Soooo guys, this is how I die, baptized in hot regret or as some humans would call it ... coffee ... and accused of dating Theo.
Just as I was patting my shirt with the world's thinnest napkin and pretending it was helping, a loud whistle cut through the chaos.
"Campers to the left! Coaches to the right!" barked a woman with the voice of a drill sergeant and the outfit of someone who absolutely had a clipboard with color-coded tabs. "Let's move! I don't want to hear squealing, screeching, or spiritual crises. Not before breakfast."
The room scrambled into order faster than I thought possible. Even the little kid next to me ran to the camper's side.
I was still mid-wipe when I heard Theo chuckle....
"What's so funny?" I snapped at him.
"Relax Lex," He said, taking off his hoodie, holding it out to me with a casual smirk. "Here. So you don't flash the children. Or me. Not that I'd complain."
I stared at the hoodie like it might self-destruct in my hands. "Why are you being... weirdly helpful?"
"Would you rather drip scalding coffee all over your dignity? Again?"
I narrowed my eyes. "This has itching powder in it, doesn't it?"
He looked genuinely offended. "Lex, I'm trying to look out for you."
This guy has never been genuine. I learned that the hard way.
I glanced around. The other coaches were in little groups, chatting and smiling like they weren't damp and betrayed by their morning caffeine.
Lucky suckers.
My shirt clung in all the worst ways. I couldn't walk over there looking like I'd bathed in a frappuccino.
"And what do you want in return?"
Still holding the hoodie out, Theo gave a tiny shrug. "Nothing...look, there's a corner over there. I'll block. Or not look. Unless you want me to."
I froze. "You want me to change in front of you?"
He leaned in just slightly, lowering his voice. "It's nothing I haven't seen before."
I yanked the hoodie from his hand, possibly with more force than necessary, and shoved past him, hissing, "You are such a jerk."
His chuckle followed me like a bad smell. "You're welcome."
Changing in the corner of the room—using a half-broken broom and a crooked "Welcome to Camp Whispering Pines Retreat!" sign as my makeshift privacy wall—was hands down in the top five humiliations of my life. And that includes the time I tripped over a mic cord during my graduation speech.
I pulled Theo's hoodie over my head.
It was... annoyingly soft.
And warm.
And smelled like him—woodsy, clean, with a hint of expensive soap that made no sense in a camp full of communal bathrooms.
Of course he had to smell good.
Because life hated me.
I padded back toward the coaches' side, pretending like I hadn't just done a full wardrobe change in front of a mop bucket and a plastic squirrel poster. Theo was already standing with the group, chatting with two other coaches like he hadn't just delivered a line worthy of a lawsuit.
His eyes met mine.
I pulled the hoodie tighter around myself and aimed my deadliest glare. He just lifted an eyebrow in response.
"Alright, everyone!" the director clapped her hands once, snapping us to attention. "Now that we're all here, before the camp starts, we always have team-building activities for the coaches and campers to help them get to know each other better!"
"Isn't that what shared cabins are for?" I muttered out a little bit too loudly.
She ignored me like a pro. "You'll each introduce yourselves, play some get-to-know-you games, and maybe, if the stars align, form a functioning adult friendship. Now pair up!"
I glanced around...
I saw a girl with purple braids and a friendly smile, I decided to approach her...only for someone else to swoop in like a hawk mid-dive. No problem. I pivoted to a guy tying his shoes—only to watch another coach plop beside him like it was fate.
Cool. Cool. Cool Cool.
This wasn't high school gym class.
I was an adult.
A mature, self-assured adult who definitely wasn't internally spiraling as I got rejected for the third time in under a minute.
People paired off faster than I could blink, like the social equivalent of musical chairs, and somehow, I was the only one left awkwardly hovering like a forgotten ghost.
Fantastic.
I was already planning my dramatic exit—"Sorry, I suddenly remembered I hate bonding"—when I felt a tap on my shoulder.
"Looks like you're stuck with me, partner."
I didn't even have to turn around.
Of course.
I slowly looked over my shoulder and found him standing there with that I-knew-it grin painted all over his smug face.
I groaned. "Out of all the people here, you had to be the one who's not already taken?"
"I could say the same about you," he said, stepping closer. "Guess it's fate."
"Or a cruel joke from the universe."
He placed a hand over his heart. "You wound me, Lex."
"Don't tempt me."
He grinned and clapped his hands once. "Can't wait to build trust with you, Lex. What could possibly go wrong?"
Trust fall with Theo. What could possibly go wrong?
***
The sun was already high as we got herded like sheep toward the lake's grassy clearing. Somewhere in the distance, kids were probably scaling trees or fighting raccoons, but we were here for something worse: team-building.
Yay.
I pulled Theo's hoodie tighter around myself.
Why did he give it to me?
Which only made me more suspicious of it. What if he'd laced it with itching powder? Or pepper spray?
He would.
A circle of chairs and blankets was set up near the edge of the trees, overlooking the lake. The lady who herded us from the hall stood in the center with her clipboard, sunglasses perched on her head like a crown. She looked like someone who could run an army with a whistle.
"Alright, coaches," she announced, waving the clipboard in the air. "You can call me Dee. Let's get cozy. We're starting off with some team introductions, and then we'll dive into activities that'll probably make you hate each other slightly less."
There were about fifteen of us—coaches from different cabins. Some were already flopped dramatically in their seats like they'd survived war. Others were still fake-smiling like this was a job interview.
"Stand up, say your name, cabin number, and something fun. Or mildly embarrassing," she said. "And try to be interesting. I've had two coffees. My patience is breakable."
The first to jump up was a girl with pink braids who was wearing bright green biker shorts and a tank top that said, "Sun's Out, Sass Out."
"Naomi! Cabin 10! I once accidentally dyed a dog pink with my hair color."She twirled a braid between her fingers and grinned. "It was iconic."
People chuckled. Next up was a guy who looked like a living energy drink.
"Jayden. Cabin 8. I cried watching Finding Nemo. And I'm not ashamed."He fist-bumped the air while someone clapped.
"You were rooting for the fish," Naomi said with a snort. "Admit it."
Then came a girl lounging in her seat like a beach villain.
"Amber. Cabin 12. Dated a magician once. He ghosted me."She lifted her sunglasses with one finger. "Literally vanished."
A couple more people went—some loud, some shy. Then, from the back, someone stood. He had on a dark navy T-shirt that stretched across broad shoulders, and black-rimmed glasses that somehow made him look thoughtful and intimidating.
"Dave," he said simply. "Cabin 5. I used to box. Now I mostly fight spreadsheets."
I wasn't sure why I looked up right then, but when I did… we locked eyes.
It wasn't a moment or anything. Just a second. But it stuck.
I blinked first. Obviously.
And then—because fate hates me—Theo stood up next. He didn't even try.
"Cabin 14," he said with a shrug. "Fun fact: I don't share fun facts."
I rolled my eyes.
Finally, Dee's gaze landed on me.
"And you, hoodie thief?"
Great. Showtime.
"Lexi," I said, tugging at the oversized sleeves. "Cabin 14. I spilled an entire cup of emotional support coffee on myself this morning. So. Peaked."
Naomi gasped. "Was it, like, a fancy latte or…?"
"It was called 'Cabin-Save-Me Cappuccino,'" I muttered.
That got a few laughs. Even Theo slow-clapped. I ignored him.
Dee clapped her hands again.
"Alright, now that we all know who not to trust with dogs or magicians, let's play a game: Two Truths and a Lie."
Cue groans. And muttering. And Amber already laying back down.
People went around the circle. Naomi swore she kissed a celebrity once (we all called cap). Jayden claimed he hated puppies (we booed him). Amber said she was a ballerina (we believed her).
Then it got to me.
"Okay…" I said slowly. "I once got stuck in a school vent. I've never been in love. And I can't ride a bike."
Theo raised a brow, already grinning.
"You? Never been in love?"
"Can ride a bike," I replied flatly. "That one was the lie."
"Shame," he said under his breath. "I would've taught you."
My brain skipped. Then cursed him. Then skipped again.
"Alright, Theo," Dee said. "Impress us."
He stretched, smirked, and said,
"I've dated someone famous. I've never been dumped. And I once broke into a private pool to swim under the stars."
Jayden shouted, "No way you've never been dumped!"Amber snorted. "You? Famous? Please."Naomi looked half in love. "The pool one's real. I feel it."
Theo just looked at me.
Before I could throw a chair, Dee's walkie-talkie crackled.
"Coach Dee? The paddleboards are drifting toward the dock. We've got a situation."
She groaned. "Oh, for the love of—"
Then turned to us.
"Volunteers. Now. I need strong backs and quick feet."
Theo stood immediately. Showoff.
"C'mon, partner," he said, already walking backward. "Looks like we're going swimming."
I was about to stand when Dave leaned slightly closer.
"If you get tired of sunshine boy," he murmured, barely above a whisper, "you know where to find me."
My mouth went dry.
"Lex!" Theo called out, "You coming? Or do I have to carry you again?"
And just like that…