Page 339 of Small Town Firsts

My best friend is now the color of a tomato, and if I know her like I think I do, she's wishing the ground would swallow her whole.

Finally, I can't take watching her be tortured any longer. "Y'all leave her alone."

"Spoilsport.” Gabe rolls his eyes, but he's smiling. "I brought the stuff to roast hot dogs over the fire."

"And s'mores," Zach pipes up.

"Thank God. How long until we eat?"

"Girl, we just got here. Slow your roll, enjoy the fresh air."

Stella huffs, causing both Gabe and Zach to laugh.

"You really don't like nature, do you?" Gabe asks.

"I like nature just fine, thank you very much. I just happen to prefer it to be on the TV screen."

"Okay, city girl. Think you can handle a hike?"

Stella tilts her chin defiantly. "Of course I can!"

"All right, let's go."

The three of them immediately set off toward one of the trails while Sterling and I hang back a little. "Are you sure this is a good idea?" he asks, his voice strained. God love him, while Stella has grown on him, he's still getting used to spending time with Gabe and Zach. But he’s friendly…for the most part.

"I'm sure everything will be fine."

"Remind me why your friends came with us?"

"Because I wanted to do this, and those three are the best friends a girl could ever ask for. Simple as that. Plus, I don't think you get to complain, Ster. You bullied me just because your friend wanted you to. My friends, on the other hand, come camping with me."

A resigned sigh leaves his lips. "Touché, little mouse, touché."

"Now, let's go." I start walking after the others.

"Okay, but first—" He snags my hand and pulls me back into him, pressing his lips to mine in a sudden but passionate kiss.

But before it can heat up too much, Gabe interrupts us. "Come on, lovebirds!” he shouts from the tree line.

"So," Sterling hedges, drawing out the word. "Are we gonna talk about that nickname you just called me?"

"What nickname?"

"You called me Ster."

"Oh. It just slipped out."

"I like it."

I link my arm with his and rest my head on his shoulder as we approach my friends. "Good."

"I've camped here before," Gabe says, "and if we take this path, there's a really beautiful waterfall."

We all nod our agreement, and Gabe leads the way. We talk and bicker collectively as a group, generally just having a good time as we traipse down the trail.

The nature all around us is so serene and beautiful, so untouched and untroubled by the modern world, that it gives me pause. It makes me really stop and think about where I am and who I am...and who I want to be.

As always, Sterling is totally tuned into me and notices the change in my attitude. "What's on your mind, little mouse?"

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