's in the councillors office… is there anything I could do?" He asked, clearly concerned.

"No it's fine, thank you." I said running to the councillors office, trying my best to ignore Nerris' glare as I ran past her.

I slammed to door open "Gwen! I need your help!"

Gwen, who was reading another trashy magazine, looked up in surprise.

"Nikki? What's wrong?" She asked

I closed the door behind me and collapsed on the floor, crying again.

"Oh my goodness! Nikki, what's wrong?!" Gwen sat on her knees beside me, putting her hand on my back. Even though she sounded concerned, I could tell that she was somewhat excited to hear all the drama I had for her.

"I-I was playing a game of truth or dare with the campers yesterday in the mess hall when you and David when to bed, an-and I w-was dared by Preston to kiss a camper of my choice because he knows t-that I like M-Max, b-but I kissed Harrison because I didn't know what t-to do a-and now Nerris hates me and so does Maaaaax! I started to sob as I said Max's name again and Gwen hugged me, stroking my hair to calm me down.

"Shhh Nikki, it's okay, everyone makes mistakes. I'm sure Max doesn't hate you." She said, trying to calm me down.

"Gwen, I like Max, and I'm scared that I ruined my chances with him forever." I sniffed, getting my shaking shoulders under control.

"...you like Max? Like… like like?"

"Yes."

Gwen suddenly sat me upright and looked at me in the eyes.

"Nikki, go find him! If you explain everything and tell him how you feel, I promise everything will work out. As for Nerris, don't give up. She'll come around."

"You think so?" I asked. I had stopped crying.

"I know so. I know my son more than him biological mother. Go find him."

"But where would he be?"

"Where does Max go when he's upset?" She asked me with one eyebrow raised.

"The lake! Thanks Gwen!" I hugged her and ran out of the cabin to find Max.

~time skip~

As I finally reached the farthest side of the lake, I saw Max, skipping rocks over the water. Something was off, the grass was green and the trees surrounding the clearing were thick and strong. Even the flowers were in full bloom and the lake was shimmering in the early morning sun. The place was beautiful, but something wasn't right. Max wasn't alright. He seemed so small… broken.

I slowly walked over to him and sat down. He didn't turn to me.

"Max… please just hear what I have to say." I said softly.

"I know what you're going to say Nikki. You like Harrison, and nothing will stop you, even if I don't approve." He said sadly. Why did he seem so hurt? Why does he care if I like Harrison? (Which I don't) Could he be anymore wrong?

"No Max, that's not what I was going to say. Will you please just listen?"

"...fine."

I took a deep breath. Here it goes…

I looked out across the lake. "When Preston dared me to kiss a camper of my choice, I freaked. The only reason I kissed Harrison was because he was that camper that I knew wouldn't mind, but I kinda forgot about Nerris. I'm so sorry Max, but I don't like him." I looked at Max, who had a confused look on his face.

"So… you don't like him? You just kissed him because he was the easy way out…?" He asked looking at the rock in his hand.

"Yes, but so much for easy way out, now you and Nerris hate me." I looked away, too ashamed of myself.

I felt a warm hand on mine as I realized that Max was looking my way, holding my hand in his. I got lost in his meadow green eyes, they were warm and comforting.

"Nikki. I would never hate you, and don't ever think that. You mean the world to me… and well I was just… jealous."

I tilted my head to the side in surprise. "You were?"

"...yeah"

"Max… the only reason I kissed Harrison was because… I was afraid you would reject me." I looked away, embarrassed, my cheeks turning red.

Max gently grabbed my chin, turning my red face towards him.

"Why would I do that?" He whispered before closing the gap between us.

I felt as if a thousand sparks were set off in my stomach. His lips were so soft. He slipped one hand behind my back, and put the other in my hair. I did the same, pulling him closer. I slightly opened my mouth, teasing him to open his. He did, slipping his tongue into my mouth, feeling my tongue and putting his hands under my shirt feeling my back. I did the same,feeling his strong torso. It was so soft and warm. After a while, we finally broke apart for air.

"So… you don't like Harrison?" He asked, Smirking.

"No you idiot! I love you." I said, blushing again

"Good. Because I love you too." He said, planting a kiss on my lips again.

"We should head back. Gwen's waiting for us." I said, taking his hand and pulling him up.

"Ok… Gwen? Why she waiting?" He asked with a confused look.

"Long story."

We walked back to camp, holding hands. Maybe Gwen was right. Maybe everything will be alright.

A/N

I'm so sorry I didn't upload yesterday! School is pretty crazy and I just didn't have time. Anyway... THEYRE SO CUTE AAAAAAHHHH! This chapter was probably my favourite to write so I hope you like it! If there's too much drama please let me know! If you have any suggestions or if you just wanna say something as always, don't be shy!