Lucy

Seven-thirty in the morning . . . Of course, who wants to waste their first day of vacation sleeping in? Whatever, I have other problems than taking care of my good night's sleep. The view is breathtaking. All bedroom windows go out to the rear, so you have a fantastic view of the lake and the forests around it. Although I'm actually a city person, I could imagine living here for a few months. Far away from the stress of everyday life. Speaking of everyday stress, my cell phone flashes, messages are waiting for me. Reluctantly, I turn away from the window and reach for my phone. One missed call and a message on my voicemail. Kendall. My mouth is dry. I know I shouldn't do it. My mind cries out to me not to do it, but my heart can't help it. I'm listening to the voicemail. Hearing his voice takes my breath away.

"Um . . . hey, Lucy. I guess you have better things to do right now than answer your phone, that's okay. I, um, I just wanted to hear how you're doing. Logan said you're going through a lot right now. And . . . and I can't shake off the feeling that I have something to do with it. And if that's really the truth, then I'm sorry. I hope you find the things you need during the next few days. Have a good time with these two crazy lovebirds. I guess I'll see you when you guys are back. So . . . bye, Lucy."

Lucy (16)

"My Gosh . . . that movie is terrible!"

"In my defense, it was your idea to spend our anniversary on my couch watching bad horror movies instead of going out for a romantic dinner."

"Yes, and I don't think I've thanked you for that, have I?" I ask mischievously and kiss Beau, my boyfriend. I still don't know how it happened, but I know it feels right. With Beau I don't need to pretend, I can be myself, no fake, no lies. Another advantage of having a boyfriend – whose parents are rarely at home – is that I can store all my stuff in his room, goodbye train station lockers.

Beau kisses me back, and yes, there could be more . . . if it weren't for my phone reminding me to go home on time. Beau grabs the phone and places it out of my current reach.

"Give it back to me, Beau," I rebuke him with a laugh.

"Not a chance," he replies with a grin, and we kiss again. But in the end, I have to admit to myself that I have no other choice. "I have to go."

He grimaces. "It's our anniversary."

"I know."

"When will your parents finally allow you to stay longer, overnight, for example?"

I tilt my head, pretend to think. "Well, I'm sixteen, sooo . . . never."

"But your parents like me."

"And if you want it to stay that way, you'll wait until I've changed my clothes and then you'll drive me home."

He sighs theatrically. "Fine."

We're sitting in his car, in front of my house.

"Just for the record, I really wouldn't have minded if the evening had lasted longer."

I smile and stroke his cheek. "I'll make up for it. I promise."

He waves off. "Nah, it's okay."

I lean forward and give him a quick goodbye kiss, then I get out.

"Won't you ask me to come into the house with you?" he asks jokingly.

I smirk. "No, guys like you have to earn the privilege of being invited in."

It's just a joke. He has been in the house several times.

"Well then . . . good night, my rocking princess," he says with a wry smile, raises his hand in greeting and drives away. Grinning, I go into the house and find my parents in the living room. Of course, they have been waiting for me, they will always be waiting for me.

"Hey Mom, hey Dad."

"Hello, sweetheart. How was your evening?" my mother asks, beaming. Even when I try to suppress it, I can't hide the smile on my face. "It was great, Mom."

"Well, I think someone seems very happy," my father says with a mild smile.

"And in love," my mom adds.

"Mom," I say indignantly, but I can't deny it. Yes, I'm happy . . . and maybe, just maybe, a little bit in love with my boyfriend.

It takes several seconds before I realize that the message has ended. Maybe I should be happy that he asks how I'm doing, for reaching out to me. But instead, I just feel numb. No, that's not true. If I felt numb, my heart wouldn't hurt so much. Hearing his voice only made things worse. I don't know what to do. I've never felt so helpless . . . and lonely.

Lomille

Camille wakes up, enjoying the light and warmth of the sun shining through the window. She stretches and then turns to her boyfriend, who is lying next to her with his eyes closed. "Good morning, handsome," she says with a smile, running her hand through his hair. He doesn't react, just remains calmly lying on his back.

"Logan, I know you're awake," she says, laughing. When he still doesn't respond, she rolls her eyes. "Fine," she murmurs, reaching under the covers, and giving his left side a ticklish nudge. Logan squeals and flinches, finally opens his eyes. "Hey, not cool!"

Camille raises an eyebrow. "Really? That's all you have to say?"

"Um . . . good morning, beautiful?"

"That's better," she replies with a smirk, leaning forward and kissing him gently. Logan smiles. "I could get used to that."

"Get used to what?"

"Seeing you first thing in the morning and being kissed by you." He pulls her close.

"You're sweet."

Snuggled up to each other, they just lie there, enjoying the peaceful silence around them, dozing off a few times. It couldn't be more perfect.

"How's your neck?" Camille asks after a while of pure bliss.

"Better, thanks to you," Logan replies, kissing her temple.

"You're very welcome."

He thinks for a moment. "You know . . . I think it was very generous of you to do something good for me. So it's only fair to do something good for you, isn't it?"

"Well, you don't have to . . . but if you insist . . ."

Logan grins and positions himself over her, leaning on his elbows. "And do you know what's best?" he whispers, very close to her face, so she can feel his warm breath on her skin.

"What?"

"No interruptions . . ."

They've been doing it for a while until a knock on the door makes them pause. "Guys?"

Logan groans in frustration and buries his head in the crook of Camille's neck. "Unbelievable . . ."

"I think she's lonely," Camille tries to appease her boyfriend, scratching the back of his neck. Logan mumbles something into her neck, then straightens up and wants to go to the door. Camille grabs him by the arm. "Be nice."

"I'm always nice."

She doesn't let him go. "Please . . . for me."

His face softens and he nods. "Only for you," he says softly, kissing her devotedly.

"We'll still get plenty of opportunities."

"I hope so," Logan replies with a smirk, goes to the door and opens it. "Yes?"

Apparently, Lucy takes a moment to study his naked upper body and Logan curses himself inwardly for not having quickly put on a T-shirt.

"Did I interrupt anything?"

Logan quickly glances over his shoulder at Camille, who shakes her head slightly.

"No," he says, turning back to Lucy. "No, not at all. What's, um, what's up?"

"I just want to let you know that I made breakfast."

"You know how to cook?"

Lucy puts on her 'another comment like that and I'll destroy you' face and replies, "Better than you, I bet."

Behind him, Logan hears Camille giggle. He turns to her indignantly. "Do you think that's funny?"

Camille gets up from the bed and comes over. "I'm sorry, honey, you're really great at a lot of things, but cooking isn't one of them." She gives him a sweet kiss on the cheek. Logan thinks about whether he should say something in response, but then he lets it go. After all, Camille is not entirely wrong.

"So, let's say breakfast in . . . ten minutes?" Lucy asks. Logan nods in agreement. "All right."

Lucy walks away, Logan closes the door. "I don't think I'll be able to survive this vacation in the presence of Lucy Stone."

"Awww, is the evil Lucy mean to my Logie-bear?" Camille says teasingly, wrapping her arms around him, kissing him. Then she wants to pull away, but Logan holds her tight. She gives him a surprised look.

"We have ten minutes to finish what we started, or I swear by all that is sacred to me that I will explode."

Camille laughs, thinks her boyfriend is joking. He isn't.