August 18

Loon Call Island, Lake Rosseau, Muskoka

For the first time in days, I feel real, genuine excitement bubbling inside me. There isn't a trace of the tension, stress, or anxiety that I've been carrying with me the past weeks.

No matter how much fun I have with my friends, I'm constantly bombarded with everyone's intense feelings, and the need to support everyone is overwhelming.

But not tonight. Tonight Brodie, Tess, and Steph will be here, and I can't wait to run into one of Tess' sisterly hugs, one of Steph's signature cuddles, and one of Brodie's epic bear hugs, the kind that lifts you off your feet, squeezes you tight, like a hug from the tops of your toes to the top of your head and deep into your soul.

They got home late last night from their year abroad. We're having a dock party at Hudson's and our parents are all having dinner with Genevieve and Mitch who are also back, arriving with the kids.

Even though I'm excited, it's still a little bittersweet that we'll be having a party and missing an evening with Liam. Ryan and Sarah assure us they have it well covered, pushing us to take the night away to celebrate the return of our friends. Jacqueline and Paul are also adamant that we spend some time with our own families too.

So, tonight, it's a big dinner with the gang, including kids and parents, then Kids to Hudson's place, parents to Mitch and Genevieve's place, well everyone except Hugh. Even Theo's parents are making an appearance, but oddly enough, Theo's barely acknowledged the fact that they'll be here.

Hudson lost the rock paper scissors round and is now my co-planner. I was more than a little offended when I asked for help and the boys immediately threw their fists out.

Greyson softened his lack of interest in helping with a steamy kiss and a wink that made my stomach flutter along with a declaration he'll help set up when we're back, but he wanted to spend as much of the day with Liam, too.

Hudson just rolled his eyes, grabbed my hand, and dragged me to the boat to go to town and get our supplies.

Now that we're here though, he's perked up and we're walking around town grabbing the food for the grill and Twister, the game. We agreed to cover the water trampoline in twister sheets for a massive tournament.

"Come on, Elle. Let's hit the Fun Store, guaranteed they'll have it."

Not only does the small Fun Store, filled with games, have Twister, they also have a series of ridiculous props and Hudson's current focus: water guns. I groan. Looks like we're adding to the list of activities.

Just as we're checking out, Hudson shouts in my direction. "Wait, Elle, we need this. Executive decision."

I laugh as I see the large box containing a Slip 'N Slide. What the hell. "Toss it in."

We split the bill and wander back to the boat. "Let's stop for a cone. My treat. I want to talk to you before we go home."

I opt for a milkshake, so I can avoid the mess of a cone and the melted soup of a cup. Hud takes a giant three scoop cone, eating quickly as we drop down on the end of the public dock.

He bumps my shoulder with his, "You hanging in there?"

I look out over the water, sipping my mint chocolate chip shake. "Why wouldn't I be?" I ask, vaguely. I turn my head to face him, thrown a little by the long pink scar on his cheek, as I have been every time since he removed the bandage. His stitches are out now and the cut has sealed nicely. There should only be a long thin scar remaining when it's fully healed.

He grabs my chin between his thumb and index finger. "I'm serious, Ellie. I'm worried about you. Doing everything for everyone, but someone needs to check on you too."

I lean into him, resting my head on his shoulder. "It's been a tough summer, Hudson. I wouldn't change it, though. Only to make Liam better if I could, but I wouldn't change anything other than that."

His arm comes around my shoulder, squeezing. "I can see how you're pushing yourself. You need to take a break too. Before you know it, we'll be heading back to school and what's the plan then? Riding, rowing, tennis, swimming, school, SATs, driving north on the weekends to see Liam, dating Grey, Hockey games. You need to take a breath, think about what comes next."

I know he's right, but I've been so consumed in the now, that I haven't even thought about the future. For the first time in my life, I don't have a plan. It's scary, sure, but I have a feeling trying to make the plan might just be scarier.

"Can't I just have this time, Hudson? Is that too much to ask?" I look out over the water and nibble on my straw.

"Sure you can, Ellie. It's just not like you, to not think ahead, I mean. But that's not the point. I just want you to remember you have to give yourself a break. If you crash, we'll all crash. I know it's not fair but you're the core." Hudson's fingers tangle in my hair and he pulls my head down onto his shoulder again, turning his face into my hair. "I love you, Elle. I'm just worried."

"I love you too, Hudson. I promise you don't have to be. I appreciate it, but as long as I have you, I'll always be fine."

"Then you'll always be fine." His lips press against my temple, then he pulls back, offering me a bite of his rocky road cone. I know he's only offering because he regrets not getting mint chocolate chip like I did, it's our favourite flavour. So I hand him my shake and he grins, taking a long sip before standing and pulling me to my feet. "C'mon. We've got a welcome home party to plan."

Just a few hours later, squeals and shrieks of laughter roll out across the water as we play on the dock. My super soaker water gun is nearly empty and I need to refill it without getting shot again. I'm already dripping wet, but this is my last life. Brodie and Theo have ganged up on me mercilessly.

Tess, Mads, and Steph have each been killed five times, so they're out, sipping some fruit wine, lounging in the sun. I sort of wish I could join them, maybe I should let myself get killed again. But, my pride, and my competitive spirit won't allow it.

I was so happy Mads' dad made an exception to let her come today. I'd assured him it was a family focused event, and after asking three times, begging really, he'd eventually agreed, with an early curfew.

Brodie and Theo each only have one life left and I plan to take one of them down with me. Hudson and I are a team, Brodie and Tess were a team. Theo is the only remaining team member of his and Mads' team. Hudson and Greyson both have two lives left. Tess was the first to die, so Greyson's been on his own for most of the game. I'm even pretty sure Tess had blasted herself the last round so she could go have some wine.

Sliding out from my hiding spot, I lower myself into the water and take a deep breath, swimming all the way out to the trampoline, sliding under it, and coming up underneath the black top. Taking several deep breaths, I unscrew my blaster bottle and fill it with water. I review my game plan. Find Brodie and, or Theo, and shoot. Seems simple enough, but I have no clue where they are and last time, I'd taken a blast to the chest from Greyson who'd climbed a tree shooting down at anyone who walked by.

Taking another deep breath, I swim back to the dock and into the boathouse, my lungs bursting by the time I make it inside. Pulling myself up on the back of the boat, I creep to the front, climbing quietly on to the dock. As I slide around the wide barn doors, I freeze when I hear a creak of the dock boards.

Turning quickly, prepared to fire, I breathe a sigh of relief when I see it's Hudson, pulling himself out of the water as well. He holds his finger to his lips and points up at the boathouse roof. I nod and he walks over to me, boosting me up onto his shoulders. When he positions himself, bracing his feet wide, I carefully stand on his shoulders and peek over the edge of the roof.

Brodie is crouched low, looking out over the water. I slide my water gun up to the edge and blast him in the back of the head. He jolts, swearing, but dead and disqualified. I wink and drop down quickly, wobbling on Hudson's shoulders before he grabs my thigh. He turns to let me down and Greyson jumps out from behind the boathouse. I blast Greyson once in the chest before Hudson tosses me into the water, taking a blast in the face from Greyson's water gun then diving in after me.

We each have one life left. Hudson refills the water canister on his super soaker and waves me under the dock with him. I groan silently. I hate being under the dock, all the spider webs here remind me of the nasty little critters that are creeping around silently.

Hudson whispers to me, "You're going to be bait. Let Grey shoot you in the face or something, then cry or pretend your eyes sting from the water. He'll have to help you. I'll shoot him when he does."

I roll my eyes but appreciate the plan. I'm starting to get cold and I want to sit with the girls, drink some fruity wine and play twister. We've already been playing the super soaker war game for far too long. I knew we should have only had three lives each.

I whisper Hudson's name a little too loudly, dramatically, pretending to look for him, pretending to sound frustrated that he's left me behind. He grins and gives me a thumbs up.

Swimming as quietly as I can I move to the edge of the dock. Brodie is grinning down at me and holds his hand down, raising an eyebrow. I grab his hand, letting him pull me up quickly and quietly. I use his big body as a shield, hiding behind him. Theo whips around the corner, faltering as he only sees Brodie, and I drop down, shooting him from between Brodie's legs, grinning like a maniac when he slaps his hand dramatically over his chest, pretending to die and splash into the water.

Brodie and I wiggle fingers together in celebration, and he yanks my braid pointing around the corner. He leads the way and we walk by the girls. I crouch between their chairs and take the wineglass from Mads, taking a small sip and tossing her a wink.

"Going to be bait for Greyson, when he shoots me, I'll distract him so Hudson can get him." Tess and Steph laugh, loving the plan, knowing what a sucker Greyson is for me. I feel a little bad manipulating him, but all's fair in love and super soaker war as they say.

Mads offers to help me and I grin, nodding, and setting the glass down on the table again. She'll come over, making a fuss over my eyes stinging, which will help sell the act to Greyson. I creep around the corner of the dock and pull back quickly when I see Greyson. I know he's seen me. A buzz of excitement and adrenaline burst through me and I signal to Mads.

I step back around the corner, but instead of Mads waiting for me to get hit, then rushing towards me, she yanks the strings on my bathing suit top, which slides to the dock. I freeze for a moment and Greyson blasts me, center mass to my bare chest. I fumble my super soaker just as Hudson climbs out of the water.

He stares at me for a moment but Greyson drops his water gun and pulls me against his chest, blocking my body from everyone's view as Mads laughs like a lunatic.

Hudson recovers quickly, blasting Greyson in the back, shouting his triumph to the universe.

Laughing, Brodie wanders over, picking up my bikini top and handing it to Greyson. He shoves Hudson off the dock into the water and pulls Theo back around the corner. Tess and Steph are bent double laughing as Greyson passes me my bathing suit top, and I spread it back across my chest, positioning the fabric to cover myself before turning to let Greyson tie it back up. I can feel the blush covering my body, I must be red from the tips of my toes to the top of my forehead.

Greyson's rough whisper in my ear makes me jump. "I certainly won't forget that sight for as long as I'll live."

I'm relieved to hear the teasing smile in his voice. I sag back against him when he ties the bows in double knots this time. "Please tell me that was not part of the plan you cooked up with Hud, Elle."

I turn in his arms, shaking my head. "No way. I was going to work some crocodile tears, Mads was supposed to rush over to me and make a big deal about it. I hoped you'd shoot me in the face."

He laughs and wraps one arm around me, walking back over to join our friends. I give Mads a stern look, and she smiles innocently, shrugging and giggling. "It worked, didn't it? You and Hud are the reigning champs." She smiles wickedly at me before adding in a whisper just for me, "Plus, he'll be thinking of that all night long."

I roll my eyes. Not exactly the way I'd pictured standing topless in front of Greyson this time, considering the first time was also an accident. For starters, I'd have preferred to be alone, without the audience of my oldest friends. I also would have preferred it to be intentional. I groan. I will probably never hear the end of this one.

Hudson walks over to me and tosses a wink in my direction. "Man, Ellie, I know you like to win as much as anyone, but that was next level."

Greyson blasts him with the water gun, right in the face which makes Hudson laugh, a booming, boisterous laugh that carries in the wind and over the water, making the rest of us laugh with him too.

- - -

I hope you enjoyed the fun day of mindless play Elle and Hudson arranged for their friends. No matter what you might be going through, sometimes you just need to set aside some time to spend with friends, family, or doing something you love.

I can't believe how excited/emotional I am as I write the last 8-9 chapters. What an incredible journey so far! I've connected with so many amazing readers and writers, who have inspired me so much! 

I hope you're continuing to enjoy the work, if you are drop me a comment to met me know, or consider voting!

Xx Toria