Authors Note: Thank you to everyone who read chapter 1 and has chosen to continue with the story. The reception has been overwhelmingly positive and very rewarding. New chapters are scheduled for submission at the end of each month.
An additional thank you to AuroraIncident for not only giving me permission to write this, but also all the suggestions on how to improve the story and it's characters. Lastly, a thank you to Boots, adub, and everyone who has Beta Read the story.
All characters involved in a sexual scenario in any capacity are at least 18.
2 - Second Day of Camp
Tuesday, August 15, 4:58 AM, Belews Lake
Stupid! Stupid!
Miles's heart jackhammered against his sternum.
This was so unnecessary and stupid.
He trod the water, bombarded by the volley of thoughts contemplating what to do.
Swim to the other shore? No way, this lake is huge. I can't do that.
The soft sound of the water caressing the dock and shore didn't soothe him like it normally would have.
Isn't there an island in this lake? I could swim there. And hide out... Forever? Mom would understand. Zo and I would have to really hone our Twin Telepathy. No. That's stupid. Last time we tried to test that out we mixed up our messages and were grounded for months.
Another shift in the clouds threatened to showcase him to the stranger.
What if I were to... drown? Yup. Drowning is an option. But that means instead of one person seeing me naked, there would be... who knows how many?
He crossed off each option as soon as he conjured them. There was only one choice that made any amount of sense to him. Swim back.
Who is this person? Are they watching me? It's not like they haven't seen and heard me splashing around.
He slowly made his way back to the dock. The clouds continued shifting. Again shielding the individual from any light.
Maybe I can just grab my stuff, get dressed, and go back to the cabin like nothing happened.
He tried to convince himself as he got near.
He swam to the opposite side of the dock than where he'd seen the figure. Within seconds his fingers gripped the ladder to pull himself out, but a voice called out before he had the chance.
"Didn't mean to scare you," it was a whisper, but Miles could still determine one thing.
A girl! Do I know her? Heck, I'm not sure I could pick out any of the voices from the girls I've met this week.
The realization caused him to hesitate. Another sound gave him further pause.
Splashing. Soft but getting louder.
She's coming around to this side of the dock.!
"I didn't want to interrupt your swim."
"I didn't realize there was anyone here," he blurted.
Climb out. Grab your stuff. Run back.
He felt like the dock had stretched a mile from the shore, and as he looked back towards land the clouds parted again, giving the impression the planks themselves were emitting light. He regretted deciding to go without his shorts.
"You don't have to go," there was a note of reluctance in her voice.
He relaxed slightly and turned towards her. It was too dark to make out any distinct features. For minutes, neither of them moved. The occasional moonlight cutting through the clouds only allowed him enough time to get a general idea. Their infrequent breaks didn't provide his eyes the time needed to take in anything but the most superficial qualities.
Her face was lean, her skin pale, and her hair hidden beneath a swimmer's cap. The light once again disappeared.
Now! Go now!
As his inner monologue screamed at him to escape, the sound of splashing startled him.
She's swimming away?
He pulled on the ladder until his torso was out of the water, but stopped and looked towards the lake. As if the light sought her out, the skies illuminated her. She had stopped swimming at least 25 yards away and turned to face him. Though he felt he could see her more clearly, she was still too far away and the night sky too ill-defined to see her properly.
Leave! Run back to camp! She doesn't know who you are. She can't see you. She can't catch you.
The voice in his head was deafening, but it was as if he had no control over himself as he pushed off the ladder and caught up to her in a couple of seconds.
"Woah, you're fast," exclaimed the mystery woman as she began back towards the dock.
"I couldn't help admiring your form when you swam off," he mused as he followed.
Upon reaching the dock, she pushed off again. They continued in this fashion for several laps, with him always just reaching her before she turned and swam away.
Unexpectedly, she stopped halfway and turned towards him.
He hadn't anticipated her stopping so suddenly, causing him to nearly collide with her. Instead, they just found themselves treading water mere inches away from one another.
Why is she panting? Wait, why am I panting? We weren't swimming that long.
They tread the water, mere inches between them.
She's so close. I could touch her if I tried.
Again, they were at the mercy of the short bursts of moonlight to allow their eyes to function properly. He lost track of how long they floated next to one another. Every time the light shone through, his heart pounded harder.
She brought a hand out of the water and let her fingers drape gently down his cheek and chin.
"Scruffy," she murmured.
Miles had always been told to smile when talking on the phone because people would be able to hear it in his voice, the sound of her's proved this theory to be true.
Emboldened by her establishing physical contact, Miles brought a hand under her chin and guided her face closer to his own. She made no effort to pull away, and leaned towards him instead.