Hey guys! I am SOOOO sorry about the delay on this! I promise, I will finish it this summer. Stick around at the end for an a/n but for now I'll let you get to the story!

**Claire**

It was surreal being up there on that dock again, as if nothing had happened between us. It almost erased the past week, like it was a bad dream. But I knew I couldn't let Cam out of the woods yet. I still wanted to hear what he had to say.

As if he read my mind, Cam took a deep inhale and just began spilling it all out. He started a lot farther back than I expected, explaining how he and Derrick never fight over girls in San Fransisco, since he thinks they are so shallow, and Derrick had a steady girlfriend for a while. How when he came here, he assumed it would be like every school trip, booze and hookups, which he generally tried to steer clear of. I internally nodded, realizing that sounded a lot like me on school trips as well.

He continued on about how he never meant to kiss Massie, which I was still skeptical about, but decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. He told me about all those other times he'd tried to get my attention, from his perspective, and I started to feel bad about how dismissive I'd acted. But it was for a good reason, right?

"You have to understand, Massie still liked you at that point. I resented you for tempting me when there is no way I could ever betray my best friend's feelings like that," I explained, and he frowned.

"I never meant to cause a problem between you," he sounded incredibly sincere, "I just didn't like someone else deciding that we should be a pair without my consent. I'm really glad you were able to make her see that Derrick is the one for her, not me."

"Me too," I sighed, also pleased with my success. I looked over to see him staring at me intently, and we held eye contact for a beat longer than normal before he spoke again.

"This is going to sound really cheesy," he said softly, almost shyly, "But I knew we could have something the second I saw you scribbling away in that notebook of yours on the first day, before we even introduced ourselves. I could just tell you had more to you than the superficial girls I normally meet." I was shocked at this admission, and I could feel myself starting to blush.

"If we're being honest, I was drawn to you from the moment you and Derrick stepped onto the top deck. The only problem is that was also the exact moment Massie laid her claim," I admitted, and where most boys might become really cocky after hearing something like that, I could tell he was slightly embarrassed about it. But he just shrugged, grinned at me and placed his hand over mine before turning his head up to look at the stars.

**Cam**

Everything was going great with Claire. We were finally being open and honest with each other, which was such a relief. I hadn't realized that the reason she was so cold to me before was that she wanted to be with me and couldn't because of Massie. I could see how that would get very frustrating, and I felt bad that I wasn't clearer with Massie from the beginning that I wasn't interested, and we could have skipped ahead of this whole mess. But being up there on the upper deck, finally laughing and relaxed and with no secrets between us, was like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. Looking over at her illuminated by the moon, I felt more in awe of her beauty, if that was possible. It was great to see her so carefree.

"Oooh I know, show me some constellations!" She said, bright-eyed, after a short lull in the conversation. I grinned remembering how I had started to on the first night. Glad for an excuse to hold her hand, I grabbed it and guided her finger around the night sky, especially pointing out the ones relevant to Greek and Roman mythology which I now knew she was into. Good thing I could point them out with my eyes closed, because I was distracted by her wide smile the whole time.

Suddenly people started pouring out of the yellow lounge below us, I guess the movie must have finished. Claire giggles and put a finger over her lips, then sort of crouched in a ball making herself invisible to the deck below. I didn't really know why she wanted to hide, but I wasn't about to pass up a chance to get close to her. I wrapped my arms around her and drew my legs in as close to me as possible, grinning hugely as she nestled back into me. We lay there silently and I listened to her breathing until the background noise of the chatter below finally faded. Slowly she sat up, and when I met her eyes my heart sank. I could just see them closing off to me again.

"Cam, I," she paused and took a deep breath. "I really like you. And I like that we are finally straightened out about everything, and I like how comfortable you make me feel. But I don't think I can do this." She paused, and I tried to make sense of what she was saying but I wasn't quite sure. The words sounded mostly good but the tone was sad. "It's just, we only have three days left together. After that, what are the chances we'll see each other again? I just don't think I can handle getting attached to you and then having to let you go so soon." The full weight of her words hit me. What is that saying? It's better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all? On the other hand, I saw her point. I mean, I just finished explaining how I'm not about hookups on school trips. But Claire was something special! Suddenly the stars seemed overwhelming, making us seem so small.

"Look, I'm not saying we shouldn't hang out, and make the most of these next two days," she continued, giving my hand a light squeeze, "and of course I'd like to get to know you more. I just don't think I could handle being together for such a short time."

Her clear blue eyes were wide and imploring, hoping I would understand. Unfortunately that only made me wish I could kiss her, something that was no longer an option. I forced myself to tear my eyes from hers and I looked down at my lap.

"I understand, Claire," I answered, "and I respect that. I have to say that didn't occur to me, but I can see that situation being difficult as well. I guess I was just so wrapped up in the thought of finally getting to be with you that I didn't consider the downsides. Friends?" I held out my hand and she shook, a sad smile on her face.

She was no longer leaning against me, and I missed it. We continued talking, about what we would do when we returned home, and it was strange. It was still very comfortable and the conversation flowed easily, but a faint sense of disappointment hung in the air. I wondered if she felt it too.

SO! I just graduated from high school and was super busy (I know, excuses, excuses), but I am now going to focus on finishing this story! The next chapter should be up within the week. Chances are after the summer I won't be on here anymore, so I'm going to try to write as much as I can before then. Feel free to commission me with one-shot prompts or ideas.

I hope everyone's summer is off to a great start!

Hugs,

-Sky