We continued to spend the day in each other’s company as we basked in the sun along the beach. Once we returned to the campsite we began to get thing organized for dinner. This was my groups responsibility to take care of. I must say we did a pretty good job. The menu consisted of fire roasted hot dogs, potato chips, 7-up and for dessert…. Chocolate marshmallow banana boats.
After supper we sat around the fire and told ghost stories as it got dark for the evening. Before we knew it the time keepers reminded us that is was almost lights out. We were all having so much fun that none of us wanted to go the bed. But we were on a schedule. We all slowly gathered up our things and headed to each of our assigned tents. I volunteered to be on clean up so I stayed behind to put the campsite back in order. Lee asked Mr. Lester if he could help me as there was a lot to clean up after 23 students.
Mr. Lester agreed with Lee and thanked him for volunteering to help. Together we quickly started to pick up all the wrappers, napkins and garbage from supper. We then placed all the leftover food back in the coolers and boxes on the bus. They were safe there in case any critters came looking for a snack. Once our task was competed I began to head over to my tent to turn in for the night. As I approached I could hear the girls giggling inside. A welcome sound to my ears. Most nights as I headed to bed the silence was deafening. Knowing Jack would be in to wake me, but not tonight. I breathed a sigh of relief as I reached for the zipper on the tent door. Just as I was, Lee called out to me from the fire pit.
I had forgotten my blanket on my chair next to the fire. We both began to walk towards each other so that I could retrieve my blanket. As we reached each other butterfly’s began to flutter in my stomach. Lee made me nervous. I had a crush on him. As we made eye contact I could tell something was different. Once he was standing right in front of me he handed me my blanket with one had as his other hand reached up to put my hair behind my ear. Then Lee reached in and kissed me! I couldn’t believe what was happening. For the first time someone kissed me … he kissed me.
It all happened so fast and before I knew it I was walking back to my tent with a smile on my face from ear to ear. I was too young to truly know anything about love, but in that moment I actually began to believe. To believe that there was more than darkness, that there was also something beautiful out there in the world too. It was hope! I believe it was this moment that I began to believe again that I could endure. There was more out there in the world and one day I would be free to see that. I began to hope again that one day I would be free.
My first real kiss. But it was so much more than just that. It was a moment that helped me to know that I could hold on.
Brave Enough by Dawn Marie 
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