Noel
The fire crackled in the center of the camp, its warmth pushing back the chill of the evening air. I had just cleaned up after the day’s long trek, and honestly, I was hoping to slip into the background, let everyone else carry on while I simply existed in the periphery. But as soon as I joined the circle, I felt her eyes on me—Bridget, with that look she always gave me. Suspicious. Judging. Like she was trying to peel back my skin and see what secrets I was hiding. I didn’t have the energy to engage, so I ignored her and focused on the fire, the marshmallows being passed around, and the easy laughter that floated through the group.
"Hey, Noel, grab a stick," Tyler said, tossing me one with a marshmallow already skewered at the end. His grin was boyish and infectious, like he was de
