Kathryn Stanford

“Awww. But it’s fun!” He protested, pouting. “And some of the bugs are cute! Like, earlier, I found this fuzzy catterpillar, and it was adorable!” He enthused. “And there were some butterflies earlier in this field I found! I mean. There were some ticks, too, but that’s beside the point!” He insisted. “Do you wanna go hiking with me later? You might have fun!”

“Sure, the bugs are cute when they’re not sucking your blood or swarming your face,” Kathryn replied, grumpily. “Hiking isn’t really my thing, but I guess I could try it. Better than sitting here all day, right?”

      ❝ the bugs are literally the WORST part about camping, i’ll give you that. but, i have some bug spray, if you want. ❞ she said and showed the bug spray to the girl. ❝ i ALWAYS have it with me ‘cause there’s just T O O many bugs. ❞

“I literally hate bug spray, but I hate the bugs more. I guess if I have to,” she admitted, reaching for the bug spray and beginning to spray herself with it. “This stuff smells awful, no wonder the bugs stay away. I would probably stay away from me, too. Thanks, though.”

Avery raised a eyebrow at the girl, watching her for a moment, “I have bug spray if you want it? Plus, there’s all sorts of shit to do - hiking, kayaking, swimming - or you can do fuck all, that’s cool too.”

Kathryn sighed. “Bug spray is awful, but these bugs are worse. I’ll take it if you don’t mind?” Kathryn said, raising an eyebrow. “I’ve never really been one for hiking, and swimming in lakes kind of freaks me out. But, I’m here so I guess I might as well do something.”

“The fuck did you expect? We’re in the middle of the woods, of course there’s bugs.” She replied, slapping her arm and killing yet another mosquito. The other girl’s moaning was more annoying than concerning, and she felt little sympathy for the other girl. “Then why the hell did you come, huh?”

“It was either that or hang out alone in my apartment for a week and that sounds about as fun as camping,” Kathryn rolled her eyes. “Are you actually enjoying it here?” She asked, watching the girl swat a mosquito on her arm. 

“i⸺ you’re not wrong. running, bugs, and the wilderness do not make for a very good time, do they?” he nodded. “i’m sorry to hear that. wait, like something specific happened to then make you never want to go camping again?” 

“It’d be easier to ask what didn’t happen that made me not want to go camping. I was stuck in a tiny ass cabin with seven other girls who sang songs all day and all night, we had to wake up at 7am to go hiking where we identified leaves of trees that all looked pretty much the same to me, I was paired with this weird girl to examine soil and fish in the creek and I ended up falling in to the nasty water, although I swear she pushed me. It was all around just really bad,” she explained, raising her eyebrows but still smiling as she told her story. 

“run away from the bugs, what else? you could play bug tag with them. they might like it and stop trying to suck your blood.” sunny stated simply, “me too. i’m from chicago, i think the closest i’ve come to camping is like…sleeping with my window open.”

“Running? Ugh this place just keeps getting worse,” She said, groaning, but couldn’t help but crack a smile. “I went to summer camp when I was like seven and I haven’t done anything camp-related since. It was a horrible experience, really.” 

“Nah, but next time you need someone to revise your essay, make sure you skip my number.” Naomi teased, claiming a seat next to the girl. A glass of cognac in hand, she slumped into her seat. Naomi was a fan of Fitzgerald being a literature major and knew the story pretty well. “Everyone dies at the end. Anyone that matters, that is.” She smirked, taking a sip from her glass.

“Thanks for summarizing the story, I will definitely use that in my next essay. ‘Everyone dies in the end.’ Brilliant,” she teased back. “Seems like that’s common of most classic literature. Why are authors so into death?”

“I’m more of a straight liquor kind of guy.” Emory held his stance, noting that the girl was observing him and not daring to give her the same satisfaction just yet. “Well the original plan was for a boat party with a lot of people. However, if you’d like a boat outing just us, let’s just say you’ll have to do your best at this party, hm?”

Kathryn squinted her eyes at him. “Are you saying you want me to compete with the other girls at your party? To win you over?” She asked, well aware that this guy must be quite a player. She was prepared to play right back. “No thanks, I think I’ll pass. I don’t compete with anyone over some average fuckboy,” she gave him a smirk and turned to walk away.

Walking in the quiet was easy, and picking the lock was easy. Both of them easier than they probably should have been, but Rory didn’t want to think about that too hard. That was always how she ruined things. “You don’t - you seriously don’t owe me anything. I’d have done this for anybody.” The invitation was…it was so weird. And Rory honestly didn’t know what to say. “I…fuck, Kathryn,” she mumbled, “you’re like…really fucked up. And I don’t think it’s a good idea.” What she wanted to say was that she didn’t want to let her guard down. Not again.

“I’m not going to drink or anything and... you don’t have to. I just thought maybe, um... Nevermind. Thank you for walking me back,” She said as she stepped slowly through her door. Kathryn stared at Rory for a moment before reaching out for her hand and locking eyes. “I may be fucked up but... I really am sorry,” she admitted with a sad smile, then slowly let go of Rory’s hand and backed up, slowly closing the door.

Rory didn’t even bother to say anything to the very obvious lie. It wasn’t worth getting into an argument about, because she just wanted it to be over; the less time around Kathryn, the better. She knew she was going to say something she’d regret, open up and do something stupid, and that was honestly the last thing she wanted ever with someone like Kathryn, high or not. “What?” There was a solid thirty seconds before Rory could find her tongue. “Look - Kathryn, like. Your apology is a few years too late, man.” But she didn’t stop walking with her.

“I know it’s late, I just thought I’d throw it out there,” Kathryn stopped talking and continued to walk, promising herself she wouldn’t say anything else. As they approached her room, Kathryn stayed silent and continued as she watched Rory pick the lock on her door, successfully. After the door was open, Kathryn turned to Rory again. “Thanks for this. I owe you. Do you.. Do you want to, like.. Come in? I have wine. And liquor. Not really any beer, I’m not a fan but...,” the girl trailed off. She didn’t expect Rory to say yes, but she felt like she needed to offer.

“I’ll pass on the mixed drinks, unfortunately. Not really my style. However, girls like you with and without bikinis are just the kind of decor I like.” He rand his thumb and forefinger across his chin as if he were thinking hard about it. “Color me impressed if you can impress me with all of these things, but I suppose if one fails another can work. Consider yourself invited.”

“Well, I guess that’s just more mixed drinks for me. So, what is your style, then?” Kathryn asked, more interested in examining the boy’s face than his answer. “And what exactly am I getting myself into? Are we talking boat party with a lot of people, or,” she paused, moving closer and placing her hand on his arm lightly. “Just us?”

“Flash a tit or two. Always does the trick.” Juliet responded with a nonchalant shrug, taking a sip from her own drink, “If you want a party though, I can hook you up. Just gotta know where to look. Though it’s not gonna be one of those frat boy type things though.”

“That’s what I like to hear,” Kathryn nodded with a smile. “I am so tired of frat parties, I’d love something less sketch, more party. I’m also tired of talking to frat boys, I need a real man. Hook me up, bitch,” She said playfully.