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the
school bus and go home. Mom was coming to pick up me and
Sophie soon after.
    I had to find a way to see Ian.
    My plan to stay up and sneak out after the campers and
Sophie fell asleep didn't work out. Every time I thought it was clear, I'd hear
a whisper or a muffled giggle. I cocooned myself in my covers and waited, but
the next thing I knew, it was daylight. I woke up scratching my leg.

 
 
    Unfortunately, getting five girls to pack their stuff and
clean a cabin took more time and energy than I'd anticipated. We led them up to
the mess hall, but the other campers had finished and left.
    “Everybody grab a muffin and a juice box,” Sophie said.
“Then we have to march down to the parking lot.”
    “I want cereal,” Britney whined.
    “Tell your parents you want cereal for lunch,” I said as I
grabbed some napkins. “We don't have time.”
    “I've never heard of cereal for lunch,” Leslie said.
    “You can't have cereal for lunch.” Kelsey rolled her eyes.
    “Move it, girls,” Sophie snapped. “I've got a life to get
back to.”
    When we joined the others, we discovered that Scott had
become Ian's mouthpiece.
    Each had their cell phones back, and Ian was texting Scott.
Scott would then tell the campers what Ian was saying.
    Ian had covered his mouth and nose with a dark blue bandana
like an outlaw from the Old West. I was relieved that I didn't have to see the
fish mouth again.
    “Can I take a minute, Sophie?” I had to go talk to him. I
didn't care if Scott or the kids heard what I had to say.
    Before she could answer, the bus appeared down the road. I
could not get a break.
    We hugged each camper, and made sure they had all their
belongings. I had time to see Ian fist-bumping his campers and tousling their
hair, and then Mrs. L was addressing all of us. She called us counselors'
heroes and urged the campers to aspire to be like us.
    I teared up, but Sophie went a step further and actually
sniffled.
    The campers cheered to thank their counselors, and then they
climbed on the bus.
    We waved dutifully until the bus was out of sight.
    Mrs. L turned to us and said, “Hallelujah! I think that was
the longest week of my life. Let's head to the great room for pizza and cokes.
You guys deserve a party.”
    “When I get home, I'm going to sleep for a whole day,”
Sophie said as we walked over.
    “What about Cole?”
    “I just want sleep. He can wait.”
    “He doesn't get home 'til tomorrow, does he?”
    “No. Which only means that I can't prove to you that I'd
rather have a nap.”
    “Whatever.” Ian kept to the outside fringes of the group as
we made our way to the great room.
    We walked up the porch to the great room, and Scott ended up
holding the door for all of us. An idea hit me, and I stopped long enough to
ask him a hushed question. “Can I see your phone for a minute?”
    Scott frowned. “Why? You'll get yours back inside.”
    “I know.” Shedding my last ounce of self-respect, I gave him
a flirtatious smile. “It's really important though. I'll give it right back. I
promise.”
    “Fine,” he said. Then he pulled his phone out and handed it
to me. “I'm missing the pizza.” He went inside, leaving me on the porch alone.
    The number he'd used to text Ian all morning was at the top
of the text thread. I sent it to my own phone, afraid that I wouldn't remember
ten digits in my state of exhaustion. Then I deleted the traces of what I'd
done, and turned off the phone.
    Sneaky liar much? Yes. If I'd just asked him for the number,
he would have teased me or Ian mercilessly. Ian had
been avoiding me, and I wasn't going to risk sending him running. Of course, he
may be scared off by me texting him, but at least I would be the only one who
knew.
    I slipped through the door and joined the others. Scott was
ready for the hand-off, and The Two J's didn't notice.
    Mrs. L was applauding our work over the week, and she began
a special thank you to Ian. “I especially want to recognize Ian for all he