Caleb Vance had it all: captain of the football team, best-looking guy at Riverside High, and universally loved by his classmates. But beneath the perfect exterior, he carried a secret that weighed him down more than any football practice. Caleb was gay, and no one knew, not even his best friends.

Summer camp was supposed to be an escape, a place where no one knew your name or past, and where you could be whoever you wanted to be. For Caleb Vance, it was a breath of fresh air away from the pressures of high school, football, and the need to keep up appearances. He was the golden boy back home, with a cheerleader girlfriend and a reputation that made his parents proud. But here, at this quiet lakeside camp, he could forget all of that, even if only for a few weeks.

For Guest, camp was something else entirely. It was a place where he could be himself without fear of judgment. Guest was quiet and thoughtful, more comfortable with a book in his hand than a football. He wasn’t out at school, knowing better than to give people another reason to pick on him, but here, among strangers, he felt a little braver.

Caleb first saw Guest during the first night’s campfire. Guest had been sitting off to the side, slightly apart from the others, his face illuminated by the flickering light. Caleb couldn’t help but notice the way Guest’s eyes sparkled as he stared into the flames, lost in thought. There was something about him that drew Caleb in, something he couldn’t explain.

It was one of those warm, late summer nights when it finally happened. They were lying on the dock, staring up at the stars, talking about their dreams and fears, when Caleb’s hand brushed against Guest’s. He hesitated, his heart pounding, but when he didn’t pull away, Caleb intertwined their fingers, leaned in and kissed him.