CHAPTER NINE
“I can’t believe you guys agreed to that name. I was joking! Girls are going to be all over you just to try to make me jealous.” I need to learn to keep my mouth shut. “Is that why you did it? Are you trying to get attention? If so, you don’t need it. I’m supposed to ask Noah if he will go to the bonfire with Lily. If he says no, I’m supposed to ask Jay if he will go with her.” I point between the two of them.
“Um, no. I’m not going to the bonfire with Lily. Jay can have her.” Noah’s voice drips with sarcasm.
“Not me. I’m a team man. We stick together from now on. I can’t bring a date to our bonding time.” Jay holds up his hand to end the discussion. I decide to mess around with them though.
“Does that mean that I can’t bring a date to the bonfire? That’s no fun. I’m told there are some hot guys around here.” I raise my eyebrows at them.
Their bottom lips stick out, and their shoulders droop.
Lucca speaks up first, his voice sad. “We wouldn’t hold you back if you wanted to do that. We’ve already had our fun here. We’ll be around afterward.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not here to date. I’m here to kick ass, and I have the best team. I guess I have four dates to the bonfire.” I put my hands on my hips and wiggle my butt, attempting to bring back the good mood from before the faculty interrupted us. “This also makes me the boss.” I smile over at Parker. “You can be the pretend boss.” I laugh and then wink at him.
“Oh really, mistress? How may we please you today?” Parker’s quick comeback throws me for a second.
“You can give me a hug and then take us through the motions of this meeting. If someone gives me any problems later, I’m blaming the four of you.” I give Parker a quick, one-armed hug. As I head back to my seat, each of them gives me the same hug.
Over the next two hours, we talk about this week and the trust tasks coming up, which sound easy. After we finish, we inspect the room for security issues. Other than both the doors and windows being easy to break into, we find nothing alarming. Noah plans on hacking into the camp surveillance to discover if any cameras connect to the rooms.
As for our paperwork, I recommended we leave false information here, and I remember the important details. They like the idea. We work out a coding system on how to discern between real and false information.
My rumbling stomach alerts me to how much time has passed at the same time that Lucca straightens and checks his watch. “It’s lunchtime.”
Parker gathers our papers together and stashes them behind a bookcase before we head out, locking the room behind us.
~
After lunch, we stroll down to the lake.
The multiple hues of greens from the trees and grasses mixing with bright dots of reds, pinks, and purples from the wildflowers mesmerize me. Living within the city limits, pops of color typically come from signs or graffiti among the drab grays or browns of most buildings.
The boys remain quiet as we walk since our plan is to survey the area. They promised me there would be no swimming today. Once at the water’s edge, they throw out swimming pointers as Jay highlights different places in the water to watch out for. They show me how to tell where rocks hide, where the water shallows, and what other dangers lurk beneath the surface of the calm lake waters. I absorb all the sights and sounds as we walk in order to remember the way later if needed since I can tell by smell, sound, or sight where I am.
After about two miles around, we stop at a place marked Scenic Area. A small gazebo with a table in the middle rests near the forest edge. A few hammocks hang from the trees in the shade. We saunter over to the hammocks and hop in to take a break. I lie between Lucca and Noah on one hammock while Parker and Jay lounge on the one next to ours. They lie with their heads on the opposite end as ours so we can see them.
I close my eyes for a minute and breathe in the clean air.
Before I know it, an elbow nudges me in the side. “Hey, Sleeping Beauty, you ready to walk back? If we don’t leave soon, we’ll be late for dinner.” Noah’s bright eyes shine down at me as he leans over me to block out the sun.
I realize my arm and leg drape over half of Lucca. His arm pillows my head, which rests between his bicep and shoulder. How did I end up like this?
When I sit up quickly, I nearly turn the hammock over. “I can’t believe I did that. I’m sorry. I thought I would close my eyes for a minute, and the next thing I know, I wake up like this.”
“No worries, you looked so peaceful none of us wanted to disturb you.” Lucca’s dimples deepen. “We just talked about you the entire time.”
I swat his arm, and we tumble to the ground. I end up on top of Lucca, and Noah on top of both of us. I brush myself off, and then Lucca’s back as we reorient ourselves.
“Are you hurt?” Noah asks as he inspects my arms and legs.
“Just my pride. We should head back. They may send out a search party for us.” I point toward the trail, but Jay waits for me to take the lead.
The trip back doesn’t seem to take as long, and we make it in time for dinner.
~
After dinner, we have another hour and a half before the bonfire starts, so we decide to go our own way until then. I trudge my way back toward the cabin to find out how the girls’ first day went and about their teams.
About halfway there, Mindy and Jenny step in front of me.
“You aren’t going to get away with this,” Mindy spits at me.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, and I really don’t care.” I try to step around her.
Mindy moves over to block my path, again. “You’re going to bring those boys down. They could have won without you. Now, they’re pathetic and the laughing stock of the entire camp. Just. Like. You.”
“Those boys will run circles around you and your team while carrying me if they have to. You’re just jealous, and you’re wearing it for everyone to see. Grow up.” I move one more time to get away from her, but this time Jenny plants herself in front of me.
“Listen, bitch. Take it from someone that’s been there. Those boys will use you and then dump you.” Jenny’s smug smile and hands on hips remind me of a two-year-old girl from one of the orphanages. I bite my lip to stop from laughing at her. She can talk all she wants about herself, but the boys seem like better people than that.
Besides, their past is none of my business.
Before I can try to move away again, both girls’ eyes shift up slightly. I imagine they see at least one of possibly four people behind me. Knowing I’m not alone gives me extra courage to speak my mind. “Jenny and Mindy, let’s get a few things straight. You can call this your lesson for the week. I don’t care about you or your opinions. I never will. You can say whatever you want because, in the end, you’re the ones that will look bad. I care about the opinions of the people I respect. There are very few people that have earned that distinction. People will always try to tear you down, but in the end, it’s your actions and words that make you who you are. Continue as you will, but don’t try to stop me again.”
I doubt my speech changed their perception of me or the situation, but they storm off. An arm wraps around my shoulders, and I peer up to find Jay watching the girls leave. “Remind me not to get on your bad side. Unfortunately, I don’t think they’ll leave you alone. They just won’t hit you over the head with it next time.”
I smile up at him. “They can do what they want because I’ve been told by reliable sources I’m not alone.”
He escorts me the rest of the way to my cabin but stops at the bottom of the stairs.
I pause at the front door. “Thanks for walking me back.”
Two steps into the room, I’m accosted. Red hair whips into my face as I’m planted onto the nearest bunk. Fallon stares at me wide-eyed. “How did that happen? Do you want me to talk to Kelly? They can’t make you stay on a boys’ team. I mean, I know my brother would never let anything happen to you, but still.”
She stops for a second to catch her breath, and I manage to talk before she can start again. “I spoke with Kelly and team earlier. I like where I’m at. I think we’re a good fit. What about your team? How do you guys get along?”
I hope if I change the subject she’ll drop the questions and it works. “I’ve known all of them for the three years I’ve been coming here.” She puffs out her chest. “We’ll be a tough team to beat, so watch out.”
“I have no doubt we’ll be on the lookout for you and everyone else,” I announce, then regret it because that leaves me open again to talk about the boys.
“There are thirty-two teams. My team and yours are in the top ten. Actually, yours is in the top three in my list of teams to watch. After the first two weeks, things will be pretty even between the teams unless teams take on bonus tasks. Most of the top teams will do this. You’ll see the top ten pull ahead pretty quick. The rest of the teams will struggle with melding and trust.”
I’m surprised she would share this information with me.
“After about a month, the top ten will be close, but you may find the top five pull away. The younger teams will be at the bottom. This is to be expected, though. It’s also the reason we come back for more than one year.”
She really does have all this figured out.
“Should you be telling me all of this?” I ask her.
“This is stuff my brother and I talked about all school year. I’m not telling you anything he wouldn’t. I’m not about to tell you my plans.” She rolls her eyes at me like I should expect to get away with that.
Before I respond, Lily and Lara walk in the door, and Lily bounces over to us. “Did you ask him? Do I have a date tonight?”
Lily’s enthusiasm makes me sad.
“I asked both of them, but as you guessed, they want to be with the team tonight. Maybe you can sit with us,” I whisper, hoping she won’t be mad at me.
She shrugs. “I expected as much. Thanks for trying. I’ll have to find easier prey.” She laughs as she walks into the bathroom.
“How was your day, Lara? Do you like your team?”
Lara stares into the mirror and shrugs at my questions. “They’re okay, I guess. They don’t seem to take any of this seriously. It would’ve been a good team for Lily to join because they only want to talk about the boys at camp.”
Now Lara rolls her eyes. Poor thing, I hope her team gets better.
“Boys are overrated,” I remind her, and she laughs.
“Totally.” Lara tries to agree but laughs too hard to make it recognizable.
Fallon knocks her shoulder into mine. “That’s my brother you’re talking about.” She tries to sound stern, but she giggles as I hit the mattress.
I try to defend myself. “Oh, I know. I would say the same to his face. Don’t worry.”
“Hey! What did I miss? No fair telling jokes without me.” Lily pouts as she rejoins us.
“You didn’t miss anything. We’re just laughing at the boys.” I notice she changed into a shorter skirt.
Changing sounds like a good idea, but I’ll go for shorts and a tank.
“Hurry up so we can get a good spot,” Fallon yells as I walk over to my bunk to change.
I decide not to tell her I’m not going to need a spot. The boys probably staked out the best places to sit, observe, and talk. They’re the total opposite of the way Lara’s team sounds.
After I finish dressing, we inspect our clothing choices one more time and make our way to the fire pit. By the time we arrive, the unlit logs lay ready for the final spark to get them ignited. Tables with all sorts of fruits and chocolate dipping sauces stand off to the right side. A pile of graham crackers next to marshmallows and chocolate waits to be made into s’mores. In the back, a small stage set up with a big monitor behind it rounds out the section opposite the fire pit. Kids play putt-putt while the camp coordinators finalize their setup. Anticipation over what I’ll enjoy tonight makes me fidgety because I’ve never been to anything like this before.
“Cassie, you weren’t going to start the party without us, were you?” Lucca’s Italian accent makes his wistful comment come across as sultry.
When I turn around, Lucca’s hands rest on his hips, and his lip sticks out in a pout. I bite my cheeks to stop from laughing at his posture.
“Lucca, we all know the party couldn’t truly start until you arrive.” I wink at him as the other guys walk up.
“Hi, Lucca!” Lily steps up to him and puts her hand on his chest.
Lucca takes a slight step back so that Lily’s hand drops back to her side as he quickly glances my way. “Buonasera, Lily.”
Lily misses the hint as she places her hand on his arm. I should have warned her I asked both Jay and Noah out for her at the same time. Lucca knows he must be next on her list.
“I love it when you speak Italian. It’s sexy,” she purrs at him.
“I'm going to switch to Portuguese then.” Lucca’s flat tone switches to Portuguese.
I giggle from behind Lily.
She glances at me. “Don’t you think his Italian is hot?”
“I don’t think it would matter what language he’s speaking.” He’ll sound hot to you. I finish in my head.
She shakes her head at me and gives up on Lucca by dragging me across the site. I twist to see what the others are doing and notice them following us.
“Did you put in a good word for me with Lucca?” she whispers to me.
“No, you only asked about Jay and Noah. I didn’t think to go through all of them. Sorry,” I whisper back.
“Not a big deal, I can take it from here.” She leaves me to find Lucca, but he’s on the opposite side of me, a few paces back. When he sees Lily looking around, he ducks behind a tree to the right of the clearing.
I work to distract Lily in order to protect the boys. “What’s with the stage and the screen? Are they going to show a movie?”
“No. It’s for karaoke.” She skips as she answers.
“I’ve never sung in front of an audience before. Don’t you get nervous?” Since I was little, music teachers have told me I have perfect pitch, so I wouldn’t be afraid to sing. But I’ve never tried because I shy away from the spotlight.
Lily shakes her head, her blond hair swishing around her shoulders. “No way! People are supposed to sound awful when they sing karaoke.”
Maybe, I shouldn’t sing then. Singing badly on purpose doesn’t sound fun.
“Come on, girls!” Lily bounces away from me to link arms with Fallon and Lara. Their eyes plead with me to help, but I shrug at them. The girls are safer than the boys.
I walk behind them, slowing my pace so they pull ahead, and Lucca and Parker saunter up on either side of me.
“See Lucca, you aren’t alone, either.” I smile over at him. “I protected you that time.”
“Well, you’re our mistress, so that’s in your job description.” Parker throws in his two cents.
“Parker! I can’t believe you would say that to me. I’m throwing Lily at you next. If you can’t be nice after that, I’ll go find Jenny.” I wrinkle my nose at him to remind him that’s not something he wants.
“Yes, ma’am.” He blows me a kiss.
I nudge him in the side. “Are you guys going to sing? I think you should sing an oldie, something with harmony.” Nothing beats a guy that sings to you.
“We’ll think about it if we can find a good song,” Jay says as he joins us.
Wow. He’s the last one I expected to volunteer to sing. I give a little clap to let them know how excited this turn of events makes me.
Our venture across the party area leads us to where the karaoke is set up. When we arrive, the girls already dance on stage. Lily waves me up as the music begins to play without me. I climb up quickly and stand off to the side. Fallon pushes me in the middle, so the mic is positioned in front of me. About to turn to her to ask what we’re singing, the music starts, and I recognize the song. It’s one of my favorites.
By the time we reach the last chorus, I’m belting out the song alone. The girls took a step back once they realized I really can sing. Smiles from the boys greet me as I finish. The crowd cheers and shouts for an encore, but the DJ points to the line. We can put our names back in the queue to sing again if we want. We shake our heads and move on.
“Why didn’t you tell me you could sing?” Lily asks. “You’re amazing.”
“You told me we didn’t have to be able to sing to do karaoke. I just went with it.” Bragging makes me uncomfortable, so I leave it at that.
The boys crowd around and compliment my singing. My skin tingles from the adrenaline rush. If the rest of the camp goes like this, even with the Mindys and Jennys of the world this will be my best summer.
We spend the next several hours watching the fire, eating burnt marshmallows, and talking. When I go to grab a drink of water, the boys are gone when I return.
“Where did they go? Did they head back to their cabin?” I’m a little hurt they wouldn’t say goodnight to me.
Fallon points over to the stage. The boys are next in line to sing. We walk over to hear them better.
The music starts and in perfect harmony they sing, “Goodnight, sweetheart, well it's time to go…”