As I settled into my tent with my friends, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. I had forced them to sleep with me, citing a desire for a slumber party, but really, I just wanted to avoid Jackson.
I knew he might try to sneak into my tent again, and I wasn't ready for that. I wasn't ready for the way he made me feel, for the way he looked at me with such intensity.
My friends chattered and laughed, oblivious to my true motives. I smiled and joined in, trying to push thoughts of Jackson out of my mind.
But as I lay there, listening to their gentle snores, I couldn't shake the feeling that Jackson was still out there, watching me, waiting for his chance.
I had thought I was safe, surrounded by my friends, but now I wasn't so sure.
I tried to focus on my breathing, to calm my racing heart. But my mind kept wandering back to Jackson, to the way he had kissed me, to the way he had made me feel.
I knew I had to be careful. I knew I had to keep my distance. But a part of me wondered, what if? What if I let him in, just a little? What if I let him show me how he really felt?
I pushed the thoughts away, trying to focus on sleep. But I knew it would be a long night.
JACKSON POINT OF VIEW 
As the days passed by, I could feel the camp vacation coming to an end. But what was supposed to be a relaxing getaway had turned into a frustrating experience. Cecilia was still keeping her distance from me, and I could sense her trying to avoid me at all costs.
She had started having sleepovers with her friends every night, and I knew it was just a ploy to keep me away. I tried to respect her boundaries, but it was hard when all I wanted was to be close to her.
I would catch glimpses of her during the day, laughing and smiling with her friends, but as soon as I approached, she would clam up and find an excuse to leave.
I felt like I was losing my chance with her, like she was slipping further and further away. I knew I had to do something, but what?
I couldn't force her to talk to me, couldn't force her to feel something she didn't want to feel. All I could do was wait and hope that she would come around.
But as the days turned into hours, and the hours ticked away, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was running out of time. The camp vacation was almost over, and soon we would all be going our separate ways.
I knew I had to make a move, had to try and reach her before it was too late. But how?
CECILIA POINT OF VIEW 
I couldn't believe how fast the camp vacation was flying by. It felt like just yesterday we were arriving, and now we were already talking about packing up to leave.
I was relieved, to be honest. I had been trying to avoid Jackson for what felt like an eternity, and I was exhausted from the effort.
But despite my best attempts, I couldn't shake the feeling that he was still watching me, waiting for me to let my guard down.
I had started having sleepovers with my friends every night, hoping to avoid any more late-night visits from Jackson. And it had worked, so far.
But as we went about our daily activities, I could feel his eyes on me. I would catch him staring at me, his gaze intense and piercing.
I tried to ignore him, to focus on my friends and the activities we had planned. But it was hard when all I wanted was to know what he was thinking, to know why he couldn't just leave me alone.
As the days turned into hours, and the hours ticked away, I knew I had to make a decision. Was I going to let my fear of Jackson control me, or was I going to face him head-on?
I didn't know what the answer was, but I knew I had to do something. I couldn't keep living in fear of what might happen.
Finally the last day, we had all packed our load waiting for tomorrow so we could all go back home.
That night in my tent, Jackson suddenly came to distract me and my friends telling me he wants to talk to him.
"Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?" Jackson asked, appearing at the entrance of my tent.
I hesitated, unsure of what to say. But my friends, sensing an opportunity for drama, eagerly encouraged me to go with him.
"Go on, Cecilia! See what he wants!" one of them whispered.
I rolled my eyes, but got up and followed Jackson to his tent.
"What's up?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
"I just wanted to talk to you before we leave tomorrow," Jackson said, his eyes locked on mine.
"Okay..." I trailed off, unsure of what to say.
"I know I've been pushing you, Cecilia. But it's only because I feel something real between us. Something I don't want to ignore."
My heart skipped a beat as he took a step closer to me.
"Cecilia, can I ask you something?" he said, his voice low and husky.
"Anything," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Do you feel it too?"
I nodded, my heart racing.
And then, in a movement that seemed almost slow-motion, Jackson reached out and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear.
His touch sent shivers down my spine, and I knew I was lost.
"Yes," I whispered, my eyes locked on his.
Jackson smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"I knew it," he whispered, his lips inches from mine.
And then, in a moment that felt like time stood still, he kissed me.
Softly, gently, but with a passion that left me breathless.
I knew, in that moment, that I was his. And he was mine.