LAST YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL

Chapter 6

JAVIER

Eastern Springs Summer Campout Experience was really what I needed. I'm so glad that for once my impulse decision turned out great after all. The kids were not so bad, I had made some friends. I have spent almost two weeks out here. I was getting distress calls from home but I ignored them. Here I felt alive. I was looking forward to the bonfire night. I planned to take Marina stargazing before the bonfire starts.

She was beginning to grow on me. Despite the inhibitions she has about me, she's letting down her guard little by little. But sometimes I can't help but wonder what will happen when camp is over and school reopens. What's gonna happen to us, is she going to go back to being in the shadows? Is our friendship going to continue? Are we ever going to be together? And then there's Britney and Mason. I shoved those thoughts out of my mind as I approach our Cabin and find the kids running around as usual. I wonder where she is because she's always watching them to ensure no one gets hurt.

"Hey Gwen" I called out. "Where's Marina?"

"Oh she went to get some snacks for us. By the way, you stink" she replied scrunching up her nose. "Yeah, cause I just finished my jog, come here for a hug." She ran away shrieking with delight. Marina arrived later and we got ready for our activity. We were taking the kids on a fishing trip. We were going in batches and we were in the third batch. The organizers of this camp really worked hard to ensure this camp is a success. Taking care of 30 coordinators and 74 children was not an easy task. We walked to the lakeside and waited for the second batch to arrive so we could go. Soon, they arrived and disembarked. Afterwards, the 12 kids from Lily cabin, a few kids from Gardenia cabin and some coordinators piled into the available three boats. I was lucky to be in the same boat as Marina, I didn't really pay attention to anything that happened. I know that we were meant to supervise this activity since we were trained for it but I was preoccupied. 

I was zoned out when Kayla and Scarlet came over and talked to me. Even when Jason and Tommy caught some fish. Even when we docked the boat and alighted and the next batch boarded the boats. The only thing I recalled was the sight of Marina, raven hair flying in the wind. Someone pulled my shirt and I turned to see Ben, before I could understand what was going on, I heard a loud splash. I turned to see Marina had fallen into the water, she probably slipped on the wet rock or something. She spluttered and coughed as she came out. Light breeze was blowing making her clothes stick to her skin, she shivered. Julya quickly rushed to her side and took her away. I caught Scarlet giggling and wondered what was funny.

MARINA

They pushed me, more like tripped me but still, they are the reason I'm sitting in the dispensary with a blanket wrapped around me and drinking hot brew. Those girls are so mean and I wonder what I did to them. 

"Those girls are horrible" Julya said as soon as the nurse was out of the earshot. She is outspoken unlike me, always saying what's on her mind. "I saw what they did.".   "I wonder why did that." I replied. "It's because they are horrible people with no morals. I also think your roommate might have something to do with that"

"Javier? Why would you think so?"I asked astounded.      "Because rumor has it, he turned down an offer from Scarlet and chose to stay in your cabin. Yesterday, when you ran out, he basically followed you and brushed Scarlet aside. He even broke up with Bianca-".               "But they never dated.".                "Its obvious they never dated but its also obvious he cares about you."

"We know each other, we go to the same high school and he's dating my best friend." I shrugged.       "So you're rooming with your best friend's boyfriend. Isn't that against the girl code or something? What if she finds out? What are you gonna say?"

"I doubt she's gonna find out, what I'm worried about is the fact she hasn't responded any of my messages or called me.".       "So she hasn't called you once since you've been here! Some bestie" she murmured disapprovingly. "Its okay, she's provably busy or maybe her phone got missing" I said. I didn't want anyone thinking my best friend is a horrible person, she had helped me a lot in the past,I shouldn't have told Julya.     Julya hummed in agreement but the expression on her face showed that she didn't believe me. 

The kids insisted we play board games, I and Javier couldn't stop them and so the rest of the afternoon was spent playing board games and card games. When the kids went out for dinner, I decided to get ready for bonfire night. I saw a message from mom.

Mom:Found a note on the fridge saying you went to camp. Aren't you a little too old for camp? Anyway I'm not paying for that. Don't forget my whiskey.

Still no message from Britney, i think its kinda late to call. So I decided to get dressed and get this night over already, I pulled out a sleeveless,floral dress from my luggage. It stopped a little before my knees, I pulled my hair into a ponytail and left the cabin. I don't take a lot of time to get ready no matter how I try to. I think I looked good enough. The kids were roasting some of the fish we caught under the supervision of the instructors. I think one of the instructors was telling them stories. Most of the coordinators were gathered round the huge bonfire roasting their own fish and telling scary stories trying to frighten the others. Before I could find a log to seat on Javier grabbed my wrist.

JAVIER

After playing some games with the kids, I decided to take a nap. But when I lay on my bed,I couldn't sleep. So I did what any teenager would do, took out my phone and played candy crush. After awhile I decided to check my i********: account. Most of my friends were spending the summer at the beach, I saw a post of someone hiking. I stumbled upon a picture of the cheerleaders at a beach party and definitely Britney was there. There was even a picture of a few of then at a club, they definitely used fake IDs to get in. I decided to check her recent posts and she has been active. She even sent me a message.

Brit♥♥: Babe where are you? I really miss you. Everyone's worried, please come back to us. ( ˘ ³˘)❤( ˘ ³˘)❤ Love you babe.

She has the time to go partying and clubbing, even send me a message on i********: but no time to text Marina or even call her. And she's her best friend! I continued going through my messages and found a bunch of them from my teammates. Mason even sent a message. I wonder if he's also called Marina.

'Of course, he cares for Marina. He's always protective of her, remember the other time'     Who said that, I wondered.     'Your subconscious, duh'.          Great, now I'm hearing voices in my head, I'm going insane. Soon, I drifted off into a dreamless sleep.         

A continous, annoying beeping from underneath my pillow woke me up. I quickly snoozed the alarm and checked the time. It wasn't really an alarm but a reminder for the bonfire night. The cabin was quiet which meant the kids were out for dinner. I quickly showered and went to get everything set. Soon, it was pretty dark and the bonfire started. A mini version of the bonfire was also set up and the kids crowded there. I waited for Marina to show up, I was almost sitting in the shadows. A bunch of girls from the Rose Cabin were passing by. I wished they would hurry up and pass, their perfume was kinda choking. Who applies so much perfume for a bonfire? I was able to hear snippets of their conversation.

"I think she's pregnant" "Who do you think is the father?".         "I don't think she knows but she's willing to blame it on anyone"the first one with glittery highlights replied. What are they talking about? Who's pregnant?    ".......and she fell into the water. Kayla tripped her good. Poor Marina! She deserved it".      By the time they were far gone but now I'm angry. They tripped no wonder they were giggling. How could they do that to her, I know Marina wouldn't have hurt them in any way. All my thoughts vanished as the scent of vanilla with a tinge of honey assailed my senses.

I found her before she got seated, she was a bit startled when I grabbed her hand. She calmed once she realized it was me.      "Come with me, I wanna show you something" she was hesitant at first, but she followed me anyway.  We stopped in front of a large tree with wooden planks on its bark in form of  ladder. She pulled her hand away from my grasp.

"There's no way I'm going up there with you" she reasoned. "Why not?" She didn't give me an answer, instead she stared up the tree.     "Are you afraid of heights?"

"Afraid no, why would I be afraid of heights?" She laughed. "I'm terrified" she  exclaimed.        "There's nothing to be scared of, I promise" I assured her. "Just take one step at a time, I'm right behind you all the way to the top."

"And if I slip and fall?" She asked unsure. "I'll catch you" she looked at me for a moment and nodded her head. She was about to take the first step when she turned around. "You can't be behind me while I climb. I'm wearing a gown."          I looked at her and realized it was true. The thought slipped my mind but I couldn't help but imagine what color of under wear she was wearing. I sounded like a pervert. 

"I'll go up first" I suggested and she liked that idea. After climbing a few steps, I glanced down at her and she was doing well for someone afraid of heights. The steps led up to a treehouse with a large window in one side. In front of the window was a telescope. "What did you want to show me, Javier?"

"Is that a telescope?" She asked excitedly and rushed over and began admiring it.  "Can I use it?".          "Sure, go ahead".        "Do you know what type of telescope this is?".            "Yeah, this is Celestron Nexstar Evolution telescope."

"Everything is so clear," she mused. "How did you know I love stargazing?"            "You told me, remember?".         "You remembered" she exclaimed.  She rubbed her arms and I realized it was cold, I pulled my jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. She smiled at me and I felt like I had done something right, something to be proud of. She kept identifying more constellations but I didn't pay any attention to that. All I was proud of was the fact I made her smile, that I could make her smile.

After a while, we sat down and looked at the stars. She leaned her head against my shoulder and relaxed. I was about to say something when we heard footsteps, we quickly scrambled to our feet. It was Nick, we f

"Are you guys dating or something" he asked looking between the two of us. I was about to reply but Marina did.

"No we are not dating" Marina replied. Her reply made my heart squeeze but I knew its the truth. A truth I don't like.  "Okay, I didn't expect anyone to be up here. Nobody actually likes stargazing."

"Well I love stargazing" Marina said. Before I could understand what was going on, they began to talk about stars and a bunch of other nerdy stuff. I felt left out, a feeling I wasn't used to, because I'm usually the center of attention. I made my way down the stairs in anger. I was almost at the door if the cabin when I heard Marina call my name and I stopped.

"Why did you leave?"she asked. "I'm tired" I replied without turning to face her. It was half-true I was tired, I couldn't tell her I found Nick annoying and I didn't like the fact he stole all her attention. I thought she was going to beg me to come back or come to the cabin with me, instead she handed over the jacket to me.

"I'm going to stay up a little and stare at the stars with Nick" she said. Seriously, an hour ago she was scared to go up there but now she wanted to go up there and spend time with Nick. "Fine, don't stay up too late" I replied gruffly. She laughed. "Don't wait up for me." I turned and she was already gone. I knew that despite my anger towards her, I would wait for her. And I stayed up waiting for her. I stayed up even when the bonfire died, even when the camp ground had grown quiet as everyone fell asleep. Eventually, I heard the front door open and lock. I heard soft footsteps stop at my door. The door opened.

"Javier" I heard her call but I pretended to be asleep. "Goodnight Javier"she gently shut the door. I heard her door open and shut. "Goodnight Marina."

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