For years, she had begged her parents to let her come on this week-long school trip. Brooke went every year, and all Priya wanted was to be part of it. She’d imagined them huddled around the campfire, giggling over silly jokes, and whispering late into the night. She’d even managed to convince the camp coordinator to let them share a room, along with a girl named Rachel from another school.
But the trip hadn’t turned out the way Priya had thought. Turning fifteen had changed the entire dynamic. Brooke and Rachel seemed more interested in boys than anything else—who had kissed whom, what it felt like, and which guys at camp were the cutest. Brooke had found her own distraction, a boy who played the guitar and had all the girls swooning with his laid-back charm.
One evening, she flopped down on Priya’s bunk with a dramatic sigh. “You know,” she said, “this is kinda the perfect time for you.”
“Perfect time for what?” Priya glanced up from her book.
“Your first kiss!” Brooke declared. “I mean, think about it. You’re away from home, no parents watching your every move, and no one’s gonna rat you out. You can actually have a little fun for once!”
“I’m not just going to kiss someone because I’m away from home.” Priya let out a small laugh.
Brooke’s smile turned mischievous. “Ryan’s been asking about you.”
“Who’s Ryan?” Priya ventured cautiously.
“Caleb’s friend. He’s super cute and totally into you. I may have suggested that you’re interested in him too.”
“Brooke!” Priya exclaimed, swatting her with a pillow.
“Relax! It’s no big deal.” She paused, her grin widening. “Actually…I kinda invited Caleb, Ryan, and one of their friends to hang out with us tomorrow. Rachel’s in. She thinks it’ll be fun.”
Priya stared at her. “Seriously?”
“It’s not like a date or anything, Pri. If you’re not into him, just make up an excuse and bail. Easy peasy.”
But it wasn’t easy for Priya. Not at all. The only guy she was into was Ethan. Every time she closed her eyes and imagined kissing someone, it washisface that appeared—his messy hair,his lopsided grin, his eyes crinkling when he teased her.
The secret felt heavy in her chest, like a stone she couldn’t shake. Brooke was her best friend. They told each other everything. Keeping it from her felt wrong, but what was she supposed to say?Hey, by the way, I’ve been quietly crushing on your brother this whole time.What if Brooke laughed and didn’t take her seriously? Worse—what if shedidand told Ethan?
The weight of it all pressed down on Priya, and she felt trapped—too scared to tell Brooke but hating herself for keeping it in.
The next day, the rain drove everyone indoors, so Brooke claimed the covered porch outside the arts and crafts cabin—a cozy little space with wooden benches and a couple of small tables tucked beneath theoverhang. Priya sat stiffly on the edge of her bench, her fingers twisting in her hoodie’s drawstring when the boys arrived.
“Hey!” Caleb gave Brooke a mock salute before plopping down beside her. “We bring gifts.” He dropped two crushed bags of Skittles and a handful of granola bars on the table.
“Wow,” Brooke replied. “Such gentlemen.”
“It’s the best we could do,” Caleb said with a grin, his gaze flicking to Priya and Rachel. “You guys met my friends, Ryan and Tyler?”
Priya watched as Tyler tossed his hoodie over Rachel’s bench like he was claiming the spot. “Hope you don’t mind some company,” he said.
Ryan grinned at Priya before settling down beside her. He cleared his throat and shuffled closer, his sleeve brushing her arm. “So…Brooke said you, uh…might be interested in hanging out some time,” he said.
Priya’s smile faltered. “Oh!” she said, scrambling to her feet. “I totally forgot. I told Mrs. Harper I’d tidy up the boathouse.”
“Seriously?” Rachel threw her an incredulous glance. “You’re ditching us to go untangle fishing lines?”
“I promised,” Priya replied, her gaze moving apologetically around the group.
“I’ll go with you,” Ryan offered, already starting to stand.
“Oh, no!” Priya said quickly, raising a hand. “It’s honestly just going to be me mopping up puddles and hanging life vests up to dry. Pretty boring stuff.” She forced a smile. “But hey, if I’m done soon, I’ll swing back after.”
“Sure you will.” Brooke shot her a knowing grin.
Priya waved a vague goodbye and bolted toward the boathouse, her face hot. This was what happened when you kept secrets from your best friend. And the longer she stayed silent, the harder it would be to tell the truth.
As she walked briskly past the main lodge, ignoring the warm glow of the fire crackling inside, a light mist settled on her glasses. When she reached the boathouse, she headed to the pier, far enough so the others couldn’t see her. The planks creaked under her feet, and she sat at the edge, her legs dangling over the side. The world was covered with a shimmering translucence, and everything was quiet. The lake stretched before her, raindrops falling from the leaves with a hushed pitter-patter.
