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This catches me off guard. I never in a million years would have thought Laine would suggest sneaking out, but it’s honestly refreshing to see her take charge for once.

I laugh. “Sneak out?”

“Yes… I assume you’ve done it before?”

“Um, no, actually, I haven’t.” I cock my head at her, looking up with confusion.

I can’t tell if I should be flattered or insulted. Who does she think I am? Some kind of teen rebel? Because I only really wear flannels and snapbacks?

“Wow. You know, I kind of thought you would have before.” Her smile widens, as if she’s just caught on that the roles are switched and she’s in control now.

“I’m not a delinquent.” I roll my eyes at her and stand up. “But if you were to challenge me to a race to the docks…”

And out the screen door I run, leaving her to catch it so it doesn’t slam shut. I run on my tippy toes, careful not to make the docks creak too loudly. Laine’s rushed footsteps echo behind me, and I can hear her catching up. I pummel toward the dock assigned to our cabin, not slowing to catch a breath once.

Before I know it, I’ve reached the end of the dock, imbalanced and dizzy. My head falls forward toward the water, my feet still catching up behind me. I swear my life flashes before my eyesuntil I’m met with an abrupt yank on my left arm, and my face stops just a few inches shy of the water.

Then, I’m pulled back up to the docks and onto my feet. Now it’s Laine’s turn to hold me in her arms. We stand inches apart, one of her hands still holding my arm and the other around my waist. My breaths are heavy and warm, still processing what happened.

“You should…” Laine whispers, our faces still close together. “Probably be more careful.”

Her breath is warm on my face, still smelling of the hot chocolate we made to complement our pizza dinner. We lock eyes, and a comfortable silence rings out as I realize I’m now holding her too.

After what feels like the heaviest minute of my life, I snap out of it and back into reality.

“I’m sorry. I-” I pull away abruptly and cross my arms over my chest awkwardly.

“Hey, don’t be! I think you won the race.” She smiles, instantly lightening the mood again.

We sit on the edge of the dock, our feet dangling just above the freezing water I almost fell into. The moon is full again tonight, and the stars are out, just like it was the other night at the playground. That night still plays so vividly in my mind, and I want to ask her more about it, but then I remember what I saw with her and Thom at the cafe.

There are so many things I want to ask her about, but unsure of when or how to do it. We share another comfortable silence for a few minutes. Finally, I get the courage to ask her the most pressing thing that’s occupied my mind these past few days.

“So, you and Thom?” I gently nudge her shoulder, hoping that getting her to laugh by teasing her will cover the sound of my heart thumping alarmingly fast inside my chest.

“Thom? What about him?” She scrunches her face in the cutestway she does when she thinks what someone just told her is silly, and god, just from that thought alone, I’m not sure I’m ready for her answer.

“Well, you know, uh-” I awkwardly rub the back of my neck with my hand, hoping to calm my pulse while I try to find the words I’m looking for. “People have been talking about you guys. Being together, I mean.”

She laughs. She laughs so hard, I’m afraid she might fall in, and I’ll have to catch her this time. She starts smacking me, still roaring with laughter. I glance at her, confused. I’m gladsomeonefinds my nervous tick amusing.

“Me and Thom?” She asks, still lightly laughing. I nod.

“Thom and I are currently getting DNA tests together.” She says, so matter-of-factly that it rolls off her tongue with ease.

What an odd couple bonding activity, but who am I to judge?

I can tell she senses my confusion because then she adds, “Only my mother’s side is Argentinian. My father descends from the Irish. We found that we had family from the same town, and then we started naming great-grandparents, and coincidentally—or not—Thom’s had the same names as mine. We believe we may be very distant relatives.”

OH MY GOD.

Of all the things I was preparing myself to hear her say, this was definitelynotone of them. I was honestly expecting her to go off about how they are meant to be together forever, and that he’s the love of her life, but I suppose this is way better—and far more comical.

“That’s insane,” is all I can get out.

“My thoughts exactly, but you know, we’ll see when the test results come back,” She says so casually, I think I may rip my hair out.

Laine glances out over the water, then springs up again, like she’s just sprouted a brand new idea while we’re sitting here.