<center>
![img.png](https://hips.hearstapps.com/es.h-cdn.co/coses/images/consejos-planes/familia-amigos/7-cosas-que-no-puedes-permitirle-a-tu-companera-de-piso/73122-1-esl-ES/7-cosas-que-no-puedes-permitirle-a-tu-companera-de-piso.jpg)
</center>
The sun beat down on the pavement, reflecting off the glass buildings as the heavy summer heat of Oregon rose through the air. I walked across the street and into camp grounds, making my way towards the usual spot on the climbing wall. The clanking of hiking boots echoed in the large but empty parking lot of the forest service campgrounds. My whole group was here, minus one who had to stay late for some reason. The sound was suddenly interrupted when a familiar gangly figure appeared behind me.

"Hey there, Lilly." The sound of my name was like an 11 year old's favorite Christmas present. It sent spikes of adrenaline through my entire body, almost causing me to jump up and down like a school girl. Lilly smiled widely, and her brown hair fell in her eyes. She made her way over to me, and I wrapped my arms around her and gave her a big squeeze. This always caused her to giggle. We had become friends the moment I arrived at camp, and I loved spending my time with her.

"So, what's going on with you and Brendan?" I asked, leading Lilly along towards the wall as she spoke.

"Wow, It's been two months and we're already asking that," Lilly said sarcastically, rolling her eyes slightly as an angry expression crossed her face.

"I know, but he's been saying some pretty odd things lately."

"What do you mean?" Lilly asked, "Like what?"

"He says that he likes the way that you look in a sweater," I said, smirking slightly, "Like really uses phrases like 'That's a midnight blue number, Lilly!' or 'That's a nice jacket, Lilly!' and stuff." Lilly looked at me with an equally surprised look on her face, and things only got stranger from there.

"That's weird. But at least I know that he likes me! Guys always love me!" Lilly said, but her expression quickly changed to one of disbelief. "Wait a second, I didn't really mean that." She stopped walking, and looked at me as though I was the luckiest girl in the universe.

"What are you talking about? You really love him! What's wrong? Is it that he's too far away to come here? Or is it because you're at an all-girls camp?" Lilly started straightening out her posture, and smoothed down the front of her significantly shorter dress.

"It's nothing. It's nothing at all," Lilly said, starting to walk again, but now she was twisting her hands together anxiously. "My brother is here. He's in Moby's group. They're all helping each other learn groups of knots." Lilly's brother was one of the funniest people I have ever met. He was funny from the moment he opened his mouth, and he probably wasn't even trying. We spent a lot of hours together having tea, and he made me feel like a real human being. When he got here I was sure none of the girls would object to letting me stay with him. Unfortunately, I fulfilled my role in the camp pretty early on by failing the Green group test after only two days. I hadn't even seen the knot test until it was over.

"I'll see you later!" I called out, and began to jog across the lot as fast as my legs would take me. Instead of going to the climbing wall, I had to go straight for the swing set. I was frustrated with myself, and the only way I could cope with my bad luck was to be out there swinging. I was only a few moments into my swing when I felt eyes on me. I sighed and looked over my shoulder. What I saw caused me to drop my books and conceal my face with my hands. I was certain that I could see flames smoldering in response to none other than Brendan Marsh. His cheeks were red, and he was standing about fifteen yards away, holding his oversized pack. He was wearing a white shirt and navy blue shorts, and his thick black hair was slicked back. I had given him a present of his own: a gold chain necklace that was able to change length just by pulling on it. In a way, it was a compass. It pointed in the direction of home, and it was only supposed to wear it for emergencies in case things seemed hopeless. He, however, had been wearing it a few times. I could tell by the way he was holding his fingers behind his neck, but that was a secret I would keep to myself.

"Hey, Lilly, I have to go. I'll see you at dinner." I started to run for my cabin before he could speak. I knew that my friends were talking about me, but I didn't care. I was probably going to be sent home anyway. I was already a failure who nobody liked, and this made things all the worse. All around me I could hear chattering and laughing between the girls, and I longed to join in.

I ducked into a bathroom and tried to clean myself up, but failed. I looked in the mirror and noticed that my uniform had a couple of streaks of dirt. My face looked pale and sweaty. I took my hair out of my low ponytail, fluffed it out, and took a deep breath.

One, two, three! On the fourth step I heard Brendan. I had a hard time deciding what to do. I was about to turn around and slip out the door, when I heard my name whispered. I took another deep breath and turned around. Brendan looked terrified, and I was sure that he would just run away if I told him to do so. He'd never even been this close to me before. I looked down at his shoes, and they were the exact same style as mine. He was wearing a pair of the same hiking boots that I had bought yesterday.

"Listen," Brendan said, taking a step towards me, "I'm really sorry about yesterday."

"It's ok," I said, trying to walk away, but I was blocked by a wall.

"You know, I'm having a lot of trouble in my group," he said, taking a few steps closer, "Would you mind giving me some advice?" I said nothing. I had for a moment. I looked up at the ceiling and let out a long breath, and I heard him shuffle around a little.

"I'm really sorry. I don't mean to attack you like this. It's just that… I know this is going to sound stupid, but it just feels like we're connected somehow. We're always in the same place, and I can feel the pressure build up in me in the same way that it does you. Ever since I met you, I've wanted to say some things to you. I think you're pretty cool, and if it wasn't for my parents' summer adventure, I would be waiting on this wall right now, and I would beg you to talk to me. In a way, I'm trying to punish myself, and I only want to talk to you because I know I can't." He took another few steps forward, and his voice dropped to a lower tone. "I don't know what to do, Lilly. I need advice. If anyone could understand, it would be you. If you see me here at practice, please talk to me." Brendan took a deep breath and let out a sigh that sounded strange to my ears. "Please," he said, and a single tear made a path down his face. He stepped towards me, and I wanted to cry too. I didn't want to let him down and say anything that would make him feel even worse. After a long pause, I raised my hand and placed my finger on his lips. Just as I did, I felt an overwhelming presence in my head, almost as if someone was pushing on the back of my skull.


<center>
[Image Source](https://hips.hearstapps.com/es.h-cdn.co/coses/images/consejos-planes/familia-amigos/7-cosas-que-no-puedes-permitirle-a-tu-companera-de-piso/73122-1-esl-ES/7-cosas-que-no-puedes-permitirle-a-tu-companera-de-piso.jpg)
</center>