[princesskate14]

You guys really need to stop chatting up my thread. Starting now, on a fresh new thread. Stop commenting on the other one, please! It's reached 500posts. Okay here's the first five chapters:

Chapter One

“…sunscreen, bathing suit, towels…”

“Mm-hmm,” I mumbled back to Jake. “What else?”

We were packing my bags for my summer job out at Camp Talooly. Jake, my boyfriend, was helping me. I’ve been wanting him close to me for the past week or so, knowing that I was leaving soon. I was going to be away from him for so long…I just…wanted more time with him.

“Clothes-”

“Obviously,” I said to him, laughing. “I have all the stuff that I need…go to the other list…the not needed list.”

Jake picked up the other list that was laying on my desk and scanned it with his eyes. He laughed an then started reading aloud. “Laptop-”

“Check,” I said as I glanced at my laptop tucked safely in one of my bags.

“-paper, pens, pencils-”

“Check,” I said again.

“-cell phone, batteries, ipod, books,” Jake finished.

“Check.” I sighed and sagged back onto my bed. I was leaving in about ten minutes, so that meant I had ten minutes to get my bags downstairs and spend some time with Jake.

“Wow,” Jake said sitting on the bed next to me. “That was a whole workout on its own.”

“You bet,” I replied.

I zipped up all my bags and leaned against Jake’s shoulder. Good thing my parents were both working. They didn’t like it when I had Jake here when no one was home. They just assumed that we were going to have sex.

Which we haven’t even done in the two years we’ve been together.

Jake put his arm around my waist. “When do you leave, again?” he asked.

I glanced at my clock and sighed. “Five minutes.”

“crap, Hailey” he whispered.

“I know,” I replied. “The whole summer.”

“The whole summer.”

“You can visit me though,” I said.

“Sure,” Jake said back.

I figured he’d visit me, maybe once at the most, and then not come again. He’d just email me or call me or whatever. Just ‘cause that’s his way of showing he cares. He’s not big on saying “I love you” or any of that stuff. Nope, not at all.

Of course he holds me and kisses me and stuff. But he doesn’t say anything that’s meaningful. Such as “I love you” or anything remotely close. This is closest we’ve ever been to that on this level of emotion.

Jake and I met at the end of our freshman year in high school. He needed a tutor for Earth Science, I wanted to start on extra curricular stuff for my college application. We were different like that, Jake and I. I cared about my grades and put school first, he was screw up, a I-don’t-want-to-try type of guy.

But I had changed that in him when he met me. God, I felt so special.

Yeah, so two years, and now we were going to be starting our senior year, after this summer. This long summer away from each other. Anything could happen.

Yeah, so in the past two years we had been together, Jake hadn’t really shown much emotion towards me, because, well, that’s not who he is, I guess. But, he seemed to make me feel safe.

I glanced at my clock again and sighed once more. “I guess I have to get goin’. I have to be at the staff orientation at five. It takes two hours to get there and I want to get there at least a half hour before hand.”

Jake’s grip around my waist tightened. This was actually a once in life time thing for me, so I savored the moment and leaned into him more.

“After I get my schedule,” I whispered. “I’ll email it to you or call you or something, and you can come up and visit me on my day off.”

“Sounds good,” he whispered back.

After a few more moments, we stood up and Jake helped bring my bags downstairs and load them into my car.

“That’s it,” he said as he shut my trunk.

“Alright then,” I started saying, “I guess I’ll talk to you soon?”

“Definitely,” he replied with a smile.

I went over to him and put my arms around his neck while he placed his around my waist. He held on tight for a change instead of pulling away.

“I’m gunna miss you,” I whispered into his ear.

“I’m gunna miss you, too,” he replied letting go and placing a soft, quick kiss on my lips. It was so quick, I probably wouldn’t even have felt it if it weren’t for the warmth coming from them that seemed to fill my lips right up.

“See you,” I said giving him one last squeeze.

“See you,” he replied with a nod, sticking his hands in his pockets and rocking back and forth on his heels as I got into the car.

I started the car and put it in reverse. As I backed out of the driveway, I looked at Jake and waved, wondering why the hell I was leaving all of this, just for a stupid summer job.


Chapter Two

I pulled into Camp Talooly and drove down the long dirty path. I read the paper I had in front of me which said that I was in Cabin C and that I should park near the cabin I was staying in.

As I drove along the path further, six cabins and a large building appeared in my different lines of view. I looked around and saw one cabin with a sign in front of it saying:

Cabin C-Lady Staff Dorm

Cool, I thought. I pulled up in front of the cabin and looked at my car clock before turning it off. It was four-thirty-five. That’s pretty good timing considering how long I spent with Jake.

I got out of the car and got my bags out of the trunk. There were three duffle bags, and a smaller, travel size bag. The duffle bags contained my necessities and some of my not necessary things. The smaller bag had my lap top in it and my cell phone and ipod and stuff.

I swung the travel bag over my shoulder and managed to carry the three duffle bags inside, with only one trip needed. After I walked in I saw that there was a living room area, a small kitchen area and three rooms.

I set my bags down on the floor and read the piece of paper that was pinned to the bulletin board in the living room. Very efficient, I thought. A good system of communication.

The paper read:

Room Assignments:

Room 1-Tracey Peterson-Head Female Instructor

Room 2-Laura Williams-Camp Councilor, Jamey Atkins-Camp Councilor

Room 3-Hailey Kingston-Camp Councilor, Felicity Stevenson-Camp Councilor

Alright. There are four female councilors and a female…head instructor? I guess the head instructor gets their own room. I guess it’s fair though. The head instructor’s probably have been here for awhile.

I walked back over to my bags and pick them up, bringing them into the room labeled: Room 3, with a little star carved into the door right next to it.

I opened the door and found a pair of bunk beds, with the top bunk already claimed, two desks, and two dressers. Cool, I thought. We each get our own things.

I set my bags down on the bottom bunk and looked around. Nobody was here. It seemed odd. The staff orientation didn’t start till five. I walked across the hall to rooms one and two and found that the people’s bags were there, but the people weren’t.

I’m probably late with my luck. I looked down at my watch and saw it was ten of five. No, I’m not late. But, just to make sure, I walked out of the cabin and headed towards the main building, where I was told the orientation would be.

I saw some people walking into the building and I felt relieved. I wasn’t the only one not in there.

I walked up the stairs and opened the door to reveal a cafeteria type of area. There were people seated at a few tables, not many though because there weren’t that many councilors, and there was a woman up at the front of the room, waiting patiently for everyone to be quiet.

I figured she was going to speak soon so I went over to the nearest table and asked this guy, “Can I sit here?”

He looked up at me and boy was he cute. “Sure,” he said, smiling, revealing a mouth full of sparkling white teeth.

“Thanks,” I whispered and sat down next to him, turning my attention towards the lady at the front of the room. She looked to be about in her early to mid thirties. She was attractive and looked very outgoing. She had blond-red hair and striking blue eyes.

“Alright, everyone,” she began. Everyone quieted down. It wasn’t really that loud to begin with because there were only about twelve councilors all together.

“Welcome back to Talooly!” the lady shouted and everyone hooted except for a couple of guys and a girl I noticed at the other table. They must be new like me, I thought.

“I’m Barbara White, director of Camp Talooly,” she continued. “Most of you who’ve been with us at Talooly for awhile know me as Barb. But anyway, this is the staff orientation.” Some people cheered. “Ok, so you’ve all gotten your room assignments that have been posted in the Staff Dorms., correct?”

“Yes, Barb,” someone yelled. Everyone nodded.

“Cool,” Barb said, smiling. “Alright, so the kids arrive Saturday at three o’clock. That’s tomorrow. The kids don’t actually start any real activities tomorrow, except if they want to swim a bit they can. So basically, we need everything set up by Sunday morning at nine.”

More nods. And I noticed that both one girl and one guy, the girl was seated up closer to Barb and the guy was seated…well…right next to me, were writing stuff down. Maybe they’re the head instructors, I thought to myself.

“Um,” Barb thought. “We have a few new people this year, so if you meet them, be nice and show ‘em around. Don’t’ be immature teenagers.” People laughed and Barb tapped her chin. “Okay, so, the head instructors, Tracey Peterson and Chris Longo, will be handing out schedules and activity assignments. Tracey will hand out the girl’s, and Chris will hand out the guys.”

Again, more nods and the girl who was taking notes stood up and gave a nod and so did the cute guy next to me.

“If you have questions about your schedule or your assignment, you see me tonight or tomorrow. Early Sunday morning at the latest. And you’ll be paired up with other people for some of these activities, too. If you have a problem with your partner, see me about that, too.”

Barb shuffled some papers, looking down at them. “Ok,” she said smiling at as once more. “I’m pretty sure that’s-”

“Hey, are we still having the party?” Chris, the guy seated next to me, asked. He was the male head instructor I noticed before.

Barb made a oh-I-remember-now face and said, “Oh, yes of course. How could I forget.” She paused. “There will be the annual staff welcoming party tonight in this hall. It starts at seven, and goes till whenever you feel like leaving. No alcohol, drugs or anything inappropriate going on, or your fired.”

There was silence.

“Okay then!” Barb said cheerfully. “I’ll see you all tonight!”

And with that everybody shuffled out of the main hall back to their dorms.


Chapter Three

“So, you’re Hailey?” a girl asked me walking into our room and plopping herself on the top bunk.

“Yeah,” I replied, as I continued to unpack my stuff into my dresser and my desk. “Are you Felicity?”

“Yup,” she replied. “That’s me.” She sat up. “How old are you?”

“Um,” I said. “Seventeen.”

“Cool, me too.” She laid back down as two other girls walked into our room.

“Hey Felicity,” one of them said.

Felicity sat back up. “Hey Laura,” she replied. “Who’s your friend there?”

Felicity didn’t beat around the bush much, I noticed.

“This is Jamey. She’s a friend from my school. I told her Camp Talooly is totally fun, and she decided to come with me to work this summer,” Laura said.

“Cool,” Felicity said. “Welcome, Jamey. This is Hailey. She’s new, too.”

“Hi,” I said to both of them, putting the bag with my lap top and other stuff on my desk chair.

“Hey,” Laura said.

“Hi,” Jamey said softly.

I discovered quickly, that Jamey was the type of girl who was shy. She didn’t like meeting new people, and was comfortable in small groups. I hoped she would do well with the kids.

I looked at my clock and saw that it was six fifteen.

Felicity noticed, too and immediately sprang up from the top bunk. “Okay, who wants to get ready with me?”

We just stood there, except for Laura who squealed. “Oh, my God. Are you planning on wearing something totally hot for Chris?”

Chris? Chris Longo? The head instructor Chris? Were he and Felicity together? I didn’t think anyone here was like that. I thought it was against the rules to have relationships with the co-workers, especially the head instructors. Maybe not.

“You bet,” Felicity said, winking. “He’ll be pawing at me by the end of the night.”

Okay, how’d she get here? I thought. She seemed like such a girly girl. I mean, how could she do all of these activities and watch after kids with the kind of attitude she had now?

“Oh boy,” Laura said. “I want to help!”

And with that the two went off to the bathroom squealing and jumping and talking a mile a minute about what each other did over the school year.

“So,” I said to Jamey who was still standing in our doorway. “Your Laura’s friend.” It was more of a statement than a question.

“Yeah,” she sighed. “We’re nothing alike.”

I glanced in the direction of where Laura and Felicity went. “I can see that,” I said.

Jamey laughed. “Yeah, well, I think she’s going to be with Felicity most of the summer here…”

“Yeah,” I said. “That happens when you make new friends and still have your old friends…you feel like you want to spend more time with the new friends.”

“Uh-huh,” Jamey agreed. “I don’t really care, thought. I mean, I already have a new friend. You.”

“Yep,” I said, nodding.

Laura came bustling in just then and grabbed a large bag, mostly of make-up I noticed, and then left again for the bathroom.

“She’s fast,” I observed.

“Yep,” Jamey said. “That’s just how she is. Fast pace.”

I sighed as I finished putting my clothes in my dresser. I slipped my suitcases underneath the bed and laid down.

“What’s this staff party?” Jamey asked me.

“I don’t know,” I said. “I’m new, too. I think it’s just a party for the staff. I’m guessing it’s not as formal as it sounds. ‘Welcome Staff Party’.”

Jamey laughed. “Yeah, I figured.”

She came over and sat on my desk chair. “So, who’s Chris Longo?” she asked. “I know you’re new, but you looked kind of surprised when they were mentioning him-”

“Oh, I don’t’ know him,” I said, interrupting her. “But, I sat next to him at the orientation thing. I didn’t think relationships were allowed between co-workers, or between the councilors and head instructors.”

“Yeah, you’d think they’d have a ban on that stuff,” Jamey agreed.

“Oh, well. I guess we’ll see tonight when Chris starts ‘pawing’ at Felicity.” I laughed.

Jamey did too. “I guess so.”

I looked at Jamey’s outfit. “You’re not changing, are you?”

“No,” she said. “Are you?”

I smiled. “Nope.”

She smiled back.

God, finally someone who didn’t care what they looked like, I thought. This party was sure going to be interesting.


Chapter Four

“Hey,” I said walking into Jamey’s room. “Where’s Felicity and Laura?”

Jamey glanced up at my from the magazine she was reading. “Um, I think they left for the party already.”

I looked at Jamey’s clock. It was just seven o’clock now. “Okay,” I said. “Wanna head over there?”

“Sure,” she said. “By the way,” she started saying as we walked out of our cabin, “where’s Tracey? Isn’t she head instructor?”

“Yeah,” I said nodding. “I don’t know where she is. We’ll probably see her after the party.”

“Mm, right.”

We reached the main building and heard music blasting from inside. It looked to be dark inside too, and there were flashing lights. This is more than just a little ‘party’, I thought.

I opened the door and walked in with Jamey behind me. And was I surprised.

There was all the staff members there, including cooks and everything, and there was someone on stage, playing music. There were tables of food, and punch, and everybody was dancing.

“Whoa,” Jamey said from beside me.

“I agree,” I said. “I didn’t think some corny, children’s summer camp could actually throw a party.”

“Well, I guess they can”

“Come on,” I said and walked over to the punch table and poured myself a glass. As soon as we got there though, one of the guy councilors came over to us.

“Wanna dance?” he asked Jamey.

I could tell she was blushing, even in the dark. I mean, she was the shy type, of course she’d blush at anything concerning guys.

“Um,” she glanced over at me. “I’m kind of with-”

“Go ahead,” I said taking a sip of punch. “I’m fine.”

“Alright,” she said happily. “See you later?”

“Uh-huh.”

She smiled and took the guys hand and walked onto the dance floor. I guess there is no ban on councilor relationships, I thought.

“Hi,” I heard a male voice say from beside me.

I looked over and saw a familiar face from earlier.

“You sat next to me at the orientation right?” he asked me.

I nodded. “Yep.”

“Thought so.“ He stuck out his hand. “I’m Chris Longo.”

I took his hand. “I know.” I shook his hand then pulled it back. I looked back onto the dance floor. I didn’t want Felicity to see me with her boyfriend because that would be big problem when I got back to the cabin.

“Your name would be…?”

I took a sip of punch. “Hailey,” I said.

“Do you have a last name? Or do you just go by Hailey? Like…Pink?” he joked.

“Kingston,” I replied turning to face him. “I’m Hailey Kingston.”

“Well,” he said. “It’s nice to meet you Hailey Kingston.”

“Likewise,” I said. I didn’t want to give him the impression that his flirting was good. One, I have a boyfriend, and two, he has a girlfriend. What kind of guy is he to be flirting with me when he has a girlfriend?

“Are you shy or something?” he asked me.

“No,” I said. “I just don’t see the point in flirting with someone else’s boyfriend.”

He stared at me, confused. “Huh?”

I turned to him again. “Aren’t you and Felicity Stevenson together?” I asked him, finishing off my punch and pouring myself another glass.

His face formed an expression of both anger and understanding. “Oh, that,” he said. “No, we’re not.”

I was surprised by his answer. “But I thought-”

“Yeah,” he said. “She’s probably telling everyone we’re still together.”

I paused. “Still?”

He nodded. “We used to be together. We aren’t anymore, although Felicity seems to think we are.”

“Oh,” I said.

Chris was quiet. “Yeah, we had a thing last summer,” he explained after a moment. “It was both of our first summer’s here at Talooly, and we met at the orientation. We immediately hit it off. We both felt it. So we found ways for us to paired up together for the activities, and we got to know each other better. By the end of the summer we had become a couple. But, on one of the last nights I caught her…her and another guy making out.”

“Wow,” I said, sympathizing for him.

“Yeah,” he said. “She told me that he was kissing her, and that she tried to get him off of her.” He laughed. “Yeah, right. But I told her it was no problem, that I forgave her, but that we were no longer together.”

“Uh-huh.”

“But, I don’t think she realized what that meant,” he said. “She called me a whole bunch of times during the school year, wanting to get together. I returned them but said that I was busy. Now we’re here, and I’m head councilor…and she…thinks that we’re still together. It’s so frustrating.”

“Wow,” I said again.

He glanced over at my comprehending face. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m telling you, a total stranger, practically my life story.”

“It’s alright,” I said. “But, you know she was planning on you ‘pawing’ at her tonight.” I laughed.

He did too. “I figured as much,” he said. “But, I haven’t even talked to her. I’ve been avoiding her.”

“Ah,” I said. “I see.”

I looked around the room to see if Felicity was here, and to my luck, I found her at a table near by, staring daggers at me. Oh boy, I thought. This is not good.

“It looks like she’s spotted you,” I said nodding in the direction where Felicity is sitting with Laura, still staring at us.

Chris followed my gaze. “I guess she has.”

“She’s my roommate,” I said suddenly.

“Really?” Chris asked. “Don’t let her hassle you about this. She’s spoiled, and used to getting everything she wants. And I’m not something she can have.”

“Hmm,” I said. “Well, I’m going to go, before I get myself into more trouble.”

“Well, alright,” he said looking back at me.

“Bye,” I said throwing my cup in the thrash and turning to walk away.

“Bye,” he said. “Nice meeting you Hailey Kingston.”

I smiled to myself as I heard him say my name, and continued walking away.


Chapter Five


I walked over to where I saw Jamey and the kid from earlier talking. I walked up to her and tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around.

“Hey, ready to go?” I asked her.

“Already?” She turns back to the guy and then back to me. “But, I’ve just gotten started,” she whispered.

“Well…” I didn’t really feel like going back to the cabin alone, but I guess she could stay. “Okay, I guess I’ll go back by myself,” I said.

“Thanks!” Jamey said, happily. “Oh, this is Mike,” she stepped out of the way and points to they guy who nodded, “and Mike, this is Hailey.”

“Hey,” I said.

“Hi,” he said back.

“Well, nice meeting you, Mike,” I said. “I’ll see you later, Jamey, okay?” I squeezed her hand.

She nodded. “Yeah, I’ll see you later.”

“Bye.”

“Bye,” she said and turned back to Mike and began talking non stop like she had been before.

I just shook my head and started out the door, but before I could get there, someone put their hand on my shoulder and spun me around to face them. And what I saw, didn’t look happy.

“What were you doing?” Felicity snapped at me.

I looked down at her hand that was still on my shoulder. “What do you mean?” I asked.

Felicity huffed, and said loudly, “You very well know what I mean, Miss Play It Dumb. Why were you with Chris?”

I again looked down at her hand, that was still on my shoulder. I brushed it off of me and said, “I was just talking to him, Felicity, it was no big deal.”

She narrowed her eyes at me. “Chris doesn’t just ‘talk’ with lowlifes like you.”

“Oh is that true?” I asked her. “Because I have come to find out he thinks the same of you.” Her eyes widened. “And he also happened to mention that he broke up with you a year ago, and you still don’t get it.”

She shook her head. “That’s not true-”

“Whatever,” I said.

She looked at me sharply. “Just stay away from him, Hailey,” she spat my name, “or I’ll make your stay here a living hell.” She gave me one last dirty glare and then added, “You can count on that.”

After she walked away I just laughed and walked outside. It was a little cold out and I rubbed my arms with my hands, trying to get warm, and started off towards my cabin.

“Hey.”

I screamed and whipped around to find Chris jogging after me. I put my hand up to my chest and breathed in and out deeply. “God,” I said, “you scared the crap out of me.”

He gave a little smile as he came up next to me. “Sorry,” he shrugged, “I just saw you talking with Felicity, and I wanted to ask you how it went.”

I sighed, slowing my heart beat down a bit, and said, “It went,” I said.

“Bad, huh?”

“Not really,” I said. “She doesn’t scare me. But she did say she’d make my life here a living hell if I didn’t stay away from you.”

He laughed. “I bet she did,” he said. “Not that she could. “She’s so fragile, she’d probably worry about breaking a nail.”

I laughed too. “Probably.”

We started walking off towards my cabin and were suddenly surrounded by silence. I looked around and everything was so black, I could hardly see anything around me.

We reached my cabin and I stopped walking. Chris did also. We just stood there, looking around at the darkness, and then at each other.

“So,” I said.

“So,” he said and we laughed.

“I’m gunna go inside,” I said pointing over my shoulder to the cabin. “So I guess I’ll see you…tomorrow?”

He nodded. “Yeah, see you tomorrow.”

I smiled, not that he could see it, and said, “Alright, see ya.”

“Bye, again,” he replied.

I smiled for the second time that night as we departed and I walked into the cabin. As soon as the door shut, I sighed, closing my eyes. I could tell this would be one heck of a summer.

I walked into my room. No one was even home yet. Wow, I thought, I must be lame.

I picked up my cell phone and dialed Jake’s number.

It rang four times then the answering machine picked up. I sighed as I listened to the recording, thinking that it was only the first day I’d been gone, and already Jake was out doing other things because apparently he was “free”.

“Hey, Jake, it’s Hailey,” I said into the phone. “I was just calling to check in…but obviously you’re not here right now.”

I paused. Why was I calling him? I knew he wouldn’t call me back. I knew it. Jake wasn’t like that. He was too busy with everything else that was more important than me.

“I just wanted to talk to you about my first day here,” I said. “But, I’ll just call you back tomorrow or something.”

I sighed, but the quickly stopped it, knowing that Jake could hear everything I said and did.

“Bye.” I hung up.

I shook my head, turned off my phone and climbed into bed, realizing that this summer was going to be a lot tougher to handle than I thought.

[soccerforwardnumba10]

WHOA THAT SCARED ME. OUT OF NOWHERE A NEW THREAD!!!!!!!!!

[12Bandgeek21]

you got it!
*makes mental note*
no more chatting on Katie's thread
:P

a loyal reader,
shay

[princesskate14]

Yes a new thread. Now, do not chit chat.

Please.

Chapter Six

I woke up the next morning and found that Felicity had gone out already. Her bed was mad (which is hard to do on a bunk bed) and she had a note plastered to my face. Yep, on my face.

It read:

Hailey-

Laura and I went to the main building for breakfast. Tracey said that when you get up, you and Jamey should head over there for assignments.

-Felicity

P.S. remember what I said to you last night.

Uh, okay, I thought. I got out of bed, hitting my head on the bottom of the top bunk in the process.

“Ouch,” I mumbled. I walked out of my room and glanced in all the other rooms. Sure enough, everyone was gone except for Jamey.

“Hey,” I said to her as I walked into her room. She was getting ready. I didn’t know why though. We were just eating breakfast then getting ready for the kids that were arriving tomorrow.

“Hey,” she replied.

“You have fun with uh…Mike…last night?” I asked, curious.

Jamey blushed. Aw, I thought, how cute. “Yes,” she replied.

I could tell she was holding back her joy. I looked at her.

She turned to me. She smiled. “Okay,” she said. “He’s so hot!”

I laughed.

She continued, “He’s hot, nice, sweet, funny, and we have so much in common!” She sighed. “Did I mention that he’s hot?”

I smiled. “At least twice already,” I said.

She grinned. “Well he is!”

“I noticed.”

“Hey,” she said, forming a fake serious face, “he’s mine.”

I laughed. “Whatever. Just let me get dressed and then we’ll head over to the main building or whatever.”

“Okay,” she said. “You’re not taking a shower?”

“No,” I said. “I don’t need one, I’m not dirty.”

She glanced at me. “Okay…”

I just laughed and walked into my room to change. I slipped on some tan shorts, a white tank top and my pair of running shoes. I brushed through my hair and threw it up into a pony tale. Then I brushed my teeth and told Jamey I was ready to go.

“Why all dressed up?” I asked her as we walked towards to main building.

She blushed again. “No reason.”

“For Mike?” I teased, nudging her in the side.

“Possibly.”

“I’m impressed,” I said. “I thought I had you figured out yesterday when I first met you. I thought you were all shy and everything. But it looks like you’re quite the flirt.”

She shot me a look of surprise. “Hailey!”

“What?” I asked, laughing. “You are.”

She laughed to as we walked into the building. We walked over to the line to get our food. I got some pancakes (chocolate chip), two pieces of toast and some cranberry juice.

I sat down at the nearest table and waited for Jamey who had started talking to Mike the minute we stepped into the building.

“This seat taken?”

I looked up to see Chris. I smiled weakly. The truth was I was still bummed about last night. Jake hadn’t made an attempt to call me back or anything. That means he didn’t bother or he didn’t even come home.

“Nope,” I said.

He smiled back at me. “Well, then,” he said and sat down. I continued eating. “What’s wrong?” he asked me.

“Nothing,” I said quickly, he laughed. “Why would you think something’s wrong?”

“Because,” he said taking a sip of his orange juice. Then he leaned in close to me and whispered, “I’m psychic.”

I snorted.

“I am,” he said. “Now spill.”

I sighed. “There’s nothing to spill except for the fact that my boyfriend hasn’t called me back yet.”

Chris raised an eyebrow at me. “Boyfriend, huh?” I couldn’t tell if he sounded disappointed or just curious.

“Yeah,” I nodded, “boyfriend. And he hasn’t called me back. I knew this would happen though. He’s never shown much affection for me and I thought it was because he was just like that, but he still loved me. Now I know though. I know where he was last night and it wasn’t home.”

Chris nodded. “Oh, I see.”

“Uh-huh.” I looked at him. “Now it’s my turn to say I’m sorry. I’m telling you my whole life story, and you’re practically a stranger to me.”

“Well,” Chris said, “hopefully not for long.”

My breath caught in my throat as I tried to breathe. Of course, that statement didn’t mean anything, just that he wanted to be friends, right? So why did it make me go all tingly and warm and fuzzy inside?

I glanced over at the other tables and saw Felicity and Lauren at one and they were glaring over here. Great, I thought, she caught me again.

I sighed.

“Now what’s wrong?” Chris asked, slightly laughing.

“That,” I said nodding towards Felicity.

Chris looked over and Felicity waved sexily at him. I tried to hold back a gag that was coming up. He turned back to me.

“She give you a hard time? Besides what you told me last night?” he asked.

“Eh,” I said. “Not really. She left me a note this morning saying where she had gone. It said at the bottom, ‘P.S. remember what I told you last night’.”

Chris shook his head. “She really is determined.”

“She really is. And it’s been what? Not even one full day?”

“Don’t worry,” Chris said putting an arm around my shoulders. I froze. “I won’t let her come between us.”

I needed something smart and witty to say back, but I couldn’t think of one. Nothing at all. I had a boyfriend for God’s sake and I had another boy’s arm wrapped around me.

I opened my mouth to say something but luckily Jamey interrupted saving myself from embarassment.

“Hey,” she said breathlessly. “Tracey wants to see us,” she said.

I nodded, standing up, letting Chris’ arm fall back down to his side. “See ya,” I said to him.

He gave me a smile. “Bye, Hailey Kingston.”

Why does he always call me that? I thought.

“Okay,” Tracey said when Jamey and I got to her and Felicity and Lauren, who were, still glaring at me. “This is the schedule for just this week. Sunday to Sunday. Every Sunday new schedules are given out. Here you go.” She handed a schedule to each person.

I read it over.

Activity Schedule:

1. George Dickson, Felicity Stevenson, Phillip Riley:
AM-sports
PM-sports

2. Laura Williams, Colin Larson, Greg Monroe:
AM-Arts and Crafts
PM-Free

3. Michael Christian, Jamey Atkins:
AM-Free
PM-Arts and Crafts

4. Tracey Peterson, Jason Carter:
AM-Café Duty
PM-Swimming

Wait…all of the people were already taken. And all that was left was Chris and I. Wait…that didn’t mean…
I glanced down the page some more.

5. Chris Longo, Hailey Kingston:
AM-Kayaking
PM-Kayaking

Oh, boy.


Chapter Seven

Everyone started scattering around, finding their partners and everything so they could get “acquainted”. Even though the kids weren’t getting there until three o’clock and activities weren’t starting until Sunday, we had to get ready.

Everyone had basically found who they were partnered with…except me. I looked around but I couldn’t find Chris anywhere.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned around.

“Looking for me?” Chris asked.

I felt a smile creep up my face and I could feel myself blushing. “Yeah,” I said quietly. “It looks like we’re partners.”

“Indeed we are,” Chris said.

I laughed and looked around. I saw Felicity staring at us with her mouth open, and as soon as she saw me looking she gave me a glare. I didn’t even do anything! I thought.

Chris followed my gaze to where Felicity was. She gave him a sexy smile and a wave and then turned back to her partners, who were, in fact, not very cute.

I heard Chris laugh and I turned to look at him. “What?” I asked.

“Nothing,” he said. “She’s just so obsessed.”

“Tell me about it,” I sighed, rolling my eyes.

We were silent again, until I asked, “So what do we do today? I mean, the kids don’t get here till three and it’s,” I glanced at the clock, “ten o ‘clock.”

“We just, you know,” he said, “start preparing ‘n stuff. We don’t do much. When the kids get here we just help them move in and then they have dinner ‘n stuff. Tomorrow is when the fun begins.” He rubbed his hands together.

I laughed. “Cool, so what do you want to do now?” I asked looking around to find that everyone else had gone.

“Um,” he started, “We could go, practice kayaking or something.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know if you know how to-”

“I don’t really,” I admitted. “I’ll probably need a lesson or two.”

Chris smiled. “I can help you with that.”

~*~

“Get it?” Chris asked me an hour later.

I had changed into my bathing suit and grabbed a towel and headed out to the lake with Chris after we left the cafeteria. He had been trying to teach me how to kayak for the past half an hour.

Key word: Trying.

“No,” I said, trying once more to paddle the way he showed me. No luck. I sighed and put my paddle aside, pouting.

Chris laughed. “Here,” he said getting out of his kayak and jumping into the water and coming over to mine.

“What are you doing?” I asked, panicked.

He gave me a weird look. “I’m getting in,” he said simply.

I looked behind me at the second whole in the kayak and then back at Chris. “Oh,” I said.

He smiled. “Oh.” He rolled his eyes.

“Shut up.”

He laughed and put his paddle in the boat and braced himself to jump up into it. “Ready?” he asked.

“Yeah.” I nodded.

“Okay, here it goes.” He pushed up with his arms trying to swing his legs in fast enough…but it didn’t quite work out that way and the whole kayak tipped over.

I came up, gasping for air.

“You okay?” I heard someone ask.

I looked over to see Chris was as soaked as me. I laughed. “Yeah,” I said, “I’m fine. You?” I asked in return even though he looked alright to me. Especially with him having took his shirt off just a second ago revealing an extremely impressive body.

“Fine,” he said as he laughed.

We sat there in silence for awhile, and then, even though it was at least eighty five degrees out, I started to shiver.

Chris notices. “Cold?” he asked.

I nodded.

“Come on, we’ll continue this lesson later,” he laughed.


Chapter Eight

“So, how was your first kayak lesson?” Chris asked me as we ate lunch in the main building after we had both gotten changed.

I laughed and swallowed the sandwich that was in my mouth. “Hard,” I said.

He laughed too. “I could see that. I don’t know why you can’t get it. But you’ll have to learn fast.”

“Why?” I asked. “You kayak well enough for the both of us.

“Because,” he laughed, “there’s a trip next weekend down to Oakridge valley, you know.”

I stopped eating. “What?”

He laughed again. “Yeah,” he said, “we take the kids who wanna go. We kayak up there, stay overnight, and then spend the day there the next day and then kayak back up here before it gets dark.”

I wince. “Sounds like there’s a lot of kayaking involved.”

“There is,” he said, “that’s why I must use my best skills to teach you how to do it.”

I snorted. “Sure, Chris. Like you have any skills.”

Chris faked a gasp. “Oh, coming from the person who can’t move an inch in a kayak,” he said.

I glared at him and he glared back and then we just burst out laughing.

I heard someone cough next to us and Chris and I looked over to see Felicity standing above us, hands on her hips, glaring, specifically at me.

“Oh, hey Felicity,” I said politely.

She glared at me some more, before turning into her sweet mode. “Hey, Hailey,” she said. She turned to Chris. “Hi, Chris.”

Chris nodded at her. “Hey.” He looked back over at me and continued eating his sandwich.

I tried not to smile.

“So, what are you guys doing?” Felicity asked.

“Um,” I said looking at Chris; he rolled his eyes. “Chris was just giving me a kayak lesson. But, apparently I am a failure,” I laughed, “so now we’re just eating and then heading back out there.”

“Oh,” Felicity said.

“You’re not a complete failure,” Chris laughed at me. “You just…need a bit more tutoring.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Thanks.”

He smiled at me and I felt myself blush slightly, though I didn’t know why. Chris and I had been laughing and getting along with each other all morning. What was so different about that time?

“Not having too much fun are we?” Felicity asked, looking directly at me.

Chris almost spat out his sandwich and I laughed at him.

“Shut up,” he said, wiping his mouth.

I was still smiling when I turned to Felicity and said, “Sorry to disappoint, Felicity, but we’re having plenty of fun.”

She opened her mouth and then closed it. She had a look of rage on her face that I knew was all because of me. I would get some of that wrath later, I thought.

Felicity just looked between Chris and I and then huffed off back to her table where her partners and Laura were sitting.

“Okay then,” I said turning back to Chris who was laughing. “That was interesting.”

“It definitely was,” he agreed. “She is so jealous.”

My eyes widened, although I knew this was true. “She is not,” I protested. “There’s nothing to be jealous of.”

He just shrugged and continued eating his sandwich.

Okay, then, I thought to myself, and continued eating my sandwich.

~*~

“Ready to try doing this thing together?” Chris asked me as we sat in the kayak together.

He had been trying to teach me, again, how to kayak and I kind of had the idea by then. So, Chris decided to move to my kayak, and I guess he was asking if I was ready to try it with him?

It was already five-thirty, close to dinner time, and I was starving. But I guess I could try one more time.

“Sure,” I said. “Let’s just do this thing, I’m hungry.

Chris laughed. “Alright, let’s start paddling.”

Chris moved his paddle and I mimicked his movements. We were going great for awhile but then something got thrown off, and our kayak started to wobble. I tried to fix, by changing my paddling patterns, but that just made it worse.

Before I could stop it, the kayak flipped over, with Chris and I still strapped in. And, I guess with all the amusement of me not knowing how to Kayak, Chris never taught me how to unstrap myself.

So, you know, I was in a bit of a pickle.

I had immediately dropped the paddle and was attempting to get myself out of the kayak. But it wasn’t working too well, and I started to panic. My eyes were burning too, from holding them open under water.

I looked around and saw that Chris was gone. GAH!, I thought, HE GOT HIMSELF OUT HOW DID HE DO THAT!

I panicked some more and tugged at the strap, which only made it tighter. I gasped, but that wasn’t a good idea, because I was underwater, and proceeded to swallow some.

Right when I thought I was going to black out, I felt someone undoing the strap around my waist, and then pull me out of the kayak with their strong hands wrapped around my waist.

In a second I felt my face break the water’s surface, leaving me gasping for air, and coughing up water as I was carried to shore.

I was still choking when the person who saved me, laid me down on the ground.

“Oh, my god.” I looked up to see Chris. I coughed some more. “Hailey, are you alright? I totally forgot to teach you how to undo the strap, I’m so sorry.” He took in deep breaths. He was obviously tired.

“I-I’m,” I coughed, “alright.” More coughing.

“Here,” he said putt his hands underneath me and sitting me up, “it helps with breathing and such. Are you sure you’re alright?” His eyes roved over me with worry.

I nodded and took in some deep breaths. After I caught my breath I said, “Wow,” I looked at Chris, “that was scary.”

He laughed softly. “Yeah,” he said, “It was. Especially when I was standing in the water, waiting for you to come up and you never did. I thought you had died or something.”

I rubbed my throat, which had started to hurt when I talked, or swallowed. I shook my head. “I’m not, thanks to you,” I said as best I could.

Chris looked down, embarrassed and we just sat there in silence. And then I started to shiver. I looked down and yes, I was wet obviously. Second time that day I was wet and cold with Chris

He looked up at the sound of my chattering teeth. “Come on,” he said standing up and pulling me up with him, but my legs gave out and I almost fell. But, then Chris caught me around the waist bringing me close to him.

“Sorry,” I said, stepping away from him and attempting to walk, but my legs gave out again, leaving me to fall, once again, into Chris’ arms.

“Must I carry you?” Chris joked.

I laughed, but then started coughing. Once my breathing relaxed again I said, “You don’t have to.”

“Oh, but I do,” he said. “I can’t just let you crawl your way back to your cabin. Plus, your freezing. The faster you get back the better.”

“Really, I’m fine-”

“Hailey,” Chris said seriously, “it’s alright, I’ll carry you.”

I sighed, and nodded. Chris pulled me up into his arms and started walking towards my cabin.

At some point before we reached the cabin, my eyes drooped down, leaving me asleep in Chris’ arms.


Chapter Nine


“Hey, sleepyhead, wake up.”

I moaned. What time was it? I don’t remember how I got in my bed. I was at the lake with Chris and then the kayak tipped over, and then I was cold so Chris carried me back…

…Oh.

I opened my eyes to see Chris standing over me with something in his hands that looked like…

…soup!

“What time is it?” I mumbled, turning to face him as he knelt down beside me.

He looked at his watch. “Seven-thirty,” he replied. “I went to dinner after bringing you here. I thought you’d might like some soup, thought.”

I nodded gratefully as I sat up and took the bowl from it and ate it hungrily. Chris just laughed. I smiled at him.

“So,” I said after a few sips. “Where is everybody?”

He sat down on the edge of my bed, which was kind of hard considering there was another bed right above his head. He was so tall.

“They’re still at dinner,” he explained. “I left early to bring you something. I was worried about you.”

“Aw, Chris is finally a mother,” I joked. He blushed. “But, really,” I said, “you didn’t have to. I was just fine sleeping peacefully in my bed here.” I patted the bed.

Chris shrugged. “Yeah, I know, but I wanted to check on you.”

“Thanks,” I said, blushing.

Chris smiled. “No problem, now eat that soup.”

I laughed and gulped down the soup gratefully. I was finished in less than five minutes, even thought the soup was scorching hot. Well, maybe not scorching, but almost.

“Wow, you were hungry,” Chris laughed.

I nodded. “Thank you so much,” I said, “for everything.”

He nodded. “Sure, anytime.”

We sat there for a moment, just sitting there, silent. It wasn’t awkward though. I think we both liked sitting there…we liked silences. They were comforting somehow.

“So,” I started, because he can’t just sit here for the rest of the night.

Chris laughed. “So.”

“We start tomorrow and I don’t know how to kayak,” I said laughing.

“Yeah,” he said, “well I think I can manage to kayak for us both.” He smiled. “Even if you are a load.”

I gasped and hit his arm. “What? I am not a load.”

“Um, who carried who to their cabin?”

I crossed my arms and pretended to pout, although on the inside I was laughing. “Shut up.”

He just laughed. “Hailey, Hailey, Hailey,” he said, clicking his tongue, “I would never say such things about you.”

I smiled. “Sure, Mr. Innocent.”

He grinned back. “Actually,” he whispered leaning closer to me, “there’s nothing innocent about me.”

My breath caught as his face neared mine. I swear he was going to kiss me. Our lips even touched, barely, but still touched.

But then I heard a phone ring and we sprang apart.

“That’s, um, my phone,” I say softly getting up and getting my cell phone while Chris coughs a little, clearing his throat.

I put a hand to my forehead in embarrassment as I answered the phone. “Hello?”

“Hey, baby, It’s Jake.”

My jaw dropped. “Jake?”

Chris’ head snapped up, and he looked at me. I turned away because I didn’t want him to see the blush the never left my face after we pulled apart.

“Yeah, I got your message last night,” he said.

I didn’t know what to say. “Um…”

“So guess what?” he asked me. I could hear him smiling.

“Um,” I said taking a glance at Chris who was staring at me. I looked away again. “What?”

“Look out your window.”

“What?”

“Just do it,” he said.

“Alright…” I stepped over to the window and looked out.

Oh, my God, I thought. He can not be doing this!

“What is it?” Chris asked.

I didn’t answer him. Instead I ran outside, a little weakly, falling over at times, but Chris helped me up, and then I went outside and ran up to Jake and threw my arms on him.

“Hey, baby,” he murmured into my hair.

I don’t know why I hugged him. I was still mad at him for ignoring me all of last night and being out partying.

“Hey….” I said and then he pulled away. Remember the not much affection thing? Yeah, hasn’t changed in a day.

I sighed as I looked at him and wondered what would happen next?

[princesskate14]

12Bandgeek21, on Jan 20 2007, 08:32 PM, said:

you got it!
*makes mental note*
no more chatting on Katie's thread
:P

a loyal reader,
shay

Hey, thanks. I appreciate it.

Now guys, I have to post the whole story up here, and if I don't finish tonight I'll finish tomorrow, okay?


Katie

[12Bandgeek21]

*tries to salute*
yes ma'am
*scratches head*
what was it i wasn't suppose to do?

Just Kidding!
:P

shay

[the_tall_girl]

...I don't think you needed to make another thread.. I don't *think* the same rules apply.
*goes back to reading*

Damn. I forgot what chapter I was on.

[princesskate14]

Chapter Ten

“What are you doing here?” I asked Jake, not really that happy to see him. I mean, I just almost kissed Chris, and now I’m hugging Jake?

“I just came to surprise you,” he replied, smiling.

“You never do that,” I stated.

“Well I am now,” he snapped.

“Okay,” I said putting my hands up in defense.

“Sorry,” he said. “But I only came for a minute, just to see you and check up on you but I gotta go in like,” he looked at his watch, “two minutes.”

“Why?” I asked. “Can’t you stay longer?” I said even though I didn’t really want him to.

“No,” he said, sounding distracted, “I have to get to this thing at my, um, Aunts house.”

Okay…. I thought.

“Alright…” I said, imitating my thoughts.

“Don’t be sad though, I’ll come next weekend, okay?” he said.

“Okay,” I replied, but then remembered something. “Oh, I won’t be here. I have to take a trip with the kids up to Oakridge with the kayaks next weekend.”

“The whole weekend?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh.” He ran a hand through his hair and then looked at his watch again. “Okay, well I better go.”

“But-”

“I’ll cal you soon, okay?” he said getting in the car without any last hugs or kisses. “Bye!” he yelled as he started the car and drove away.

That’s my boyfriend for you.

I sighed and walked back into the cabin and into my room where Chris was waiting for me. I laid down on the bed and closed my eyes, surprisingly tired out from the walk and from standing.

“You okay?” Chris asked.

“Yeah,” I sighed. But the truth was I didn’t know.

“What was that about?” he pressed on.

I opened my eyes and looked at him. I shook my head. “Jake was here,” was all I said.

“And…?”

“And he came up for a minute, just to see me,” I explained, looking straight up at the bed above me, “and then left after a whole two minutes. That should be a record.”

Chris gave a low whistle. “I’m sorry.”

I raised my eyebrows. “For what?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” he shrugged, “for you having a bad boyfriend, I guess? And…um…for almost…”

“Kissing me?” I finished for him.

He laughed nervously.

“Yeah,” he said. “That.”

I sighed. “It’s fine.”

“Okay. I guess I just got swept up in the moment,” he explained, “and just…”

“Yeah,” I said, not wanting him to finish. He didn’t feel anything, then. I got it.

There was another moment of silence, but this time it was sort of awkward. Awkward because of what almost happened between us, that, apparently, wasn’t real, just, spur of the moment kind of thing.

“So,” I said, breaking the ice. “I guess you should be going. The girls will probably be heading back anytime.”

He looked at me closely. “Yeah, right.” He got up and headed to the door. “You gunna be alright?” he asked me.

I nodded. “Yeah, sure, I’m fine.”

“Okay.” He gave me a smile and walked out the door.

I sighed and leaned back into my pillow wishing I had never come to this stupid camp in the first place. Although I know things have just begun.

~*~

“Hailey,” I heard someone say as they shook me awake. “Wake up, time to go to breakfast.”

“Hmm?” I rolled over and opened my eyes and found Jamey looking back at me. “Hey,” I said, “what time is it?”

“Seven,” she replied. “You have to hurry up and eat before eight, because then they start assigning kids to activities.”

I flew out of bed. “Alright, alright, I’m hurrying.”

Jamey just laughed.

~*~

I walked into the dinning hall and got my breakfast. I sat down at a random table by myself to think.

But that didn’t last long, because before too long I heard, “Hey, Hailey.”

I looked up to see Chris smiling down at me and my breath caught in my throat. Why did that happen every time I saw him now? Jake used to do that to me. He should still do that to me.

“Oh,” I said, “hey, um, Chris.”

“Can I sit with you?” he asked me.

“Yeah,” I replied, giving him the best smile I could, “go right ahead.”
He smiled again and put his tray down at sat next to me. “Sleep well?” he asked.

“Definitely,” I said, “the soup really helped.”

He laughed. “Good.”

I was about to say something else but then Tracey came up to us and said, “Come on, we need to get ready to assign activities,” and then scurried away again.

I sighed. “I guess we better go then.”

Chris laughed. “I guess so.”

This was going to be a long day.

[princesskate14]

the_tall_girl, on Jan 20 2007, 08:40 PM, said:

...I don't think you needed to make another thread.. I don't *think* the same rules apply.
*goes back to reading*

Damn. I forgot what chapter I was on.

Yeah, the same rules apply. I read the writing forum rules when the new message boards were made.

They are the same.


Katie

[the_tall_girl]

Okay. Update! I need to read chapter 11!
Jake is a jerk. Chris is a jerk and all guys are jerks!
*stomps away*
*door shuts behind me*

[princesskate14]

Chapter Eleven

“Okay, kids,” Tracey yelled to the loads of kids who were sitting in front of us. “We’re going to name all of the activities you have to choose from, and when we’re all done, we’ll ask who wants to do what, and then you go to that activity. Okay?”

There was a mumble of yeses and a few nods.

“Alright!” Tracey sighed and looked down at her paper. “Okay…first we have…”

I tuned her out. I really didn’t care about which kids were going where. I really only wanted to know if kids were going to be kayaking, because if they weren’t, I could practice.

“…and last, we have kayaking, with Camp Councilors Chris and Hailey.” Tracey looked up at the kids and smiled. “So who wants to do what?”

There was a bunch of shouts, and I’m pretty sure I didn’t hear anyone for kayaking. I mean, who would? It was early in the morning. More kids would go in the afternoon.

“Okay, okay,” Tracey said, putting up her hands. “If you want to do arts and crafts, go over there…”

Again I tuned her out and this time, stared at Chris, who was smiling at all the kids and their eager faces. He looked so hot…even though he wasn’t doing anything but standing there.

“Okay,” Tracey turned to us, and I noticed we have no kids, “I guess you guys have the morning off,” she said happily. “Go have some fun. We’ll see you here for lunch.” She smiled and then walked away to her own group.

I sighed and turned to Chris who was grinning at me.

“Relieved?” he asked as everybody started filing out of the building to go to their different activities.

I laughed. “A little bit,” I said. “I mean, I’m obviously not good enough to actually kayak, let alone teach someone else how.”

Chris laughed now. “Yeah, you do kind of suck.”

I cross my arms as we started walking out of the building and said, “It’s not my fault I have a bad teacher.”

Chris faked being hurt. “And, how, prey tell, am I a bad teacher? You just don’t get it!”

I snorted. “Um, yeah, I don’t get it because I have a bad teacher. And you’re a bad teacher because…oh shall I name the things? One, you try to get in my kayak and tip it over, getting me soaked and cold,” I put up one finger.

“Okay, that was an accident,” Chris interjected.

“Two,” I held up another finger, “you never taught me how to unstrap myself from the kayak, which, in fact, led to my almost drowning.”

“But I saved you!” he said. “That counts for something.”

“No, it doesn’t,” I said, still crossing my arms.

“It does too!” Chris laughed. “If I hadn’t saved you, then you’d be dead, I’d be sad, and guilty, AND you wouldn’t have another chance to be taught how to kayak.”

I looked up at him. He looked down at me. We had this staring contest for a moment or two, and then finally, I sighed and said, “Fine, it counts for something. But you’re still a bad teacher.”

“Oh, alright,” he said, sarcastically.

“Ok, new subject,” I said laughing.

He laughed too. “Okay,” he said, “what do you want to do?”

I looked around. All the little kids were doing different activities. I looked at my watch. We still had about three hours until lunch, and that’s when we meet up again for new activities. What were we going to do?

Chris got a grin on his face which only meant he was up to something. “How about…” he faded off and nodded in the direction of the water where all the kayaks lay.

I shook my head, getting his meaning. “Oh, no,” I said. “I almost died last time! There’s no way I’m going back in there.”

Chris chuckled, grabbing my wrist and dragging me towards my cabin, I assumed, so I could change. “Come on,” he urged, “you won’t die. I’ll be there to save you.”

“What if you die,” I grumbled.

“Um, that’s why I’m going to teach you how to unstrap yourself,” he said, and then added, “and how to save someone.” He winked.

“If you make me do this, I won’t need to be taught how to save someone cause there won’t be any saving going on, by means of me doing the saving,” I said.

“Oh, I’m scared,” Chris laughed as we reached my cabin. “Go on,” he pushed me inside, “go get changed. “I’ll met you by the water in ten minutes.” He turned to go and I thought about making a run for it.

But then he turned back to me and added, “Oh, and if you think about running away, don’t. I’ll just find you, and then your punishment will be worse.”

I glared at him and he just gave me an evil grin and walked towards his cabin.

I sighed and walked towards my room, ready for the worst teaching session ever.

~*~

I huffed and puffed all the way down to the water where Chris was waiting, getting all the kayaks ready.

Stupid Chris, I thought, making me do stupid kayaking. It’s all stupid. I’m going to drown, and die, and become a ghost, and then I’ll haunt stupid Chris for the rest of his life for making go stupid kayaking!

At the sound of my footsteps, Chris turned around and grinned.

“Shut up,” I grumbled.

“Oh,” he said, putting on a pout face, “it’s not that bad. And I’m hurt that you used that language with me.”

“Shut up,” I repeated.

He just laughed.

I stood there as Chris got into the front of a kayak. When I didn’t get in he turned to look at me and said, “Well, are you getting in?”

I stepped towards the kayak warily. I raised my eyebrows at him. “In with you? Like, in the same kayak?”

He laughed. “Uh, yeah.”

I looked at him cautiously.

“Don’t worry,” he said, sighing, “I won’t drown you or anything. But if you happen to flip yourself over, I will save you.”

“You’re so full of yourself,” I mumbled as I got into the kayak carefully and sat down, strapping myself in.

“I know,” he shrugged and gave me his famous heart melting smile.

“Okay…” he started and then proceeded to teach me how to unstrap myself, which, hilariously, I couldn’t do.

Chris sighed after telling me how to do it for the second time. “Why is this so hard for you?” he laughed.

I shrugged. “I’m uncoordinated?” I offered.

“Must be.” The he added, “I’ll just have to show you.”

He turned around and reached for my waist. “What are you doing?” I asked trying to move away, but apparently, I’m still buckled in. Well, I thought, obviously.

“I’m going to show you how to unstrap the belt,” he said, as if this was obvious. It probably was, I was just being overdramatic, as always.

I sighed as Chris continued. When his strong hands touched my waist, it sent shivers through my entire body. I guess Chris noticed because he asked, “Are you cold? It’s like ninety degrees out!”

I shook my head, hoping he wouldn’t notice my blushing face. “Um, no,” I said, “I’m not cold.”

Chris shrugged. “Okay.” He put his hands on the buckle of the strap and unbuckled it slowly, showing me how. I finally understood.

He strapped me back up. “Let me do it one more time,” he whispered. He’s whispering? I thought. Why is he whispering?

He put his hands back on my waist where the strap was, making me again shiver.

“I thought you weren’t cold,” he said quietly.

“I’m not,” I said quickly.

He just shrugged again and unstrapped me. I leaned down to look at it closer as he did it.

“Get it?” he asked lifting his head.

I nodded as I too lifted my head, realizing that our heads were only about three inches apart…

…and then his was moving ever so slowly towards mine…


Chapter Twelve

“Hailey! Chris! Hey, you know it‘s-oh!”

Chris and I sprung apart at the sound of Jamey’s voice. And in this process, managed to flip the kayak over…again, and I came up coughing and choking with Chris right beside me doing the same thing.

“Sorry,” Jamey mumbled, turning red in the face. “But, it’s actually time for lunch…”

“It’s fine,” I said quickly. “Chris was just teaching me how to unstrap the buckle on the kayak. We’ve had some problems,” I explained.

“Yeah,” Chris agreed, “I was just-”

“Guys,” Jamey said, laughing, “I don’t really care. I was just sent to get you guys so you could eat.” And then she walked away.

I just stood there, staring after her. What had just happened? Had we just almost kissed? Again?

I looked over at Chris who was ringing out his shirt. I looked back up at where Jamey was standing a moment before. I was getting cold and starting to shiver but I didn’t notice because I was thinking.

I heard Chris cough and clear his throat. “So…”

I turned to face him.

“Wanna go get changed and get something to eat?” He asked me.

I knew he was avoiding the situation that had almost occurred not five minutes ago, but I ignored it and replied, “Yeah,” I gave him a smile, “let’s go.”

~*~

“Alright everyone,” Tracey said after lunch when everyone was gathered again. “Time for the afternoon activities…” and she proceeded to do the same thing she did earlier.

And once again, Chris and I had no kids to attend to. I assumed not many kids liked kayaking, or not even know what it was.

I turned to face him as once again, everyone left the room. “So, what are we doing now?” I asked and then grinned. “Not another lesson we’re having, are we?” I half joked, half whined.

Chris grinned. “Nah, we don’t have to…” he got a mischievous look in his eyes, “but…we can go swimming, right?”

I raised my eyebrows. “Umm…sure?”

He smiled. “Okay,” he turned around, “race ya.” He winked and the sprinted off towards his cabin.

“No fair!” I yelled, running after him. “You cheated!”

~*~

I ran out of my cabin and glanced around. No Chris. I ran to the lake as fast as I could. The rule was that last in the water had to clean out the kayaks before the trip this weekend.

That job I did not want.

I was just about to throw my towel down and jump in when I felt two strong hands grab my around the waist and pick me up and throw me over their shoulders.

I squealed and started pounding Chris in the back. “Chris! Put me down!” I shrieked.

“No,” he said simply.

“You’re cheating!” I yelled, laughing.

“So,” he said, shrugging, making me go up and then down again, “I never said anything about not cheating. We said whoever gets in the water first.”

“Yes,” I agreed, “but this is just stupid!”

“You’re right,” he said, “you’re too heavy to carry.”

I slapped him in the back. Hard.

“Ow,” he said as he kept on carrying me.

“I am not heavy.”

“No, but you’re pretty close,” Chris laughed.

“Am not,” I protested, feeling defensive.

“Are too,” he said and then suddenly put me down and start sprinting towards the water with me right on his heels.

“Chris! Get back here!” I yelled after him.

He turned around and grinned at me. And before we knew it, he was flying threw the air and he landed on the ground on his back, groaning. I slowed down and noticed he had tripped on a stick. A small stick.

I was laughing by the time I got to the groaning Chris who was still on the ground, rolling around and moaning that he was in so much pain. I laughed some more.

“Chris you’re such a baby,” I said. “And now I get to win!” I added happily and started to skip off towards the lake.

That is until Chris grabbed my leg, brining me down on top of him. Then he rolled over and pinned my arms down so I couldn’t move. I struggled against him but he was just too strong, so finally I sighed and stopped moving, glaring at Chris all the while.

“That’s a good girl,” Chris said, sort of quietly.

I glared some more. “You’re so cheating right now.”

“Again,” he said, more quietly this time, “I didn’t say anything about cheating. So, therefore, it’s not really cheating.”

“Shut up,” I grumbled.

“Aw,” Chris said, “don’t be all moody, now. We need that perfect face so the little kids won’t get scared when they finally do decide to take kayaking.”

“My face is not perfect,” I said, looking away to see if anyone was looking over here. Luckily, nobody was.

I turned back to Chris who was frowning at me. “What?” I asked.

“You don’t think your face is perfect?”

“Nothing’s perfect,” I stated.

“You are,” he whispered softly.

I was speechless. Nobody had every said anything like that to me before. Not even Jake. Well, of course not Jake, Jake didn’t show any emotion, let alone tell me I’m perfect.

“No I’m not,” I whispered, but it was barely audible.

Chris leaned in, pressing closer to me. “Don’t be so sure of that,” he said, pushing a few strands of hair out of my eyes.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because I know.”

“Know what?”

“That you are perfect.” He smiled and leaned in further.

I couldn’t breath as his face neared mine. Was this really happening? Were we finally going to kiss, or was there going to be yet another interruption? This was what I had been waiting for, right?

As Chris’ lips touched mine, my whole body seemed to be ablaze with emotions. It lit a fire inside me that I couldn’t understand, and most certainly couldn’t control.

That’s why I did what I did next, which was pull Chris closer, and kiss him like I never wanted to stop.

[soccerforwardnumba10]

awww, honey, wanna talk about it.


actually, not here. *whispers* Katie knows EVRYTHING

[princesskate14]

I have no idea what you're talking about, but yes, I do know everything. Ha. Yeah right.

Okay, I need to copy the rest of the story.

*wipes forehead*


Katie

[princesskate14]

Chapter Thirteen

“So what happened again?” Jamey asked me, bouncing up and down on my bed as I tried to sleep that night.

“Jamey,” I grumbled, “I’m trying to sleep, go away.”

“I want to hear the story!” she whined. “You never told me what was going on or anything! I’m dying to know!”

How I ever could have thought Jamey was shy, was beyond me. “Jamey,” I said sternly, “I will tell you tomorrow, okay? But right now, I need my sleep. Now go to your own room.”

“But-”

“Go!” I said putting my head further down in the pillow to get comfortable.

“Fine,” Jamey grumbled. “But you’re explaining everything tomorrow. Okay? You better promise me-”

“I promise!” I said.

“Okay,” Jamey said happily and got down of the bed and padded across the floor into her own room and her own bed.

I was actually pretty lucky that Felicity was not back yet. If she was she would’ve heard all of Jamey’s nagging and she would’ve put the pieces of the puzzle together…

…and I can’t have her blowing another fuse at me. I just can’t handle Chris and I kissing, and Jake ignoring me AND having my roommate totally pisse.d at me too.

I sighed and just drifted off to sleep, vaguely hearing Felicity enter the room later into the night. I could feel her staring at me but then she just got up into her bed and soon she was asleep too.

~*~

“Hailey!”

“Mmm,” I mumbled as I turned over in my soft bed and put the pillow over my ears to prevent myself from hearing Jamey’s voice.

“Hailey,” I heard her say, “it’s morning. And almost eight. We have to eat breakfast before activity time, you know.”

I sighed. She wasn’t asking about yesterdays events. I relaxed a little and took the pillow off my head.

“So what happened yesterday?”

I spoke too soon. I groaned and covered my head again wishing for her to just go away and leave me a few more minutes sleep before I was forced to get up.

“Hailey,” Jamey said sternly, “you promised.”

“I never said anything about telling you right when I woke up!” I whined. “I’ll tell you at breakfast for Christ’s sake.”

Jamey smiled. “Okay,” she said happily and left me alone.

I got out of bed and looked at the top bunk. Felicity wasn’t there, so that was a good thing. I was hoping she had already left for breakfast so I didn’t have to explain to her why Jamey was bugging me and what about.

I walked into the bathroom and started getting ready for the day ahead of me.

~*~

I walked into the dining hall with Jamey babbling in my ear the whole time about what had happened yesterday and why was I ignoring her and why won’t I tell her anything.

“Jamey!” I said once we reached the buffet line.

“Yeah?” she asked hopefully.

“I’ll tell you when we sit down, sheesh,” I said getting a tray and putting a bagel on it.

“Something big must’ve happened if you are refraining from telling me,” Jamey said smiling at me.

“No,” I said, “nothing ‘big’ happened. I’m just sick of you bugging me about it. So I’m making you wait longer.” I grinned at her.

She frowned. “I’m dying to know. I came over to you guys and you were practically kiss-”

“Shh,” I hissed at her. “I don’t want the whole camp to know what happened.”

“Sorry,” Jamey said.

Once I had everything I wanted for breakfast I went down and sat at a table with Jamey on my heels. She sat down across from me quickly and raised her eyebrows at me.

“What?” I asked, smiling.

“What do you mean what?” she shrieked. “Tell me!”

I sighed and took a bite of my bagel. I stared at Jamey who was anxiously awaiting my story. “Okay,” I said slowly, “we kissed.”

Jamey shrieked and some people looked over at our table.

“Shh!” I hissed, looking around. “We didn’t kiss when you walked in on us. We kissed later. But I’m not so sure it was a good idea.”

Jamey’s smile that had gotten bigger a moment before, faded. “What?” she asked. “Why not?”

“Because,” I said, “I have a boyfriend, for one,” Jamey shrugged it off, “and Chris and I don’t even know each other that well.”

She shrugged again. “So?” she said, excited again. “You-”

“Shh!”

“-kissed!” she whispered.

I nodded, unable to keep a smile from creeping up my face. “Yeah, I know, I was there.”

Jamey smiled back. “So what are you going to do?”

My smile faded. “I’m really not sure, Jamey.” I looked over at the table where Chris was sitting. “I still have Jake. So I’ll have to tell Chris-”

“Hailey, don’t-”

“-that what we did can’t happen again,” I finished.

“Hailey,” Jamey warned.

“What? I can’t just chuck Jake when the first guy that pays attention to me comes along. That’s cruel.”

“Yes you can!” she protested.

I shook my head. “That’s not how relationships work.”

Jamey pouted. “Fine,” she said. “But if you ever complain about Chris and how he’s so hot and you can’t have him I’ll slap you.”

I smiled. “I know.”

Jamey sighed. “I can’t believe your just going to throw Chris away and stay with the jerk of a boyfriend you have. What’s his name again?”

“Jake,” I laughed. “And I’m not throwing Chris away, we’re still going to be friends.”

I was still looking at Chris’ table and he looked over at me. He smiled and waved and I did the same back.

“You sure Chris knows that?” Jamey asked.

I turned to her. “I haven’t told him yet.”

She rolled her eyes and started eating her breakfast. “Well you better hurry up before the boy gets his hopes up and then you crush them all to smithereens.”

I laughed. “Okay, Jamey,” I said, “Whatever you say.”


Chapter Fourteen


“So,” Chris said softly into my ear, startling me a bit as we walked down to the lake. “We actually have kids today.” He smiled.

I laughed. “Yeah.” I looked around at the…three kids we had for kayaking. I laughed again as Chris, the kids and I reached the lake.

“So,” Chris said louder so the kids turned around to face us. “Have any of you kayaked before?” The three shook their heads. Chris clapped his hands together. “Alright…I hope you guys are better learners than Hailey here,” he pointed to me with a playful smile on his face, “because she still can’t kayak.”

The kids laughed.

“Yeah,” I said, “it’s pretty hard. But hopefully you’re all better at it than me.”

The kids nodded.

“Okay,” Chris said rubbing his hands together and getting the life jackets out. “Who’s ready to start?”

All three kids raised their hands. “Alright,” he said, “I’ll just help you put your life jackets on now…”

I walked over and helped him put the life jackets on the kids, who I noticed were around ten years old, and when we were done, started to get into the kayaks.

I helped each kid into a kayak as Chris got in one of his own.

“Comin’ with me?” Chris yelled? “Or are you risking it going by yourself?” He gave me a playful smile.

I laughed. “I think I’ll stick with you. Plus, you’re my life saver right?”

Chris grinned. “Right.”

As Chris showed them how to paddle I modeled his actions, but really I was thinking about other things…

Such as the fact that I hadn’t told Chris about us being just friends. He was probably thinking when he was going to get me alone again. But I knew the answer to that.

I sighed and thought about how I was going to tell him. Was I just going to blurt it out? Or put some thought into it?

“Hailey?”

I looked up and the kids were kayaking pretty well as Chris just stared at me.

“Oh-sorry,” I said. “I was zoning out for a second.”

Chris laughed. “Yeah, I noticed,” he said. “You alright?”

I nodded. ‘Yeah, of course,” I said although my voice came out slightly higher than usual. And I was also pretty sure that Chris noticed, although he didn’t let on, for which I was very grateful.

“Alright then,” he said. “Let’s start.” He turned back to me. “And if you can’t manage to paddle the right way, don’t. I can do all the paddling for the both of us.” He winked.

“Oh sure,” I said sarcastically, “like you’re that strong.” I rolled my eyes, but laughed in spite of myself.

Chris glared at me playfully. “Oh you don’t think I can do it?” he countered.

I shook my head. “You can hardly do it when it’s just you. How are you so sure you can do it with me, ‘the heavy load’, in the kayak too?” I raised my eyebrows.

Chris laughed. “Sit back, Hailey,” he said and I put my paddle down, “and watch the show.”

~*~

“Alright guys go straight to the main building for lunch,” I told the kids and they rushed off smiling and giggling.

I laughed at them and turned around to find Chris standing right behind me.

“So?” he asked.

“So what?” I asked smiling because I knew what he was talking about.

“I managed to kayak with us both in it, when you weren’t paddling,” he stated. “And I’m not even tired.”

I snorted.

“What?”

I shook my head. “Nothing.” I started walking towards the main building but Chris caught my arm. I looked up at him.

“Hailey…”

I looked down at his arm and turned around to face him. “Yeah?” I asked although I had a feeling of what it was that he wanted to talk to me about.

He looked down and then back up at me. He actually looked nervous for once. “Um,” he started off, “about yesterday…”

I tensed. “Yeah, Chris…about that…”

He looked at me and paused. “Yeah? Go ahead.”

“Well…” I looked up into his eyes which were so hopeful. I tore my gaze away or else I wouldn’t have been able to say what I needed to say. “I think we should just be friends,” I said hurriedly.

Chris was silent. After a moment he dropped my arm from his grasp and stepped back an inch or two.

“Chris?” I asked hesitantly.

“What?” He looked at me as if coming out of a daze. “Oh yeah,” he said, “it’s fine with me.”

“Chris…”

He smiled. “No, that’s just what I was going to tell you,” he stated, not having a hint of sadness in his voice.

I raised my eyebrows, surprised. “Really?”

He nodded. “Yeah,” he said, “I didn’t want it to be awkward or unresolved or anything so I was gunna say that we could just forget anything happened or whatever and just be friends.”

I looked at him closely. He didn’t look as if he was lying. I nodded and cleared my throat. “Okay, sure,” I said.

Chris smiled at me. “Alright. So, let’s go in for lunch?”

I smiled back. “Yeah, let’s go.”

Chris gave me one last heart-melting smile and started to walk towards the main building for lunch. I followed behind, feeling just a little heartbroken. But why was I feeling that way when I had Jake? Didn’t I love him? So why was I feeling so…surprised and sad that Chris only wants to be friends?

I just sighed and let my thoughts wander as I walked up next to Chris and we entered the building for lunch.

~*~

“So I guess we’re back to no people huh?” I laughed as Chris and I walked back outside for our break because again, no kids wanted to go kayaking.

Chris laughed too. “Yeah, I guess so.”

We reached the kayaks and I said, “I wanna try to kayak by myself so when Friday comes I know how to kayak all by myself up to Oakridge, alright?”

Chris smiled. “Yeah, okay.”

I hesitantly got into a kayak and strapped myself in. I grabbed the oar as Chris got into his kayak.

“Ready?” he asked me.

I nodded, nervous. “Don’t let me drown,” I said.

Chris smiled at me for what seemed like the millionth time today. “I won’t let you drown,” he said. I sighed with relief. “Besides, who’s going to do all the dirty work on the trip this weekend if I let you drown?” He grinned at me mischievously.

I glared at him. “In that case…” I motioned so that it looked like I was tipping the kayak over and Chris raised his hands.

“No!”

I laughed. “Don’t worry,” I said and started paddling which, surprisingly, made the kayak move, “I’m not going to drown myself.”

Chris laughed too. “That’s a relief.”

I just shook my head and kept on paddling.

“Hey, you’re kayaking,” Chris stated after a few minutes and we were a fair away from shore.

I looked back at the camp and said, “I guess I am.”

Chris smiled at me. “Well, that’s one thing off my list of things to do?”

“What is?” I looked at him questioningly.

“Teaching the stupid one how to kayak.” He looked over at me and grinned.

I just stuck my tongue out at him and splashed him with my oar.

[princesskate14]

I'm watching this show: My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance or something like that. It's hilarious.

Chapter Fifteen

I was counting down the days until the big kayak trip to Oakridge. There were three days left. I was getting pretty good at kayaking too. I wasn't scared any more, unless my kayak moved when it wasn't supposed to. Then I was worried. But other than that, everything was fine.

I walked over to my calendar and crossed off another day, sighing. As I put my pen down, my cell phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID. It was Jake.

"Hey," I said, answering the phone.

"Hey, Hailey," Jake said as I heard some people yelling in the background.

He was probably at some stupid party. "Where are you?" I asked as I heard the blasting of music off in the distance.

"Ah," Jake shouted, "I'm just at this party at Jared's."

I was right. "Who's Jared?" I asked loudly.

"What?"

"WHO'S JARED?"

"Oh," Jake shouted, "just a guy that's having a party, I guess." I rolled my eyes. "He's from school don't worry."

"Oh I wasn't," I said to myself. "Are you drinking?"

"Umm…"

That would be a yes.

"Kind of," Jake answered. I heard someone shout his name in the background and Jake yell to them to hold on. "Listen I gotta go-"

"Why'd you call?"

"-I just wanted to say hi," he explained. "I'll call you later, okay?" He shouted. "Bye, Hailey."

I hung up. I didn't even say goodbye, just hung up. Personally, I didn't give a dam.n whether Jake called or not. But what made me angry was that Jake was out partying all the time and getting drunk. One of these times, party he's at is going to get busted and I'll have to bail him out of Jail.

My phone rang again.

I sighed when I saw that it was Jake's number again. "Hello?" I said.

"I forgot to tell you that I’m coming up there tomorrow to see you," I heard Jake say, but I wasn't really listening, but instead thinking about why I was still with Jake.

"What?" I sighed, tired of this conversation already.

"Huh?" Jake shouted over the music.

"Nothing." I shook my head. "What did you want to tell me Jake? I've gotta go soon."

"I just told you," Jake shouted. "I'm coming up to Camp Talooly to see you tomorrow."

I hesitated in my reply. Why was he coming up? He never makes a point to make our relationship better. And, the last time he was up and Camp, he stayed for less than five minutes. What did need now?

"Hailey?"

"Yeah, okay," I said quickly. "I'll see you tomorrow then. What time about?"

There was some shouting and then Jake said, "Um, I don't know." I sighed. "When do you eat lunch?"

"Noon."

"Well, I guess I'll see you at noon." More shouts came from his end of the phone. "Okay, I gotta go-"

"Bye," I said and hung up.

I looked at the clock. It read six o'clock. It was time for dinner already. Everybody in my cabin had already left for dinner fifteen minutes ago. I was probably going to have to sit with all of the little kids because no seats were going to be left.

I tucked my phone into my jean pocket and grabbed a sweatshirt and walked out of my cabin. It was still light outside but when it got dark, I knew it'd get cold. I walked over to the main building and walked in.
And of course, almost all the seats at the councilors' table were taken up. Except the one next to Chris, I noticed, was empty. I walked over to it and tapped Chris on the shoulder.

"This seat taken?" I asked, grinning.

Chris turned to face me and smiled back. "Nope, take a seat."

"Thanks," I said. "But I gotta go get my food." I glanced down at the table in front of Chris. "You're not eating?"

He shook his head. "No, I am. I just haven't had time to go get my food." I nodded towards the person next to him and I looked over to where he was nodding.

Felicity was sitting next to him. I grinned. "I see."

"It's not funny!" he whispered.

I shook my head. "Whatever you say, Chris. Whatever you say." I turned towards to buffet but Chris caught my arm.

"Take me with you."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Please."

I smiled. "Alright." I turned to Felicity. "Felicity," she looked up and I smiled, "hi. Okay, so Chris has to eat sometime you know. So he's coming with me to get some food. Just because your starving yourself because you think you're fat doesn't mean everyone else has to suffer."

Before she could open her mouth I pulled Chris out of his chair and pulled him over towards the buffet. When we reached it, I turned to face him to find that he was laughing hysterically.

"Oh my God, Hailey," he said. "You're so mean."

I shrugged. "She deserves it. She can't keep you hostage."

He laughed some more. "I know."

I picked up two trays and handed one to Chris. "So," I said, "how'd you wind up next to phsyco over there?" I nodded my head towards Felicity, who was staring at me with such anger that I assumed I'd get hurt just from the power of her gaze.

He shrugged. "I sat down," he explained, "and I was saving a seat for you-"

"Oh how nice," I said, laughing.

"-And she sat down on the other side of me even though I'd rather have any of the strange guys sit next to me than her. And, I tried to make up an excuse of why she couldn't sit there, but no luck." He rolled his eyes. "She insisted."

I rolled my eyes too. "She wants you so bad."

He laughed. "But she's not gonna get me."

"Really?"

He looked at me. "Yeah, why would I give in to her?"

"Well," I said, "for one, if you care about her, you should be with her."

He shook his head. "Haven't I explained this before?" He asked. I shrugged. "Well I have. The first day I met you in fact. And I told you, I'm over her. She's the one not over me," he said forcefully.

I nodded and held up my hands in defeat. "Okay, okay. I get it."

He grinned. "Good, because that girl clearly needs to be on medication and I don't want my friends thinking I'm head over heels in love with her."

I laughed. "Alright Chris."

"Alright."

When we started walking back towards the table, I started up another conversation. "So," I said, "Jake called me earlier tonight. Right before I came here, actually."

Chris' head whipped towards me. "And? What'd he say?"

He seemed anxious for some reason, but I shrugged it off. "He's coming to see me tomorrow, apparently. But I don't know for how long. He's coming at noon, so I can see him during lunch. But then again, it's Jake. Who knows if his plans will change."

Chris nodded and sat down when we reached the table. "I see," He said. "And do you want to see him?"

"Well of course I do," I said. "I mean, he's my boyfriend. But if he acted like one once in awhile I wouldn't have this other feeling that tells me to just tell him that he shouldn't come at all."

Chris looked at me intently. "So you're having second thoughts?"

I stared at him, wondering what he could mean by that question. "Well, not really second thoughts about our relationship…" I trailed off knowing that that was partially a lie. "Well, I guess so."

Chris looked away. "Don't worry," he said. "Everything will be fine between you two, I can tell."

But his reassurance didn't make me feel any better about Jake coming to see me tomorrow. Especially if he was just going to come for a minute or two and then leave just like he did the last time. Well, we would just have to see.

[princesskate14]

Chapter Sixteen

The next day I was secretly wishing I came down with the flu all of sudden just so I could escape going to lunch to see Jake. As I had told Chris, I wanted to see him, but…I just, didn’t feel the love I had felt earlier in the summer and during the school year.

I walked to breakfast and when I had all my food I found a seat next to Chris where Jamey was sitting with Mike across the table. I was assuming they were a couple now, but who knows?

“Hey,” I said to Chris, Jamey and Mike as I sat down. “What’s up?”

“Nothing really,” Jamey said smiling and I could tell her and Mike were holding hands underneath the table. She winked at me.

Since when did Jamey become…not shy? I had no idea. I just smiled back at her knowingly and turned to Chris. “So what’s on your agenda today if we have no kids again?”

Chris laughed. “Well,” he started saying, “if we have no kids to instruct on the great wonders of kayaking-again-then I’ll probably just hand out. If you’re not busy, you can join me.” He smiled.

I felt my heart do this weird thing in my chest, and I silently scolded myself for it. “Well, I have that thing at noon, with Jake,” Chris’ face sort of changed but just a tiny big, “but obviously my morning is free and so is my afternoon. That is,” I added, “if we don’t have any kids.”

Chris laughed. “Alright then.” He put his napkin on his plate. “Well, I’m gunna go throw my stuff out and then go to the bathroom-”

“Okay, like we needed to know that dude,” Mike said, laughing.

I smiled at Chris.

“-so I’ll be right back.”

We nodded as he walked away towards the bathrooms.

“Seems like it’ll be an interesting day, won’t it?” Jamey whispered across the table at me as Mike ate his food, giving a glance in our direction.

I nodded. “Yeah,” I sighed. “I hope not that interesting.”

~*~

“So,” I said to Chris as we sat on the steps of the main building. “No kids, again.” I smiled.

Chris laughed. “Yeah, I guess so.”

“So-”

“What do you-”

We laughed.

“You go first-”

“You go first-”

We laughed again and Chris put his hand over my mouth making me shut up at once, my heart beating fast at the fact that Chris was actually touching my face.

“Just, be quiet will you?” he said, laughing still. “I mean, I know it’s hard for you but just try and-”

I pulled his hand away. “Chris!” I laughed. “Just talk!”

He grinned. “Alright. I was just wondering what you wanted to do since we have so much free time, and you’re just so good at kayaking now.”

I laughed at that. “I’m not that good,” I said. “And I was going to ask you the same thing.”

We sat in silence.

“So,” I said, “what do you want to do?”

Chris shrugged. “I don’t know.”

We laughed. We seemed to be doing that a lot lately. Mostly out of nervousness around each other but there’s not reason to be nervous right? We were over everything and we were just friends. Just, dandy old friends.

“Well,” I said, “we could always just go swimming.”

Chris gave me a look. “Remember what happened last time we tired that?”

Of course I remembered. It was the first time Chris had kissed me. Well, the only time Chris had kissed me anyway. And the memory still brought a smile to my face, even though it wasn’t supposed to. We were just friends.

“Yeah,” I said quietly. “Stupid idea.”

Chris shrugged again.

Was this going to be an awkward day or what?

~*~

I walked into the main building for lunch searching the whole camp for Jake. Chris and I had just wound up playing board games. And guess who had one every time? That’s right, I one every time.

He completely sucked at, let’s see: checkers, chess, monopoly (although it’s hard to play monopoly with only two people), Parcheesi and what else but the Harry Potter board game. He even sucked at that. Now, tell me that’s not sad?

I went over to the buffet and got my food and sat down a table, making sure to face the doorway incase Jake showed up. I didn’t want him making a whole scene and everything. I was just going to quietly get up with my lunch and walk over. We would go outside and spend the time out there.

I bit into my turkey sandwich (with cheese, lettuce and mayonnaise) and savored the taste while observing the lunchroom. By now, all of the kids had begun to make friends, which I thought was pretty good for them. So they all had their little tables where they sat with their friends and then I saw all the councilors together at one table eating. Well, I guess not all the councilors, but most of them except Jamey, Mike and Chris. I noticed Felicity wasn’t there either.

I turned my head back towards the door and that’s when I saw Jake. He was scanning the room, obviously looking for me, and then his gaze landed on me he smiled. I swallowed my bite of sandwich and smiled back.

He began to walk towards me but I put up a hand to stop him and picked up my lunch and walked over to him instead.

“Hey,” I said to him. I was actually kind of nervous and a little sad that I had to spend my lunch with him and not the others, but at least I wasn’t showing it.

“Hey,” he said back giving me another great smile of his. “Where we going?”

“Oh,” I said, “just anywhere really. We can eat out on the dock if you want to,” I offered.

He nodded. ‘Sounds great to me.”

We walked over to the dock in silence. When we reached it, I sat down, took of my sneakers and socks and dipped my feet in the water. Jake did the same and took my hand in is which, truthfully, surprised me a ton.

I looked down at our hands and then back up at him and smiled. I took my hand away to pick up my sandwich and I took another bite, looking out at the scenery. Which, I guess if you look hard, could be pretty.

“So,” I said to start off the conversation, “why’d you decide to come here and visit me?” I was truly curious.

Jake raised his eyebrows. “You’re my girlfriend.”

“And?”

“And I wanted to see you,” Jake said, annoyed. “Is that so hard to believe.

Yes. “No, of course not.”

“Well then,” Jake said scooting closer to me, which I never thought Jake would do. “What’s been up lately?”

I shook my head, taking another bite of my sandwich in the process. “Nothing really. Chris and I-Chris is a friend of mine-we teach kayaking, and not many kids have shown interest.”

Jake raised his eyebrows. “Who’s Chris?”

I looked at him. “I just told you; he’s a friend of mine.”

“From camp.”

“From camp,” I clarify.

“And you just met him,” Jake states.

I nod. “And?”

“Is there anything going on?”

A tiny blush creeps up my face but my hair falls in the way, shielding it from Jake. I shake my head. “No,” I said, “you know how I feel about you.”

I can feel the blush is gone so I turn to look at Jake who’s staring at me. And all of a sudden he grabs my face with his hands and starts kissing me. Very…hotly. And, in the process of the whole head grabbing and lip locking, I dropped my delicious turkey sandwich in the water. Which, to me, was a real bummer.

I pulled away from Jake, taking a breath and looking in the water. When I looked back at him though, the next thing I knew I was being brought back into another kiss. Since when was Jake so…forward? This isn’t the same person I knew before.

Before I could stop him, Jake had me lying down on the dock, him bending over me, still kissing me. It was definitely an uncomfortable position and I didn’t really feel comfortable kissing Jake anymore.

I pushed him away softly and whispered, “Jake, what’s wrong with you?”

His eyes turned from gentle to annoyed once again. “Nothing’s wrong. Can’t I just give my girlfriend a kiss once in awhile?”

I hadn’t noticed, but Jake was a pretty good kisser, now that I come to realize it. “But,” I said, “you never do this.”

Jake sat up and so did I. He shrugged. “I don’t know…I just felt like it.”

I nodded. “Alright.”

There was silence.

“I should go,” Jake said as he stood up.

I grabbed his hand. “But you just got here.”

He shook his head. “I’ll call you or something alright.”

My hand dropped from his and I nodded. He gave me a weak smile and walked off to where I assumed he had parked his car. I saw him get in and I heard the roaring of the engine, and then he was off.

I sighed. What had just happened. Had Jake really shown some emotion, and put some effort into making me happy? Or, was…it something else? He never used to go to parties either…

I shrugged it off and stood up. I took one last look into the water where my delicious sandwich laid peacefully, now probably all soggy and wet.

I walked up the slight hill and around the corner of the main building…

…only to find Chris and Felicity making out. Very…hotly. Just like Jake and I were doing just a few minutes ago, except, our kiss was one way. Theirs seemed to be…mutual.

Chris pushed Felicity up against the wall roughly, pressing himself to her as his hands rested on the wall near her head. Her hands were around his waist, pulling him tighter, and tighter against her body.

After probably not even thirty seconds, I couldn’t take it anymore. I wasn’t crying or anything, but I knew I would have tears if I just stood there and stared at them making out.

So all I did was cough.

They didn’t move.

I coughed louder and Chris halfway pulled his face from hers. Their lips were still touching. But when he saw me standing there he stepped away from her. Felicity immediately came off the wall and put her arm around Chris’ waist, and stood beside him.

Chris was smirking. What was wrong with him?

“You got a problem?” Felicity said.

I shook my head. “N-no I-”

“Because you shouldn’t have a problem,” Chris interrupted me. “You and your precious Jake were just out by the water having a major public display of affection of your own.”

I was now very angry at Chris. Not sad, or disappointed. But angry. Why would he say something like that? I thought we were friends. But apparently, the big-boobed slu.t comes before friends.

“You guys should’ve gotten a room. There are kids here you know-”

“You son of a bitc.h!” I screamed, turning my head towards Chris with angry eyes. “Don’t speak to me like that ever again.”

Felicity looked amused. “Aw, honey, just because you’re rejected-”

“Yeah, Hailey,” Chris interrupted. “We’re just friends, remember?”

“I KNOW WE’RE JUST FRIENDS!” I yelled. “That’s NOT the reason I’m upset-”

“Oh, it isn’t?” Felicity said, even more amused.

“It is,” Chris said to her. “She’s just mad because her relationship isn’t as good as everyone else’s and more than one couple around here is having a make out a session. And a very good one until you so rudely-”

Smack.

I slapped him. Hard. I walked right up to Chris, with now fresh tears in my eyes and slapped him right across the face. That seemed to get his attention because when he turned his face back to me and saw the tears in my eyes his eyes widened.

“Hailey-”

“Don’t you ever speak to me again,” I snapped, and ran towards my cabin.

[princesskate14]

Chapter Seventeen

I had been avoiding Chris for two days now. It had been two days since our incident by the main house and since then everytime I saw Chris he was with Felicity. They hadn't been making out like I saw two days before but I did see them kiss. A lot. And Chris kept trying to catch my eye, I could tell. He was also making attempts to talk to me when we had to give kids kayaking lessons. But I just kept on talking with the kids and ignored him.

He was not going to be forgiven. Not until he changed back into the Chris I knew before, and that Chris would not go around with Felicity attached at his hip, kissing him every five seconds. Nope, that's not the Chris I knew at all.

It was three o'clock now, and Chris and I should've been teaching or something but that day was an exception. It was an exception because it was Friday. And Friday meant big camping/kayaking trip up at Oakridge. Yes, it was that Friday. Chris and I, again, weren't talking much but we were able to plan out a trip and get some kids together to go up to Oakridge. So everybody was packing and then Chris and I would gather the kids and start heading up around four.

I zipped up my bag, finished. I had packed everything I'd need for an overnight trip, plus for the day after. I grabbed my cell phone, tucked it in the side pocket of my bag and grabbed a sweatshirt. I swung my bag over my shoulder and headed out of my cabin.

I saw Chris and a few kids gathered down by the water and I started walking towards them. As I got closer I noticed that there weren't many kids. Maybe five at the most were standing around Chris and that made me happy. I really didn't want to have to look after a whole bunch of kids on this trip. I just wanted it to be relaxing and calm. Well, it might not be that relaxing with Chris here, but hopefully he'll leave me alone.

"Okay," I heard Chris saying as I stepped up to the group, "You all want your own kayaks?"

All the kids nodded and said, "Yeah!"

Chris looked over at me and I shrugged. I didn't care. These same kids were here before and they all can kayak pretty well. I didn't think they would drown.

Chris turned and counted the kayaks. "Okay," he said, "each of you pick a kayak and put your stuff in the second person spot. That way you won't have to carry it on your back."

The kids nodded and went to get in their kayaks. Chris helped each of them with their life jackets. When all the kids were in a kayak that was when I noticed what had just happened. There was only one kayak left and two people to share it. Chris and I.

I looked over at Chris, who was staring at me, expressionless. Really, this wasn't a big deal if we were on speaking terms and Chris wasn't such a jerk. And of course, if I hadn't slapped him.

Chris and I were just staring at each other as the kids started to complain.

I snapped back to reality as one kid said, "Are we going yet?" I looked over at Chris one last time and then moved towards the kayak and got in the back. Chris followed and got in the front.

"Alright everyone," I yelled, "you know how to kayak so just stay close to us." I was grateful we had ten and eleven year olds with us not anyone younger.

We started off, going slow for the kids when Chris turned around to me. "Hailey-"

"Turn around leave me alone Chris," I said, glancing at him. He didn't turn around so I moved my head, looking in another direction. I thought he got the point because I saw him turn around out of the corner of my eye.

I could tell this was going to be an interesting trip, already.

~*~

I came back to the campsite with an armful of firewood for our fire. When I walked up to the circle of people that were around the fire, Chris was talking to the kids. They were all huddled together, like they were scared.

"Chris."

He looked up surprised I had actually spoken to him and used his name. He stared at me with confusion in his eyes. "Yeah?"

"Are you telling them ghost stories?" I asked, setting the firewood down and glancing at the kids.

Chris grinned and my heart did a somersault. I cursed myself for it. I was mad at Chris. He had been a jerk to me a few days before and now I was melting at the sight of his smile? I didn't think that was right. Plus, there was Jake…

"Yeah," Chris answered. "We were just having some fun while you were gone." He grinned at me again and I just looked at the kids.

"You guys, go get in your tents and get some sleep, okay?" I pointed towards the two tents.

They nodded and walked in their tenets. That was another bad thing about this trip. There were a total of two tents. One for the kids and one for the councilors. Meaning Chris and I had to share a tent together.

"I'm gonna go get changed and turn in," I said curtly and walked into our tent.

I closed the flap and pulled my shirt and pants and put on my pajamas. I put my dirty clothes in my bag and slide into my sleeping bag, zipping it up. I turned off the lantern and closed my eyes, wishing sleep to come.

After a few moments I heard shuffling outside the tent and the tent was unzipped. I opened my eyes to see Chris take off his shirt and pants (major heart flutter) and he slid into his sleeping bag, sighing.

I closed my eyes again and turned on my side, facing away from Chris. I couldn't seem to fall asleep no matter what I did, though. With Chris in my presence, I just seemed to tense up.

I heard Chris sigh and then he cleared his throat. I knew he was going to say something.

"Hailey-"

"Shut it, Chris," I interrupted.

"Just let me-"

"No," I snapped, now lying on my back. "You were a jerk to me. You deserve everything your getting."

"Hailey," Chris' voice was now louder than before. "I didn't mean what I-"

"Oh yes you did."

"I was just trying to-"

"What?" I snapped. "You were just trying to what? I understand that you want to be with Felicity, Chris." He groaned. "But you didn't have to be all snotty like the son of a bitc.h you are."

"That's it." Chris started unzipping his sleeping bag.

"What?"

"Screw it," Chris said, more to himself than to me

Now his sleeping bag was unzipped and he was crawling over to me and unzipping my sleeping bag. I had no idea what he was doing or what he was thinking.

"Chris what-"

But I never finished because as soon as my sleeping bag was unzipped, Chris climbed on top of me and covered my mouth with his. I immediately melted at his touch and put my arms around him, resting them on his lower back, almost touching his butt. Apparently, he liked this action because his mouth stopped moving as he let out soft groan.

He wrapped his arms underneath me, stopping on my lower back as he pressed my hips closer to his. This time it was my turn to let out a sigh of pleasure as he and I both deepened the kiss.

I lost track of time and what was happening and the next thing I knew my shirt was off and Chris was moving his hands down to my waist, where they massaged my skin gently.

This is when I snapped back to reality, realizing that there were kids not even three feet away from out tent.

I turned my head sideways, away from Chris' mouth to prevent myself form getting lost again. But this just made Chris trail his kisses down my neck instead.

"Chris," I panted. I noticed my hands were on his lower back, and just out of curiosity, I lightly glided them downward over his butt and onto the back of his upper thighs. Chris groaned again, moving his hands to my butt and pressing me even closer.

I shook my head. "Chris."

He looked at me, breathing heavily. "Yeah?"

I took a deep breath to calm myself down. "There are children right in the tent next to us."

Chris glanced over in the direction of the kids tent and then back down at me. I could tell he didn't really want to move. I mean, we were in a very…comfortable position and any guy would love to be in it.

"Chris?"

He groaned and rolled off of me onto his side of the tent and sighed. He was still breathing hard, I noticed and we both had a thin layer of sweat on our skin.

I was about to say something to Chris but then I heard him zipping up his sleeping bag and when I looked over he was turned away from me. I assumed that meant he didn't want to be disturbed.

I sighed and turned over in my own sleeping bag and wished, now more than before, for sleep to come.

[the_tall_girl]

*EXPLODES!*

I READ THE HWOLE THING! IT WAS SO AMAZING! I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT i HAVEN'T READ THIS BEFORE! chapters 16, 17 and 18 were INTENSE as well as the last chapter. A WHOLE year as best friends. For some reason I don't like Chris much. He seems to be hiding something. He seems like a payer. Like when they made out in the tend and whatnot and he didn't want anyone to know. I mean what was that all about?!!! But I sort of like him. The way he teases and everything. I can't eblieve that she broke her leg! That was like major!! A frankly, I like Jake. He's nice. Or at leat in the end he was. Totally perfect. Now I'm hoping that Chris will leave her alone and she'll meet another guy. Felicity is annoying me. The way they were making out after Chris saw Hailey and Jake making out like that. That was total revenge! He obviously likes her, but that wasn't the best way to tell her!
GAH!
THIS IS SO FREAKING GOOD!
UPDATE!!
UPDATE BEFORE I KILL YOU!!
Lol
And don't mind my babbling. I felt like I had to take that off of my chest. Whew! Lol

UPDATE!

[princesskate14]

Oh wow, thanks Julia. I'm glad you loved it :)

Yes, very intense.

And no, Chris isn't hiding anything...I don't think.

*puzzled*


Wow, this show I"m watching just got really intense.


Katie

[the_tall_girl]

What? Grey's Anatomy? Lmao

Sorry. Just not a fan.

UPDATE!

When you can that is. No pressure.

[princesskate14]

That is not what I"m watching. I'm watching My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance. I think that's the name.


Chapter Eighteen

I woke up the next morning wondering where I was. I hadn’t opened my eyes yet, but I could feel the tension in my back that I only got from sleeping on hard surfaces. Such as, sleeping on the ground.

I opened my eyes and looked around, without moving my head because I knew I would have a stiff neck. All I saw was some tan piece of material that looked like a tent.

Then I remembered. I was on the kayaking trip with Chris and those kids, whom I don’t know their names, but that wasn’t the point. The point was, I was on the kayaking trip. With Chris. Who saw me half naked last night.

I look down at myself and realized I hadn’t put my shirt back on last night, and I wasn’t wearing any kind of bra. I panicked because I didn’t know if Chris would wake up any second. I opened up my bag, pulled out a sports bra, and put it on, my shirt following right after.

I looked over at Chris, who had, during the night, rolled onto his back instead of facing away from me, and now all of his impressive upper body muscles were on display. All on display for me to see.

And they weren’t even mine. How nice.

I sighed and unzipped my sleeping bag. I crawled over to the entrance of the tent quietly, slipped on my sneakers and went outside. I stood up and stretched, immediately realizing I was right. My back was sore and I had a stiff neck. I also realized I sounded like a fifty year old man, complaining of back aches.

I smiled to myself as I went over to the kids tent. I unzipped it and poked my head in. Yes, it was a co-ed tent, but they’re ten year olds, who’s going to care? I mean, the girls had no boobs, and the guys…

Yeah.

But, there was no problem, I’m assuming. It looks as if they all had enough room. They were all in their sleeping bags, all five of them. I smiled as I saw how peacefully they slept. Except for this one boy who was snoring pretty loudly. I noticed the girl next to him had her head under her pillow. I laughed.

“Alright kids,” I whispered, loud enough so they could hear me to wake up. “Time to get up.”

No movement occurred.

“Guys,” I said a little less formally, “get up.”

No movement.

I sighed. “Do you want breakfast?”

One boy, who was a little on the chubby side, not overweight or anything, but he just had chubby cheeks, lifted his head and said, “Breakfast?”

I laughed softly and nodded. “Can you get the rest of them up?”

He nodded, although I wasn’t so sure he would stay awake. I looked at the watch on my wrist and noticed it was seven thirty. Whoops. I could’ve let them sleep in longer.

I poked my head back into the tent. “Never-”

But the chubby cheeked kid had already fallen back asleep. Typical of a boy his age I guess. Or of a boy any age. I really needed to learn these kids names if I wanted to do any good at my job this summer. It was only the second week of camp and I still didn’t know some of these kids names. Well, not some, most.

I walked back over to my tent and unzipped it and crawled in. Chris was still sleeping, snoring even. I grinned to myself and got dressed, hoping he wouldn’t wake up soon. He didn’t.

When I was dressed I went back outside and checked my watch. Eight o’clock. Wow, that was sad. Taking thirty minutes to get dressed and brush my hair.

I walked back over to the kids tent and woke them all up. We weren’t going to cook anything for breakfast. We just brought those little boxes of cereal and some milk, breakfast bars and bagels. That’s basically what we had to eat. And I wasn’t complaining and neither were the kids.

We all sat around on the logs that were around the previously burning fire, and ate in silence. When we were done I sent the kids in their tent to get dressed, of course ladies went first.

As soon as the last kid was changed, Chris staggered out of our tent, looking a bit sleepy. He was already dressed and was looking pretty good, except that his hair looked like he had just gotten out of bed. Which, he had.

“Morning,” he muttered sleepily to everyone.

“Good morning, Chris,” all the kids said cheerily.

I grinned at the look on Chris’ face. The look that says, “Don’t talk to loud or cheery in the morning it’s just plain annoying.”

“Alright kids, go get your backpacks ready for a hike. Remember what I told you to pack,” I announced as the kids scattered into the tent, leaving Chris and I alone.

We stood in awkward silence for a long time. I wanted to say something and I could tell Chris was dying to say something. And we both knew what it was about. The night before.

But before either of us could speak, the kids came back out, smiles on their faces, ready to go. I forced a smile back and Chris and I helped them all into their lifejackets and got them in their kayaks. We were going to kayak to another place up the lake and take a hike and this small mountain. Important word there was small.

Chris climbed in the front of the kayak and looked back at me. He steadied the kayak so when I got in, it didn’t tip over. And luckily, it didn’t, or else I would’ve been in a worse mood than I already was.

I got all settled and then Chris uttered the first words to me for the morning, “Are you set?”

I nodded.

He turned towards the kids who had started paddling in little circles. I was starting to think they kayaked better than me. I grinned at the thought.

“Alright,” Chris said,” just stay close to me. It’ll be the same as on the way up here. We’re just going to go to this little mountain a little ways up the lake, alright?”

The kids nodded and there were various, “Yeahs!” heard.

“Alright then, let’s go.”

Chris started paddling and I followed keeping an eye on all five kids as I did so, to make sure none were having problems or anything. But like I said before, I was starting to think they kayaked better than me.

Then the kids started talking amongst themselves and Chris and I were again flooded with the uncomfortable silence between us. I actually had to admit, it wasn’t that awkward being near Chris, just the fact that neither of us were talking was creeping me out.

I cleared my throat. “Chris-”

“No one has to know,” he said, interrupting me.

I gaped at him. Was he really talking about last night. That no one needed to know? As in it wouldn’t be happening again? As in…it was a mistake or something?

“Huh?”

“No one needs to know,” he repeated, softly. “Not Felicity, not Jake…no one. Okay?”

I just nodded, but he couldn’t see me.

“Okay?”

“Yeah,” I said, softly. “Okay.”

But the truth was, it wasn’t okay.

[~AllAmericanGirl~]

Thats not the whole thing is it?

-Jess

[princesskate14]

No I'm still posting the story, but I"m watching TV and watching my cat. :(

He's sort of dying.

:(


Katie

[princess chloemonster]

WOOT new thread. omg katie i just read your most recent update- thank god you made jake and haily break up! and a whole year of him not loving her??? woah. update soon!


chloe

[princess chloemonster]

Quote

No I'm still posting the story, but I"m watching TV and watching my cat.

He's sort of dying.

omg katie i'm so sorry!

[princesskate14]

Chapter Nineteen

“Alright,” Chris said, “we’re here.”

I looked around. It was truly a beautiful place. Chris and I had both researched everything in the area [using the laptop he brought to camp] and memorized [or rather…tried to memorize] the maps of the area so we wouldn’t get lost.

But, even though I saw pictures, the sight was still breathtaking. I loved nature for some reason. Maybe that’s why I came to Camp Talooly, but I absolutely loved being outdoors.

But, although I was loving this, being here with Chris and the kids, wasn’t exactly making my spirits soar.

After what Chris had said-at least fifteen minutes before-I had been in a pretty bad mood. Why did he not want people to know about our little…thing we had in the tent? I mean, obviously, we wouldn’t have gone blabbing around the whole camp. But saying that implied that he didn’t want himself to know either. Like he was trying to make himself forget also.

It depressed me. Sort of.

“Hailey?”

I looked up and Chris was looking at my funny from the shore. I realized I was still in the kayak and all the other kids and Chris were standing on the shore, waiting for me to get out of the kayak.

What an idiot I was.

“Oh,” I said softly, “sorry.”

Chris was still looking at me funny, but he eventually shrugged as I unbuckled myself and got out. He turned away and started saying something to the kids that I couldn’t hear. I focused on getting my backpack and all the stuff I needed for the hike.

I remembered something and turned around and tapped Chris on the shoulder. He turned around and I said, “Sorry, I just need to say something to them.”

He nodded.

“Do all of you have bottles of water?” I asked the group.

There came a chorus of “yeahs” and nods and so I continued.

“Good,” I said, “because you don’t want to get dehydrated. It’s not good to be out in the sun all day with nothing to drink.”

The kids nodded once again.

“Thanks,” Chris said to me.

I nodded, not meeting his eyes. “Yeah, no problem. It’s my job.”

He just shrugged again and turned back to them, probably explaining safety and all of that stuff. After I had zipped up my backpack finally, Chris stood up and turned to me.

“We ready?” he asked me.

Still not meeting his gaze I nodded. “I think so.” I turned to the rest and smiled. “You guys ready for a hike through the woods?”

They all nodded eagerly.

“Alright,” I said turning back to Chris, “let’s go.”

~*~

“So,” I said for the fourth time in the last four minutes making that once a minute.

“Hailey,” Chris snapped, “shut up.”

My eyes widened. Chris was never this angry with me before. Well, besides the other day. But, that was sort of fake, right? And then again in the tent, but that was apparently a secret that even he and I weren’t allowed to speak of.

“Sorry,” I mumbled and let Chris continue to try and figure out the map.

We had been hiking for a half and hour and then we stopped for lunch. The kids were really enjoying everything: the nature, the food, the views…everything.

That was, until Chris had gotten us lost. Yes, we were lost. In the woods. With nobody but us to save ourselves. We weren’t expected back at Camp until late tonight. So, nobody would come looking for us for hours.

So, Chris had snatched my map away from me, instead of getting his OWN map out of his OWN backpack, and had started to try and figure out where we were. Which, he hadn’t figured out yet, so that was why I kept saying so.

And apparently, it was annoying him. Even though I had only said it four times, I guess four times was too much for Chris to handle. So I’m guessing that’s why he snapped at me.

Chris sighed. “It’s not your fault,” he said and then he stopped walking making me bump into him and the rest of the kids stop walking also. He turned around. “We’re definitely lost.”

I closed my eyes and sighed, rubbing my temples with my fingers. “Just great,” I mumbled to myself.

All the kids started to sit down on the ground.

“I’m tired,” on girl said.

“I’m tired too,” another said.

“Me too!” another piped up.

I just stood there and laughed to myself. What were the odds that the thing with Chris AND getting lost would happen all in a matter of two days? Yeah, this is exactly what I needed.

“Hailey?”

I looked up and Chris was looking at me like he was concerned. I just kept laughing because that face was so funny. He was never concerned about me. He didn’t even care about me enough to admit what he did last night.

“Are you okay?”

I stopped laughing, realizing I couldn’t wig out on the kids. Chris and I couldn’t make them scared. That would be…bad. Yes, it would be bad.

“Yeah,” I coughed out, “I’m fine.”

He looked at me skeptically, but then shrugged and turned to kids, assuring them that we’d be back to the kayaks and back to camp in a few hours or so. One of the kids whined.

And I thought they were mature ten and eleven year olds. Well, I guess not.

I snatched the map from Chris’s hand.

“What are you doing?” he asked when I started putting my backpack back on and started walking away.

I turned back to him. “I’m going to try and figure out a way out of here alright?” Then I paused. “You have to stay here with the kids. It’s easier to move in small groups.”

Chris raised an eyebrow. “Small groups?” he asked. “There is no group there.” He pointed to me. “It’s just you. You can’t go alone, it’s dangerous.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’ll be fine, alright? Don’t worry,” I added.

I turned back around and start walking in the direction I thought the kayaks would be.

“Hailey,” Chris warned.

I turned around and I saw in his eyes that he was really worried I’d fall of a cliff or something. He really didn’t want me to go alone.

“Someone has to watch the kids,” I said softly. “And it won’t be me.” I laughed. “You’re the one who got us lost in the first place.”

He glared. “I did not! It was you!”

I shook my head. “No way,” I persisted, “it was definitely your fault. You were leading us.”

He sighed.

I smirked.

He mumbled something and I leaned forward a bit putting a hand to my ear. “What was that?” I asked, still smirking.

He looked up at me and suddenly my smirk vanished. His eyes were so serious, so caring…it made me realize this was no time for joking. At least…not anymore it wasn’t.

“Be careful.”

I looked at him. He really meant it.

I nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll try.”

He grimaced at the word try and I couldn’t help but smile at his protectiveness over me.

I turned back around and head into the woods, searching for a way out of the mess Chris put us in. After awhile-an hour or so had passed-I decided that I wasn’t having any luck.

I was at sort of a cliff area, and I didn’t want to risk sliding down the steep walls of the hill, so I decided to turn around and go back to where Chris and the others were.

But when I turned on my heel to walk the opposite way, the ground underneath me gave way, and next thing I new I was sliding-or falling I wasn’t really sure-down the hillside.

As soon as I felt myself hit the ground I tried to get up and look around and all the thoughts spinning around in my head made me feel dizzy. I couldn’t make myself move or stand or anything.

I turned my head in the slightest and everything would spin.

Eventually all I could do was close my eyes and let the darkness cover me

[princesskate14]

Chapter Twenty

My eyes slowly opened and I groaned. There was excruciating pain in my left leg and my whole body ached. What had happened to me to cause all of this? I couldn’t have gotten myself into that much trouble that I’d have this much pain.

I realized after I was done thinking so hard about my pain, that I had been staring up at the sky. The sky. I was laying on the ground, then, if I could see the sky.

I look around and saw that I was in some kind of valley. With lots of rocks. I looked up and saw the tall hill/cliff above me and then I remembered: I fell. I fell into that little valley thing and I was probably injured.

As I tried to sit up, I groaned realizing that it hurt to much to move. Yep, I was injured alright.

I looked around again and saw that nobody was to be seen. I had told Chris that I’d look for a way out on my own and look where it had gotten me: injured. And alone. I probably wouldn’t be found until dark, or maybe not even then.

I groaned again as another shot of pain coursed through my left leg. So, all I could do was stair up at the sky or look around at the empty valley. I was going to be bored, hungry, thirsty and aching for a long time.

After a moment or two though, I began to take the time that I had, to think about what had happened recently.

One, Jake had stopped by, twice, the second time being more…romantic than the first, but both times being unwanted. I didn’t know why, though, that I didn’t want Jake to visit me. He was, after all, my boyfriend. So why wasn’t I thrilled when he stopped by? I had no idea.

Two, Chris had gotten BACK together with Felicity? This was something I wasn’t exactly certain about. All I knew was that they were making out and he was all over her and everything. But, you could make out with someone and not be back together, right? But, they probably were back together with my luck.

Three, Chris and I made out in our camping tent. I thought that this was the most important of all the things that had happened recently, just because it was. We were cheating. We actually almost had sex, so it would’ve been very…severe cheating if we had. But, please, there were KIDS around, so I had to stop it…although I didn’t want to.

Four, Chris wanted to forget about everything that happened in that tent. Those weren’t his exact words, but I could tell from the way he was talking that he wanted to forget, or at least not have it mentioned anymore. He didn’t want anyone else to know. Or at least he said no one else NEEDED to know, although I sort of disagreed.

Five, we managed to get lost on our hike. How can two people who MEMORIZED the area of which they were hiking, get lost? When Chris Longo started leading a bunch of kids [and me] through the woods…that’s how we managed to get lost. And that lead to number six.

Six, I fell down into this…valley thing and I probably had a broken leg because of it. Besides that I ached all over and there was no way for me to get out in that condition and nobody would probably find me until dark. And even then they probably wouldn’t be able to see me.

And…why wasn’t I panicking right then? I had no idea.

After a moment though I tried to sit up but failed, and ended up laying back down. However, I continued with the rest of my plan.

“Chris?” I yelled as loud as I could, which wasn’t THAT loud. I was feeling weak for some reason.

Maybe it could be the fact that I had just fallen thirty feet?

“Chris?” I called again, louder.

I listened but didn’t hear anything. I wondered how long it had been since I’d fallen. I had to have been out for more than an hour. The sun seemed like it had traveled a long distance between the time that I had seen it when I was with Chris, to now.

I kept calling his name. At first, each time I said it, my voice was louder and more sturdy. But then after awhile, I grew tired and my voice started to become quieter and quieter, until I was just mumbling his name as my eyes closed.

Before, I had just been ignoring the pain, so I could think straight and possibly not think about my leg. But after I had stopped thinking and had let my eyelids close, the pain in my leg became worse, and it started to do more than just ache.

I was moaning in pain, but I was also trying to sleep. The sun was starting to set, and I was actually extremely tired. But the more I tried to be calm and sleep, the more I thought about my-assumed broken-leg. This just led to the fact that I felt all of the pain.

I felt as if I was in a daze. And the next time I opened my eyes it was pretty dark out. I thought I heard voices, but then all was silent except for my moans of pain. And then I started to mumble Chris’ name again, although I knew very well he wouldn’t be able to hear me.

I closed my eyes again. But what seemed like only seconds later, I heard someone call my name, making me snap my eyes open. Except for, my eyelids felt so heavy that they didn’t really snap open, but open slowly, and then they almost drifted back down. They would’ve closed again if it weren’t for the sound that made my heart skip a beat.

“Hailey!” I heard a voice call. A very familiar voice.

“Chris?” I mumbled.

“Hailey?” The voice was frantic; worried.

“Chris?” I said again, louder, but still sounding as if I was drunk or was someone who didn’t know how to say the persons’ name.

And then, through my half-eye vision I saw flashes of light, and I heard footsteps from above. I heard voices, saw lights and heard footsteps. It seemed like a miracle. Of course, I had only been down there for less than a day, but I was starving, thirsty, and in a lot of pain.

“Hailey! Where are you?” That was definitely Chris.

“Chris!” I tried to yell louder. It came out a little louder, and strangled, but still not loud enough for anyone to hear me. Or so I thought.

“Did you hear that?” I heard Chris yell to someone else.

I didn’t hear that person’s reply but then the voices started getting closer and closer, and I saw the light brighter than before. Maybe I was dead.

Then I laughed. I wasn’t dead. That was ridiculous. I laughed again until I heard the voices clearly now.

“I swear I heard something,” Chris said.

“Chris!” I yelled, but it didn’t come out as a yell but more of a sigh of relief.

He heard it anyway.

Next thing I knew a flashlight was being shone down on me and I could make out the outlining of someone’s body and then Chris’ voice drifted down to me once more.

“Hailey?” he asked tentatively.

“Chris,” I moaned.

I tried moving but then a pain shot up through my leg again and I yelped in pain and I was once again overcome by how much pain there was. I laid back down and my eyes drifted closed.

“Hailey!” Chris’ voice sounded relieved. “Hailey, it’s Chris. I’ll be down there as soon as I can.”

I just nodded slowly, leaving my eyes closed tight as the pain in my leg continued. I almost thought that I was going to fall asleep but then I felt another presence next to me and I attempted to open my eyes.

“Hailey.”

It was Chris.

I tried to talk like I did before, but for some reason the pain in my leg was making it hard for me to function. I don’t believe that that was a normal effect for having a broken leg. I didn’t think I’d ever had that feeling before.

Chris touched my shoulder gently. “Hailey?” he asked.

I tried to open my eyes and they opened halfway. I saw Chris crouching over me, with a worried expression on his face. He looked sincere too. He was looking over my body, probably for signs of any injury.

“Chris,” I choked out. My throat was unbearable dry.

His eyes snapped back up to mine. “Hailey,” he sighed.

I tried to smile but then I just wound up wincing. It hurt to much to moved anything except for me to move my head around. Surprisingly that was the only thing that didn’t ache.

“Chris,” I whispered. “My leg…”

He looked towards my leg. “What’s wrong with it? Does it hurt? What else hurts?”

“Everything,” I sighed, closing my eyes.

“Hailey, just tell me what’s wrong with your leg. You can’t go to sleep now.”

“My leg,” I started, “it hurts.”

“Bad?”

I nodded.

I felt a hand on my leg and sucked in my breath as Chris put pressure on it. He let go immediately.

“I think I broke it,” I said.

“Yeah,” Chris said, “it sure looks broken.”

I sighed and let my eyes fall fully closed. “I want the pain to go away,” I whispered.

Chris’ eyes were pained as if it killed him to see me in pain. “I know,” he whispered and then he snapped his head back up towards the top of the hill/cliff as if remembering those people were there. “She’s here!” he yelled. “I’ll need some help getting her up!”

My eyes closed once again and I felt sleep coming on.

“Don’t worry I’ll get you back to camp,” Chris whispered in my ear as I finally drifted off to sleep.

[princesskate14]

Well, I must leave now, but I"ll post the rest of the story tomorrow!!!!!!!


Night!


Katie

[soccerforwardnumba10]

night night!!

i hope you dream about updating

[Cabot~Fan]

Woohoo new thread!

And you CANNOT blame me for chatting up your thread, because I was at the movies and then at the winter dance all day today. Hmph.

~Chelsie ♥

[i_love_books_alot_]

Hey, new reader!I just have to say, I love this story! IT IS AWESOME! I read the whole thing (from the other thread, and lost some sleep but that's okay!) Anyway, i just can't wait for the next update! :hyper:

[Esdroper]

Cool a new thread!

Cool i loved your last update on the old thread i though he was going to tell her he was gay.

I like the way got him to brake-up with her without dying, lying or cheating!

Update a new update soon! :user:

[meaghan848]

new thread!!

I loved your update on the last thread.

-Meaghan

[chrisy_moron]

You cannot blame me for it either because I wasn't home all day... *smiles*

But me likes the new thread.... squeky clean... Lolz...

Katie will there be an update soon?

[princesskate14]

i_love_books_alot_, on Jan 21 2007, 12:58 AM, said:

Hey, new reader!I just have to say, I love this story! IT IS AWESOME! I read the whole thing (from the other thread, and lost some sleep but that's okay!) Anyway, i just can't wait for the next update! :hyper:

Hey new reader :)

Welcome and thanks.


Thanks everyone!

I shall try and get the rest of the story posted up. And no update today I don't think. Or tomorrow 'cause I have a meet.

Katie :wub:

[princesskate14]

I'm promoting my new story on my own story's thread. This story won't be posted for awhile, but I thought I'd get a head start on getting people interested. Okay?

Quote

Natalie Dawson is a care about your grades, always do you chores, do what your parents say, focus on your sports, no distractions type of girl. She has always been and plans to always be in control of her life. She doesn't believe in going out and having fun with her best friend Beth or letting loose once in awhile.

But when she meets Erik -"With A K"- Perry, everything starts to change. Why is it that Erik can get Natalie to finally go out of the house, or actually be fun around people and not shy. Why does he seem to be so interested in her when she herself knows how boring she is? And can she allow him to do that and let him into her life? Or will she shut him out when she finds she needs him most?

Tell me what you think!


Katie

[Cabot~Fan]

Katie! I'm giving you a "promotion"! lol .

I think I told you this before.... but if I didn't I was thinking it... STOP GIVING US THE SUMMARY AND JUST POST THE STORY!! You're making me DIE!

~Chelsie ♥

[princess chloemonster]

ooo katie you should REALLY start posting that story!! just let us know when its up!

update soon

-chloe

[princesskate14]

Chelsie, I'm not posting the new story until I have at least 20/30 pages
written or I have more than six chapters written. I will decide which one.
But until then I am promoting...and working on the stories I have now.
And hopefully Camp Talooly will be over with before I post.
Okay, I'm going to end this conversation here, with I shall update ASAP.

Katie

[Cabot~Fan]

Does that mean Camp Talooly is almost over :icon_eek: ???

~Chelsie ♥

[JaneAustenBuff07]

princesskate14, on Jan 20 2007, 11:57 PM, said:

Well, I must leave now, but I"ll post the rest of the story tomorrow!!!!!!!
Night!
Katie

Does that mean its almost over? That makes me slightly sad, but mostly I am JUST SO SUPER SUPER HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


YAH! THEY'LL GET TOGETHER!

[princesskate14]

No, no, no.
I meant the rest of the story from the OLD thread.
Yep, yep. The story isn't almost over.
I have a few more plans.
Mwuahaha

Katie

[Cabot~Fan]

Oh! Okay, I was getting worried... phew. *wipes sweat from forehead*.

tsk tsk. Bad Katie, scaring your readers like that.

Wow, it's 22 degrees here. surprising.

~Chelsie :020: :user:

[the_tall_girl]

UPDATE!
I need something exting right now. My head hurts. Grr.
So UPDATE!

*hands on hips* *waving finger like a mother* Don't make me come over there!

[maz luvs anthony]

aww its finishing...but i guess that makes sence...please update!!