It was an autumn night like any other when I felt the call. For some reason, I felt drawn to the woods outside my house, pulled by some invisible, extraordinary magnet. Something was happening out there, something I needed to see.

I put on a hat, shoes, and a coat, and I left, walked to the woods behind my house, and stopped. What in the world am I doing here? I thought. I had no idea. I kept going, though, completely worry free.

The forest was black around me, there was no moon. I was walking for a few minutes when I heard footsteps around me. I was nervous at first, terrified,even. I walked towards them anyway. There were a few people there, and when I saw them, I felt pulled even more strongly towards the middle of the woods. They headed in the same direction. We reached a clearing soon, and we stopped. Soon more joined us.

And there we sat, the twelve of us. In a rough circle, we waited, completely silent, just contemplating the utter darkness and the night sky.

"I've got something to say," one of them said. "I have a story to tell."

And then it began. The man spoke for nearly twenty minutes, a dark, sad tale of cancer and death, of love, and sacrifice. I was absolutely enthralled by his voice, the raw power of his emotions, right up until the death of his mother. As he ended his tale, my eyes filled with tears. I don't know if anyone else's did.

And then we sat in silence and darkness again. It was nearly ten minutes before the next person spoke.

"Let me tell you about my friend Charlie," he started. We all listened intently to his story of deceipt and betrayal. It made my heart feel a bit lighter. And then, he too was done.

I knew it was my turn, but I had nothing to say. I told a quick anecdote, a fun, detail filled story of a blind sheep's life and death. It was nothing, though, compared to the tales they told before me.

When I was done, we knew it was almost over. Just one story left to be told. I could barely keep my eyes open.

"I was eighteen when I first met her," he started. "Summer camp, 1999. My parents wanted me to work there as a counselor, and since I was living under their roof at the time, I really had no choice."

Already, his story was bland. I just wanted to sleep.

"I didn't see her that first day, no, not even the second. But that third day, when I first laid my eyes upon her, I knew she was special. A perfect height, perfect build, gorgeous brown hair, and eyes that could cut glass. I mean that, guys. Her eyes drew me in like you wouldn't believe.

Anyway, I first talked to her at a counselor meeting. You know, introduced myself, shook her hand, all that kinda stuff. I was unbelievably shy, but she was so open, so outgoing. I was shell-shocked.

Over the next few days I tried to speak to her whenever possible. She was always busy, though. That was ok, I had all the time I needed."

I couldn't say I was enthralled, but I could at least stay awake now.

"I had a few drinks one night, and I found her. She was wearing flannel, the kind with the big red squares...I loved it. I had to approach her. And that's when I told her everything. Told her how beautiful she was, how much I loved her personality. She laughed a little, blushed. Too much, I guess. I put my hand on her leg, and it was on," he started blushing, "I won't really go into more detail on that. And later, when it was over, and she was in my cabin, she told me. She had a boyfriend. He was a counselor too. And word spread all over the camp.

He was a delinquent, my bunkmate told me later. Workin at the camp as a janitor for community service after allegedly stabbing someone. Great.

By the next day, he had heard. He didn't know who exactly had hooked up with his girlfriend, but he was angry. I went down to the mess hall for breakfast, but I could hardly swallow my Reese's Puffs-"

"-Wait," I had to interrupt. "Candy for breakfast?!" my mind raced over the chocolatey, peanut buttery goodness of Reese's peanut butter cups.

"No!" he said, "It's Reese's puff cereal! Now a part of a complete breakfast!"

Reese's for breakfast, imagine that. I guess you really do learn something everyday.