The Boy From Summer 2023

Through the camp light

The night breeze brushed gently against Dahlia’s skin as she made her way toward the hangout spot. She had spent a good minutes choosing her outfit, finally settling on a nice one she liked. One thing about Dahlia is that she loved dressing up. No matter where she was going.

The camp path was dimly lit, lined with lights that twinkled above the grass. Dahlia was scrolling through her phone to reread Rose’s message when she accidentally bumped into someone.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!” Dahlia said quickly, looking up.

The girl in front of her turned, and for a second, Dahlia forgot how to breathe. She looked like a porcelain doll, beautiful smile, dark glossy hair that framed her face perfectly, and eyes that seemed to glimmer under the light.

“It’s okay.” the girl said with a soft smile.

“Hey, you’re new here, right?”

Dahlia nodded. “Yeah. I've been here for maybe about 5 days now.”

“I thought so.” the girl replied. Her voice was calm but sweet, almost musical. “I’m Hana.”

“Dahlia.” she said, still staring, a little mesmerized.

“Pretty name” Hana said. “So, where are you heading this late?”

“Oh, um, my friend Rose is hosting a hangout. She invited me tonight.”

Hana’s expression brightened.

“Really? That’s nice. I’m actually hosting one, too, over by the campfire area near the lake.”

Dahlia blinked in surprise. “Wait, there are different hangouts?”

Hana chuckled softly. “Yeah. Rose and the others usually gathers her group by the studio, and I usually stay near the lake. Different vibes, I guess.”

“Oh, you know Rose?" Dahlia smiled awkwardly. "Yeah, we're mutuals." She says, smiling back. “I didn’t know that. I thought there was just one big hangout. No wonder I didn't see you yesterday.”

“It’s okay,” Hana said kindly. “You’re still new. Feel free to drop by ours when you have time. We’ve got music, snacks, and some pretty cool people.”

“That sounds fun,” Dahlia said. “Maybe I’ll check it out later.”

“I’d like that,” Hana replied. “See you around, Dahlia.”

“See you,” Dahlia said, smiling as Hana walked away.

For a moment, Dahlia stood still, glancing between the path to Rose’s hangout and the trail leading toward the lake. She couldn’t shake the curiosity building inside her.

Different hangout parts? Different people? Different vibes?

She continued walking, but the thought lingered in her mind like a quiet hum she couldn’t turn off.

Dahlia decided to head to Rose’s hangout after her short encounter with Hana. The old studio looked the same as before, warm lights, soft chatter, and a hint of drums echoing through the walls.

As soon as she stepped in, she spotted Rose near the front, laughing at something someone said. They noticed each other at the same time.

“Hi!” they both said in the same time, which made them laugh.

The place was fuller tonight. New faces, louder voices, and that familiar buzz of energy that came when people were excited. Since it was a music camp, most of them took turns on the small stage, singing, playing instruments, showing off what they could do.

“Hey, your turn next,” Rose said, nudging her.

Dahlia blinked. “Wait, what? No way.”

“Oh, come on! Everyone gets a turn!”

She shook her head quickly. “Nope. It's not happening. I don’t sing.”

Rose looked surprised. “You don’t? But… this is a music camp...”

“I know. I just do other things. I can play, though,” she said, smiling a little.

Rose raised a brow. “Play what?”

“Pretty much anything,” Dahlia replied casually.

That got Rose’s attention. She called over a few people with guitars and a keyboard. “Alright then. Show us what you’ve got. I'll sing and you play.” Rose smiled.

Dahlia hesitated for a second but then stepped up to the small stage. The lights hit her face softly as she adjusted the keyboard. The room went quiet. As they started playing, the music filled the space so effortlessly that people began to sway. Dahlia didn’t look nervous at all, just focused. Calm. Like she belonged there.

When they finished, the group clapped and cheered. Rose sang amazingly. “You’re seriously good. Why didn’t you say that earlier?”

Dahlia smiled. “You didn’t ask.”

After a few more songs, she began to feel the weight of the day. Her fingers were sore, and the noise started to blur together. She moved toward the back, chatting with a few people who complimented her playing. It was fun, but she could already feel herself getting tired.

The room was getting packed. More people kept coming in, laughing, singing, even sitting on the floor. Dahlia spotted Rose again and walked over.

“It’s getting crowded,” she said.

“Yeah, it always does around this time,” Rose replied.

“Do the other hangouts get this packed too?” Dahlia asked. “I met this girl earlier, Hana, I think. She said she’s hosting one near the lake.”

Rose glanced at her, her tone careful. “Hana’s hangouts are… different. You’ll see if you ever go.”

Dahlia nodded, curious. “Maybe I will.”

Rose smiled faintly. “Don’t get too curious.”

Dahlia laughed softly. “No promises.”

She checked the time on her phone. “I think I’ll head back soon. I need my sleep or I’ll be a zombie tomorrow.”

“Alright. See you tomorrow then,” Rose said, giving her a quick hug before turning back to the group.

Dahlia slipped out quietly and followed the gravel path back toward the dorms. The night air was cool, and music still echoed faintly behind her. But when she passed by the lake, she saw lights shimmering across the water. Voices. Laughter.

Hana’s hangout.

Curiosity tugged at her, so she walked closer. The lake reflected the string lights that hung between trees. A small group sat near the edge, some talking, others playing guitar.

Hana noticed her almost instantly. “Hey! You came!” she said with a bright smile.

Dahlia smiled back. “Yeah, I was just walking by. Thought I’d check it out.”

“You’re welco44me anytime,” Hana said warmly, motioning for her to join. “Oh, and this is Zane. He’s new too.”

Zane smiled but didn't really acknowledge her. Maybe he was shy.

“Hey. You’re Dahlia, right? I heard you played earlier.” A nearby girl states.

Dahlia sat down and smiled. “Yeah, that was me.”

“Cool. I'm Bea. Maybe you can play for us sometime." Said the girl.

“Nice to meet you, and maybe.” Dahlia replied, smiling.

As Dahlia looked around, her eyes caught a familiar face. River. The first person who she met that camp.

Their gazes met across the group. He tilted his head with a small smile, and she smiled back, giving a little wave.

Bea noticed. “Wait, you know River?”

“Yeah,” Dahlia said casually.

Bea leaned in a bit. “You two close?”

“Not really,” Dahlia replied. “We just know each other.”

It was true. Dahlia wasn’t the type to be close with guys. She had crushes on some. For a week or two but never hangs out with them. She usually preferred hanging out with girls. Men, in her experience, carried a kind of energy she didn’t always like, but sometimes, conversation slipped through anyway. She didn’t mention that part to Bea though.

“What about you? You close with him?” Dahlia asked.

Bea shook her head. “No.”

Dahlia nodded, and Bea excused herself a few minutes later to join a small group near the fire.

River came over soon after, sitting down beside her with that easy smile on his.

“Didn’t expect seeing you here.” he said.

“I didn’t either.” she replied. “I was just walking by and saw the lights.”

“Oh, guess that’s how Hana ropes people in.” River said, chuckling.

"Pretty sure she doesn't need to rope them, she's freaking gorgeous!" She states. Admiringly looking at Hana.

They talked for a while, about Rose’s hangout, the people there, random camp stuff. River had a way of making conversation feel light. Dahlia found herself laughing more than she expected. Maybe guys weren’t always that bad.

But then, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Tori entering the area with a few friends.

Her smile faltered. She glanced at her watch. “It’s getting late,” she said, standing up. “I should head back.”

River looked up at her. “Already?”

“Yeah,” she said, forcing a small smile. “Long day.”

He nodded. “Alright. See you tomorrow?”

“Maybe...” she said, giving a small wave before turning toward the path back to her dorm.

She liked talking to River, he was funny, easy to be around, but she wasn’t in the mood for drama.

Not tonight.