The Spell of Summer - Day 02

FRIDAY, DAY TWO

Aaron snuck out as the sun had just begun to rise in the sky. He took one last lingering look at Harper, still sound asleep. The girl had some magnificent bedhead, and the thought of that tousled hair having been mussed by him kept his thoughts preoccupied on the short walk back to Alder.

On that walk, it had also distracted him from the reality: Justin was asleep with a naked Layla draped over his chest. Clothing was strewn around the floor, and upon sitting down on his bed, Aaron lifted up a black bra by its strap and briefly examined it before tossing it on the sleeping pair.

The cup caught Justin's face, and he clutched it, then lobbed it on the floor as his eyes fluttered open. They met Aaron's and a sleepy grin crossed his features. "Morning sunshine," he drawled, then looked down at his playmate, whom hadn't stirred. "Just get in?"

"Yeah. Zero thanks to you," Aaron said, leaning back against the wall on his bed. His eyes flicked to the sleeping girl; he couldn't help but admire her long, lean frame, the blankets barely covering her ass.

Justin noticed Aaron's gaze on Layla, and he swept at her hair. "Sexy little thing, isn't she?" he noted, unable to believe he hadn't just dreamed it all. This girl had been GGG straight through the night: Good, Giving and Game. He was now on two hours of sleep. Maybe. If that. He looked up at Aaron and mouthed, "Best Fuck Ever," pointing at her head to accent each word.

Aaron couldn't help but laugh a little. It was all too surreal anyways, what was a little more weirdness? He felt like he was in a dream as well; nothing made sense, therefore he had to stop trying to find reason.

"You gonna get her out of here or am I?" he finally asked with feigned admonishment.

Justin looked down at the sleeping beauty once more, trailed his fingers down her back. "Can't I keep her?" he asked quietly.

"'Fraid not," Aaron chuckled.

Justin patted Layla's ass a few times, causing her eyes to pop open with a jolt. She then smiled sleepily, nuzzling her face against his chest. "Need more sleep," she mumbled.

"Your bed is perfectly comfortable," Aaron said with faux indifference, not moving an inch. He kept his tone level and casual as he continued, "I slept there last night, and before you ask, Justin: Not with a girl." Layla's eyes opened and looked over at him. "Your roommate was looking for you."

Layla closed her eyes once more. "That was nice of her to give you my bed," she hummed, certainly not for Aaron's benefit. The thought was purely selfish.

"Yes, it meant you had way more than an hour, and that long hour is up," Aaron said, still unmoving.

Layla stuck her tongue out to the side and growled. "Fine," she whined, then pressed herself up with her palms flat on Justin's chest. She peered down at Justin, a sullen frown painting her face. "Your friend is no fun."

Justin laughed, lacing his hands behind his head. "He can be," Justin told her. "He's just had a stick up his ass for the last four years. Once that's removed he'll be a blast."

With a glance at Aaron, Layla grinned wickedly. "Maybe I'll get to find out."

Lightly touching her cheek, Justin turned her head to face him. "You are a very bad girl," he said, then rose to meet her lips.

Aaron peered up at the ceiling, catching their brief make-out session out of the corner of his eyes. It was somewhat amusing, he had to admit. Made him feel like he was back in college; back in the dorms with Justin, though usually it was him with a girl and Justin shooing them out.

He cursed himself then. What had he become? He'd settled, and settled badly. It would be different if he'd found the perfect girl and they'd gotten married and were blissfully happy, but that hadn't been the case. He'd turned into a bump on a log over someone who treated him like yesterday's trash.

Maybe Justin was right. After all, just looking at him having fun with a gorgeous girl made Aaron reminisce in the old days. Three years wasted, but did that have to mean his fun was over? Did it have to mean that he was the adult now and couldn't enjoy the frivolity of youth? He was only twenty-seven. Justin has it right, he decided. He's been living this life for years while I ended up with a stick in my ass. I'm too young to stop living life.

"Alright, you sexy bitch," Aaron heard Justin say, bringing him out of his thoughts. Justin swatted Layla's ass with more force than before, the gripped it, giving the pliable cheek a wiggle. "To be continued."

"Mmm, I hope so," she said lasciviously. And as though Aaron wasn't in the room, she climbed from the bed in her full, glorious nudity, and began picking up her clothes.

Justin sat up against the headboard, taking the blankets with him so his lap was covered, a shit-eating grin on his face while he watched Layla dress herself.

"Catch you boys later," Layla finally said with a wink, her sweater balled up in her arms as she opened the door, closing it firmly behind her.

"Jesus Christ," Justin said with a low chuckle, followed by a snort as he inhaled. "That girl . . ."

"Just tell me you used a condom," Aaron said, finally moving for the first time since he'd sat down on the bed, and only to lay down and rest his tired head.

"She's on Depo," Justin offered with a shrug.

Aaron's eyes rolled, a frequent occurrence lately. "You're an idiot," he drawled.

Justin swung his legs over the side of the bed, leaning forward earnestly. "No dude, I'm telling you," he began, then found his boxers. "They all are. She told me it's a requirement here that everyone is on some sort of birth control. It's dispensed at the infirmary, part of some agreement signed or whatever. I guess they figure everyone is an adult, and so they don't have any rules about comingling, so they just insure that it's being done safely."

"And you believe her?" Aaron asked in wonderment.

"Why wouldn't I?" Justin asked easily. "It makes sense, given the theme." He cut Aaron off before he could argue. "This isn't like the camps you went to in early adolescence. This is for people who have graduated. You can't exactly put rules on them that they can't have sex, but doesn't it make sense for the camp to enforce the safety of it?"

Aaron narrowed his eyes. It did make sense; if he'd been in on a rule discussion for this place, he would have suggested something along those lines, certainly. Still, it was bizarre. "And STD's?"

"They get tested," Justin said, then shrugged. "Trust me, dude, I asked all about it. I'm not one to immediately trust girls I sleep with."

It was a fair point made. Aaron had known Justin since they were in middle school, and if there was one thing he could say about his friend, it was that he was absolutely 100% safe when it came to sex, no matter how many people he'd slept with. Justin was routinely tested, scheduled at regular intervals, and had yet to have even a flare up of crabs.

And if anyone was going to catch something, with how many girls Justin hooked up with, it was him. Aaron had called him a man-whore once. Justin had argued that he was a free spirit.

And that really was the truth of it. Aaron couldn't argue that there was anything negative in his friend's behavior, as he made things clear up front that he wasn't looking for relationships. He was an artist who appreciated beauty, and that was the whole of it.

"Just . . . be careful," Aaron finally said, the most he could settle on saying. He rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling and thinking of the beautiful Harper, wishing he could trade places with Justin. And girls. "What time is breakfast?"

"Nine," he heard Justin say.

"Time now?"

"Six."

Aaron closed his eyes. "Good night, then."

"G'night."

***

What should have been only two hours lasted six, due to the fact that neither Justin nor Aaron had set an alarm. Aaron found he had slept much better in his own cabin, without the gorgeous Harper in the room, and yesterday's events had all caught up to him, making him out for the count.

When he woke, he grabbed his reception-less cell phone, found it was half past noon, and bolted up, half the day gone. He was quick in waking up Justin, who was also alarmed that they had slept so long, and they wondered if their absence had been noted.

It was odd, but Aaron felt as though they might be in trouble having slept in; a feeling one would have as a kid at summer camp. The rules here seemed lax, if not non-existent. That being said, he had no idea on the policy of skipping meals and activities.

Then again, they were only visitors waiting on the first ride out.

After brushing teeth and hair, they hurried to the cafeteria, just barely catching the tail-end of lunch and were able to grab sandwiches, though the cafeteria had mostly cleared out by this point. They were quick to find a table, and even quicker with sending their lunch down the hatch, famished after a very long night.

Lissa walked over to the table and sat down, looking at them with a smile of . . . endearment? Aaron didn't think that could be it, but it was soft and kind with a flash of pity. "You guys look tired," she pointed out.

"Very," Justin said through a stuffed mouth. This did not keep him from taking another bite without swallowing. Aaron just eyed his friend with a raised brow of bemusement; no doubt the guy needed some replenishing.

"Have you been by the bulletin board?" she asked.

Aaron shook his head. "No, we only just got up. I think we were more tired than we thought after all the hiking and ending up lost."

Lissa looked at him adoringly, as though he were a wet puppy. "Well, in the mornings it's good to swing by there. You can sign up for any team activities and get the general gist of the schedule for the day. But since you didn't," she said, then glanced down at her ever-present clipboard, "everyone has the rest of the hour to freshen up, but at one, I'm leading a hike over to the crystalline caverns. We have to leave a bit early for that one. At two, though, everything starts around camp. Lacrosse at the field, watercolor painting at the art room, rowing at the lake, I'm not sure if either of you can play an instrument, but there is a group preparing a band selection that they plan on performing next Friday, and they're rehearsing at the music room. Let's see . . ."

Before she could continue to rattle off more, Aaron cut in. "I think we're hiked out for a few days, though you'll have to let us know when you lead another one. Crystalline caverns sound beautiful."

Truth be told, he'd never heard of such a place, and he knew this range up and down. At least he thought he did.

"Rowing?" Justin asked him, mouth still stuffed full of turkey sandwich.

The further truth was that Aaron didn't feel up to any of the activities, though he ventured to guess that once he was used to the fact that he was stuck here, he'd be more willing to partake.

"How required are these activities?" he asked of Lissa.

Her lips formed a thin smile. "They're not required at all. Some people like to just take an afternoon sitting by the lake or reading in the library. We just offer them. You'll find that most are involved, but it's all optional."

A small wave of guilt flooded Aaron for a brief moment, as he thought he had slightly offended her. "Rowing sounds great," he said. "And really, let me know when you have another hike to the caves. I love things like that."

Her smile warmed. "Sure thing, Aaron," she said, then rose with her clipboard. "Two o'clock down at the dock. Carlie is in charge of the boat activities."

With that, she turned and left.

Aaron and Justin were quick to finish the rest of their meals, as the cafeteria seemed to be shutting down their lunch operation for a break before cooking dinner. As they headed out the door, once again, Aaron bumped into someone.

Harper.

"I'm so sorry," he said, reaching and placing his hand on her forearm. She looked even more beautiful in the daylight; the sun catching her curls in a way that seemed to illuminate them from within. And that body was unstoppable in its light blue button-down and khaki skirt, showing off shiny tanned legs. "Are you alright?"

Her low chuckle was so casual and cool; this girl was unaffected by anything. "You snuck out this morning. Not very polite."

Justin raised a brow at Aaron, which was caught and shrugged off quickly. "Now why would a girl care if the guy she is vehemently not interested in sneaks out in the morning after sleeping in a different bed?"

He surprised himself with how flirty he sounded. Perhaps the stick was dislodging.

"Just because I'm vehemently disinterested doesn't mean I don't like the respect of a goodbye," Harper fired back. And Aaron couldn't help but note that she, too, sounded a bit flirty with her response.

"Well, my sincere apologies," Aaron said, while echoing her large gesture from the night before of sweeping his hands out and bowing his head. "Won't happen again."

Harper smirked. "You're right," she said. "It won't. Have a good afternoon!"

After she'd hurried off, Justin elbowed Aaron. "Tell me you hit that," he said. "And if the answer is no, make up a story about how you did and give me every fucking detail."

"You hear me asking for details on your night?" Aaron asked him with the raise of a brow, a sarcastic crease to his forehead. "And yours actually happened."

Justin laughed. "Let's go hang out by this lake we're gonna row."

Once again, Aaron found himself having to work to shake the image of that girl from his head. Shake away seeing her undress in front of him; a backside plenty for his imagination to work with, as he briefly envisioned that backside on all fours in front of him.

"Yeah," he said quietly as they began to head in the direction of the lake.

When they arrived, they found they had made the correct choice of an afternoon activity. On the grassy shoreline of the lake sat at least ten girls in bikinis, though not all grouped together. Pairs and triplets, mostly, upon towels and blankets. Aaron wasn't sure if these girls would be paddling the lake, but they'd certainly make a good view from the water, and an even better view up close while they waited for the activity to start.

"Okay, new plan," Justin said sideways as they stopped in wonder. "We hurry back, change into swim shorts, return and sunbathe."

Aaron placed his hand on Justin's shoulder. "Dude," he said. "Let's just sit down. We have a month."

This seemed to mollify Justin, and rightfully should. After all, the guy had spent the night with the beautiful Layla on the first day. No doubt he'd get to another, but he should wait at least twenty-four hours, for god's sake.

As they walked by two girls, one in a yellow bikini with a high waist, the other in a blue string with palm trees speckling the fabric, one of the girls said, "Hey, you're the lost hikers."

"I guess everyone knows now?" Aaron asked them, not sure who to address, as he hadn't been looking at them when the voice had spoken.

"Pretty much," said the blue bikini girl, the same voice that had got their attention. "Plus you guys are new. And we don't get new here too often."

Introductions were made, the yellow bikini belonging to Nora, blue to Claire. They were asked to sit with them, and figuring it was better than sitting alone admiring from afar, Aaron and Justin plopped down on the edge of the blanket they were sharing.

"We heard there's rowing in about an hour," Aaron explained. "Figured we'd join in, as long as we're here."

A bit of small talk was made, Aaron and Justin relaying the same lie about hiking for four days and getting lost, the girls asking questions and giggling when they'd make a little joke. Claire seemed to be the more outgoing of the two, Nora a bit more shy, as her cheeks would redden every so often when they talked about the activities they enjoyed here, which mostly revolved around relaxing and reading and painting. They were definitely the artsy bookworm type. And rather adorable and endearing, Aaron noted.

Fifteen minutes into the conversation, a shadow appeared, long and lean with the shape of large breasts. "Hey Justin," the voice said, belonging to Layla, and everyone looked up at the girl who barely shielded the sun. "I was gonna go pop in the lake for a half hour before rowing. Care to join me?"

Justin leaned toward Aaron. "Told you we shoulda grabbed something to swim in."

"You're in shorts," Aaron replied. "Get your shirt off and go."

"Anyone else?" Layla asked, the offer hollow.

The tone that was easily readable by Aaron was not so easily readable by Claire, who seemed enthusiastic at the prospect. Aaron could tell from the way she said, "Sure!" with such excitement that she wasn't used to being included by the princesses.

The three took off toward the water, leaving Aaron alone with the shy Nora.

"Layla's usually such a . . ." Nora began, but let it trail.

"Bitch?" Aaron prompted. He hadn't noticed Layla being a bitch this morning or last night, but he knew the type, and knew that girls were usually afraid of her type.

Nora's cheeks reddened to an adorable crimson, complimenting her chestnut colored hair. "Yeah, something like that."

"So how do you like it here?" Aaron asked her, figuring maybe his kindness and warmth would make her feel better. He guessed she didn't get a lot of attention, which was a real shame. She was adorable, and he assumed she didn't know her body could command attention if she knew how to work it. But she wasn't the kind to try.

"I love it," Nora gushed, the lovely blush changing from crimson to pink. There was a small shake of her head. "I don't fit in with everyone, but I've made some really good friends. Claire is one of them."

"How could you not fit in?" Aaron asked, as though the very notion of it was the most absurd thing he'd ever heard. "You're clearly beautiful and seem really kind and smart. You know, I'm an artist, too. So is Justin. I'm sure he'd like to see your work as much as I would."

This obviously warmed Nora to the core. "Really?"

"Really," Aaron said. He'd forgotten how insecure girls could be at this age when they weren't the cream of the crop, and it felt really good to boost some self-esteem: no girl should ever feel unimportant.

"You're . . ." she began, then averted her gaze and began to pick at the blades of grass. "You're just so nice."

Aaron laughed. "Are people generally not nice to you?"

She shook her head. "I mean, some are. Just not the guys here. They don't usually talk to me much."

"Their loss," Aaron said through a pfft. And it was true. This was a sweet girl, one who definitely deserved more attention than the snooty girls who overtly flirted and sought approval.

"Well, do you think . . ." Nora began, always pausing as if unsure of every word. "I mean, would you like to see what I've worked on here? Maybe after dinner?"

"Totally," Aaron said. "And I have a sketchbook I always carry with me. I'll show you mine, you show me yours."

This made her smile at him, looking Aaron directly in the eyes for the first time in a few minutes. She exhaled a tiny sigh, then laid back on her elbows in the way that signaled Aaron should relax with her on the blanket. And so he did, the pair watching Justin, Layla and Claire in the lake.

***

The rowing was exactly as expected. What more can one say? He was in a boat with a girl named Kelsey, who had an athletic body, and most of the time was spent on friendly conversation while admiring the muscles in her arms with each stroke of the paddles. They took the boats around a bend in the lake until they reached a Cliffside that Aaron decided he'd trek to later and jump off into the water. When this was mentioned to Kelsey, she demanded he hunt her down to join him.