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Summer Twilight

"God," Ben thought. "Why do camp goodbyes have to be so awkward?"

There's no way to cram everything into a few words- most of the time. Sometimes, there's not much to say. Other times, you don't need to say anything at all.

Anna was Ben's best female friend. The catch of the group and hooked up with his good buddy Jared from the second day of camp to his last, two days before. She was totally cool. Able to switch from nutty to intellectual in a quick second, and they clicked on a base level.

When it came time to go, she looked up at him with longing eyes.

"Beennn..." she said.

She drew out his name as if that alone could prolong the moment. They hugged. She started to cry.

"Easy," he said.

Ben gently patted her on the back. Between sniffles, she managed to blurt out, "You better keep in touch!"

"I will, kid. Promise," he responded.

Ben stared out into the distance and tried not to let this bug him.

Anna's soft "I love you" fluttered through the air, and hung there.

"Yea, ya do!"

With that one stroke, Ben had turned her own catchphrase back on her and whisked the tension away. They pulled apart, laughing. Their eyes locked and they hugged again, real tight, not-wanting-to-let-go style.

"Bye..." she whispered.

"Goodbye," Ben croaked.

They released and she went off. Things to do...

Jordan had been his boy all summer. From bonding over basketball to late night convos about the womenfolk, they had been through it all. As the two hottest available guys, anytime they were standing side by side, no matter what the setting, they were checking out girls. They had it down to a system. No words were necessary. Just the other guys name and a glance in a direction, followed by the thumbs up/thumbs down approval rating.

Ben caught up to Jordan on the basketball court.

"Yo, Jay!" he called out.

Jordan spotted Ben and came over.

"Whutup man? You out?"

"Yea man. Fo sho sho and whatnot."

They gave each other a pound and embraced. They broke off, Jordan grabbing a rebound and Ben heading back up to the cabin.

"Catch ya on the flip," Ben said.

"No doubt."

Sam was the woulda-shoulda-coulda-didn't girl for the summer. There's always one. You're both attracted to each other, you're out and about when you get the chance, everyone's expecting it to happen, and then camps over and everyone's still waiting. After camp, when people ask you online what the deal was, you can almost see them sulking as the words "Nothing. Nothing at all," appear on their screen.

Ben saw Sam start to get up as he approached the car. He proceeded to begin loading stuff. His mom noticed her behind him.

"Benji, you've got someone waiting on you."

He heard, acknowledged, and finished packing. He dropped the last thing in, wiped off his hands, and turned around.

"I gotta say goodbye now." Sam said.

They hugged. She went up on her toes to lean into him. It was cute.

"Keep in touch," she said.

"Aight."

They pulled away and Ben went inside for the last trip.

Ghetto Ben and Jew Star Ben were his boyz from last summer. "3B" they were. "Joined at the hip" was a common description. They had made the effort to chill as much as they could this summer, even though the year had changed all three.

When Ben saw them as he exited the main building, he set his stuff down next to the car. Some things can wait. They walked towards each other. Jew Star Ben spoke first.

"Couch... You my nigga."

He gave Ben a pound. Ghetto Ben went next.

"3B for eva! Keep it real."

Ben spoke up. "You my dawgs. I love you fellas. C'mon guys, group hug."

They embraced and held tight. They each shed a tear. Ben broke it off.

"I gotta roll. One."

He got another pound from both Bens. He hugged a few girls that had shown up. With one last wave, Ben turned, walked to the car, got in, and left.