Things are about to get a bit more complicated, so watch out! I guess this is very much a midsummer night's dream-esque story. Enjoy!

**Cam**

I couldn't get Claire out of my head. It wasn't just the song, even though I truly meant every word of praise I said. It was the way her bangs framed her face, her sweet smile, and the fact that she clearly cared about more than fashion, make up, and status. My only worry was that she seemed to pay more attention to Derrick during dinner until I listened to her song. I didn't want her to feel like she owed it to me to be nice just because she liked an idea that came to me in a rare moment of musical brilliance. Because honestly, I know nothing about music at all. Still, this was the first girl in at least a year that I truly felt a connection to. I pass most of the cookie-cutter San Francisco blondes on to Derrick, which he appreciates greatly, but even from knowing her for less than five hours, I knew she was the kind of girl I genuinely wanted to get to know.

I smiled as she and Massie arrived in the green lounge, arms linked and laughing. With them were Josh and Plovert, who each had a girl on their arm. The dim lights and the distance allowed me to stare without being obvious.

"Target acquired," Derrick said cheesily, getting up to talk to Massie. A lot of the kids were already on the dance floor, some pairing up to learn different Spanish dances that the staff was teaching. Seeing my chance, I followed behind Derrick over to the group that just arrived. He had his arm around Massie, and she was really giggly but seemed to have a little trouble standing. I figured she was drunk. Josh and Plovert pulled their girls onto the dance floor as well, and Claire scanned the room awkwardly. "Care to dance?" I asked her from the side, and she turned quickly, almost knocking me backwards.

"Oh, it's you," she said, and I couldn't tell if that was disappointment or relief. She bit her lip in an unbearably cute way before taking my outstretched hand. I gave Derrick a thumbs up as he led Massie past us out to the deck.

I heard her slur something like "good idea, Claire," as they passed, but I pushed it to the back of my head, turning back to the beautiful girl whose small hand was resting lightly and unsurely in mine.

"Come on," I led her to the center of the dance floor. The lighting was low, but her hair still shone brightly. I would have reached out to stroke it if I didn't want to let go of her hand.

"I, well," she started, looking up at me directly for the first time that night, "I'm not a very good dancer. At least, well, I haven't had much experience and I'm…" I spun her around, causing her to stop protesting. Following the directions one of the staff members was calling out, I pulled her closer and started moving us to the complex Spanish music blasting from the speakers.

I don't know what Claire was talking about when she said she couldn't dance, because she moved like a natural. Though she was a bit hesitant at first, it didn't take her long to let loose and move to the music. I guess her musical talents must've given her a good sense of rhythm, because she was right on target, even with some of the more complex steps. I couldn't resist pulling her in a bit closer, but I felt her stiffen and eased up a little, still closer than before.

"You're good," I leaned down and whispered in her ear, but before she could respond, the song ended and they switched to some of the Spanish-American rap. All the horny jocks let out whoops and suddenly we were trapped in a crowd of grinders. Claire had a semi-horrified look on her face.

"Wanna go somewhere quieter?" I asked over the noise. My head was still bent by her ear, because her hair smelled so good. She nodded lightly, and I started to lead the way out of the gyrating mess. We finally made it out, and sat on the same couch I was on when I watched her come in the room. I heard her sigh as she sank back, and I slipped my arm around her. I felt glad to be out of the suffocating mess that was on the dance floor and could only be glad the jocks hadn't gotten their hands on whatever Massie had been drinking.

"So…" she said awkwardly. I am not one to let awkward silences play out.

"How's that song coming?" I asked, angling my body in to face her.

"It's coming along well. That ending you suggested works really nicely. It's sort of standard technique, I don't really know why I didn't think of it. I mean I've used it before and all…" she trailed off, and I could almost feel her slipping into music world again.

"Sometimes it takes an outside ear that's hearing it for the first time. Can I hear a song you've finished?" I asked, and then quickly rushed to add, "only if it's ok. I mean, I don't have to."

"No, it's ok," she replied with a soft smile. "Massie's the only one who's really heard my music, and it's nice to have another opinion," she assured me, pulling out her iPod. It was still kind of loud in the lounge, so I pulled her up, startling her. "Let's go somewhere quieter," I suggested, and she nodded. I led her out onto the deck and up the ladder Derrick and I had discovered earlier. I let her go up first, and she looked back at me uncertainly.

"This ladder is awfully skinny," she said apprehensively. "It's ok. I went up earlier. If it can handle my weight, it can definitely handle yours," I assured her. She shrugged and continued the way up. At the top, she sat and let her legs dangle over the edge of the little platform, under the railing. Resting back on her elbows, she looked like a goddess bathed in the light of the full moon above. My breath caught in my throat a little, but I pulled myself up on the platform with her and looked up at the stars.

"It seems a little sacrilegious to whip out the iPod on such a clear, beautiful night," I decided, looking up at the stars. She nodded. I knew quite a bit about astronomy, and briefly made a mental note to show her some constellations later. "Do you think, well, you don't have to, but do you think you could sing part of a song for me?" I knew that was sort of stretching it, and I was fully prepared for her to say no. He mouth hung open a little at the prospect, and suddenly all I could think about was how much I wanted to kiss her perfect lips out here under the stars. She looked so cute like that.

"Um, ok. But two conditions," she agreed finally. I tilted my head to the side, waiting for her to go on. "You have to close your eyes," she blushed, "and you have to be 100% honest in your criticism at the end."

"Deal," I grinned at her full on and made a show of squeezing my eyes closed tightly. Soon enough I heard the same sweet voice I'd heard earlier, only this time it was both soulful and sweet, and so much more real.

"Yea when my world is falling apart, when there's no light to break up the dark, that's when I, I, I look at you. When the waves are flooding the shore, and I can't find my way home anymore, that's when I, I, I look at you." Her voice stopped, and I missed it.

"That was beautiful," I said, slowly opening my eyes. She was looking up at me, biting her lip.

"You promised you'd be honest," she looked at me warningly.

"I am being totally honest," I looked right back into her aqua blue eyes. She looked away shyly and tucked her hair behind her ears. I wished I'd had the courage to do it for her. "How about another one?" I asked, and she turned back to look at me. "Too pushy?" I asked quickly, not able to read the look on her face.

"No, no, it's just, no one besides Massie has ever cared enough to take this much interest in my music." She looked grateful. "She cocked her head to the side, thinking. Then she turned back to me. "Close your eyes," She said.

I followed her directions, and soon enough, her emotion-filled voice sang out softly, "According to you, I'm stupid, I'm useless, I can't do anything right. According to you I'm difficult, hard to please, forever changing my mind. I'm a mess in a dress, can't show up on time, even if it would save my life according to you, according to you." As she sang, I couldn't help wondering what guy would be dense enough to oversee her charms. "But according to him, I'm beautiful, incredible; he can't get me out of his head. According to him, I'm funny, irresistible, everything he ever wanted. Everything is opposite. I don't feel like stopping it, so baby, tell me what I got to lose. He's into me for everything I'm not, according to you." Her voice sounded so sincere and pure, which was great, but I was starting to get worried that she had a boyfriend in New York.

**CLAIRE**

I really liked singing for Cam. His eyes were closed, and a small smile played across his lips from time to time. He listened, and he genuinely seemed impressed with my music. He was one of only a few that even knew I had such a talent. I finished singing "According to You," a piece I'd written a year ago after dumping my boyfriend at the time, Griffin Hastings. There was no other guy, but I always wished there had been.

"So, are those two songs about the same guy?" I looked up and Cam was waiting for my answer, head tilted to the side.

"Sorry, what?" I asked, confused. I'd fully heard what he said, but I didn't understand what he meant. A guy that is comforting really doesn't sound like one that thinks you're useless…

"You know, the one that appreciates you, and the one that you look to when you're sad," he clarified with a smile that looked like it was supposed to make light of the situation but didn't really. "Is he your boyfriend?"

I let out a laugh. "No, the first one was inspired by my little brother, Todd. He manages to make the best of any situation, and has helped me through some tough times. Even if it comes with a price," I giggled, remembering how I had to do his laundry for a month when he somehow managed to hide my semisecret relationship with Griffin. But then I remembered how he comforted me when I broke up with him; it was those kinds of moments the song was truly about.

"The second one, well, I'd rather not talk about that…" I trailed off. Cam really didn't want to sit there and listen to my past relationship problems. Wait, relationship problems… Cam… Massie… "Hey, you don't have a girlfriend, do you?" I asked, and he tilted his head sideways and shook no. "Oh good," I stated, blushing under his intense gaze. His lips turned up at my reaction, so I looked away.

"Massie wants you to know she likes you," I continued, "but she overheard you telling Derrick to go for her. So she wanted to make it clear that she was just being overly flirty because it's our first day, and she really, really likes you." I bit my lip before checking his reaction. He looked a little startled.

"Wow, yea, I can see how that would be disappointing," he said, and I was completely confused.

"Huh?"

"Hearing that the person you like isn't into you. That can't feel good," he clarified, and my mouth fell open at the implication.

"Everyone likes Massie," I started, confused. "She's gorgeous, confident, popular, funny, and cool. I don't think I follow—"

"Not everyone likes Massie," he cut me off, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear, "for example, I think you are a lot sweeter than she is. You're really talented, and beautiful too."

I couldn't look at him after he said that. What was he saying, that he liked me? I wished for the bajillionth time that Massie hadn't claimed him. I really couldn't do that to her. I shook my head slowly, still looking down and out at the dark ocean illuminated by the moon and the stars.

After an awkward period of me not responding and him looking at me (I could feel his gaze, it was that strong, believe me), he finally relieved some of the tension by pointing to the sky.

"See the three stars in a line right there? That's Orion's Belt." I got lost in his knowledge of the stars and willed myself not to think about his hand guiding my finger to point out every constellation.

**DERRICK**

Massie was a bit drunk, but not any less the girl of my dreams. I thought back to how Cam always teased me that every superficial blonde that I dated was exactly the same, and now, knowing Massie, I had to agree. I opened the door to a closet, checking to see if she was in there. I had agreed to play hide and seek, and we had switched off hiding and seeking. It suddenly occurred to me though that I'd been around all the decks and hadn't found her again.

I climbed the stairs to the top deck where there was a door to the green room, the last place I hadn't yet checked. When I reached the top of the stairs, I heard the murmuring of Cam's distinctive soft voice and looked up to see him and Claire on the little lookout spot we'd found earlier. I guessed he was showing her the stars. Seeing him making progress with a girl he seemed to actually like, even if she was blonde, made me happy for him. At home, he never goes for any of the girls who are as cute as Claire. Well, actually he doesn't really go for anyone, just because the types of girls he looks for just don't exist in our town.

I peered through the door of the green lounge and didn't see Massie anywhere. In fact, I hadn't seen her for maybe fifteen minutes, and really had searched everywhere.

I hated to do this, but I saw no other option. It would be really bad to have her stumbling around the boat if she was a bit drunk. I headed back out to stand under the lookout towery spot.

"Hey, guys?" I called up softly. Claire's head quickly appeared above the railing. Cam's followed much more slowly, and his expression showed that he wasn't too happy with me.

"What's going on, Derrick?" Claire asked down, sounding, was that relief?

"Erm," I started. If it was relief, it'd be gone in a second. "I seem to have lost Massie."

"WHAT?" Claire exclaimed, standing up quickly. "Cam, move!" In a second Claire was down the ladder and leaning on my shoulder for support while she wheezed a little. "What?" she asked, a bit softer this time.

"Um, well, we were playing hide and seek, and I found her and then she found me so now it's my turn again and… I can't find her. I looked everywhere!" I threw up my hands.

"Don't worry man, we'll help look," Cam had come down much more slowly.

"Thanks so much," I replied, relieved. "It's just I don't want the teacher to find out and her to get in trouble."

"You guys have cellphones, yea?" Claire asked, waving a rhinestone covered Motorola. We nodded. "Ok, I'm fairly sure Massie left hers in her dorm. I sent her a text in case, but even if she has her phone she might not be with it enough to respond." She quickly told us her number, and we told her ours. "Ok," she said, all businesslike, "call or text if you find her. I'll grab this deck, Derrick go one below, and Cam take the bottom floor."

"Aye aye, Captain!" I saluted, and she glared.

"Just go!"

You owe me! Cam mouthed angrily before we went our separate ways.

I followed her orders, walking down the first flight of stairs to the deck where the teachers' cabins were and two of the lounges. I checked in the lounges much more thoroughly than I had before, even checking behind some of the couches. The pool room was locked with the lights off, as were the teachers' rooms. I looked in a couple of broom closets and all of the little hallways. Not finding her, I slowly made my way back to where I started. Claire was just reaching the landing when I arrived at the stairs.

"I didn't find her up there. She's definitely not in the green lounge," she let out a shudder and I laughed, "and she's not in the dining hall or rec room."

"No luck here either," I replied. "Wanna go check on Cam?" I asked, because I wanted to find Massie, but also to see Claire's reaction to his name.

She shrugged, "Sure. I can check our room, it was probably locked when you were looking earlier."

I nodded. She was right, but I got no insight to her feelings for Cam. We descended the stairs into the lowest level we were allowed on.

"Massie?" Claire called out semi tentatively. Hearing no response, she turned to me. "Our room is this way," she said, grabbing my hand and leading me to the room they shared.

She turned the key in the lock and pushed open the door.

"Mass, you in here?" There was still no response, so Claire peeked in the bathroom, then the closet. "Out we go," she said, shooing me out and locking the door. "Where should we look next?"

"Maybe we can find Cam and see where he's looked already," I suggested, and she looked surprised before smiling at me.

"Good call, Derrick. Lead the way!"

We wandered around laughing as we went, looking in different corners and imagining scenarios in which Massie would have ended up in each place. With every closet and corner we looked in, it became clearer to me how the color of Claire's hair did not come close to making her like the girls at home. I could see that she was really good for Cam.

We talked about past relationships, and she told me about some guy named Griffin who cheated on her once and was horrible to her, while I opened up about Kristen and how hard it had been for me to let her go when she moved. Then I tried to get her to spill a bit about Massie, who I just had to know more about.

"She doesn't always get so drunk at home," she was explaining to me as we turned yet another corner. "Alicia's dad has this he-yuge old wine cellar and sometimes we swipe from it, but not always so much. I don't even know if she's that drunk. We play hide and seek sober all the time, Mass is just fun and crazy like that. So yea anyway, I hope she wasn't that drunk because I don't want her to—"

Claire stopped and got really quiet. I looked up to see Massie and Cam making out on a couch behind a plant in a little alcove. My reaction went like this: surprised, horrified, upset, angry. I saw Claire just standing there with her mouth hanging open, all the hurt in the world written across her face. My last thought before I turned and stormed away was that at least now I knew how Claire felt about Cam.

Hope you liked it. Next chapter Cam will explain himself a bit...

Happy Memorial Day!

Hugs, Sky