#elsewhere

Determined not to be late, with all the 'essentials' she races off for camping. One last hug for mom and Ivan and zoom

*********

Having a truck is useful for camping! Gwen soon has everything packed up and is on her way to the site, after swinging by to pick up Pam.

Of course, JB also has a truck, and has picked up Chuck - they'll meet at the campsite.

Pam is checking her hair in the mirror. She's forgone any makeup, but still is verifying that everything is in place.

"So, I told JB I would handle our outfitting. I brought two tents for us, but one of them has a broken center post. Luckily, the one that's intact is family sized.

What I need from you, Gwen, is to make sure he doesn't try to bunk with Chuck! Once we're in a tent together, I'll make SURE he's clear on the rest."

"Oh I might be able to explain Chuck won't be sleeping with him, but I'm open to suggestions"

"I swear, JB is a hunk, but his brain is a brick." Pam sighs. "The heart wants what it wants, though..."

"Please don't take this wrong but i almost feel sorry for you" She tells Pam "I have plans of my own, with Chuck so.."

"Oh, don't be. JB IS cute both when he's running, but also when he's trying to do math and starts twirling that little bit of hair that grows too long over his ears.. or when we were doing trash pickup on the lake for that social studies credit, and he ran after the car that dropped a soda and lobbed it into their front seat like a football..."

"Oh but Chuck has the great smile, it's like watching the sunrise, the light in him just gets brighter and brighter and i could just bathe in, and then he tilts his head just a little and it's so perfect, and when offered up our umbrella to that old lady in the rain ..."

As they drive and chat, it occurs to Gwen that maybe she's misjudged JB as a brainless jock. After all, many might think the same of Chuck. Either that, or being in love just means that you see the little things that others miss. Clearly Pam is smitten as well.

When she pulls up to the spot where they agreed to camp - a clearing that the boys knew about out in the woods, not one of those silly 'Campgrounds' with marked lots and electrical hookups.

It has some flat ground and a spot for a firepit, and is a short walk from the lake. In fact, the boys are coming back up the path now, shirtless, and damp, laughing from their quick dip.

Gwen and Pam mostly share a moment of enjoying the view

Soon they are deep in the joys of camping! The boys show the girls how to pitch a tent (ha) and Pam pretends to not know how, just to give JB the joy of explaining it to her, and to giggle a bit when he fails, as clearly there is a piece missing and one of the pup tents is broken.

JB rubs the back of his neck. "I guess I can bunk up with Chuck, then..."

"No can do... " She says trying to think of a reason "Chuck and i will be up studying for his summer courses"

There, a believable one!

She does try to fix the pup tent or find the piece while she talks

Or more accurately, give the impression she looks. that guy is going with Pam

Pam is reasoning with him. "C'mon, it won't be weird. We've shared a tent before."

"Yeah, but we were SEVEN. Fine, let's just get it up so we can get that hike in before dinner!" JB agrees.

Pam gives Gwen a covert thumbs up!

Chuck squeezes Gwen's hand, "Do you want to go for a hike, or fishing, or dip in the lake?" They brought fishing tackle, and also a large cooler from Marigold if they come up empty handed.

Chuck gets squeezed back and her eyes dance. "what i want will wait till tonight" she whispers trying to sound husky and sexy.. it might seems she's catching a cold or she might get it right

then she says "which ever you want" She nods

He has gone tongue tied for a bit. "Ah.. ah... swimming!"

The afternoon goes well! They swim, and hike and josh around in the woods. If Gwen allows it, she'll even have fun, instead of being nervous! JB turns out to be squirmish around worms, so Pam needs to thread the fishhook for him... they catch a few small bluegill, but throw them back immediately once Gwen mentioned her mom packed some food.

After dinner, the fire crackles merrily, and they toast marshmallows. JB has brought out a 6 pack of beer - nothing heavy, just a domestic ale, and he and Pam both crack into them. Chuck hesitates, looking to Gwen. "Do you want a beer? Just one won't get you drunk, really."

JB adds, "It tastes great on by the fire. Ahh!" Slurping. "No pressure, though." Pam adds, there are also some Sprite and Cokes in the cooler.

Gwen is not the best Swimmer, the weighto hf er and all but she enjoys it anway and is not nervous.she doesn't just love Chuck, she likes him. And they have common interests. The fact they threw the Bluegill back for mom's food? She doesnt' blame the guys. The fire and marshmellows is a delight, and she shakes her head at the offer ot the beer "Thanks no. I know it won't get me drunk but I don't like it as much as others, and my family history is.. well , no thanks' She grabs a coke

Chuck grabs a coke too. The others are not offended, and don't press, though they get more than a little giggly finishing up the beers between the two of them.

Gwen leansagainst chuck, and whispers "You didn't have to pass on the beer, but it's sweet you did"

"I don't want you to be uncomfortable. Your feelings mean more to me than a bud light." Wrapping an arm around her in the firelight.

...

When JB starts to look a little sleepy, and the drinks are gone, Pam takes the initiative. "Up you go, tiger. Let's get you tucked in." A wink to Gwen, and she guides the somewhat tipsy JB over to the tent that is on the far side of the clearing, allowing for some semblance of privacy.

Chuck reaches over and takes Gwen's hand. "Shall we...?"

She almost melts at the comment about her feelings, and later... she returns the wink to Pam, then thenlooks to Chuck and blushes "yes"

The teens all retire to their tents.

It's dark, and cool, the night air is delicious.

They fumble a bit along the way, as might be expected, but they have the entire night, and a sweet night it is.

A night to make dreams come true.

Oh yes, precautions are taken, delights had, and things learned about.. well..

'Ohwow"

"Wow..." Chuck is also delighted, and if there is any argument over who enjoys themselves more, well, they have a few rounds to go. The joys of youth and stamina!

-------

The night is cool, which is nice, because they worked up a bit of a sweat between them. It's not uncomfortable, rather, there is something sweet and poignant about laying there next to Chuck as he snores a bit, hair mussed, cover blanket tangled about both of their legs.

It's quiet, even quieter than the remote Manor. Gwen can hear the soft sounds of the forest around her. The shift of branches in the wind, a soft crackle of a broken twig, the muted buzz of... of... of what, exactly?

Something troubles her, buzzing? Wait.. that warning about the buzzing. She reaches for her spear

The blanket falls off of her as she shifts, baring... everything.

A blush and a hasty grab for clothes and gear

She notices as she zips up her shorts, that the buzzing has stopped. The silence sounds even louder now.

A wince and she kens about , she may not have all her amor but she's got enough for modesty

She opens the tent to look as she does

just a little, her head peeking out

The night is quiet, and dark. They have long since banked the fire. The moon is nearly full, though, waxing gibbous, Artie would tell her. Just a sliver of the orb missing in the sky, and casting a touch of ghostly light over the campsite.

Two things catch her attention. There is rustling and voices - at least a voice, over at Pam and JB's tent, and a lantern shining from within shows a silhouette that looks upright - only one. She could get a little closer to listen. The voice sounds hushed, but... it doesn't sound like what she and Chuck likely sounded like earlier. Not the sounds of passion.

Off in another direction, there is rustling, in the woods. Her kenning senses ping that way.

Then, a third, as a hand reaches to touch her leg. "Babe? Where are you going?" Chuck asks, sleepily.

Absolutely crazy with an inability to even make love without a crisis brewing She should be happy, she should be deliriously happy. She was. It was perfect she loves Chuck. Then..."I'm sorry, Chuck. It's..complicated. I want to stay with you but I heard something. I think we might not be safe"

He sits up. "You can't go out if it's not safe." Blinking the sleep from his eyes. Crap, Gwen realizes, I should have said I needed to pee.

"I need to go pee" She blurts

"Huh? Oh. Bad dream? Okay... yeah.. bathroom." He's still pretty tired. "Just yell if you need anything, TP... watch out for poison ivy..."

They had dug a few 'potty trenches' earlier and cleared away suspect plants.

She slips out.

trying to stealth, and knowing her skin betrays her

She can go either direction - towards her friend's tent where she hears sound, or into the woods where she feels glamour.

First to her friends..quiet quiet

She hears Pam speaking. "JB? JB, wake up. Please? James Bradford - WAKE UP! You're scaring me!"

Just like the squirrel realization dread, a sinking pit of a feeling

A masculine groan.