ENTRY 13
JUST THE BEGINNING

The rustling of the sleeping bag next to hers drew her attention, and Bella pulled up on her elbows.

"What's the matter? Can't sleep?" She whispered the words, not wanting to alert the other campers to the fact that they hadn't gone to bed when the counselors had called lights out.

Not that there were many lights to turn out from where they were camped alongside Lake Crescent.

The sound of her best friend's voice echoed around the small space as she answered. "Not really. I have a lot on my mind I guess."

Bella had met Rose five years ago, as fresh-faced twelve-year-olds, on the first day of summer camp. Their personalities seemed like night and day at the time, but as the summers passed, they realized in each other they'd found a kindred spirit.

"What is it?" Bella asked, turning to face Rose.

"I'm … we're moving. My dad got a job. In New York. This is the last summer I'll be coming to camp." Rose spoke just above a whisper, and if Bella hadn't been lying right beside her, she probably wouldn't have heard her.

"No. You can't. You're my best friend. I don't know what I would've done if I never met you. You were my first real friend. My first …" A tiny hiccup left her lips as she choked out her next words. "I'm going to miss you so much." The thought of being apart was not something Bella had ever considered.

"Bella, you're so much more to me than that. You're kind. You're sweet." Rose paused for a moment, staring into Bella's eyes. "You're beautiful. You're everything to me. I … This can't be the end."

Bella wiped at the tears falling in a steady stream down her face as Rose said so much with so few words. She knew what they shared was rare, and it went well beyond friendship. She'd lie in bed at night and envision a future for them. As the years passed, her feelings grew beyond the realm of friendship, and it scared her, but she couldn't deny that it also thrilled her. And now it was all dissipating like a puff of smoke. She needed to show Rose what her words couldn't.

"Rose, can you stay very still please?"

She looked at Bella in puzzlement.

"I just want to try one thing." Bella scooted over, closing the distance between them, and she trailed her hands up Rose's arms to her shoulders before she cupped her face in her hands.

Recognition shone in her eyes as Bella leaned in and captured Rose's lips with hers. The kiss was cautious at first—just the meeting of lips—but soon Bella pressed more firmly, pulling Rose's bottom lip between hers.

A soft sigh expelled from them both as Bella pulled back, resting her forehead on Rose's.

"This isn't the end, Rose. This is just the beginning. We'll find our way back to each other. I promise."

#SUMMERCAMPENTRIES

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