Page 109 of Places We've Never Been

“To bed,” Olivia said to Paisley.

“But that’s not fair. I want to—”

“To bed,” she said.

Paisley gave a huge eye-roll and disappeared into her RV.

“Good night, you two.” Olivia surprised me with a hug. “It’s almost interview day.”

“Yes.”

“You’ll do great.” Why did everyone think I needed convincing? “Good night.”

Mom was collecting some items off the picnic table and tucking them away in storage when I turned her way. She smiled. “You can go.”

“Go where?”

“To the bonfire,” she said, like I was playing innocent on purpose. “I know you want to.”

I wasn’t sure I actually did, but I nodded anyway because if cracking Skyler required nonstop talking, I might as well get started on it.

***

I was surprised at how crowded the bonfire was. It was like everyone in the entire RV camp under the age of twenty-five had decided this was what they were doing tonight. It was a cool setting, so I understood why. The fire was massive and set in the middle of a huge brick patio. Wooden chairs and benches filled the area. A path led from the fire down a small hill to a second patio next to the lake, lights strung through the trees.

A large hut sat between the two gathering areas where snacks and drinks were sold. That’s where I first saw Ezra. I walked past the fire and around loud-talking guests. Music was flowing through mounted speakers and became louder or quieter, depending on my location.

“Hey,” I said, stopping next to Ezra.

“Oh, hey. How was the boring music concert thing?”

“Not boring at all. You should’ve come.”

“I think you’re lying, so I’m certain I made the right choice.”

“I don’t lie,” I snapped.

He lowered one eyebrow. “Okay, grump face. Is it past your bedtime?”

“Whatever. Where is Austin?”

“Went to talk to some guy up there. He told me to leave. I was radiating too much straightness.”

“Smart man. Have you seen Skyler?”

He squinted toward the lake. “Last I saw him, he was down there.”

“Okay, thanks.”

He bowed, grabbed his pretzel and soda, and headed in the opposite direction, back toward the fire.

The lake was gorgeous and I could see why so many people had chosen this patio over the fire one—the lights overhead reflected in the black, glassy water. Even farther, the stars did the same, and the moon, a sliver in the sky, had its mirror image shining below as well. I wondered if Seattle had places like this close by or if the city extended for hours in all directions. This trip had helped me realize how much I appreciated nature. I peeled my eyes away from the lake and searched faces for the one I was looking for.

When I found it, I wished my mom had made me stay at the campsite, told me to go to bed like Olivia had told Paisley. Because sitting on one of the benches staring out at the lake was Skyler. And he wasn’t alone. A girl I didn’t recognize was cuddled up into his side, her arm hooked in his. He wasn’t givingherthe silent treatment, like he had me for the last twenty-four hours. They seemed to be deep in conversation, in fact.

I took several steps backward, walking blindly, unable totake my eyes off them. I bumped into a body and was about to apologize when I heard, “Hi, Norah.”

I cringed and turned around. “Hey, Ty.”