A Golden Summer

Chapter 2: Stupid, Stupid, Stupid

    I have no idea how long I stand there in silence like an i***t. Too long I guess, because the silence has long passed awkward at this point.

    "I'm Dominique. Dom," she says. 

    "Winnie. Or Winn. Just not Winnie the Pooh, I hate being called that," I say, instantly regretting it. I am notorious for rambling and saying stupid things when I'm nervous. Why am I so nervous all of a sudden? 

    I consider myself a pretty awkward gal, and find it hard to make small talk. Especially with people I've never met before. It's particularly worse when the other person is insanely attractive.

    "Nice to meet you, 'not Winnie the Pooh'." She walks into the cabin and it takes everything I have not to gasp out loud. If I thought she was beautiful before, now she's drop dead gorgeous. The sunlight illuminates every single feature of hers; her dark curly hair, dark brown skin, golden freckles, and honey-colored eyes. I can't believe how beautiful this girl is. Am I still dreaming?

    Wait a second...

    "You're my co-counselor?" I blurt out.

    "Nah, I'm a camper. I just arrived a day early."

    I stare at her in silence, confused more than ever. A camper!? Why was she here a day early? And why was she in my cabin? What was going on.

    Dom waves her hand in front of my face, bringing me back to reality. "Hey, I'm kidding."

    Oh. Oh... Now I feel like a complete i***t. 

    "Oh."

    "Sorry. We've just met, so you don't know that ninety percent of what I say is usually sarcastic. We'll get there," she says.

    I laugh a little too loudly and awkwardly. I quickly shut my mouth, mentally hitting myself for how dumb I'm acting.

    She ignores my laugh and looks around the room for a bunk. I immediately feel guilty for my unfair advantage.

    "You can have the big bunk if you want. I don't even like sleeping on the bottom bunk, I'm always scared the top bunk will break and smother me in my sleep."

    Why the f**k did I just say that? Now she's going to think I'm crazy.

    "Makes sense," she shrugs. "If you don't mind giving up the big bunk, then it's cool with me."

    "Yeah, sure. Cool. It's cool with me." 

    I quickly remove my bedding from the big bunk and toss it onto the bunk above it. Just the there's a knock on our cabin and I turn to see Owen standing in our doorway.

    "Hey Winn, I need you to help."

    "One sec." I turn to Dom. "You okay? You don't need help with anything?"

    She gives me a funny look. "I think I can manage making my bed, but thanks."

    The list of idiotic things I've said keeps growing, and I'm sure it'll only continue. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

    It turns out he only needed me to help set up for the staff welcoming barbecue for tonight, and I wasn't the only one he recruited. Once again I was stuck with Charlie for the afternoon,  and just like yesterday, we barely spoke to each other. It was a boring and uncomfortable few hours that I wish was spent getting to know my co-counselor a little more. We are going to be spending the entire summer together after all. But I guess that was it, we'll have the entire summer to hangout together. And even though I had made a complete fool of myself earlier, I was looking forward to it?

    Staff members continued to arrive throughout the afternoon, and the camp was finally starting to feel alive. Dom must have known a few of the other staff members, or she was already making friends quick, as I kept spotting her around camp with a different group every time. At least she was having fun, while I was stuck with grumpy old Charlie. I wonder why he's even here in the first place. He's not the kind of guy to give up his summer to work at his uncles camp, so there must be a bigger reason why. Maybe it had to do with what my uncle had whispered to him when he arrived? I had been curious ever since then, and intend on learning the truth eventually. But it's a little difficult when he won't even talk to me.

    Staff members mingle together in small groups around the barbecue pit, while I sit alone on one of the benches. As an introvert I find it difficult to go up to people first, so I usually wait for them to come to me. It's not the best approach, but sometimes it works. This was not one of those times. As time passes I start to feel sorry for myself,  which only makes things worse. Why am I like this?

    I look over at one of the groups and see Charlie has become quite popular. He has a large group of people around him, hanging onto his every word. He looks around to make sure Owen isn't around, and when the coast is clear, pours something into his drink. He starts to pour some into other people's cups as well. I'm not too naive to know it was alcohol, something that is definitely not permitted at camp. As the crowd of people disperse, he notices he's been caught and approaches me. 

    s**t. I'd been staring too long.

    "You're not gonna snitch, are you?" he threatens.

    Even if I wanted to snitch, what good would it do? Owen would get mad, Charlie would get scolded, and he and his gang would only make my summer a living hell. I'm smart enough to know when to keep my mouth shut, even if it was wrong.

    "You're good," I tell him, trying to sound 'cool'. He sees right through my bluff.

    "Prove it." He hands me the bottle of alcohol. 

    "No thanks." I try to hand it back but he won't take it. 

    "Don't be a p***y," he says. A few of his buddies turn around and stare, waiting for me to pour the alcohol. Feeling the pressure, I give in. Apparently I don't pour in enough because as soon as I hand the bottle back to Charlie he pours in the rest. 

    "Cheers."He clinks our cups together and takes a swig. I can feel everyone's eyes on my and I begin to feel hot. There's no turning back now, I'm in too deep. I lift the cup to my lips and take a sip, immediately regretting it.

    I have never had alcohol before. I'm not one to be invited to parties, and I've always been a bit of a goody-goody, so I wasn't sure what to expect. It had always looked so good on TV and in movies, and everyone seemed to like it, so I figured it'd be okay.

    Boy have I never been so wrong in my life.

    I take too big of a sip - a rookie mistake. I can't stop myself from gagging and coughing as the alcohol burns my throat. Why do people drink this stuff?

    Charlie and his gang burst out laughing. I look up and to my horror I spot Dom in the crowd, laughing with the rest of them. My heart drops into my stomach and I feel sick. I put the cup down and walk away, feeling everyone's eyes on me like daggers. I want to cry.

    I find a spot close to the campfire and away from everyone. I hug my knees to my chest and stare into the fire, wanting more than even to go home. Camp hasn't even officially started and I've already made a complete fool of myself in front of everyone, especially Dom. I think back to this morning, when I was feeling excited and hopeful. Now I just feel like s**t and want to disappear.

    I pay no attention to Owen's welcome speech, lost in my own negative thoughts like always. The barbecue comes to and end and everyone retreats back to their cabins. I'm already in bed by the time Dom arrives, pretending to be asleep so I won't have to talk to her.

    Things can't get any worse, can they?