Twenty-Eight

“Huh?” I wake up, blinkingat the empty camp bed. “Yvie?”

I sit up, rubbing my eyes awake. My ears prick to the voices outside my tent. Yvette’s giggle is easy to pick out. So is Parker’s laugh.

Since when did Yvette Anderson get up early? Did she set an alarm to get extra Parker time?

I gulp. Did they plan this last night?

I rub my temples. Why do I care? I’ve put so much effort in to make sure this happens. Shouldn’t I be thinking about Lewis instead?

I leave the tent and am hit with the delicious scent and crackles of bacon and eggs.

“Morning, Kylie,” Kai’s dad says by the grill. “Hungry?”

I smile and pat my stomach. “I am, now that I smell what’s cooking.”

“Oh my gosh, Kylie will probably eat her body weight,” Yvette jokes, sitting by Parker. “You should’ve seen her at Alto Burger. She couldn’t stop shoveling food into her mouth. It was so gross.”

“There’s nothing wrong with a girl who can eat,” Mr. Nelson says, serving up my breakfast.

I give him a weak smile as I take the plate. “Thanks.”

Sitting on another side of the campsite is Tabitha, Jamie, and Milo. Are none of them questioning why Parker and Yvie are acting like best friends? Or, why do they stare at each other like Lewis and I don’t exist?

I pan around for Lewis, and find him crouched down in front of where Kai and Tyler sit. My heart swells with a boost of joy as I watch him focus his camera on foliage on the ground.

I take my plate and wave to the girls and Milo as I walk past them. I move toward Lewis and the boys, and can’t help grinning at the happiness on Lewis’s face as he snaps the shot.

I take a seat as Lewis moves over to the boys. “Hi guys.” When they reply, I’m giddy as Lewis sits beside me. “Get the perfect shot?”

“Took a few duds, but the last one’s definitely a keeper,” he replies.

“I love seeing how quiet and patient you get with your photography,” I gush. “Do you like feeling that way?”

He nods. “For the right shot, but it’s way too boring for the rest of life.”

I slouch in disappointment. “Really?”

Lewis grins. “For sure. I’m much happier when I’m active and living in the moment.”