Rebcca and Cas floated down the river, past the pictorial forrest of Talisa under a perfectly blue sky and a bright sun which occasionally disappeared behind the chunky clouds. Occasionally, they'd jump out and swim alongside their tubes, which were tied together at the handle, or take turns letting one go for a few laps while the other made sure the tubes didn't get away from them. Rebecca wondered if they was maybe some place on the riverbank where they might hook the tube to a rock or a branch and swim together. She just wanted to be as close with this girl as she could.

Now resting her head on the side of her tube, her legs dangling behind her as she was carried along by the gentle laps for the water, Rebecca looked at her new friend, her floppy ear blowing in the breeze, looking just as content. Now seemed as good a time as any.

"Hey Cas," she said, her voice blissful and calm, "Do you have a boyfriend? Or... a girlfriend?"

Cas sat up, wide eyed, and glanced back at Rebecca dozing on her tube.

"Uh, no I don't," Cas replied. "Why do you ask?"

"Oh, just curious," murmered Rebecca, eyes still close as she continued to wade. "I hope it's not rude of me to ask."

"No, you're fine!" said Cas, pleasantly, "Just surprised is all!"

Rebecca opened one lazy eye to see Cas looking a little flustered. Maybe this wouldn't be as easy as she'd hoped. There was a pregnant pause.

"You, uh.... you wouldn't happen to be... looking, would you?" said Rebecca, finally. Cas began to fidget.

"Well, I'm not sure. Do you have a boyfriend of girlfriend??" she asked.

"Nope," Rebecca replied, a little more hopeful. "That's... kinda why I asked."

"Ahhh..." Cas said slowly while staring out at the forest. "It's so pretty out here, isn't it?" Rebecca took the cue.

"Yeah. Pretty..."

She rested her head back onto her tube. They were both silent again, but rather than the calming, tranquil silence broken by the singing loons or wind rustling the trees, this silence was tense. Rebecca stared down at the water running past her as they continued to float. She was sure that at some point Cas would hear her pounding heart amplified through the hollow rubber tube.

"Cas, I'm sorry, did I make it awkward," Rebecca finally said nervously. Cas looked back at her friend quickly.

"Of corse not!!" she said, sounding worried. Rebecca laid back down, comforted.

"Also, alright." She closed her eyes again, then added, "I'm just glad we're friends."

"Me too," Cas sighed.

Rebecca didn't bring the subject up again for the rest of camp.