Page 17 of The Summer Intern

"I do say so," I insisted, straightening up in my seat."In fact, I bet I'll find the hottest, most available guy at Eagle Ridge and sweep him off his feet.You'll see."

Oliver chuckled, shaking his head."So, Matt?"

"Matt?Matt is not hot," I grumped, even as my traitorous mind wandered to Matt’s broad shoulders and fit body.“Not that hot.Besides, what I need is a hot camp counselor, my own age.An outdoorsy type who can teach me about, like, tent poles and stuff, and I can play the guitar for him.”

“Tent poles, huh?”

“Yeah, like which poles go in which holes…” I realized a bit too late why he was laughing so hard.“Oh my god, holes in the tent.Tents have holes, right?”

eight

Casey

May26

"Come on, Casey, let's take a break from unpacking.The lake's calling our names," Oliver said, tugging at my arm.

“But there’s so much to do!”I groaned, looking up from the half-empty suitcase, I was emptying into our tiny closet.My side of the cabin was chaos, but Oliver had somehow already unpacked, and his bed was neatly made with his favorite pillow and a comforter he’d brought from home.It wasn’t my fault I had more stuff, not really.Oliver was just such a minimalist that he made everyone look bad.

“You need a break.And maybe a snack,” Oliver pleaded.“Please?”

"Fine, but I’m dousing myself in SPF100 first, and if I get eaten alive by bugs, I'm blaming you."

As we stepped outside the cabin, the late spring sun warmed my face.I inhaled deeply, savoring the crisp mountain air tinged with pine.Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.It was beautiful here, what with the lake, and the trees, and the additional trees behind the first trees.I could really see myself starting to not hate it!

My optimism lasted approximately 30 seconds.

"Yah!"I yelped, swatting wildly at a swarm of tiny mosquitoes that descended upon me."What the actual fuck?!"

Oliver snickered as I flailed about, my arms windmilling."Having some trouble there, bro?"

"Shut up and help me!"I sputtered, dancing in place."They're attacking me!"

My brother just stood there, mosquito-free, and highly amused.Traitor.

"It must be your hair," he mused."That shampoo smells too nice, and it’s so colorful, like a flower."

I paused mid-slap to glare at him."First of all, rude.This indigo is a work of art.Second, mosquitoes don't even like sugar!"

"How would you know?You're a city boy."

"I know things, I study things," I retorted, resuming my interpretive bug-avoidance dance."And I’m cultured.Unlike these country bumpkin insects with no taste."

Oliver just laughed.“Maybe they have good taste, because they like you.”

As we neared the shimmering expanse of the lake, a fresh-smelling breeze off the water cleared out the bugs, and I thought about the changes since we’d first visited in the winter.With the warm weather and sunshine, I could almost see this place being pleasant.If we could do something about the bugs.And Matt and I have even almost gotten along the last few times we’d worked together.Sure, we needed Sutton to referee, but that was a step in the right direction.

I hadn’t seen the cranky camp director since we’d arrived.Sutton had let us into the cabin, telling us Matt had been busy with his friend Wade, doing repairs and cleaning up the grounds for the arrival of the campers.

A mosquito dive-bombed my ear, as if determined to destroy my happy thoughts.

"Gah!"I swatted furiously."That's it, I'm going back to finish some unpacking.Then maybe I’ll do some work.Matt may be aggravating, but at least he doesn’t try to eat me."

“Not yet, anyway.”Oliver laughed, clearly enjoying my misery."Come on, drama queen.The lake's right there.Race you to the dock!"

He took off running, leaving me to stumble after him, still battling my winged assailants.

"Not fair!"I called out."I'm being attacked!Oliver!Don't leave me here to die!"

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