The Summer Affair

Episode 2 - The Encounter

WYATT

It isn’t until midday when I see her. Unsurprisingly she’s with Greta again, immersed in some conversation that’s clearly excited her as her animated face is lit up with enthusiasm. I see slimy Oscar head over to them and I tut. I don’t know why it’s pissing me off so much to see her being leeched on by him, yet I can’t look away either. I make eye contact with the ever enigmas Greta and as she raises an eyebrow at me I leave. I walk around the cabins to an area I know nobody will find me and pull the little box from my pocket. I know you’re not meant to smoke here, something about cleansing the body, but my body craves something to do other than think. I find a fallen tree to perch on and light up. I could be back in my dream sitting here, only the birdsong for company. I close my eyes, inhaling the mixture of clean air and toxic smoke.

“Do you have a spare?” The soft voice asks me gently. She perches next to me and the pleasant smell of a sweet perfume comes into the mix. I open my eyes to find a welcome greeting of her smiling face. She looks different in the light. The revealing dress replaced by some expensive looking gym wear, her hair loosely plaited.

“You know it’s against the rules here.” I state, handing her a cigarette from the box.

“I’ll take the chance of facing the wrath of Kat.”

“Kat?”

“The red head.” She replies, taking the lighter from me. She lights up the end of the cigarette and takes a long drag.

“I don’t really smoke.” She says exhaling slowly.

“Me neither.” I smirk.

We sit in silence for a bit. I stare at an ant climbing a stalk of grass, trying to think of something to say. I chance a look at her and find myself drawn into her. Her eyes are closed, each dark eyelash touching her cheeks. She’s not wearing any makeup and she looks more beautiful for it. I can see light freckles dotting her nose. She peeks through one eye.

“Why are you staring at me?” She asks lightly, a smile playing on her lips.

“I’m just trying to work out who you are.”

“Hm” she says, closing her eyes again. I look away, slightly embarrassed that I’ve been caught.

“Who has the blonde?” She asks. Her eyes staring into mine. I can see brown speckles dotted across the green.

“What blonde? I ask in confusion.

“On your screensaver?” She says, dropping the cigarette to the floor and stubbing it out with her foot. Ah so now I have to explain Rachel.

“My ex - Rachel.” Her lip twitches slightly into a smile. “Why, you interested?” I ask, feeling much braver and ballsier than usual. She smiles properly now, a dimple appearing in one cheek.

“Maybe.” She responds. I’m just about to say something when there’s a sharp intake of breath behind us.

“Oh my god! Are you two smoking?” It’s the redhead, Kat I think Kate said her name was. I hastily drop the still burning cigarette and stand up in defence.

“Absolutely not!” Kate says, her voice feigning shock.

“Do you think I’m dumb? I just saw you.”

Kate stands up and turns to Kat. I can’t help but check out her arse as the gym leggings cling to every curve.

“Look, Kat. The truth is, yes, yes we were smoking. BUT we have a good reason?

“We do?” I ask, shooting her a puzzled look.

“Yes Wyatt, we should be honest here.” Kat looks between the two of us with confusion.

“The truth is, Wyatt here needed the cigarette to help him relax. You see, he’s met someone here that he’s attracted to and it’s causing him a bit of bother. He has a thing for red heads you know.” She gives Kat this look to indicate that she’s the one giving me bother and Kat’s expression softens. She gives me a rather sickly look and her cheeks flush.

“We’ll make sure you don’t do it again. You’ll have to give me the rest please Mr Brown.”

“Oh please, call me Wyatt.” I say, handing her the packet. She gives me a smile that makes me feel a bit guilty for going along with this and turns on her heels.

“Thanks.” I say to Kate who has a satisfied smirk.

“You’re welcome.” She says, hopping over the log. “Thanks for the cigarette” she adds before walking away without even looking back. I stand there for a moment, a childish grin spread across my face. Damn, I need to know more of her.

Ella

There was something about pretending to be someone else that was totally exhilarating. Kate gave me the confidence I often lacked. Most people just viewed me as the pretty girl, but never bothered to look past that. The people here all seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say, what my opinion was. Then there was Wyatt. When I’d bumped into him at the party he had taken me by surprise. He was easily the most attractive man I had ever had the pleasure of meeting and truthfully he made me nervous. Yet when I spoke to him in the woods I felt totally at ease, like I was taking, or rather flirting with an old friend. I’d kept my distance from him on the hike at lunch, opting to walk with Greta and Oscar instead. I made sure to laugh a little louder than usual but with great determination didn’t look behind me.

“So darling, you made a great impression last night.” Greta says winking at me as Oscar went to speak to another couple ahead of us.

“What can I say; Kate is obviously far more interesting than boring old Ella.”

“Oh please. Sometimes we just need a little Kate in us to make our true self shine.” She raises her eyebrows at me knowingly and nudges my elbow. I want to ask her about Wyatt but I don’t want to appear like a fourteen year old school girl.

“You know a certain Mr Brown can’t seem to take his eyes of you.” Greta says, peeking behind her. My heart skips a little.

“We met in the woods earlier. He snuck me a cigarette.” I say innocently.

“Is that all he snuck?” She teases. I give her a look that makes her laugh.

“Oop, looks like he’s coming this way, I’ll leave you to it.” With that she’s scurried off ahead leaving me just enough time to compose myself before Wyatt is at my side.

“So I must admit, I don’t tend to read my competitors novels. Why don’t you enlighten me as to what I’m missing out on?”

“Ah, I have exactly the same issue. You go first.” I’m hoping he calls my bluff.

“Hm ok. Well it’s nothing spectacular.”

“Only spectacular enough to be at the top of the Globers list.” I interrupt, looking up at him. He smiles at me, his warm brown eyes lighting up.

“I guess. I’m not sure how it took off so well to be honest. It was my sixth novel, the one that took me the least amount of time. Yet it’s the one that got me recognised.” He shrugs his shoulders, a sad look upon his face.

“So why are you here Mr famous author?” I ask him.

“Writers block.” He says simply.

“Because of the blonde?” I probe. He shoots me a look I can’t decipher.

“Partly. I haven’t been able to write since we broke up.”

“Recently?” I ask. My heart sinks, he’s clearly still in love with this woman.

“God, no, it was about eight months ago now. She left me for someone else.” He adds, not making eye contact with me. I touch his arm gently, feeling hard muscle beneath his shirt.

“She’s a fool then.” I say. He smiles at me and I can’t help but smile back.

“Oh Kate!” A voice shouts at me. Oscar stops ahead of us until we catch him up. “I meant to ask you about something.” He says, shooting an annoyed look at Wyatt. Wyatt looks equally annoyed at our conversation being interrupted and with an ‘excuse me’ he heads off to join Greta. He looks back at me and smiles apologetically.

The rest of the day passes rather uneventfully. The afternoon class is enthralling and I can’t believe I’m actually sat surrounded by accomplished authors and being taught by one of the best. I make a mental note to thank my father and never question his motives again. I concentrate on every word Isabelle is saying and when it comes to start writing I find myself filled with inspiration. The next few hours pass by quickly, consumed by my writing I don’t even look up from my laptop, the only sound the repetitive tapping of keys.

“Right ladies and gentlemen” Isabelle announces. “Our time is up. I hope you have found today helpful and informative. But most of all, I hope you all credit me in your next books.”

Everyone titters and begin packing away. Greta stands in front of me, her beautiful silhouette blocking Wyatt from my view.

“Come my little cherub, let me dress you for dinner. I have a feeling there’s someone that wants to know more of you. And it’s not that suck up Oscar.” She grabs my hand before I can even respond and drags me to her cabin.

An hour later I am certainly dressed up for dinner. Greta has dressed me in a high necked sparkly black top with deep plunging mesh panels. Paired with tight black trousers that I’m sure will pop if I eat anything and a pair of Chanel loafers.

“Greta, you simply have to take me shopping with you one day.”

“Of course my love, I’ll be sure to get you styled to be the best dressed on campus come September.”

She throws on a beautiful baby blue satin dress and retrieves a suspicious looking flask from a hidden compartment in her suitcase.

“I’m not new around here.” She laughs. She unscrews the lid and grabbing two glasses pours us a glass of the clear liquid.

“Here’s to writing bestsellers” she says raising her glass. I c***k mine against hers and down the burning liquid.

“And to you bagging a certain tall dark and handsome man.”

“Oh please. He’s not going to be interested in me.” I say. She just smirks at me and takes my hand.

“Trust me, nobody will be safe with you looking like you do right now.”