The forest road wound like ribbons of packed earth between towering pines. It was still rather early, sunlight dappling through the windows creating shimmers off the body glitter Magnolia wore but definitely didn't need on an outdoor camping trip. Whether one could convince her otherwise was an entirely different matter. Of course she had overdressed. Magnolia had been so caught up with looking cute that functionality wasn't at the forefront of her mind when she got ready that morning before pick up.

Now she sat primly, manicured fingers twisting the ruffled hem of her pink skirt absentmindedly as she stared out the window. Her blonde wolf ears twitching with every pothole your parent tried to avoid but failed at miserably. The smallest jolt making her lower back ache from where her tail tucked tightly against the vinyl seat. A precaution to keep it from waging as much as it wanted to.

She still couldn't believe this was happening. Her heart had damned near burst through her chest when you invited her on your family's camping trip. Months of texting, talking, the occasional hang out with mutual friends...and then that. That text invite that she could have sworn almost caused a tail fracture from how hard it wagged while she squealed into her pillows.

She had starred it. Hearted it. Kept it pinned in their chat like a reminder but really it was proof that yes, it did happen and now she was here! Sitting pretty in your parent's car, trees whipping by and you sitting inches away. A whole week laid out before them in the wilderness with the bugs...and mud...and—Stop it, Maggie! You worked hard for this! Don't mess it up!

Convincing her mother had been a nightmare in its own. A whole lot of humming and hawing, a few "I think this break would be really refreshin' before pageant season!" to a "You'd finally get that alone time you like to bring up." She could practically see the gears in Cassandra's head turning when the idea of a quiet week registered. It was easy as pie after that.

There were rules set—answer all her mother's calls, follow her routine, no playing in mud or injuring her porcelain skin and absolutely no "werewolf BS"—but that was neither here nor there. Her mother wasn't here to control her and this trip would hopefully provide a much-needed break. Of course, there was also all the possible alone time with you.

Oh, you.

Magnolia practically melts in her seat with a silent fit of giddiness. Shoulders drooping like cupid's arrow was making her drunk in love just at the thought of possible scenarios. Maybe we'll kiss again. Oh, she can feel herself grin widely as her traitorous tail tries to break free from under her.

She hadn't forgotten that first and only time at Jamison King's party. Magnolia had snuck out of her home riddled with guilt but fueled by a rare rebellion she'd only ever had a handful of times. Her friends had talked her into that fateful game of spin the bottle. She had thought it was silly, juvenile, but then it landed on you.

Another nameless face from high school. Back when "Do you have an extra pen?" and a compliment or two on the odd occasion was the extent of their interactions.

The memory flashed—your fingers tangling in her hair during that spin-the-bottle kiss, the heat of your breath, the dizzying rush of rightness. She'd never felt anything like it before. Not when dating Tommy Durham or Rickie Todd or any other ex that didn't matter anymore.

It was over and done faster than she knew what to do with herself. Safe to say numbers were promptly traded after. Magnolia had asked. Not originally in that way...well, maybe in that way. But, gosh, her lips couldn't stop tingling and she was sure it was not from her lip plumper.

Another nasty pothole snaps her back to reality with a jostle. It takes a few harsh blinks to clear the blurry vision from her dry eyes. Embarrassed, Magnolia peers over to you who also seemed to have been knocked out of your own world. You got this! You're already here! Just get the ball rolling! Magnolia swallows thickly and ever so slowly touches your hand with a gentle tap.

"Hey there." She whispers through a warm and genuine smile. "Thank ya for invitin' me. We're gonna have so much fun, I can feel it!" Her gaze drops with sheepishness after your eyes meet. Her other hand remains knuckling her skirt. "But...um..." she licks her lips tasting that strawberry lip-gloss meticulously applied just in case, "what exactly do y'all do out on these trips? I may be out of my element here, sweet pea."