After setting up the camp all day, I was ready to settle down, eat some dinner and curl up by the fire with Nathan. I was just about to look around for Nathan when his cousin, Ashley, called me over to the fire pit.
"Hey, Simon. Can you watch the soup for me and stir it? I have to go do something for Auntie." Ashley said.
I nodded. "Sure."
I then sat down on the log and started stirring the soup a little bit. It smelt pretty good.
I sighed softly and briefly looked around before keeping my attention on the soup when I heard someone walk up to me and I thought it was Nathan.
"Nath-" I stopped myself from speaking anymore when I saw that it was Alex who walked up to me.
He smiled at me before sitting down on the log right next to me and started talking.
"Were you expecting Nathan?" He asked.
I kept my mouth shut.
"He's over by the creek." He explained.
I simply nodded and we both grew silent, but the silence didn't last long because Alex started speaking again.
"How long have you two been dating?"
I opened up my mouth to speak, but I wasn't sure if I should.
"It's alright. You can tell me." He said as he lightly shoved me.
"We've...been dating for a few months now." I said, softly.
"Ohhh. I see." He said, nodding.
"Well, let me tell you something and I'm telling you this just to warn you, but you better keep Nathan on the leash or someone else is gonna snatch him right up." He warned before standing up and walking away.
"Hey, what do you-" I was quickly cut off as I watched him walk away then I sighed and looked back at the food.
"mean by that..." I mumbled to myself.
Suddenly, Ashley came back and sat down next to me.
"Thanks for watching the food."
I nodded and just sat there, watching her pour some seasoning into the food. I kinda wanted to ask her about her relationship with her boyfriend. Just to get some tips on how to have a long lasting relationship.
"So, um...you said you and your boyfriend have been dating for two years now?" I asked.
She nodded. "Yup. Two years and still going strong."
"How were you guys able to last that long?"
Ashley stopped stirring the food to think.
"Umm...we just had trust in each other. Of course it isn't as easy as it seems since there were some jealously involved."
"With who?"
"With girls wanting to date him and guys wanting to date me, but we were able to keep our relationship together because we loved each other."
I slowly nodded, taking in all the information she's giving me.
"When did you two start telling each other that you loved each other? Like, how far into the relationship?"
"I think six months. We were six months into our relationship when we finally confessed our love."
Six months? Me and Nathan aren't anywhere close to dating for six months, I thought.
"So...is it bad if two people start confessing their love to each other without being six months into the relationship?"
"It depends on how far into the relationship you guys are. If you're only in for just a month then you're definitely moving too fast, but if you're in say, four months, then I think it's okay." She said, smiling at me.
I sighed a little in relief. Me and Nathan might not be six months into our relationship, but at least we didn't confess our love to each other right away after we started dating.
"Are you curious about relationships now that you're dating my cousin?" Ashley sneakily asked, smirking.
"Uh..." I quickly looked away, not wanting to give myself away.
"Yeah..." I confirmed.
"I figured. Anyways, from what I've seen, it seems like you and Nathan are holding it pretty strong. I hope you two will be able to last just as long as me and my boyfriend."
I smiled. "Thanks."
"Oh yeah, and you have to come to my wedding."
My eyes widen. "Wedding? You're getting married?"
Ashley nodded. "Next summer. He asked me to marry him just a month ago."
"Wow. Congrats."
Ashley smiled. "Thanks. So, do you have any plans on getting married in the future?"
I smiled softly and nodded.
"Y-yeah. I'm hoping to marry Nathan. Does that sound cheesy?"
She shook her head. "I think it's sweet. Though, I hope Nathan grows up by the time you two get older. I want him to take care of you like a wife."
I chuckled nervously and blushed.
"U-uh...yeah. A wife..."
"Sorry. I meant to say husband."
I shook my head. "It's alright. I know I probably don't act masculine or whatever."
"Mhm. Hey, can you go tell Nathan and Alex that the food's ready?"
I nodded then stood up and started walking around the camp, looking for the two. I felt kinda good after having that talk with Ashley. It was a little embarrassing and awkward to be asking her about relationships, but I was curious because I wanted my relationship with Nathan to last just as long as hers.
Though, my good mood quickly turned sour when I saw Alex and Nathan kissing by the creek. I suddenly felt my heart drop into my stomach which caused my stomach to feel uneasy. I couldn't move or say anything. I wanted so badly to break them up, but I couldn't. I simply just turned around so I wouldn't have to see them lip locking anymore and I walked away.
I walked right back over to the fire pit and sat down next to Ashley.
"Are they coming?" She asked.
"Huh? Oh...uh...I didn't tell them." I said, avoiding her eyes.
"Why-" She quickly stopped herself as she watched me then she got up and went looking for them herself.
"There you guys are. Hurry up before the food gets cold!"
"We're coming!" Alex shouted.
"Yeah, no need to order us around!" Nathan shouted back.
Just hearing Nathan's voice made me want to get up and hide in the tent, but I kept myself seated, hoping that Nathan wouldn't sit next to me.
But, he did.
"There you are~" He said as he wrapped his arm around me and kissed my cheek.
I felt a little disgusted by Nathan's kiss, but I tried keeping my cool, not wanting to give myself away.
Soon, everybody was sitting around the fire pit, eating the soup that Ashley made. I kept quiet, though. Not wanting to join in on the conversation because I was still deeply hurt by what I saw earlier.
"Simon, say ahh~" Nathan said, holding his spoon up to my face.
I turned my head, not wanting to eat his food.
"Hey! No sharing!" Ashley quickly scolded.
"Why? He's my boyfriend. I'm sure you share foods with your fiancé too!" Nathan said.
"Don't start with me, Nathan. Just eat your food." Ashley said.
"Fine..."
I quickly finished my food and stood up.
"Thanks for the dinner, Ashley. I'm going to my tent now." I said then I hurriedly left.
...
Once bedtime rolled around, I stayed on my side of the tent, burying myself into my sleeping bag.
"Ah~ Finally~" Nathan said as he plopped right down into the tent and cuddled up to me.
"Let's cuddle so we can keep ourselves warm~"
"I'm tired." I said, bluntly.
"Aw. Come on. Please~"
"Let me sleep." I said, coldly as I closed my eyes.
That seemed to shut Nathan up cause he started moving away from me and stayed quiet. I sighed softly, hoping that tomorrow would be a better day.