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 him. Maybe he would slowly understand how I feel about all the sudden changes in our life. Lucy calmed him down as she sensed that Olivia was getting uneasy. The rest of the dinner continued in silence but the tension in the air was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Olivia decided to break the silence.
"I heard that your school has a girls soccer team. I would love to tryout."
"Yeah, you do that" I continued eating.
"That sounds lovely. Javier also plays for his school basketball team, he could give you some pointers" Lucy said. I rolled my eyes at that statement, basketball and soccer are two totally different sports.
"Javier tell Olivia more about your school" Lucy suggested. I know she was trying to get us to have a conversation but its not possible.
"There's nothing to tell" I deadpanned.
"Really? Cause I heard-"
"There's nothing to tell" I cut her off rudely.
"Javier, watch your tongue. You will behave or-" "Or what Dad? You will cut me off, disown me. We are not one big happy family and we'll never be. In fact, screw this dinner" I said and stormed away again for the second day in a row. I heard my name but I paid no attention to them as I drove away.
MARINA
The week slowly dragged by and finally the day had arrived. I really didn't like the idea of spending summer break as a camp coordinator but I needed a distraction. And helping others proved to be a good distraction to me. I left a sticky note on the fridge so my parents would know where I am, its not like they care at all. I put my bags in the car and drove off. I have my own car, it was a gift for my 17th birthday. My brother got his when he turned fifteen cause he's a boy.
The drive was not long as I thought it would be because my favorite playlist was on. Music is what keeps me going. I dropped by the admin hut to register.
The girl at the front desk was so hooked up on her phone, she barely noticed me. I had to tap her desk before she looked up at me. She raised her brow annoyed that I disturbed her from whatever it is she was doing.
"My name is Marina Scott and I'm here to check in as a camp coordinator" I smiled. She gave me the once-over before looking away. Probably after deciding I wasn't worth her time. She flipped through some folders before settling on one. Her name tag read Scarlet.
"Okay Marina, you're in the Lily Cabin. Unfortunately your partner can't make it so you're on your own. But if there are any last minute entries, they will be assigned to you" she said in a monotone. Just great now I was stuck with a bunch of kids for the next few weeks all on my own.
I turned to leave when the door was thrown open sending a gust of wind inside sending papers fluttering and tangling my hair. I opened my eyes to see the cause of the chaos about to give him a piece of mind but as my eyes met his,the words couldn't get out. Standing in front of me is Javier Anderson. What's he doing here?
"Good morning. Welcome to Eastern Springs Summer Camp out Experience. What can I do for you?" Scarlet asked with a dreadful high-pitched voice. A bright smile plastered on her face. Seriously this is discrimination, I got here first and she didn't give me the time of day. Now he appears and she's all over him like there's no tomorrow.
"I heard that volunteers are needed so I'm here to apply." "We're kind of overbooked at the moment but we can move someone to the Lily Cabin and there will be room for you in the Hibiscus Cabin." Seriously she is so unbelievable.
"What's the name of your Cabin?" I didn't know he was talking to me until he said it again. I didn't realize we were so close to each other. The lobby of the admin hut was spacious but somehow he had managed to crowd it.
"I-I'm in the Lily Cabin"I managed to say.
"I'll stay in the Lily Cabin then" Javier said to Scarlet without taking his eyes off me. Scarlet didn't like being ignored.
"No you have to stay in the Hibiscus Cabin. Its the best cabin in Eastern Springs" she said glaring at me. What's her problem I'm not the one arguing with her.
"What's going on in here?" A man asked as he entered the hut. I recognized him as the Camp Commandant. He looked around and he grinned as he saw Javier.
"Javier my boy"he said and embraced him. He was shorter than Javier so it was a bit awkward. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here for the camp out experience." "Really? I thought you would like to spend your summer holiday at the beach or whatnot" the burly man replied grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"I'm really here for the camp out experience and I would like to stay in the Lily Cabin."
"Okay that can be arranged. We do need another coordinator to handle that Cabin." He stroked his chin."Scarlet set Javier up in the Lily Cabin. Welcome to Eastern Springs" he said and went into his office. This new arrangement didn't appeal to Scarlet. I think it just gave her a reason not to like me. I left the hut, I was angry and tired. I just wanted to go to my Cabin and get some rest before the kids arrive. I was about to drive down to my Cabin when the passenger door was opened and Javier entered.
"What?" I asked.
"We're going to the same place" he said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Tell me why you're here Javier" I said. Of course I was not buying his camp out experience bullshit. "Okay. I'm here for the summer camp out experience" he said.
"Not that crap. Tell me the real reason you're here. You wanted to go for the basketball program instead you're here, so tell me the truth."
"Okay the truth is I came here for you."
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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
MARINA Gone! Abandoned! Lonely! Disappeared without a trace. I feel so.....empty Urrgh! Words cannot describe how I feel right now. Last night, when Javier and I kissed under the stars, I felt something I've never felt before. I felt a spark,a connection, there was fireworks and explosion. It felt as if we belonged together and together we could conquer the world. He was my first kiss and I enjoyed it. When we kissed, I felt that we could be together. But now reality stares in my face and he's gone. I was disappointed when I went to his room this morning and he was not there. His room looked cleaned out. But I didn't think he was gone. I thought he was avoiding me. I thought he was ashamed or maybe, I was a terrible kisser. I was shocked when Mr Barnaby called me to his office. He told me that I was getting a new roommate. When I asked why, he said it was because Javier was gone. It confirmed what Julya told me. Apparently his dad came to pick him up, very early in the morning