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“This didn’t go as I thought it would” I mumbled to Kev, he just nodded his head in agreement, seemingly just as surprised; and confused as I was. The girls knew what they were doing… like really knew. Teegan and Imogen were knelt down in front of us, hands working like they did this every day.
“Just keep blowing on it” Teegan mumbled, guiding Imogen. It was obvious Teegan has had plenty of experience but Imogen was doing a pretty good job herself. She said it was her first time but after what Kev and I just experienced I find it hard to believe. “Almost there… You got it, you got it!” Teegan squealed.
Imogen sat up a little bit and looked over her work before squealing in excitement. She leaned over and hugged Teegan, both equally as happy as the other. They both stood up, dusting themselves off in the process. “And that boys,” Teegan Smirked, “Is how you start a fire.”
“How the hell did you…” Kevin started but paused, crossing his arms over his chest; obviously embarrassed. I couldn’t blame him, I was too. “We were trying to get that started for ages!” he exclaimed. It’s true, not only did they set up their tents extremely quickly, they got the fire started in literally like 2 minutes. I’m glad Skye, Seb and Chase were out scouting for firewood because that would have made it so much worse.
Teegan shrugged, “You just haven’t got that magic touch.” I couldn’t help myself, glaring at the smug look on her face.
“It took you like 2 minutes” I exclaimed, “It’s just not possible!”
“I go camping all the time with my family” she laughed, “I’d be more embarrassed if I couldn’t get it started.” That made me feel a little better, at least there’s a reason as to why she’s so good at it… and I would have been fine with that; I really would have, before Imogen added “Girls 1 – guys 0.” She winked at me, giving Teegan a high-five before turning and walking side by side back to their tent.
“Well this is just embarrassing” I muttered to Kev, shaking my head in disapproval.
“Let’s just put it behind us” Kev suggested with a sad laugh.
“Agreed. This never happened” I nodded. “I’m just thankful no one else was-” I was cut off by the sound of Seb’s voice.
“You got the fire going!” He exclaimed, running over like a child. “Wow, you guys did a great job” He looked at us with a grin, admiring ‘our’ craftsmanship.
“Like salt in a wound” I heard Kev mutter quietly and I agree; my pride is seriously wounded right now.
“Yeah they were like pros.” I looked over and sure enough Teegan and Imogen were walking back over; smirks clearly plastered on their pretty little faces.
“Yeah you should have seen them” Imogen added to Teegan’s comment. I swear they had this rehearsed because as if on cue they both started mocking us, imitating 2 people undoubtedly failing to start a fire.
Skye looked from them, to the fire, then back to us; her face suddenly lighting up. “Don’t tell me…” She gasped, covering her mouth with both hands, “You’s couldn’t” she pointed to us, “and they”, she pointed at the girls. “OMG this is fantastic” she cheered before breaking into laughter. I don’t think I have ever been so embarrassed in my life… Even Seb was laughing at us. Clutching at his stomach as he curled over. The traitor.
I didn’t say anything, I just stared at the ground momentarily before turning around and heading in the direction of the river. “Wait for me buddy” Kev said, I could hear his footsteps behind me. I glanced to my left one more time, catching a glimpse of Chase as he watched the incident unfold. He stood there with his hand half covering his mouth. It was obvious he was laughing but nowhere near as much as everyone else. When he saw me looking over at him he quickly stopped, moving his hand and replacing his smile with a straight face; though you could still see a slight smile tugging at his lips. I’m not too sure why but I couldn’t help but let out a quiet chuckle as his actions.
…
We only waited about 20 minutes by the water before we started getting bored and headed back to the group. Someone had moved the Khaki Wrangler, which I assume belonged to Teegan, so that the back was facing the campfire. There was a speaker system hooked up at the back and music was playing softly as everyone sat around talking and laughing amongst themselves. As we got closer we could start making out what they were saying.
“Come on Tee!” I heard an unfamiliar voice exclaim, “Don’t tell them that!” Though the voice was unfamiliar, I instantly knew who it was because of the Irish accent undoubtedly present in the voice. We spoke briefly before when Teegan introduced us to him, but he didn’t really talk too much and his accent wasn’t as obvious. Maybe he’s getting a little more comfortable?
“But it’s hilarious!” Teegan whined.
“That’s not the point!” He shouted, “The less people that know the better! It’s bad enough you told them!” He pointed at Skye and Imogen who were just sitting there laughing.
“Now I want to know!” Seb whined! “Life’s not fair” He crossed his arms over his chest, a childish pout on his lips.
“What did we miss?” I asked, making everyone turned their heads in our direction.
“Teegan was just telling us a little about Chase” he grinned. Boy that guys mood changes quickly. I glanced over a Chase who was sitting on the ground; back pressed against the log behind him. His face was buried in his hands from embarrassment and I couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for him.
“Sweet” I said, feigning enthusiasm; taking a seat next to Imogen. “But I thought maybe we could talk about that time you called that guy your dad’s name during sex.” I nodded my head in Teegan’s direction.
Her face immediately went bright red as everyone starting laughing. “I told you that in confidence!” she yelled, hands covering her face.
“Correction” I smirked, “You told me when you were drunk”
“I told you not to tell anyone!” she countered.
“Oh yeah that’s right” I mumbled, covering my mouth; feigning innocence, “I completely forgot.” Chase lifted his gaze, looking at me from under his lashes from the other side of the fire where he sat. I gave him a quick wink before refocusing my attention to Teegan. “I’m so sorry”
“Whatever” She muttered.
…
Conversation went on like that for a few hours. Teegan recovered from her embarrassment quickly as everyone seemed to forget about it just as quick. I asked Chase a few questions and he told me a little about himself and what it was like living back in Ireland. He liked in there but he loves it here, he’s not sure why though but that’s understandable. Maybe it really is better here? Or maybe it’s because he never really had a say in it when his parents decided to leave his home country to start a new life here; and he had to learn to love it. Who knows?
Things with Imogen were going great as well. We’ve been talking and even openly flirting a little over the last few hours. She’s been subtly touching my arm and leg; and I, hers. So I repeat, it’s going great. Kev sat next to Teegan as well, though not as close as us. Whenever he said something funny, or even something that wasn’t; she would laugh quietly and his smirk was just getting bigger and bigger each time.
“Look at the sunset” Chase smiled, pointing up at the sky.
We all turned our heads in the direction of where he was pointing. It was only just starting to get dark but sure enough; it was a beautiful sight. The sun was just ducking behind the cover of the clouds, which seemed to burn bright orange from the embers of their core. The blue of the sky was tinged a purple hue that seemed to swallow up its surrounding. “Wow” I whispered. It was gorgeous. “The second prettiest thing in sight” I continued, loud enough for only Imogen to hear. I couldn’t help but smirk at the giggle that left her lips.
“You know what that means people!” Sebastian shouted, breaking the tranquil silence that formed within our circle. “I think it’s time to get food cooking! I’m starving.” It wasn’t until then did I realise that I was actually getting a little hungry myself.
“Good idea” I praised, clapping my hands together and I stood up. “Kevin” I continued, “I require your assistance” I tried to put on my best French chef accent but it failed; but as always, Kev had me covered.
“Yes Chef!” He grinned, standing up and walking over to me.
“On tonight’s menu” I continued in my accent, “We have-” I stopped suddenly, looking down at Chase. “You’re not vegetarian are you?” I asked, in a semi-hushed tone.
“Most certainly not” he chuckled, shaking his head. The girls laughed as well… wasn’t that funny was it?
“Thank god” I sighed with relief, “I wouldn’t have been prepared for that” I admitted mostly to myself. Chase laughed once more. “As I was saying” I cleared my throat, refreshing my accent, “On tonight’s menu we have burgers… and that just about covers it”
“Yes!” Seb exclaimed, “I love burgers.”
“You love everything” I deadpanned, “Don’t get too excited; they were cheap. I don’t know if I could have afforded to more expensive brands because some of us eat a lot” I nodded my head in his direction. I was dead serious… how he managed to stay skinny is beyond me.
He just shrugged before looking down at his belly, “Don’t listen to them; you’re perfect just the way you are.”
I laughed, shaking my head before turning to Kev. “Let’s just get this over with”
“Agreed” He chuckled.
…
This is the part of the night I was looking forward to the most; the drinks are out and the music’s been turned up a few notches. It’s the time when every lets their hair down and doesn’t really give a shit… not that we did before but that’s beside the point.
I took another swig of my beer; watching the girls as they danced by the fire to the pop song currently playing through the stereo. It was Skye’s music so I had no idea what it was; it had Rhianna in it though. That much I could tell. Sebastian was also up there with them but I wouldn’t call what he was doing dancing… I’m actually not sure what I would call it to be honest?
I changed seats when Imogen got up to start dancing. I was now sitting on the ground making small talk with Chase; I could tell we was still a little uncomfortable. He was fine when the girls were around though. I don’t know if it’s just my stubborn side talking but it kinda bothered me that he didn’t feel comfortable around me.
“You don’t want something else to drink?” I asked, nodding my head at his beer; breaking the silence that settled after my last question a few moments ago. “We have other drinks in the cooler.” I’ve noticed that he doesn’t really drink much. Whilst I was on my third beer, he was still working through his first.
He turned to me quickly, as if a little startled by my question. We made eye contact for a brief second before his shifted gaze a little to the right. “Nah I’m good” he smiled, “Beers good; I just like taking my time.” He took another sip before refocusing his eyes on the ground in front of him.
I nodded my head in understanding. A few seconds passed before I spoke again. “Why don’t you go dance? Looks like fun” I suggested.
He laughed in response. It sounded genuine and I couldn’t help but smile at that. “I can’t dance” he chuckled, “Not in the slightest.”
“And you think he can?” I asked, pointing at Sebastian; who was completely unaware of my teasing.
He looked up and grinned “What do you even call that?” he mused. I smiled at his choice of words.
“I’ve been trying to figure it out for ages” I admitted, “and I still haven’t the slightest of a clue” I took another swig of my beer, realising I was now empty. When did that happen? “I’ll be back in a sec,” I lifted up my empty bottle, “Need a refill”
“Yeah sure thing” he nodded before looking back at Seb, a smile playing on his lips.
I stood up; brushing the dust off my arse in the process. I walked over, dropping my bottle into bucket that was already almost full from everyone’s drinks; cringing internally at the sound of glass hitting glass. Maybe I’ll just place it next time.
Just as I grabbed another bottle from the cooler I felt someone’s hand wrap around my wrist. I turned, seeing Imogen grinning at me. “Come dance with us!” she shouted, raising her voice because of the music. I could tell she’s had a few too many.
“I’d love to” I replied, raising my voice as well.
“Great” she grinned, pulling me over to where everyone else dancing. As she did, I glanced over to Chase; sitting with his back pressed against the log, beer loosely wrapped in his fingers; the fire illuminating his features.
“Sorry” I mouthed as we made eye contact. He just laughed and shrugged his shoulders, mouthing what I assumed to be “Don’t worry about it”. I motioned for him to come join us but he just shook his head, mouthing “No way”. I chuckled before nodding my head, mouthing an “Okay”.
As I joined the group to do my interpretation of dancing… don’t judge me; I never said I could. I glanced back over at him. Maybe it was the guilt from leaving him there alone, but I almost considered going back over to sit with him. The only thing that stopped me was Imogen as she started grinding up against me. I could lie and say that it was enough to push him completely out of my mind but it wasn’t; the guilt was still there. I pushed it aside the best I could, this is Imogen Taylor for god’s sake.
-End of Chapter 3-
A/N- So that was chapter 3.. what’d you think?
Attached picture is Imogen Taylor, or Hayden Panetierre as she is more commonly known!
The attached link is Heart’s on Fire by Passenger. Its the acoustic version though. I love his original versions but i love his acoustic versions because of how raw and beautiful they sound.. i highly recommend them!
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