Page 121 of You + Me – Against the World

Between our assignments at the botanical garden, the museum, and the Wrigley Memorial; our lessons on the temperate oceanic climate, dolphin language, and the disappearance of the island’s foxes; and the hikes we take to observe a few rare bison or the eagle chicks in their nursery, we don’t have much free time left. Well, except for the traditional evening campfire where everyone shares their impressions, flirts a little, and yawns a lot. Vadim and I make our escape from these evening gatherings as soon as we are able to, in search of a huge rock we can hide behind and kiss… before getting caught by a ranger whose job it is to stop just that.

One evening, Vadim and I return from one of our secret escapades, and Clémentine’s eyes twinkle as she looks at me, as if she can’t help but be proud of my rebelliousness. There aren’t many people left around the fire, apart from Basile, who is discreetly flirting with some guy; Tim, who is half asleep but is absolutely determined to be the last to go to bed; and two girls with fake-sounding laughs who are watching him doze off. Vadim creeps over and tickles Tim’s cheek with a twig, yelling, “Spiiiider!” Everyone bursts out laughing when he wakes up with a start. Except him. Clem breaks into an infectious fit of giggles that she simply can’t recover from, imitating the blond basketball player’s howl between gasps for air. Grumbling, he goes off to his tent and zips himself in, his two groupies trotting behind him.

Clémentine takes the opportunity to speak directly to me, which she hasn’t done in a long time. “No, but seriously, Alma, what did you see in him?”

“I ask myself that every day too,” Vadim chimes in.

“It’s true, he’s not very smart,” adds Basile, who we had almost forgotten was there.

“Are you switching sides now?” Clem interrupts, staring at my brother.

“Depends on what you mean by that,” he replies with a sly smile.

“Oh really, so we’re spilling secrets tonight, are we?” Vadim says, amused.

“Wait, what are you three hiding from me?” Clémentine asks.

“Oh come on, you’re in no position to complain about people keeping secrets!” I retort.

“Alright, everyone has to make one confession, but whatever is said in Catalina—and whatever happens in Catalina—stays in Catalina!” my brother warns.

“Go ahead, you start!” I encourage him.

“Well… Alma and Vadim already know, since they spied on me one night,” he says, glaring at us. Then, he turns back to Clémentine, who is growing impatient. “I’ve known you basically forever, and you’re a bit like my third sister, so I feel like I can tell you: I think I’m gay.”

“What?!”

Her eyes widen and her mouth falls open, as theatrical as ever, and I hope she doesn’t make my brother regret his confession.

“No, actually, I’m sure of it,” Basile replies, looking relieved.

“You… Mr. Uptight, the dignified heir, the pain-in-the-ass brother… You’re gay? This is the best news of the year! So, who are you then?” she inquires, pointing to the tall, dark-haired guy sitting not far away.

“Isaac. Isaac Sanders. We take the same classes. He’s the one who dragged me here.”

“Are you a basketball player as well as a marketing student?” Vadim asks, frowning.

“No, but I like watching them play and making fun of them.”

“That’s fine then. You can stay.”

“Alright, your turn, Clem!” I say to change the subject. I hope this is enough to save my brother and his boyfriend from becoming any more uncomfortable than they already are.

“Okay… Unfortunately, I’m not a lesbian, but I have harbored an unconditional love for Alma Lancaster since I was three and a half! That’s why I’ve never been able to stand you, Arcadi!”

“Ha-ha, very funny! But maybe you should spill the beans on your invisible boyfriend instead,” I cajole her, laughing.

“Where do I start? He’s very good-looking… Older than me… A wonderful lover…” she says, her eyes shining.

But that’s all I can get out of her that night. Soon, no one can keep their eyes open, the campfire has been reduced to nothing more than a pile of ashes, and I start to shiver in Vadim’s arms. Isaac and Basile head back to their already occupied tent, and I snuggle up against Vadim in ours, ignoring our two tentmates. When I’m pressed against him, and he’s pressed against me, we’re always alone in the world. Alone, against everyone else.

***

It’s already our second to last day at the camp, but above all, our very last evening on this magical, wild island, cut off from the rest of the world. I never imagined this spring break would be so surprising, so enriching, and—yes—rejuvenating. Bonds have formed between all the students, friendships have been made or rekindled, and love stories have begun, as if nature itself wanted to set things right with the arrival of spring… unless it was simply chance that brought us all here.

Timothy Wallace has been sulking all day, even though we’ve had plenty of free time. The rest of us have made the most of it: swimming in the ocean, playing soccer on the beach, having pillow fights, picnicking on the sand, and screaming our heads off during a massive zip-line session. Everyone has been having fun, fooling around and laughing right up until the evening gathering, where some people even started singing.

For the past hour, Clémentine has been entertaining us with her gravelly voice and wild dance moves. Then, suddenly, I see her walking away with Vadim. I wonder what they are plotting, but mostly I’m just thrilled that my boyfriend and my best friend are finally getting closer.