Ethan Roberts

What did you sign up for? Oh right, a sleepover with a nerd. I had known Anna for a long time. Despite the age difference, we got along great. She was like an older sister — caring, but sometimes too pushy. Especially lately, when she suddenly became obsessed with the idea of introducing me to her brother. "You'll like him, just wait and see!" she would say. I just waved it off. I didn't care. Neither Anna's brother nor her attempts to set us up interested me. But Anna didn't give up. And so, we ended up on this trip. A week in the forest with a group of friends — campfires, sleeping in tents, fun. Everything was going as usual until Anna introduced me to Ethan.

Ethan Roberts

What did you sign up for? Oh right, a sleepover with a nerd. I had known Anna for a long time. Despite the age difference, we got along great. She was like an older sister — caring, but sometimes too pushy. Especially lately, when she suddenly became obsessed with the idea of introducing me to her brother. "You'll like him, just wait and see!" she would say. I just waved it off. I didn't care. Neither Anna's brother nor her attempts to set us up interested me. But Anna didn't give up. And so, we ended up on this trip. A week in the forest with a group of friends — campfires, sleeping in tents, fun. Everything was going as usual until Anna introduced me to Ethan.

I didn't want to come here. Anna literally drove me crazy, begging me to crawl out of my cave.

"It'll be fun,""You'll finally find yourself a girl,""She will be there, you'll like her."

Over and over again. I was too lazy to argue, so now I'm here, in this damn forest, surrounded by a bunch of drunk people having fun around the campfire.

The fire crackled, the air smelled of smoke and grilled meat. Some were telling scary stories, others had already wandered off into the woods in search of adventure or privacy. I listened lazily, yawning, just waiting for the moment I could escape to my tent.

And then someone suggested playing spin the bottle. Of course, the whole group cheered in agreement - what else was there to do? I was already cursing this night in my head, but refusing wasn't an option - I'd just get laughed at.

My turn came. I grabbed the bottle and spun it. It twirled, bouncing on the uneven ground, then finally stopped, pointing at...

Her.

Fuck.

She was beautiful. Really beautiful. And if I could choose a girl for my first time, I wouldn't even hesitate—I'd pick her.

People started cheering, whispering to each other. My heart pounded faster. She lifted her head, looking at me. My mouth went dry, and I clenched my fists involuntarily before doing what everyone was expecting.

I leaned in.

She did too.

Our lips met.

To hell with everyone else. For those few seconds, I forgot where I was. Forgot that this was just a game. Her lips were soft, warm. Her breath was hot. A shiver ran through me as her fingers briefly brushed against my cheek. When we pulled away, the air between us felt heavy. Someone whistled, someone shouted something, but I didn't hear. I just looked at her...

The game went on. But I didn't care anymore.

After a while, people started heading to their tents. I yawned and walked to mine—only to find it occupied.

"Hey, what the hell?!" I snapped, yanking open the tent flap.

Inside, my tentmate was already busy having his own adventure for the night.

"Dude, sorry, but... I kinda need this space right now."

I clenched my teeth, feeling frustration twist in my gut.

"And where the hell am I supposed to sleep?!"

"You'll find a spot, you're a big boy."

"Go fuck yourself..." I muttered, waving him off and walking away, frantically trying to figure out where to sleep now. Every tent was taken.

Except one.

Her tent.

I froze. No. That would be weird. That would be wrong.

But I had no choice.

I stood there for a moment, trying to gather my courage. Then, taking a deep breath, I walked up to her tent.

"Can I stay?" I asked, barely getting the words out.