Lindsey hasn't been gone for a while. I can't stop thinking about Jaxson. I've been thinking about him since I woke up. Wait…

What if I just go and see Jaxson? Lindsey doesn't have to know.

I get up and walk back to their camp. I feel like I remember it like the back of my hand. And I do. I wonder why I've only been this way once.

I see the camp ahead. I see Zak and Jared but no Jaxson. Maybe he's nearby so I can look around. Suddenly I feel an arm around my waist. I shriek and the person puts their hand on my mouth. My muffled screams go away when the person turns me around.

It's Jaxson. I realize that I'm almost at his chest. My face burns. I back away. His back lays against a large tree.

“Sorry,” Jaxson starts, “If Jared saw you he would kill you.” I look down and I see his arm. He's gained a life.

“Why were you away from camp?” I look back up at him and he smiles. I give him a soft smile.

“Jared hasn't talked to me ever since I gave you the flint and steel. And Zak is always sleeping. He only wakes up when food is involved,” He runs his hand through his smooth hazelnut-colored hair, “so I got bored and went out to find you,” he looks down.

My cheeks are flushed. He went out for me. He really is interested in me.

“So what was your excuse to leave camp?” I ask. His head jolts up and looks at me confused.

“What do you mean?” he asks.

“I know you didn't just leave camp without telling Jared what you were going to do. So what did you tell him?”

“I was going to go fishing.” Jaxson mumbles.

“Then let's go fishing!” I place my hands on my hips.

When Jaxson doesn't move and looks stunned. I grab his hand and we go towards the river.

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“Wait, are we going to fish?” Jaxson says, still stunned as I pull him along.

“Yeah! You can't say you didn't catch anything. Jared and I both know you're better than that.” Jaxson's face turns rosy and I smile.

…

We arrive at the river and I take off my shoes and I roll up my pants but Jaxson already beats me to it. He jumps into the river. The river is shallow but his force is so strong that the water splashes all over me.

I jump in next to him. My splash looks pathetic next to his. I take out my dagger.

“Ready to fish?” I look up at him.

“Whoever gets the most fish wins,” Jaxson grins. We both know he's going to win.

“What happens to the loser?” I ask.

“They’ll get dunked in the water,” Jaxson responds a little too quickly. His smile becomes larger.

“Alright, bet,” I take out my free hand and we shake hands.

We begin right away and watch the fish come downstream and Jaxson stabs them one by one sometimes he even grabs them with his bare hands. Where I stab or catch them and my butterfingers drop the fish.

I see another fish ahead of me. I try to grab it but just like every other time, I drop it. I look at my pile of fish. Two. I look at Jaxson’s pile. I can't even count how many there are.

I decide to play dirty. I see a group of fish ahead and I know Jaxson will get most of them or maybe even all of them.

I bump into Jaxson and he misses every fish.

“Oh you're playing dirty,” he smiles and drops his dagger next to his fish. He grabs me by the hips, lifts me in the air, and turns me around. His grip on my hips is so firm my body gets hot against his cold hands from the water.

He places me down and grabs my two fish. Oh like that’s going to help him win. But I still try to grab the fish out of his hands but he’s too tall. He tosses the two fish into his pile. I pout and I stand right in front of him looking up at his face, my chest almost touching his.

“I’m sorry, but I think we both know I was going to win,” Jaxson grins. I look down.

“I know…” I kick some water with my feet. Jaxson takes his hand and lifts my face to look at his.

“Hey it’s okay I'll share some of my fish with you,” he winks, at me.

“Thanks,” I give him a light push. But he only takes a step back.

“Hey, that's my job.”

“What do you mean?” I ask him.

“Remember? The loser gets dunked.” he smiles and I groan.

“Ugh, I forgot.” We find a deeper part of the river just deep enough to mostly dunk me. Jaxson gets ready to dunk me.

“Ready?” he asks.

“More than I'll ever be,” I mumble. He pushes me in but I grab his hand and bring him down with me. I see his face shocked. Probably the best thing I've ever seen since this whole thing started. He places his hands on the back of my head and around my waist. We drop into the water. He's on top of me and we are both laughing.

“You planned that, didn't you?” he chuckles.

“How could I not, it was the perfect opportunity,” I laugh even more. I look at his face an inch away from mine. His deep brown eyes. I wonder if he's thinking the same thing I am right now. But before anything happens a fish hits Jaxson in the head.

“Agh! What the heck?” He sits up. I laugh hysterically. That was awesome but I also kinda wished it didn't happen.

“That was hilarious.” I sit up next to him.

“For you it was. That hurt.” He runs the back of his head.

“Aww, do you need a bandage? A kiss?” I say trying to baby him but I freeze realizing what I just said.

“A kiss sounds nice,” he turns his head to mine. I felt so hot in this cold water. I didn't know it was possible.

“Maybe next time” I stand up and get out of the river. I hear Jaxson give a quiet ‘aww shucks’. I giggle.

We are out of the river and we pick up the fish. I turn around and I see Jaxson… without his shirt. I turn away quickly. What's wrong with me? I feel like I shouldn't be bothered by this but I am.

This feeling is the worst and best thing that's ever happened to me.