"Are you serious Finn? Look how you look!"
"Is this really what you want to do with your life?"
"For God's sake, Finn, you can barely stand! Why are you even doing this?"
"Look at yourself and then tell me you're okay again."
"I'm giving up on you. I can't take it anymore."
I jumped out of my sleep, drenched in sweat and disoriented. But I quickly remembered where I was when I saw the inside of the tent I was sleeping in.
I ran my hand through my hair and rested my elbows on my knees. I breathed deeply, trying to get rid of the tension in my chest.
After I calmed down a bit, I reached for the zipper on the tent and opened it. I got out of it and breathed in the fresh, morning air.
I was a little further away from the fire pit we spent the entire evening at, as well as all the tents to keep the smoke out. Right now I was more than comfortable with that since Jeremy and Adrian were sitting by the fire. I could easily disappear back into the tent and no one would notice.
But of course that didn't happen.
"Oh good morning Finn." Ellie just came out of the tent and immediately noticed me. Her words drew the attention of both guys at the fire pit, which was exactly what I didn't want.
Even though I feel like things aren't as tense between us after yesterday, that doesn't mean I'm rushing into conversation with them.
"Morning." I cleared my throat.
"You want some coffee?" She held up a glass bottle containing coffee.
"Sure." I hid my hands in the pockets of my sweatpants and followed her to the firepit.
"Unfortunately, we don't have milk." She said as she sat down at a small table that had glasses on it. "Someone forgot it, didn't they Jeremy?"
"I already said I'm sorry, what else can I do?"
"Get some milk." She laughed and poured the coffee.
"I'm going to be hearing about this all weekend huh?" He smiled.
"You bet your ass you will." She stood up and handed a cup to Adrian, then another to me.
"Thank you." I gave her a narrow smile.
"I'll make it up to you." Jeremy spoke up again.
"Really, and how?" She put her hand on her hip and raised an eyebrow.
"Gentlemen, if you'll excuse us." He stood up, grabbed Ellie's hand and began to pull her away.
"Oh my god, Jeremy. Do you even know what you sound like? What will they think?" Her voice was getting weaker and weaker.
"That I'm lucky as fuck." He laughed, and because of that he received a weaker punch to the shoulder.
The smile I had on my face quickly dropped when I realized I was alone with Adrian. Where is everyone anyway? I don't know what time it is, but the sun is already high in the sky, so I'd say it's time for them to get up.
I kept my gaze on the cup in my hands, the tension in the air growing by the second. Should I say something? No, bad idea.
Can someone please wake up?
I raised the cup to my lips and drank. It wasn't until the strong taste hit my taste buds that my face went all sourly.
"This tastes like shit." Adrian spoke after he too had a sip. "Sugar won't help it either." And with those words he turned on the spot and poured out the contents of the cup behind him.
"I can't disagree." I put the cup down next to me.
"Here." He reached for the bottles of water next to him and tossed one to me. I successfully caught it.
"Thanks." I nodded.
"I still don't like you." He said without emotion.
"What a surprise." I snorted.
"You know why, don't you?"
"So many reasons I don't know which one you're thinking of right now." I gave him a sarcastic smile.
"Because of Lexi."
"You don't say." I rolled my eyes.
"Do you have a sister, Finn?" I didn't even have time to answer him and he continued on. "You wouldn't like someone she was dating either if it meant she was going to end up getting hurt."
"I won't h..."
"Hurt her?" He cut me off. "Trust me, no matter how many times you say it, the possibility is still there."
"Okay, so what do you want from me? To leave? To leave her be?" I raised an eyebrow. "I tried, okay? I'm here anyway, and I can't help it."
"Just don't screw it up."
"I'm trying." I said between my teeth. "You're not making it any easier."
"Give it time. You stay and you don't break her heart and it will be easier."
"Are you serious?" I looked at him in disbelief.
"Yes. We're not trying to ruin her happiness, we're trying to prevent heartbreak."
"So that's all? Really all?" I was stunned. "Is was all about this all the time? Really nothing else?"
"What did you think it was all about?" He frowned.
"I don't know that you just generally don't like me? The thing with my brother? My appearance?"
"You think we care about you? We only care about Lexi."
"In that case, you should know that I'd rather shoot myself in the head than hurt her. For Christ's sake, I lo..."
"Good morning." Zack appeared next to me and immediately sat down. "Oh, coffee, how nice." He took my cup in his hand and took a sip, but he spat everything back out. "Oh shit, it tastes like something burnt. First the pancakes and now this, Finn? Are you trying to kill me?"
I don't know if I was glad to be interrupted by Zack or not, but Adrian's look? Unforgettable. He obviously knows what I wanted to say, even though I didn't know the words that almost came out of my mouth.
I honestly don't know how I got here. I don't know what decision in life brought me here, but I was happy.
I was happy because for the first time in my entire life I felt something like love. And all because of Lexi.
All because of my sunshine.
*****
"Okay so plans for today." With his mouth half full, Jeremy began. "First we'll pop to the nearest store to buy more milk and some more bacon, since some people couldn't get enough yesterday, right Luca?"
Luca shrugged and took a bite of the bread.
"And then a smaller hike." Jeremy continued. "Lunch. Afternoon swimming. Some games and we'll work the rest out as we go."
"Did you just say hike?" Ellie spoke up next to him. "Jeremy, do I look like the hiking type?"
"You're going, you have no choice. Even if I were to carry you there."
"Oh you will." She snorted and crossed her arms over her chest.
"I'm also not built for hiking." Zack joined.
"Why? Afraid your blue head will be attacked by squirrels?" Adrian laughed.
"Ha-ha-ha funny." He rolled his eyes.
"This is not negotiable. Everyone is going." He pointed at us all, but Lexi next to me cleared her throat. "Oh right, except for Lexi and Finn."
"What? Why? Why can they stay?" Ellie asked offended.
"I'd like to know that too." I frowned and looked at Lexi, looking for any answer. Not that I'm complaining that I don't have to go, but still.
"Lexi has to stay, and also she offered to come up with something for lunch. But someone has to stay here with her in case she needs a ride back to town." He took his car keys out of his pocket and threw them at me. "Also, it's better if she doesn't stay here alone. If you get attacked by a wild animal..." He looked at Lexi. "You throw them Finn. Any questions?" He clasped his hands together and looked us all over.
"I have one." Lincoln called from the table where the ingredients for breakfast were laid out. "Who the hell ate all the ham?"
"That's my sign." Jeremy gave Ellie a quick kiss on the cheek and quickly stood up. "Don't you dare scratch my car Finn!" He yelled as he ran off, Lincoln hot on his heels.
We all exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.
I'm sorry, but I really didn't have time to write a longer chapter. </3