Chapter Thirteen: Aurora

Aurora reflects on how happy she is to be back at Honey Acres now that campers have arrived and her Brown Bears group is underway. She bonds with the kids, joking that she has replaced Emilia with two eight-year-olds, Freya and Sadia. When Aurora, Russ, and Emilia spy campers rehearsing, she explains the end-of-summer talent show and that counselors must also perform.

Russ panics about having no talent until Aurora persuades him—with a pinkie promise—to take part. She proposes a goalie-skills bit where she throws items and Russ blocks them. He agrees because the tradition matters to her, easing his anxiety.

During afternoon electives, Aurora prepares her nearly full soccer session. Russ shows up on his day off to help set up cones and ladders, saying he wants to learn. A joking mix-up over his “lover” is cleared when Russ clarifies he meant his dog, Fish, not Xander; the banter feels like mutual flirting, though kids and counselors soon arrive and class proceeds smoothly.

That night by the campfire, a drowsy Aurora is roused when Russ offers to walk her to her cabin, carrying the puppy Salmon. On the walk, Aurora mentions that Jenna is the daughter of Orla, the camp owner, which surprises Russ. They tease about Jenna’s guidance to stop carrying the puppies, framing it as rule-bending for Russ, and exchange charged lines—he calls her a “good girl,” wishes her sweet dreams, and waits for her to go inside.

Alone in bed, Aurora decides the day’s moments—his help, the jokes, the gentle escort—were definitely flirting, confirming a deepening connection alongside their growing responsibilities at camp.