Chapter 1 Elizabeth I didn't mind camping - so long as it involved a hotel or a comfy air-conditioned RV. But my parents prefer traditional camping. Fine, I was convinced. That was why I swatted at the flying insects around my head, tring to keep up with everyone. But the supplies my Dad stuffed in my backpack kept trying to tip me ass over to the dirt path and mosquitoes swarm me like I'm a walking Slurpee. The only thing keeping my going was the Kindle tucked into my backpack. Once I reached the destination, I planned to immerse myself in it completely. Dad and my stepmother lead the charge at the front, climbed over the fallen tree trunks and roots. I followed then, stare at my feet to make sure I didn't fall over. If I did, my step-brother Austin, whose eyes on me the whole time, probably either step right over me or mock me straight to my face. Either way would destroy what little self-esteem I still had. "Here it is! Home sweet home for the next few days!" Dad bellowed in the announcement as we finally reached the campsite. It honestly wasn't much. The lake was pretty but covered in algae and more buzzing flying bugs, the picnic table was more like some sawdust somehow taking shape, and the fire pit was just a pile of ashes surrounded by scorched stones. "How beautiful," Grace gushed anyway, eyes twinkling in happiness as Dad proudly took her to the lake to show off the site. I dropped my backpack onto the ground, felt Austin nudge me with his elbow. I glanced up at him, swallowed against a tight throat. "Did you bring sunscreen?" I nodded. "Then you'd better use it, your ears are really red." He said, grinning at me. "Okay." I swallowed as I avoided his gaze. He walked away and I sighed in relief. Truth be told, ever since our parents got married, I'd been battling a secret. I had a massive crush on Austin. Honestly, though, who wouldn't? Tall, athletic build with gorgeous green eyes and tousled sandy blonde hair that framed his face so perfectly. He was ridiculously good-looking. "Alright, kids, let's get the tents set up so we can wander around later." Dad tossed us a tent, signaling that Austin and I should team up to put it up. The others, he and Grace would handle them. I had never set up a tent before, so Austin had to stand beside me and teach me each step. "Bookworm, all books you read are useless, they didn't even teach you how to pitch a tent." He muttered, trying to annoy me. Since we first met when I was 15, it became the nickname he gave me. Just because I opened the door to let him and his mom in for dinner, I was holding a Kindle to my chest. Honestly, it was pretty embarrassing. "Shut up." I pitched up on one side of the tent, wracking my brain to remember how to do this. When I finally got it secure and hooked it to the stake, I raised the mallet as I tried to steady my aim. "Wait-" I heard the protest too late as the mallet crashed full-force onto my thumb. I dropped it like fire, hissing in pain. "What did you do, bookworm?" Austin frowned, pulling away from his almost-finished part to go after me right away. He knelt beside me and held out his hand, "Here, let me see." Worry etched across his face. "I'm fine," I tried to hide my thumb, concealing my pain. "It's just a stupid thumb." But Austin could see straight through me. He stepped forward as he stubbornly grabbed my hand. "Let me see," "It's not even that bad," I argued. He looked over my split thumb, and pursed his lips at me. "Quit acting like a child and let me see." I wanted to refuse, but I knew he wouldn't give up. When he grabbed my hand, I held my breath and turned away. I didn't want to look at it; it felt like half of it was missing, and if I was about to bleed out, I didn't want to know. Austin carefully examined my split thumb. His hands were rough but the way he touched me was surprisingly gentle. Beads of sweat rolled from his forehead down his cheek. I followed them with with my eyes and realized how hot my cheeks were and how close we were standing. "The wound is not serious，"I glanced at the wound-it was just a small cut. But still, it hurt. After all, the thumb is close to the heart. I slowly relaxed, and he smiled, continuing, "but we'd better take care of it before it gets infected." "Oh come on, you're overreacting. I can handle it myself." "Bullshit." Austin took a few quick steps, pulled a first aid kit from his bag, and walked over to disinfect the wound with alcohol. As he cleaned it, a soft gasp escaped my throat. His blue eyes flicked up to meet mine, sparkling, and when our eyes met, his gaze quickly and unnaturally darted away. I flushed bright red in embarrassment. I didn't know if it was from being a clumsy idiot or whether it was being caught swooning over my stepbrother like that. If he discovered my little secret, I'd rather live alone in the Arctic. Soon, Austin released my thumb and then wrapped it in a band-aid. "There, not so hard, was it?" He teased me with a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. For some reason, his voice was a little hoarse. "Are you done yet, kiddos?" Dad called out to us from the other side of the campsite. "We're done. Beth's thumb is a little injured, but it's nothing serious. We've taken care of it in time." Austin got to his feet and yelled back. He reached out a hand to me. I took his hand and he pulled me to my feet. "Thanks," I said awkwardly, but I couldn't bring myself to meet his gaze. I was afraid he might see something in my eyes. "No problem," He muttered, voice deeper than normal. "Please be careful next time." "I will." But I can't guarantee that next time, if this happens again, I won't hurt myself. I stepped forward a little, and I thought him to let go right away but he didn't. Instead his hand tightened around my long fingers and it felt like a caress down my back. I bit my bottom lip and my heart thudded in my chest rapidly. "Who's going to gather firewood with me?" Grace's voice called out sharply. I was startled and quickly jumped away from Austin, like a child who had done something wrong. Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!