Ray pushed a shopping basket slowly through the wide aisles of the supermarket.
The place wasn't very busy. A few locals were walking between the shelves, and somewhere near the entrance a cashier was chatting with an older man while scanning groceries.
Ray grabbed a couple of snack packs and tossed them casually into the basket.
Chips.
Chocolate.
A few bottles of soda.
Typical camp supplies.
He pushed the basket forward with one hand while glancing at a small list the counselor had given them earlier.
Behind him, the automatic doors of the supermarket slid open again.
Kate stepped inside.
For a moment she paused near the entrance, letting her eyes scan the store.
It didn't take long to find him.
Ray was standing halfway down one of the aisles, casually comparing two brands of chips like it was the most important decision of his life.
Kate adjusted the bag hanging from her shoulder—the one that now secretly held the items from the pharmacy.
She took a small breath.
Then she walked toward him.
The wheels of Ray's basket squeaked softly as he turned it slightly.
He almost bumped straight into her.
He stopped.
"Well," he said.
A small grin appeared on his face.
"You disappeared."
Kate shrugged lightly, trying to look casual.
"I had something to buy."
Ray's eyes dropped for a moment.
To the bag she was holding.
One eyebrow slowly lifted.
"Drugs?" he asked.
"Shut up," she replied.
Kate quickly opened the bag and pulled out the box of tampons, holding it up as if that explained everything.
Ray looked at it for a second.
Then he nodded slowly.
"Ah."
He leaned slightly against the shopping basket.
"Classified mission," he said casually.
Kate slid the box back into the bag, trying to act like that was the only thing inside.
Ray's eyes lingered on the bag for another moment.
As if the universe wanted to test Kate's vows to God, Sarah suddenly appeared in the aisle.
She walked up quietly and leaned lightly against Ray's back.
"Hey, cutie," she said with a warm smile. "Wanna go for a swim tonight?"
"Sure, why not," Ray said casually.
Kate looked at him like he had just said the dumbest thing imaginable.
But she didn't react.
She refused to give Sarah the satisfaction of seeing her jealous, so she kept her expression calm and composed.
To Ray, it was nothing.
In his head, it was only a swim.
But Kate knew better.
This definitely wasn't Sarah's main agenda.
"Let's bring everyone with us. Might be fun," Ray added.
Sarah looked down for a brief moment before lifting her head again with a polite smile.
"Yeah, sure," she said.
Then she turned and walked away down the aisle.
For a second, her shoulders dropped slightly, but Ray didn't notice it at all.
Kate did.
Inside, Kate felt a sudden rush of happiness.
She almost caught herself smiling.
Wait… why am I happy about that?
Was she really that jealous?
If anyone's going to get fucked by Ray, it's me!
She turned pink at her own words, lightly hitting her head when Ray wasn't looking.
Are you stupid? she scolded herself immediately. You've only just met him.
Don't be a whore!
How she had managed to stay a virgin until twenty-one was a complete mystery to her.
Yeah, a virgin. Sure, Kate.
When she was alone, her thoughts were shameless, almost slutty.
But in reality, she was far too shy to ever talk to anyone properly.
Yes, some guys had tried.
But she had always pushed them away.
Most of the time, at least...
She had never even kissed anyone.
Not really...
Ray had been the first person to ever do that to her.
Hopefully he never finds out... the truth.
At least he'll be happy...
That I don't have a broken hole like Mia.
She almost laughed at her own ridiculous thought as she followed Ray through the aisles of the supermarket.
"What are you thinking about?" Ray asked when he noticed the thoughtful look on her face.
"Oh, it's nothing," she replied quickly. "I'm just thinking about what to buy."
Ray looked at her, confused.
"You didn't take anything," he pointed out. "I had to get all the groceries. Hope you like simple food."
She smiled slightly without him noticing.
He was so cute.
He had randomly bought her food without her even asking for anything.
Stop it, Kate!
He walked with her through the shop, pushing the basket as he started filling it with bottles.
Whiskey.
Tequila.
Several packs of beer.
Kate wasn't surprised. The camp fridge had been almost empty anyway—just a lonely bottle of ketchup sitting there.
"I hope you're not thinking of taking advantage of me," she said, looking at all the alcohol piling up in the basket.
Ray smirked.
"Like I would need alcohol for that," he replied.
Kate pushed him lightly on the shoulder, trying to look like she was actually mad.
But Ray caught the small smile on her face.
When they were done, the two of them headed toward the cash register.
Kate didn't say anything at first.
Her eyes drifted to the wall behind the cashier, where several rows of cigarette packs were displayed.
"And we would like eight packs of cigarettes," she said calmly, looking at the cashier.
The cashier nodded.
"Which ones?"
Kate pointed them out, and a moment later the cashier scanned them one by one.
Ray stood beside her, watching with quiet amusement.
So she was quite the smoker, huh?
As the cashier scanned everything, Ray took out his wallet and paid.
"I'll give you the money back when we get to camp," Kate said.
Ray opened his mouth, about to say something.
"Don't even try. I'm paying for myself," she added quickly.
Then she grabbed the bags and stormed out of the shop.
The cashier glanced at Ray and gave him a small smile.
Ray sighed quietly before following Kate outside.
About a minute later, Ray reached the car.
Kate was already sitting inside.
She had her legs crossed in the passenger seat, staring out the window at some random car in the parking lot.
She didn't look at him when he approached.
Ray packed everything they had bought into the trunk.
After closing it, he walked around the car and opened the driver's door.
He stood there for a few seconds.
Then he took a slow breath and sat down in the driver's seat.
It was quite hot outside, so Ray turned on the AC.
A moment later, cool air began flowing through the vents.
Kate's body relaxed slightly when the cold breeze brushed across her skin.
Ray noticed it immediately. The small change in her posture was obvious.
"I'm sorry if you felt bad," Ray said after a moment. "I didn't mean to pay for you. I mean… not in a bad way."
He awkwardly tried to explain himself while resting his hands on the steering wheel.
Kate looked at him for a second.
Then she looked back out the window toward the parking lot.
"It's alright," she said quietly. "I'm just… my own woman."
Ray simply smiled and didn't say anything.
Neither of them said anything after that.
The quiet inside the car lasted until the others returned from the supermarket.
A few minutes later, Dylan walked up carrying several bags and packed them into the trunk with the rest of the groceries.
Soon everyone climbed into the back seats.
"Everyone ready?" Ray asked.
No one answered.
Ray sighed quietly and turned the key, starting the engine while the AC continued to blow cool air through the car.
"Next destination, ladies and gentlemen… Willow Creek Camp!" Ray announced.
Dylan let out a loud "Woooo!"
The girls in the back smiled slightly, though most of them rolled their eyes.
The town expedition was over.
But the vacation was only just getting started.