27 | How Much You Mean To Me

By the time my alarm jolts me from my sleep, Lizzie is already gone, and I can't decide if I'm relieved or disappointed.

When I got to the cabin after visiting Mei last night, Lizzie was asleep— or more likely, pretending to be asleep. From the looks of things, she's still upset with me. But with a little work, I'm hoping I can fix this.

It's showcase day, and the excitement levels are running high. You can see it on campers' grinning faces, you can hear it in the chatter, and I can feel it in the adrenaline running under my skin. Adrenaline that gets a little more intense when Ms. Rodriguez, who's standing outside the mess hall, waves me over.

I offer a polite smile as I walk up, wondering if it shows how nervous I am. As nice as she is, there's something about Ms. Rodriguez that's intimidating. Maybe it's her perfect posture, or the memory of her intense speech after the dock was vandalized— or maybe it's the way she gets straight to the point, like she does now.

"Delena, I believe I owe you a thank you," she greets, patting me on the shoulder. "You were right about Rita Wexler. She showed up at the building after curfew, just like you said. The counselors apprehended her just as she was heading for the costume rack with a pair of scissors. She confessed about the dock when we confronted her, and was sent home early this morning."

Am I wrong for not being able to stop myself from smiling? I try to catch myself and cover it, but Ms. Rodriguez just laughs and gives me a shake of her head.

"You're allowed to smile, Delena. You saved the production, and I'm very grateful for that."

Relief floods through me, and I let myself relish in it for a second. Despite everything I did wrong this summer, I at least did some good.

But the summer isn't over yet, and I still have things to fix. I brace myself as I take a deep breath, knowing a lot hinges on my next question.

"Grateful enough for me to ask a favor?"

• • • 🌻 • • •

I watch as another photo slowly comes out of the printer, the glossy paper shining under the lights of the photography room. Since it's showcase day, the place isn't exactly empty— campers have been going in and out of the darkroom all day. I'm lucky that I came early to get a computer, since they've been in high demand since breakfast ended.

I flinch as I feel an arm wrap around my waist, but my gasp cuts short as Ethan leans down to kiss me on the cheek. My insides flutter as I plant a quick one on his lips— if it wasn't for the fact that I had a lot to get done, and that we're surrounded by campers, it might've been even harder to keep it so short.

"Hungry?" he asks, moving his arm from behind his back. He's holding a plastic baggy with a sandwich in it, and shoves it in my direction with a smile. "Eat. You've been living off of granola bars for twenty-four hours."

I wrap my arms around his neck, hugging him before I accept the food. "You made this for me?"

"Someone had to. You haven't been in the mess hall since breakfast yesterday— I was worried you were avoiding me, but your body language says otherwise."

I didn't even realize how hungry I was thanks to how busy I've been, but my stomach growls at the sight of the sandwich. I unwrap it fast, and sigh as I finally take a bite. "Thank you. Thank you."

"You're very welcome," he says, leaning against the large printing table behind him. "I also wanted to commend you on a job well done. Word got around with the staff about what happened with Rita. How a certain photography student happened to overhear her evil plan."

I swallow my food, wondering what he thinks about all of it— between all the planning and the actual execution, I never even got to talk with him about what was happening. "After we talked yesterday, and I went looking for Liz, they came in the sewing room and I hid. It was... sort of crazy."

"How are things with Liz? And Zack?" Ethan asks, voice going softer.

"I'm hoping that by tonight, everything will be okay," I say, not wanting him to worry. "You know, I really want to thank you, Ethan. I don't know if I would've made it through the summer without you and your brilliant advice."

He grins sheepishly, looking down at his bright yellow converse for a second. "I think you would've been okay. And I think yesterday proved that."

My heart swells as I place a kiss on his cheek, just as the printer spits out my photo.

"What is all this, anyway?" Ethan asks, eyeing my scattered stuff. "I thought you were banned from the art show?"

I tilt my head, silently asking how he knows that, and he ducks his head, pressing his lips together.

"I, uh, sort of asked Ms. Rodriguez about what happened. I looked for you between shifts, but I couldn't find you, and then this morning I heard what happened... I was worried."

I'm warmed by the gesture and the knowledge of how much he cares. How did I ever think for a second that I could stop myself from falling for him?

"You know, I would kiss you again if we hadn't already grossed everyone out with our PDA."

He shrugs, smiling. "If they're already grossed out, what's the point of restraining ourselves?"

I laugh, shaking my head as I grab my photo from the printer. "To answer your question, I am banned from being in the showcase. But there are loopholes. Especially when the person in charge of your punishment is as cool as Ms. Rodriguez."

"Well, I'll leave you to your work," he says, pushing himself from the table, "But only because I hope it means you'll be done soon enough to watch the play with me."

I nod, tip-toeing for one more peck. Because why not? "Definitely."

• • • 🌻 • • •

The play finishes just as the sun sets over Lake Kintaw. I clap with Ethan as the cast take their bows on stage, smiling widely at the roaring applause from the rest of the campers and staff, who are packed on the bleachers and the grass in front of the stage. Mei is in the middle of the ensemble, wearing one of the costumes that almost got destroyed— Rita's costume, to be exact. Turns out Mei was the understudy for the lead.

I got here late, thanks to the work I needed to do, but I still caught the last half. I saw enough to know that Mei totally nailed the performance. And I don't think I ever would've imagined it when I first got here, but I'm not lying when I say I'm happy for her. Looking at her smile, I can tell she's exactly where she wants to be.

Ms. Rodriguez takes the stage as the cast disappears backstage, behind the tall wooden structure. After encouraging another round of applause as the curtains close behind her, she accepts a mic from a stagehand, and the crowd quiets down.

"I would like to thank our theater campers for their wonderful production," she begins. "And I would like to thank all of you for being a fantastic audience. I know you're all eager to get to the mess hall and show off your displays, and after that, we'll have our last dinner of the year together under the stars. I won't make a big fuss over the summer coming to an end, but let me say that this has been another amazing year at Camp Create It, and I hope you all have had as much fun as I have. Now, the doors to the showcase are officially open, so go view the fruits of your labor."

She gestures towards the mess hall, and the crowd claps for her, giving her a standing ovation to show our appreciation. From the whistles and chants of the rest of the campers and staff, I can tell I'm not the only one who enjoyed camp as much as I did.

My eyes flick to a few rows below, where Lizzie and Zack have been sitting. They're standing now, and shuffling out with the rest of their row. I pat Ethan's arm frantically, adrenaline coursing through my veins. "Sorry to run off, but I have to get to the mess hall, like, really fast."

He tilts his head, but I answer before he can ask any questions.

"You'll know when you get there," I promise, giving him a quick kiss and a smile before hurrying through the crowd.

Thanks to a lot of weaving, excuse me's and the fact that I'm not too proud to run, I manage to be one of the first people at the building. The mess hall looks beautiful— Through the propped doors, I can see intricately dressed mannequins, display boards covered with paintings and photographs, and tables covered with professional-looking printed books.

The exterior is basked in a warm glow, thanks to the string lights that've been hung around the doors and throughout the branches of the surrounding trees. On those branches, ten strings are tied, and on the end of each is a photograph of mine. The smiling faces of me, Lizzie, Zack, and Ethan are unmissable, our summer memories scattered around the entrance to the show.

I pause by the doors, searching the incoming sea of campers for any sign of my friends. Ethan is there before Liz or Zack, and his face lights up as he views the pictures that are gently swaying in the evening breeze.

He hurries over when he spots me, grinning. "You're technically not in the show. That was your loophole."

I nod, sharing his smile even as nerves course through me. "Do you think they'll like it? Do you think they'll give me a chance to apologize? Or is it—"

"Del, it's great," he says, placing his hands on my shoulders. "I mean it." His gaze trails behind me, and he nods his chin in that direction, "And someone else seems to think so, too."

I turn to follow his eyes, and see Lizzie looking at the pictures in awe, dragging Zack to each one. A smile grows on her face, and I feel a flutter of hope in my heart at her reaction. As she turns towards the entrance, her gaze finds mine, and there's a moment of uncertainty where I wonder if she'll turn away and head inside.

She steps towards me, then drops Zack's hand, rushes over, and pulls me into a hug before I can even register what's happening.

I hug her back, feeling my fears dissipate as she squeezes me. "I'm so sorry, Lizzie. I never should have done what I did, but I was so scared you'd be mad if I wanted to stop, so I did the first stupid thing that popped into my head," I ramble against her shoulder. "I wanted to show you how much fun I had with you this summer, and how much it meant to me. How much you mean to me."

She pulls back, shaking her head. "This is... it's beautiful, Del. And I should've given you a chance to explain— I shouldn't have run out on you, or ignored you like I did. So I'm sorry, too."

I look between her, Ethan, and Zack, and realize that my vision is blurred with tears. My voice wavers as I tell them, "I had a great time here thanks to you guys."

"C'mon, you're gonna make me cry!" Lizzie says, playfully punching my shoulder. "None of this is over just because camp is."

"Yeah, I seem to remember hearing something about sneaking into each other's proms?" Zack questions, placing an arm over Lizzie's shoulders.

Ethan looks at us incredulously. "What is it with the three of you and getting into trouble?"

I feel the weight of the past two weeks lift from my shoulders as I delve into a fit of giggles with my friends.

Friends. Maybe that doesn't have to be such a dirty word after all.

"Come on, I wanna show you my skirts!" Lizzie jumps in excitement.

"I've sort of already seen them," I admit, shaking my head at her confused expression. "Long story— I'll explain it while we look around."

As we turn towards the doors, Mei and I lock eyes from across the grassy area. She raises a hesitant hand, and I do the same, offering a smile that she returns without hesitation.

Lizzie's eyebrows raise as she looks between us. "Okay, is that part of the long story too? Because I'd be lying if I said that wasn't the most surprising part of the summer."

I laugh, nodding. "Trust me, I'm surprised too."

But mostly? I think as the four of us head into the showcase, Mostly, I'm just plain old happy.

sorry about the super late update! I was so busy today 😅

tomorrow's update will be the last! Just an epilogue to wrap things up more nicely. But I reeeeally hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I had a lot of trouble with finishing this story, but for a first draft, I'm happy with how it came out! 💚