Ray blinked a few times as he opened his eyes, his vision still slightly blurry.
It took him a second to remember where he was.
He always hated sleeping during the day—it made waking up feel confusing.
The light in the room had dimmed, and through the window he could see that it was already getting darker outside.
From somewhere in the distance, Jake's loud voice echoed through the camp.
They were already drinking.
Ray exhaled quietly to himself.
Before he could think much more about it, the bathroom door opened.
Kate stepped out casually, drying her hair with a towel.
She was only wearing a loose white top and her panties, her damp hair falling over her shoulders as she walked into the room like it was the most normal thing in the world.
"I don't mind the view," Ray said, holding his head with one hand as he looked at her playfully.
Kate froze the moment she noticed he was awake.
Her cheeks turned red instantly.
Without thinking, she threw the towel straight at him.
"Turn around!" she screamed, blushing even harder.
"Come on, dress up. We need to go soon," Ray said, turning his head slightly before making sure he was facing the wall.
Kate watched him for a second, making sure he wasn't trying anything.
"I'm taking off my bra and panties because I need to change if I want to swim in the lake," she said. "Don't you dare turn around, or I will murder you."
Her voice dropped just enough to sound serious.
Ray laughed quietly.
"Tell me more about you undressing, it's sexy," he said.
A second later—
thud.
A book flew straight into the back of his head.
"Ouch! I was just kidding!" he said, raising a hand in surrender while still facing the wall.
Behind him, Kate was still red, moving quickly as she got dressed.
He rolled his eyes.
As if I haven't seen her naked already.
Another book suddenly flew toward him.
"I SURRENDER!" he shouted, raising both hands.
Behind him, Kate couldn't help but smile, even as she tried to stay serious while finishing getting dressed.
"And what was that for?!" she said, crossing her arms.
"I'm 90% sure you thought at least once that I'm mental because you've already seen me naked once."
Her cheeks turned slightly pink again.
"So I just hit you in advance," she added, smiling as she tapped him on the shoulder.
As he finally turned around, his eyes landed on her.
Kate was now wearing a blue dress.
It fit her perfectly.
The neckline showed a bit more than usual, reminding him of the first time they had met.
For a moment, he didn't say anything.
He just stared.
Completely distracted.
Kate noticed immediately.
Her cheeks turned slightly pink again.
"What?" she asked, trying to sound annoyed, but clearly aware of the effect she was having on him.
"Miss, do you have a husband?" he asked, bowing slightly in an exaggerated, playful way.
Kate blinked at him, clearly caught off guard for a second.
Then she narrowed her eyes, trying to keep a straight face.
"Why? Planning to replace him already?" she shot back, crossing her arms.
But the small smile tugging at her lips gave her away.
"I would never do such a thing," he said, grinning.
Kate raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced.
"Of course you wouldn't," she replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
But she stepped a little closer anyway, adjusting her dress slightly as she looked at him.
"Now come on," she added. "Before Jake starts another war outside."
Ray pulled his shirt over his head in one smooth motion.
"What are you doing?!" Kate said immediately, covering her eyes with both hands.
"What?" Ray replied casually as he walked past her toward the wardrobe. "I need to change before we go."
"Warn me next time, would you?!" she said, still hiding her face.
"No," he answered simply, a teasing tone in his voice.
Kate stayed frozen like that, peeking slightly through her fingers despite herself.
As he pulled on a fresh shirt, he didn't bother changing his trousers.
"I'm ready," he said casually.
Kate rolled her eyes, lowering her hands from her face.
"Finally," she muttered.
She pushed past him lightly and stepped out of the cabin without waiting.
Ray followed her, pulling the cabin door shut behind him.
They walked side by side toward the campfire, where the rest of the group was already gathered.
The flames flickered in the evening light, casting warm shadows over everyone sitting around it.
As Kate's eyes moved across the group, they briefly landed on Mia.
Of course that slut is here.
Then her gaze shifted.
It stopped on Sarah.
And another…
"Raaaay, BROTHER! Drink with me!"
Jake jumped up instantly from his spot near the fire, nearly stumbling as he rushed over.
He grabbed Ray by the shoulder and shoved a cold beer into his hand.
The smell of alcohol and smoke filled the air around them, and Jake was already grinning like he had been waiting for this moment all evening.
Jake and Ray dropped down next to each other by the fire, the warmth from the flames brushing against their faces.
Kate followed and sat down close to Ray, almost without thinking about it.
Across the fire, Mia noticed immediately.
She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms slightly.
She's always cornering him like she's his girlfriend or something… ugh.
"So, tonight Ray will lose his clothes with honor… as he lost the race!" Jake announced, nearly theatrically, raising his beer like it was some kind of official declaration.
A few people around the fire laughed.
Ray shook his head, taking a sip of his beer.
Kate glanced at him from the side, trying to read his reaction.
Her lips pressed together slightly, though there was a hint of amusement in her eyes.
Jake pointed at Ray dramatically.
"The lake awaits you, my friend!"
"Kate will let her boyfriend do that?" Mia commented sarcastically, looking straight at her.
Kate's head snapped toward her.
Her eyes immediately hardened.
"What, you need a dick to fill you up, you fucking cum-dump?" Kate shot back, her voice sharp and full of fire.
The air around the campfire went quiet for a second.
Even Jake stopped mid-sip.
Kate was clearly done holding back.
"At least I'm not pretending to be a saint when clearly you're just a redhead whore!" Mia snapped back.
Kate stood up instantly, her chair scraping slightly against the ground.
Before she could say anything else, Ray grabbed her hand.
The sudden contact caught her off guard.
For a moment, the anger faded.
And then she realized he was holding her.
Her cheeks flushed.
Around the fire, the tension was thick.
Jake, surprisingly, stepped in.
"Stop it, Mia," he said, raising a hand. "We're here to have fun!"
His tone was still loud—but this time, there was a bit of seriousness behind it.
"Whatever," Mia snapped. "You probably want to fuck her as well."
She let out a short, bitter laugh.
"Full cum on the redhead," she added before turning away.
Without waiting for a response, she stormed off toward her cabin.
The group stayed quiet for a moment, the crackling of the fire suddenly much louder than before.
Kate stood there, still tense, her hand still in Ray's.
Her jaw tightened slightly, but she didn't say anything.
Marco stood up slowly, stretching his arms above his head.
"Well, we should go to the lake soon," he said calmly.
Emma got up as well and walked over to Kate.
Without saying anything at first, she pulled her into a quick hug.
Kate flinched slightly, clearly not expecting it.
"She's just saying stuff like that because she's jealous Ray likes you more," Emma said quietly.
Kate blinked, still a bit surprised.
Emma gave her a small, knowing look before stepping back and walking over to stand next to Marco, waiting for everyone else to gather.
Kate noticed that Ray was still holding her hand.
He noticed it too.
A second later, he let go.
For a brief moment, neither of them said anything.
Then Jake suddenly appeared between them.
He threw an arm over each of their shoulders, pulling them slightly closer together.
"Alright, lovebirds, let's go!" he said loudly, grinning as he started pushing them toward the path leading to the lake.
As the group walked along the narrow path toward the lake, the sounds of the forest mixing with distant laughter and splashing water, Ray stayed a bit quieter than usual.
His eyes were on the ground ahead, following the uneven path lit by the fading evening light.
But his mind wasn't there.
It kept going back to what had just happened.
Kate.
Her reaction.
The way she stood up.
The way she didn't back down.
Did Kate really like him that much?
He shook his head slightly, as if trying to push the thought away.
Then he focused back on the path in front of him.
The lake was getting closer.