Peimacee Summer

Chapter 18

Aspen
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I woke up to the sound of my music, I swear, making me deaf. I took out my head phones and quickly turned off the music. I looked around and no one was awake, but me. How did this happen? I'm usually being shaken awake by Scarlett and Sage.

I laid back down hoping to fall back asleep, but it just wouldn't come. I laid there for ten minutes and finally just gave up. I sat up and just sat. It wasn't like there was anything else to do.

I got bored and got up to go to the bathroom. The mirror by the door was still there and still freakishly taller than me. I looked myself up and down. My feet were bare, I had my grey leggings on that stopped at my calf, my ETSU Buccaneers hoodie on, and my hair was braided to the side. I looked like a normal teenager. That's something that never happens.

I sighed with exhaustion and headed toward the door. As soon as I stepped out, a hand grabbed my wrist. I looked down and the hand was painted with bright pink nail polish. Sabrina Cult.

"What do you want?" I said through my teeth.

She laughed her little high pitched laugh that made you wanna slap her. "Do you remember when you called my dad a bastard? Well... it's payback time."

Sabrina tried to push me off of the deck but she couldn't even make me budge. I rolled my eyes and push her to the side. She fell on her butt and looked in a daze.

"Wow you can't push me?! Ha! I'm probably one of the lightest girls in this camp!" After that I took off running. There was only one place I could remember. The rocks by the hidden lake.

I found it last week while we were hiking. I had lost Scarlett and Sage who ran up to Nathan to mess with him. When I went to look for them, I must have taken I wrong turn because I didn't find the girls, but I did find a crystal clear lake. It was beautiful. I took my shoes off and ran to the big rocks in the water. I must have stay there for hours, because when I went back Scarlett and Sage were freaking out.

I ran as fast as I could up the hill through the woods. I hadn't even taken notice of the rocks and sticks jabbing into my bare feet. I turn the corner to take me to the lake and keep running. I kept pushing until I felt the cold water sooth my irritated feet. A sigh escaped my mouth as relief came over me.

"Who's there?" I didn't know who it was but they sounded familiar. I looked in the direction of the voice and saw a boy sitting on my rock. I looked closer and it was that boy who almost broke my nose.

I laughed and answered, "The girl who's nose you almost broke last week."

"Oh! Hi. What are you doing here?" He asked.

"I found this place last week. I call it my safe haven, you know when I just have to get away from it all."

"I know how you feel."

I walked farther out in the water and climbed onto the rock. We sat in silence for a while, just taking in the beauty of it all. The sunrise was red and orange looking.

"I never got you name," he said breaking the silence.

I was a little hesitant to tell him. He was one of Nathan's friends and Scarlett had told me what Nathan did at the creek last week. I thought about it, but what harm could it really do?

"I'm Aspen. Who are you?" I asked.

"I'm Andrew." He looked at me with his blue eyes. They were as clear as the water was. I broke the gaze and looked back out at the water.

"So how'd you find this place?" I asked.

"I found it in eighth grade. Nathan and Asher had ditched me, so I went exploring. And I found this. It amazed me. I couldn't get over how one place could be so beautiful. I ended up coming here every morning every summer I've come. Nothing has changed." He leaned back and accidentally laid his hand on mine. He pulled it back quickly and ran his fingers through his hair.

"That's the most I've ever seen any guy blush," I said and his face got redder.

We sat in silence until I heard Scarlett and Sage calling for me. I sat there hoping they would walk slow, but with every call they got closer and closer. I sighed and jumped off the rock.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"Do you want them to know where this is? Cause I don't. I want it to be our place." I turned and smiled. I started walking and made it to the shore. I could hear Sage and Scarlett getting closer. I started running, but Andrew called for me.

"See you tomorrow?" He said

I smiled and nodded my head. I turned and started running toward Scarlett and Sage, but I only got about ten feet out when I ran into Sage. Literally.

"Ow." she said rubbing her head.

"Where have you been all morning?" Asked Scarlett.

"Hiking. That's all." I linked arms with Sage and dragged them down the hill.

I'm going to get then as far away from the lake as possible.