JAVIER
SIX YEARS AGO
It was officially the last day of school as a junior. After the summer break, I'll be a senior and right after college. I'm not really looking forward to that. College sounds like stress, more responsibilities, more annoying teachers and more school work. I groaned in annoyance as I walked through the crowded hallway to my locker. Most people were in a rush, trying to get out of school as soon as they could, as if the school administration would change their minds about letting us go early for the summer break. Others were clustered in groups giggling or catching up as if they had all the time in the world. Some people were looking for their friends, others were just loitering.
I decided to take a slight detour as I saw her standing by her locker with her friends, she was laughing probably at a joke. I came over to where they stood. Britney flung her arms around me before I could say a word. I hugged Britney back and winked at the girl in particular. She smiled and ducked her head, blushing in embarrassment. Britney let go of me and kissed me on the lips. I kissed her back and slid my hands to her arms, gently pulling her away from me. Britney smiled looking at me with so much emotion in her eyes. I hope its not love because I don't do love.
Britney must have remembered that we were not alone, she turned to face her friends.
'Before you came over, we were going over our plans for the summer. I plan to spend it with the cheerleaders, we're going to do a lot of training, bonding and stuff' Britney said beaming at me.
'I plan to spend it at the basketball program' I quipped.
I was still looking at her, I really wanted to know her plans for the summer. I ha a hunch about it but I wanted to hear it from her. Her other friend, I think her name is Caramel said something and they all laughed. She hasn't said anything, she looked nervous and I feel she'd rather be elsewhere than here. Another girl, I think her name is Sugar or is it Candy said something but she was quiet.
'Marina you haven't told us what you'd be doing summer' Britney stated. Everyone turned to look at her. I could tell she didn't like to be the center of attention. Her nervous stance made me want to protect her but I don't think Britney would approve of me trying to get close to her best friend.
'Well I volunteered as a camp counselor-'
'Wait! You're gonna spend your summer break camping, supervising kids' Caramel said and they all burst into laughter.
Marina shifted uneasily, I could sense she was embarrassed as she laughed along with them. These were not really her friends, they were Britney's cheerleader friends. No wonder she was uncomfortable around them. But does she have any other friend apart from Britney.
'Caramel, Candy, don't be mean, I don't think camping might be a bad idea. Who knows, there might be some cute boys. She might get a boyfriend' Britney said. I clenched my fists. I hope not.
'Who's getting a boyfriend?'
"MASON"
MARINA
Mason- my over protective older twin brother. He swung his arm across my shoulder, smiling down at me. Of course, he's taller than me.
'Now who's getting a boyfriend?' he asked again.
'Oh, we were just saying Marina might get a boyfriend this summer' Candy replied twirling a strand of her fake red hair round her finger.
'Really?' he asked uninterested. He was so sure of the fact, I'll never get a boyfriend. "Yeah, but you know who might really get a boyfriend this summer? Me" Caramel said batting her fake lashes.
The only reason these girls hang around me is my brother. They will do everything to get his attention but unfortunately my brother never looks at them twice. He gave up his player ways long ago. "How 'bout I drop you off at home?" he looked at me ignoring Caramel. "Sure." I replied. "I will see you after the summer break" I hugged Britney. I felt Javier's eyes on me, he has been staring at me for awhile. I think he wants to say something to me but he's finding it difficult. Its hard to believe we were so close, now we can't even have a single conversation.
"Keep in touch, okay" Britney said as we pulled away. "Make sure you tell me about all the cute boys." "Hey, I'm right here" Javier said. "As if" Mason scoffed under his breath. I jabbed him in the ribs and walked away. "I was kidding"he said trailing after me. "You nearly killed me", he said as we got into the car. "You're still alive, aren't you?" He laughed and drove off. Mason dropped me off some distance before our home as we agreed. He didn't drive off until I entered our house. He doesn't live here anymore, since the incident everyone has developed different coping measures. My brother chose to live elsewhere, away from all the chaos. He gave me the option to stay with him but I declined. Someone had to stay to take care of Mom. The incident really broke our family and I hope one day we'll over it.
JAVIER
Home sweet home! But for me ‘Home bitter home!’I sighed as I pulled into the driveway. The Anderson mansion is located in an upstate neighborhood. But luxury does not guarantee happiness. I spent the afternoon with Britney trying to get my mind off everything. But now, I had to face the music.
"Javier, you're home. I was starting to get worried" Lucy said as I came into the living room.
"Quit acting, I know you'll prefer it if I died on the way home" I retorted. "Javier!" Lucy said in a scolding tone. "Don't talk to your mother like that" My father yelled. "Stepmother" I said through gritted teeth. My father was about to scold me but Lucy touched his arm and he calmed down. The sight sickened me.
"I just want you to know that Olivia's is transferring to your school and she will be staying with us" Lucy said. I kept quiet and she must have taken it as a sign to continue. "She's about your age, she ll be in the same grade with you. You can help her get acquainted." "Of course, another person to deal with" I muttered under my breath. "Please try and be civil with her"my father pleaded.
I turned to leave when he said something that made me stop in my tracks. "Olivia will be coming for dinner tomorrow, you will behave or else forget the basketball program." "I think I will" I said and left the house.
JAVIER After yesterday's fiasco, I still showed up for the dinner. Late of course. It wasn't the first time I spent the night outside the mansion but Lucy was concerned. She didn't say anything because of her daughter, Olivia. My dad was shooting glares at me but I ignored him. Olivia looked just like her mother except her eyes were aqua blue instead of ice blue. Her auburn hair was short while her mother's hair was long extending below her shoulder. She smiled at me acknowledging my presence as I sat down at the table. I returned the greeting with a stiff nod. "Olivia this is my son, Javier. Javier this is Lucy's daughter, Olivia" Dad said formally. He always liked formal introductions."Olivia will be moving in to live with us over the summer. She will be attending your school and as such, you will help her acquainted with the school." "Of course, I'm stuck babysitting" I mumbled. "What was that?" Dad thundered. I knew I was on thin ice but I simply couldn't resist challenging hi
JAVIER "Okay the truth is I came here for you" I watched as her face scrunched up in confusion. I burst into laughter."Haha, very funny" she said sarcastically. "Fine don't tell me" she started the car and drove to our Cabin. The short drive was silent but it was a comfortable silence;it was soothing. I can't tell her the reason I came here cause even I don't know the reason. I just needed to get out. My voicemail is probably filled by now with messages from friends at school, basketball team and maybe Lucy. I doubt my dad even cares about where I am. Lucy might show concern but I know it was all an act. She was just trying to get close to my father so she could flaunt his riches. I clenched my fists in annoyance. I heard my name and turned to see Marina looking at me with concern in her eyes."Are you okay?" I'm not."I'm fine. Why do you ask?""Cause I've been calling your name for sometime. Also we're here" she got out of the car and got into the Cabin.I followed her inside an
JAVIER The screams and laughter of children filled the surroundings as the excited children alighted their bus. I think I'm gonna get a headache. I tried to search for Marina, I saw her talking to some guy. It was the same guy from yesterday. I don't like him, I don't know why but I don't. I was happy for the fact Bianca was among the team helping the kids. I don't think I can stand another minute of her endless rant without yelling at her to shut up. That would not bode well for her, her uncle and I. The fact that Lily Cabin was small meant it only needed two coordinators and a minimal number of children. Some people would call me mad. I mean look at my life. I claimed I needed peace and an escape from it all yet here I am at camp. As a camp coordinator for kids. And everybody knows kids are far from quiet. Which brings to mind the question 'why am I here?' I think the better question would be 'how did I know Marina would be here?'. Before I could answer that thought, Mari
JAVIERMarina is full of so many surprises. Her bluntness when I called her out on avoiding me was incredible. She was definitely staring and admiring my physique. I like the fact that she's not immune to all my charms. I'm glad we were together for the day and that Nick guy was nowhere around her today. Before we reached the lake, one of Nick's friend called her aside. Julya! My phone beeped, I pulled it out to check it. It was a message from my teammate.JB: Dude,where are you? You know you're our star player here and you just disappeared. You better get your ass down here.Of course, my teammates are worried. I'm probably off the grid. I need to sort out myself first, I ignored the message. From the corner of my eye, I saw Bianca approaching. Its now or never! She flung her arms around me and pecked my lips. I noticed Marina watching us with a frown. "Bianca, can we talk?" I shrugged her hands off me. "Sure, whatever about" she replied grinning. I took her arm and led her away fr
JAVIEREastern Springs Summer Campout Experience was really what I needed. I'm so glad that for once my impulse decision turned out great after all. The kids were not so bad, I had made some friends. I have spent almost two weeks out here. I was getting distress calls from home but I ignored them. Here I felt alive. I was looking forward to the bonfire night. I planned to take Marina stargazing before the bonfire starts. She was beginning to grow on me.Despite the inhibitions she has about me, she's letting down her guard little by little. But sometimes I can't help but wonder what will happen when camp is over and school reopens. What's gonna happen to us, is she going to go back to being in the shadows? Is our friendship going to continue? Are we ever going to be together? And then there's Britney and Mason. I shoved those thoughts out of my mind as I approach our Cabin and find the kids running around as usual. I wonder where she is because she's always watching them to ensure no
JAVIER Hiking! We were gonna hike to a certain campsite in the woods to camp! Very ironic or what, I'm not really sure what figure of speech to use here. But what I know for sure is that it sucks. The trail we were hiking through was covered in mud and tree branches. We had to walk carefully in two lines, if we were not careful, we would slip and land in the slimy mud. All the while avoiding tree branches whacking you in the face. Trudging through the mud, we marched to the campsite. Some coordinators had been lucky enough to stay behind and watch the kids, Lucky! The mud and tree branches eventually gave way to plain ground and open area. We were so grateful that there was a stream nearby, we were dehydrated from that hike. I would always prefer treadmill, jogging, crunchies to a long, tedious and boring hike. Although the hike wasn't boring, I made good time by talking to Marcus. He was a real fun guy to talk to, although he tells lame jokes. But his stories are hilarious, i
JAVIER We were stuck in an abandoned cabin with little hope of anyone finding us. Even if they realized we were missing, which they would because the two coordinators of Lily cabin are missing, they might not find us. It was a miracle we actually found the cabin but we couldn't leave. Marina's ankle was sprained from the nasty fall and she could barely limp. I found some bandages in one of the cabinets, I didn't pay attention during the first aid lessons on our first day here. My mind was preoccupied with thoughts of my family and the horrible dinner and the basketball program that was basically my future. Marina didn't know what to do, so I tied the bandages round her ankle, and formed a knot. I didn't know the name of the knot, cause I was also absent minded during the rope lessons but I could knot any rope to suit the situation it was called for. "Thanks Javier" Marina said when I was done. She sneezed due to the dusty cabin, but I thought her sneeze was kinda...kinda cu
JAVIER I was so glad we were back to the main camp. Marina was finally getting treatment for her sprained ankle and will be able to walk soon. While we were gone, Tommy had gotten a rash from poison ivy and was also getting treated. I was so happy that the other kids were alright. Nick and I finally get along in a civil way but I still don't like him. On my way to the cabin after checking on Marina in the dispensary, I saw a bunch of people hanging a banner above the doorway of Mess hall. "What's that about?" I asked. "Hey Javier, there's gonna be a dance later tonight. It was announced yesterday but you were not around, so get ready. It starts at 7pm" Julya replied and resumed her work. A dance! The idea sounds kinda lame but so is the idea of the entire camp. Back at the cabin, I was about to take a bath when I heard a beep from my phone, alerting me of a new message. From my........dad. Dad: We are coming to get you. So get ready, you'll be coming home tomorrow. That was