CHAPTER 19

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Leo and I walked silently away from my village. I didn’t dare speak first. I didn’t want him to think that I was trying to make excuses or up to him. I thought it would be better to let him voice his concerns first.

We walked to the lake and out onto the docks. Part of me wanted to head back to the shore. All I could imagine was Leo drowning me in the lake as revenge for lying to everyone. He sat at the edge of the dock and dangled his legs above the water. He stared up at me, waiting for me to mimic his action. Reluctantly, I sat at his side.

“I don’t really like confrontations, so I’m going to come right out and tell you what I saw and what I think. When I’m done you can correct me or tell me whatever you want,” Leo finally spoke.

 He looked at me as if waiting for some kind of objection. I wasn’t going to give him one. I owed it to him for not blowing my cover to everyone at dinner. I simply sent him a nod, telling him I agreed.

“I’m sorry, but I saw all of this,” Leo made a general sweeping hand motion over his torso.

I couldn’t help but let out a whine.

“Basically, I know you are not a guy… I think. I don’t really care. I guess the question I have is, if you are a girl, why are you here?”

“I am a girl. It was just a big mistake and misunderstanding that landed me in this camp. I assume someone thought I was a boy because of my name, and my physique doesn’t exactly scream feminine. I tried to tell the director, but he didn’t believe me. I called my mother and she thought I was just trying to get home, so I’m stuck here till the end of summer.”

“Why didn’t you tell anyone else? There are people here who would believe you and help you out.”

“I thought about it, honestly. But then I got scared. If people, other campers, found out that I was the only girl in an all boys’ camp, what would happen? I didn’t want to take the risk. I didn’t want to lie, but I didn’t have a choice. I feel horrible about it, especially after everyone has been so nice to me.”

Leo grew quiet. I knew he was trying to take everything in and process it. I knew better than to expect him to understand right away, but I couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

“So, no one else knows?” he finally asked.

“No. I was afraid Luhan was going to find out. He caught me swimming in the lake late at night. I swam to the girls’ camp to meet my friends for help. But I don’t think he suspects anything. You’re the only one that knows.”

Leo looked at me like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Since I was being truthful, I figure I might as well tell him everything. I was probably going to be sent home anyway. Someone had to know the whole story.

“Two of my friends are across the lake. I had to let them know that I was safe. And I got my compression wrap from them. I have a suit case hidden in the woods here, and I took up Minseok’s offer to borrow clothes.”

Leo hummed in thought. “What do we do now?” he questioned me.

“We do nothing. It’s my secret and I have to deal with the consequences. If yo