CHAPTER THREE
I miss Fallon walking back up to me, and I jump when she says, “Hey, I just got word lunch is being delayed. Let’s go back to the cabin, so I can introduce you around. Some of the other girls are already heading there.”
We turn back toward the cabins and a few other girls join us. A bubbly blonde introduces herself. “Hi! I’m Lily.” She grabs my hand and shakes it enthusiastically. “This is my second year here. You’ll love it. I think I cried for a week last year when I had to go home.”
“I’m Cassie.” I try to decide what to reveal about myself to her when someone else chimes in.
“Hey, Cassie, I’m Lara. I’m new this year and haven’t drunk enough of the Kool-Aid yet to be sold on the place.” Lara’s spiky black hair doesn’t move as she shakes my hand.
I like her already and laugh for the first time since I found out about my stay here. “I’m also reserving judgment, but I’m curious enough about the place to stick it out.”
Wide-eyed, Lily stares, switching her gaze between the two of us like we grew extra heads. “I’ll make sure you love every minute. I hope we’re all on the same team. This is going to be so much fun.” She jumps and claps.
Lara and I watch Lily skip along and talk to other campers we pass.
Fallon turns back to us and shakes her head. “Lily will calm down by tomorrow. I do hope we’re all on the same team, though. It makes it a lot easier to work on projects when we’re in the same cabin. Last year, my team was split between three cabins. We either had to sneak out to work together or really focus during group time. I don’t think either of you will sneak out of my cabin, though.” She gives us both a little smirk.
Lara giggles at her. “Are there many cute boys here? It would totally be worth breaking the rules to meet up with one of them.”
I frown at her. “Boys aren’t worth that much trouble. I do like to win, but I would never break any rules.” I cough slightly to cover that little, white lie.
We finally catch up with Lily as we enter the cabin. The girls helped to ease my comfort level with the camp up until I walk over to my bunk. “Fallon, my stuff’s missing. Would someone break in here the first day to take things? Is my stuff the only stuff missing?”
At that moment, a tall brunette walks in from the bathroom and scowls. “What are you doing by my bed? Move away.” She pushes past me.
Before I can respond, Fallon steps up. “What did you do with Cassie’s clothes, Mindy?”
“You mean the garbage? I set it on the bunk by the bathroom. I need space, and since we aren’t full, there’s no reason I can’t have that space.” Mindy shrugs and goes to unpack her suitcase which sits on top of the dresser.
I beat Fallon to the punch this time. “If you ever touch my stuff again, it will be the last thing you touch. I don’t deal with bullies, so watch your step.”
“Fallon, did you hear her threaten me? That’s against the rules. I think she should be removed from the cabin, if not the camp.” Mindy’s smug attitude makes my arms quake. I clench my fists in an effort to calm down.
“Mindy, messing with other’s belongings is also against the rules. If you would like to move cabins, I’m sure I can arrange that with Kelly.” Fallon backs me up, and it’s obvious she doesn’t like Mindy, either. “Even though we’re not at capacity, we still only get three drawers plus the cubby. I’d also like you to move bunks. Cassie can take either the top or bottom bunk, now.” Fallon turns to me with a serious expression. “Cassie, I’d appreciate you not threatening the other campers. This is your warning.”
Fallon plays the moderator well, so I nod my head. Today has been up and down so far. If the rest of my time here remains like this, I may regret not leaving when Simon offered.
“I’m going to talk to my father about this. I was in the room first and claimed my bunk. I’m not moving.” Mindy storms out the door, slamming it shut on her way.
Fallon stares at the door and shrugs her shoulders. “You met her dad at registration.”
“Mr. Pratt is her dad. She’s Mindy Pratt?” Now, I worry. If one of the administrators stands against me, my life here becomes harder than it needs to be. This situation mimics a time when a teacher didn’t like me because of my family life. They automatically assumed I’d cause trouble.
“Don’t worry about him.” Fallon waves her hand through the air “He’s nothing more than a glorified secretary. Him working here is the only reason Mindy is allowed in. I’ll go talk to Kelly about what happened. For now, leave your stuff. Since Mindy already put some of her stuff in the bottom drawers, we don’t want you touching it.” Fallon’s shoulders slump as she ambles to the door.
“Lily and Lara, please make sure Cassie makes it to lunch. I’ll meet you guys there. Pick a table for all of us.” Fallon leaves the cabin and shuts the door behind her.
I put my head in my hands and sigh. What have I gotten myself into? Or worse, what have I gotten Fallon into? She’s been nothing but nice, and now, I end up dragging her into this mess.
A hand rubs circles on my back, and I glance around to see who it is. Lily lightly shoulder checks me. “This isn’t your fault. Mindy’s a bitch. She always has been. She thinks because her dad works here that she can get away with anything. Fallon will straighten everything out.”
“Thanks, Lily. I’m not normally an emotional person, but this place is messing with me. Please tell me it gets better.” I try not to mope, but my chest feels like it weighs fifty pounds. This negative mindset swirls throughout me, making me lightheaded. Mindy’s opinion doesn’t matter because Mindy doesn’t matter to me. I cannot allow one person to ruin my life or my time here.
Lily’s sunny disposition shines back on us. “Oh, didn’t I mention it already? This place is great. Just wait until you see the pool, or we get to go down to the lake. There are bonfires with marshmallows.” She bounces away, still chanting about all the great things camp offers.
Lara joins me. “I’m sure it’ll be all right. You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m with you. I’m not sure what this place is about. I guess we’ll learn more as we go.”
Since I don’t know where I’ll end up, I sit on one of the empty bunks. Lara goes back to unpacking her stuff. Lily greets new campers as they walk through the door. Luckily, none of them notice me, or if they do, they ignore me.
After about twenty minutes, Fallon returns.
“Kelly is having Mindy moved to cabin four. She felt it was better to put some distance between the two of you rather than force you to live together. She knows how Mindy is. Mindy wasn’t happy, but no one argues with Kelly.” Fallon’s smile grows as she relays the message. “Anyway, it’s finally time for lunch, and I’m starved!”
Lara, Lily, and I follow Fallon out the door. The others in the room take the hint and follow as well.