Magnolia's Fall From Grace

Chapter 3

Magnolia

Shannon's Walkman batteries had died, so she talked nonstop the whole ride back, although I didn't hear much of what she said. My brain kept wandering off to the dark-haired, purple-eyed boy with dimples. The look he gave me sent a tremble through my whole body. He was everything I knew good girls should stay away from. I'd never been around a rowdy bunch like them. Heck, I had never even known someone with a tattoo.

"So, what do you think?" Shannon asked.

"Sorry, I'm drained. I think I spaced out." I scrunched up my shoulders.

Shannon closed her eyes, shaking her head. "I asked if you think Tara's bus came in while we were gone."

I didn't need to answer. As we arrived back at camp, a new group was getting the welcome tour. Shannon and I met each other's eyes, knowing the answer.

"Shannon!" A tall and tan bleach-blonde was waving her arm. Her already short yellow sundress rode up even higher as she waved.

"Hey, Shannon!" she shouted louder.

"Here we go." Shannon gritted her teeth and pulled on my tee shirt.

"Oh no, you don't. You're coming with me. Might as well get it out of the way now." I groaned as she pulled me along.

Tara's face twisted and eyes narrowed when she saw me in tow. She crossed her arms, standing next to three overstuffed bags. Where did she think she was going? This wasn't Club Med.

"Shannon, why are you with her?"

"Nice to see you too, Tara. I didn't know you were volunteering."

"Ha!" She threw her head back, her thick blonde hair gleaming in the sun. "I had to. I needed more 'extracurricular' volunteer work," her fingers making air quotes "for my college admissions. Sister Theresa signed off on it so I could get my scholarship. Your mom was nice enough to help get me a spot so I could spend time with my cousin."

She swept her disapproving head-to-toe glare over Shannon. "It figures you two nerds would find each other. Anyhow, Shannon, take my bags to my cabin so I can get a shower." She waved her fingers toward the bags.

"I'm not your maid. Bring them yourself," Shannon said in a dismissive tone.

"Well... What kind of cousin are you?"

I didn't know why, but I felt sad for the girl who had bullied me through most of school.

"How about we help you carry them?" I nudged Shannon who gave me a look like I was crazy. I just shrugged my shoulders and grabbed a bag that felt as if it were stuffed with a dead body.

By the time we showered and went to grab dinner, Tara had already made friends and had a small clique of girls following her and hanging on every word the beautiful debutante spoke.

"Hey, everyone, I hope you all enjoyed dinner. The fried catfish was generously donated by Catfish Al from his tavern in town. Be sure to stop there if you make it in town. He has the best crab fries around! Since it's Friday, we will be having our first bonfire tonight at nine. It's up the hill in the clearing where all the tree stumps are. Don't forget to find a branch on your way up. There will be s'mores."

At eight forty-five, Tara's cabin door opened, and laughter spilled out along with her new gang of girls in the shortest jean shorts I had ever seen, and the amount of perfume and hairspray that trailed them was going to attract every mosquito in Louisiana.

Shannon was watching from her top bunk. "Should we go to the bonfire? I mean, who can turn down s'mores? Maybe that boy you kept looking at during dinner will be there." She wiggled her eyebrows.