Page 17 of Anyone But Her

Cal shakes his head. "No reason. I just didn't see your name on the list. Did you sign up last minute?"

"No. My real name, Salvadore, is what's on the list. I go by Steve."

"Oh." Cal seems confused. I'm not sure why. The guy's explanation wasn't confusing.

"That's a big change," I say. "Salvadore to Steve?"

Steve laughs. "I know. My dad's from Spain so he insisted on a Spanish name but I've never liked it. When I went to kindergarten I told everyone my name was Steve and it stuck. I've been Steve ever since." He looks down at this phone. "That's weird."

"What's weird?" Cal asks.

"I met this girl today and texted her but I just got a message saying it couldn't be delivered."

"Guess she wasn't really into you," Cal says. "The wrong number trick? It happens to all of us at some point. I wouldn't worry about it."

"I don't get it. This girl seemed really interested. I didn't ask for her number. She gave it to me. I must've typed it in wrong. Now I'm pissed. She was really hot. I was hoping I'd see her again."

Cal shrugs. "I'm sure you'll find someone else."

"I met her here at camp. She must be someone's sister. Or maybe a cousin. I'll ask around. Someone here has to know her."

"Just find someone else, man," Cal says. "You don't want to waste time tracking down some girl. You need to focus on your game."

"Yeah, you're probably right. I'll see you guys later."

Cal and I head to our cabin. He's staring at the ground as he walks, like he's lost in his thoughts.

"Is something wrong?" I ask.

"What?" He looks up. "Um, no. Everything's fine."

"Was it Steve? Do you not like him?"

"Steve? No. I like him. Seems like a good guy."

"It's just that you got really quiet after we met him. I thought maybe he said something to offend you."

"Not at all." He smiles. "Sorry. I don't know why I got quiet. I guess I'm just tired. I got up early to pack."

He gets his phone out and checks it as we walk.

"Do you have a girlfriend?" I ask.

"I did, but we broke up a few weeks ago."

"Was it serious?"

"Not really. We dated a couple months but I was never really that into her."

I want to ask him if his sister is dating anyone but that would seem odd so I don't.

"It's this one." He points to the cabin next to us. "They're kind of shitty but they're cabins so you can't expect much."

If he only knew where I came from. From the outside alone this cabin looks better than my house. We go inside, and although it's not great, the cabin is still better than the house I just left. It's actually clean and isn't littered with clutter.

"What about you?" Cal asks as we're unpacking. "Got a girlfriend?"

"No. I've never even been on a date. I'm too busy working."

---