Hey guys! Sooo... please don't hate me! I know I haven't updated this in forever. Here's a quick filler for ya to hopefully tide you over until I can come up with something more substantial. Anyway, here's chapter 13:

**Claire**

For the second night in a row I couldn't sleep. I tried to use the time wisely to form a gameplan for the next day, but my thoughts kept drifting to Cam. I knew I shouldn't care about him, but I couldn't help it. As hard as I was trying not to, and as easy as it was to fool everyone, I was still falling for him. Why did this happen to me, of all people? I am generally the nice, happy-go-lucky, rule-follower, so why did I get cursed with falling for the worst guys?

He was confusing, indecisive, and untrustworthy. All of which yelled RUN AWAY! But when he wasn't busy reminding me what a douche he was, I overlooked his flaws. Which could prove to be dangerous.

The kiss he shared with Massie ran through my mind when my eyes were closed, which may have contributed to the momentary insomnia. What was he thinking, trying to kiss me one night and then kissing her the next. Maybe he was just desperate and/or horny. I just wish… well, I tend to paint this perfect picture of my crushes in my head, and they end up totally differently. If only Cam was the great guy I liked to think he was.

As I finally fell into a deep sleep, I dreamt of a world where he was a good guy and worthy of all the time I spent trying to figure him out.

**Massie**

Being with the new Cam was lightyears better than the old broody one. Just through the duration of breakfast alone he turned more and more into my dream guy. He cracked jokes with Derrick and was much more outgoing. He came up with fun conversation topics instead of expecting me to do all the work. And there was some sort of… life in him that hadn't been there before.

Claire was sort of introverted all through breakfast, and I thought about asking what was wrong, but I didn't want to bring down the mood. Also she was probably just tired; I'd heard her tossing and turning when I woke up early this morning. She just sat next to Derrick with her head on his shoulder, her eyes drifting closed every now and then. They looked so comfortable together, it made me smile.

They were so cute together, and knowing Derrick was as good as locked up would keep me from ever having momentary insane lapses of wanting to kiss him… I hoped.

Things were finally working out the way I planned. The four of us as best friends, being envied by everyone else on the boat and having the time of out lives.

**Cam**

After breakfast Derrick and I trudged down to our room to get ready for the day. I couldn't decipher his expression, but then again I couldn't even figure out how I was feeling. Breakfast had been different and slightly weird. I had been trying to prove to Claire, and myself too I guess, that I can be a fun person. But my efforts went slightly unnoticed, as Claire was falling asleep the whole time.

I hated the world sometimes. Of course it would happen that most girls liked me, but the one time I really like a girl, I'm not able to show her the real me. The universe was conspiring against me on this one, and I was torn between giving up and going all in.

I had a promise to keep with Derrick though; I had to make sure Massie realized he was the right girl for her by the end of the trip. I had no problems with that and almost hoped he'd hurry up with the wooing. As much as I didn't want to be mean to her, she was at the point where her actions would be getting on my nerves even if Claire didn't exist.

The biggest problem I had with the situation was that she was seeing me at all my worst moments and none of my best. I never would have kissed Massie voluntarily the first night, and every time I tried to woo Claire, an unfortunate incident with Massie would occur shortly thereafter. And when I tried to be the cool and unconfused guy I usually was, she was falling asleep on my best friend's shoulder. Just great.

**Derrick**

I was trying to give Cam some advice about Claire, but not only was he not listening, I don't think that he was even aware that I was talking to him.

Finally his ears picked up as I was saying "… her decide she wants you. And then go for it. If you keep going after her, she'll keep avoiding you. Work a little absence-makes-the-heart-grow-fonder on her." I reworded Claire's advice to me, seeing as I wouldn't have known how to deal in the situation otherwise. His eyes widened in that way where he was actually processing what I just said, so I rushed to add, "staying away from any romantic contact with Massie will allow Claire to realize she wants you sooner."

"Don't worry, man, I do not want Massie to kiss me ever again!" He said, almost sounding angry, which forced me to hold back laughter. If only Claire would open her eyes and realize she needed to give this guy a second chance.

As we left the room to meet everyone on the main deck, Cam still looked like the wheels in his brain were turning. I only wondered what he could be up to.

"Hey!" I was greeted with a hug from Claire, looking much more chipper than she had at breakfast. I pulled her in closer and whispered in her ear, "so, what's the plan for today, oh wise one?"

She pulled back quickly, a semi-stricken look across her face. I guess she never ogt around to thinking of something.

"Don't worry about it, we'll just play it by ear today. No big deal," I felt her relax and wondered if the tide might be changing in terms of which of us was more in charge. I realized that if I was gaining any sort of say in how we would go about Operation: Make Massie Realize She Likes Derrick (or MMRSLD), I might be able to secretly work at getting her to like Cam.

I know it was short. I'm sorry. And probably really repetitive of earlier chapters. Double sorry. And I'm triple sorry that I haven't been reading any of your stories lately :/ I hope everyone is enjoying the end of summer though, and those of you who have started school again, hope the new school year is great!

Hugs, Sky