Contents
Chapter Ten: Russ
Overview
Russ seeks JJ’s advice and realizes he misread Aurora’s disappearance. Shaken by hostile texts from his father, Russ collides with a visibly upset Aurora. During first-aid training, jealousy over Clay surfaces, but Aurora reveals her dad’s birthday is triggering. Russ and Aurora reset, partner smoothly, and their chemistry cautiously rekindles.
Summary
On his lunch break, Russ video-calls JJ for advice about Aurora, the woman he hooked up with before camp and has since avoided. JJ tells Russ he’s assuming rejection and urges him to talk to her instead of acting like he’s ignoring her. After the call, Russ sees accusatory messages from his father, which rattle him.
Xander joins Russ, and they trade complaints about the heat and icebreakers. When Russ goes to refill water, he literally bumps into Aurora, noticing her puffy eyes and forced smile. She insists she’s fine and leaves before he can press further.
At first-aid training, instructor Jeremy moves the group to the shade. When it’s time to pair up, Russ reaches Aurora first. While guiding her into the recovery position, Russ quietly suggests she tell Clay to stop touching her the way he does. Aurora snaps that Russ has noticed plenty despite avoiding her and asks if he’s jealous; she walks off.
Aurora returns after a few minutes and apologizes, admitting she’s having a bad day because it’s her dad’s birthday and their relationship is awful. They agree to start over. Aurora practices the recovery position on Russ with determined focus, and they earn praise from Jeremy.
The tension eases into playful, awkward banter as they move on to bandaging. By the end, Russ and Aurora are working in sync, their teamwork and chemistry reemerging despite rules and unresolved complications.
Who Appears
- RussNarrator; seeks JJ’s advice about Aurora, rattled by his father’s texts, reconnects with Aurora during first-aid training.
- AuroraUpset on her dad’s birthday; clashes with Russ over his avoidance and Clay’s touching; resets and partners well with Russ.
- JJRuss’s friend; advises him to stop assuming rejection and to talk to Aurora.
- XanderRuss’s cabinmate; shares comic relief about training and heat; present before first-aid session.
- JeremyFirst-aid instructor; moves training to shade and oversees recovery position and bandaging practice.
- ClayCoworker whose touch makes Aurora uncomfortable; source of Russ’s jealousy and concern.
- MayaCoworker in training group; previously discussed Clay with Aurora.
- EmiliaRuss’s prior partner at camp; trains with Xander, provides group dynamic.
- Russ’s fatherSends hostile texts, stirring Russ’s stress and paralleling Aurora’s family turmoil.