Campfire Crush

“Don’t you just love the smell of crisp mountain air?”

“It is truly amazing,” I cuddled up to Austin as I responded.

“Will you two get a room already?” Sarah laughed as she spoke.

“Are you jealous, Sarah?” Austin pulled me all the way onto his lap and gave me a big squeeze.

“Just making a joke, Austin.”

“Well, some of us don’t like seeing it,” Jason fidgeted on his log across the fire.

“Oh come down, Jason. Abby and I are just enjoying each other’s company.”

I almost forgot that Jason was up here with us. He’s basically been non-existent. He didn’t hike the mountain with us. He didn’t go zip lining through the trees. Heck, he didn’t even go fishing yesterday, and he has been an expert fisherman since before he could even walk. Maybe the fact that Austin and I were together as a couple was bugging him. But that wouldn’t make any sense, because Jason and I are just friends.

            Trying to change the subject, I asked, “So, does anyone want some s’mores?”

            “That sounds like a great idea, Abby. Let me go grab what we need from the cabin. Don’t miss me too much.” Kissing me on the forehead, Austin got up.

            “Let me join you.” Sarah eagerly got up and followed Austin.

            “So, I guess it’s just you and me.”

            Staring at him from across the fire, I wondered if he was going to respond.

            Avoiding my gazing eyes, Jason responded, “Yeah, I guess.”

            “Spit it out, Jason. I know that something’s bothering you, but I can’t quite figure out what.”

            He slightly shifted away from the fire. “It’s nothing.”

            “Bullshit! I’ve known you since first grade. I can tell when something’s bothering you. I am not going to ask again, so spit it out!”

            Surprisingly, Jason walked over to me. He looked frustrated. “Do you really want to know what’s wrong? You sure you don’t want Austin to be here with you?”

            “What’s that supposed to mean?” Slight anger escaped my voice as I spoke.

            “You know what I mean. You know that I have liked you since eighth grade. And now, three years later, it finally seemed like you might be into me too when you invited me on this camping trip, but right when I arrived I saw you in front of the cabins in someone else’s arms, kissing them. I even brought eleven roses for you to represent each year we have known each other. And I was going to give you the twelfth rose as a surprise because I was planning on taking you out under the stars one night and asking you to be my girlfriend.” He paused for a moment to collect his breath, “No can you see why I have been so distant?”

            Tears began to well up in my eyes. “Jason, I-I-I had no…”

            Before I could finish, Jason pulled me up into his arms, held me tight, and kissed me.