Alex was fuming. How could Laf and Herc DO that?!

Alex groaned. It's so obvious I like him! he thought. But do they have to try and convince me that John likes me back? PLEASE! He's way out of my league.

Alex's feet took him to a place they often did when he was upset. There was a small brook by a large tree with a hollow trunk. Alex took his notebook and a pencil out of his bag and began to write down a list of everything he like about John.

"Alex?"

Alex looked up. It was Theodosia.

"Hey," he replied nonchalantly.

"Are you ok?" she asked, sensing Alex's change in mood from his regular peppy self.

"Can I be honest with you?" he asked. "I'm not ok. I seriously just want something to take my mind off of this whole mess."

"I can help you with that," Theo said, smiling. She sat down beside Alex. "Aaron asked me out today."

Alex's eyes widened. "He actually got up the nerve to do that? Woah!"

"I said yes," she said, blushing. "Also, CATHERINE ASKED OUT ELIZA!" (THEY ARE NOT SISTERS PLEASE STOP)

Alex dropped his notebook.

"NO WAY!!!!" he screamed, as excited as a fangirl at a book releasing. "I HAVE SHIPPED THEM FOR FOREVER!"

"ME TOO!" Theo yelled back. "I AM SO EXCITED!"

"How long do you think it'll be before Maria and Peggy start dating?" Alex asked her.

Theo shrugged. "It can't be long now."

Alex put his head down. "Thanks for cheering me up, Theo."

"Anytime," she replied. Theo stood back up and walked toward the camp.

As soon as she was out of sight, Alex shuddered and put his head in his knees. She hasn't helped him. Sure, he was happy for them, but that just mad him sadder about his situation with John. Alex broke down. He silently began crying.

Back at the cabin, things weren't going that great for John either. Herc and Laf had invited over the whole crew, and they simply sat there making bets on how long it would be until Alex asked John out. John rolled his eyes.

"It's not going to happen, for the last time!" he insisted, getting annoyed. Theo walked in the door at that moment.

"Alex is all good," she updated. "He's really excited for you and Eliza, Cath!"

Catherine blushed and wrapped her arms around her girlfriend.

"He's also surprised you actually worked up the nerve to ask me out," Theo teased Aaron. Aaron turned red and looked down at his lap, smiling.

"So, what're we doing?" Theo asked, plopping down with them.

"Making bets to see how long it is until Alex asks John out," Ang responded simply.

Maria snorted. "Listen, I know he likes you a lot, but Alex is so oblivious! He'll only ask someone out if he's sure they'll say yes."

"I'm pretty sure everyone's like that, Mar," Ang commented.

"Yeah," Peggy chimed in. "It's really nerve-racking. But, unlike Alex, I'm taking a risk. Maria, will you be my girlfriend?"

The entire room got silent. Maria's eyes widened and she put her hands up to her mouth.

"Yes," she replied, stunned.

The room exploded into cheers.

"YES!" shouted Herc. "Knew this was gonna happen eventually!"

Then Peggy's eyes grew wide. "Wait, what about James?"

"Broke up with him a week ago," Maria responded simply.

Laf groaned. "FINALLY!"

"Someone better tell Alex," said Theo. "He's been shipping you two for FOREVER."

"I'll do it," John said, getting up.

"Just a word of advice," said Aaron, "my cabin's the closest. If you need a bed, you know where to go," he winked.

John blushed and walked out the door to the sound of "OOOOOOOO!" coming from his friends. He shook his head and smiled, heading for the spot Alex often disappeared to.

But there was someone waiting for him just a little bit down the road.