Prologue
The summer between 10th and 11th grade was a summer of firsts. My first summer camp outside Breckenridge, my first kiss, my first trip to the UK. But most of all, it was the first time I saw myself through someone else’s eyes. That summer, I discovered that our journey wouldn’t be simple. Looking back, I realize it was just the beginning. We had so many years—and so many lives—yet to live, together.
Growing up in the mountains of Colorado, you don’t need summer camp to teach you how to survive in the wilderness. You already know how to build a fire, fish for dinner, and pitch a tent. Nature’s right outside your door. This camp wasn’t about learning to rough it. It was about learning who I am—and what Kent really meant to me. And, if I’m being honest, it was about growing my resume for college. A summer camp focused on the history of Colorado and its indigenous people wasn’t typical.
The week before we left, our friend group met up at our favorite coffee shop in Breckenridge, The Grind House. We spent most of the school year there, tucked into cozy booths over whipped cream-topped lattes and iced coffees, even in the cool mountain weather. But this time, they weren’t going to let me off easy.
“So, Danny,” Tamaya said, narrowing their eyes at me with a smirk, “a history camp? Are you serious?” They leaned back, folding their arms in mock suspicion. “Couldn’t you just, I don’t know, read a book if you’re so obsessed with Colorado history?”
I laughed, rolling my eyes. “It’s not just about history. It’s a whole summer program at the university in Boulder. We get to explore the area, learn from actual professors, and do field trips. It’s pretty cool.”
Matty leaned forward, his short, muscular frame barely filling his side of the booth, and smirked. “What I’m hearing is…summer school for history nerds.” He shot Kent a teasing grin. “And you’re dragging our man Kent into it? I thought you two were spending the summer camping, not reading about camping.”
“Hey,” I protested, shrugging, “Kent’s coming voluntarily. Right, Kent?” I nudged him, hoping he’d back me up.
Kent gave me a sideways look with a smirk. “Yeah, sure, voluntarily.” He chuckled and added, “Okay, you’re kind of forcing me.”
Danielle, my twin sister, tossed her long chestnut hair over her shoulder, a mischievous smile on her face. “What happened to your plan of spending summer nights under the stars, Kent?” she teased. “You’re really trading in s’mores for lectures?”
Kent shook his head, laughing. “I’ll survive a little history camp. It’s just a month, right?”
Tamaya shook their head in mock pity. “Kent, I’d say I’m sorry for you, but we all know you’re being willingly abducted.” They raised their iced coffee in a mock toast. “Here’s to Danny dragging us all into another one of his schemes.”
I held up my hands in defense. “Hey, Tamaya, you’re coming too! You could’ve stayed here and played basketball all summer or something, but you signed up just like we did.”
They grinned, waving off my argument. “Oh, you know I’m just going so I can school you boys on the history quizzes.” They raised an eyebrow, their confidence gleaming. “Just wait—I’ll be winning every challenge they throw at us.”
Matty chuckled. “Yeah, sure, Tamaya. You go impress the professors. I’ll be here, making the wrestling team proud without all the extra credit.”
Danielle leaned forward, grinning. “You guys are ridiculous. Danny just wants to be valedictorian someday, so he’s dragging you all along to help him get there.”
Kent nudged me, his tone playful. “Can’t argue with that. If anyone’s going to drag me to a camp about history, I guess it’s you, Danny.” He was serious but couldn’t resist laughing after he said it. They all laughed. They often united in their teasing of me, and truth be told, I loved it.
I felt my face heat up, but I covered it with a shrug. “You guys are just jealous because I have a vision for the future,” I joked.
The teasing continued as we laughed over our coffee and threw in a few bets about who would hate camp the most. But as the jokes settled, I glanced at Kent. This would be the first summer we weren’t just camping out in the mountains. I couldn’t put it into words, but it felt exciting—the thought of seeing him outside his element.
Later, as we all said our goodbyes outside the coffee shop, Kent nudged my shoulder. “So, you really think I’ll like this camp?”
“Honestly?” I looked at him with a grin. “I think it’ll be a nice change. Besides, it’s not all lectures. There’s exploring, and they said we’d be hiking around Boulder too.”
Kent nodded, looking past me toward the mountains in the distance. “As long as I’m not stuck in a classroom the whole time, I guess I’ll survive.”
“That’s the spirit,” I said, trying to sound encouraging. But deep down, I knew this summer was going to be more than just camp. And as I watched Kent’s easy smile fade into thought, I had a feeling he sensed it too.
It was going to be a summer of firsts, and I had no idea just how much it would change us.