Camp 0

Chapter One

I hummed along to the song I was listening to. It was one of my favorites. When I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars. I listened to it while I finished packing the last few things I needed for the camp I was heading to. It was called Camp Fort Jackson. It seemed nice from the pictures I saw online while my dad was helping me register. There was a nice large lake to go swimming at with hiking trails to the nearby waterfalls. The cabins seemed nice and kept up with. It appeared to be a really nice place. Especially with all the pictures of smiling kids and good reviews. 

“Amelia, are you almost ready?” my mom called from downstairs. 

“Almost!” I called back. I packed the last few things I needed, zipping up my suitcase and rolling it outside of my room. I looked around to make sure I had everything I would need. I walked over to my desk where my computer was. I made sure it was shut off. I liked to write and I had a few questionable things on there that I didn’t want my parents to see. I would have brought it if I knew the camp wouldn’t take away my devices. And I’d rather have it in a place where I know where it is. 

“Amelia…” I turned around to see my younger siblings standing in my doorway. I had a brother and sister.

Levi was five and looked just like our mom. Chelsea, on-the-other-hand, was ten and looked like our dad. I was a combination of both with my mom's thick, brown hair, and my dad's darker blue eyes. Levi was holding onto Chelsea’s hand as they walked into my room. I smiled. 

“Yes?” I asked. 

“Do you have to go?” Chelsea asked. 

“Yeah, unfortunately. But I’ll be back on Friday,” I said. 

“But that’s too far away!” Levi protested. I laughed, walking over to him and picking him up. 

“Don’t worry. Friday will be here before you know it.” 

“Can it be Friday already?” he asked. I shook my head. He frowned as he wrapped his arms around me. I held him tighter. I glanced down at Chelsea who looked upset. I was about to say something to her when Levi spoke again. 

“Can we go with you?” Levi asked with his face pressed against my shoulder.

“I’m sorry but you can’t. This camp is for big kids.” 

“I’m a big kid!” he said, leaning back. I smiled. 

“Not quite big enough yet. But don’t worry, you’ll get to go one day when you’re older.” 

“Am I big enough?” Chelsea asked. I shook my head. 

“No, not quite either. But you are closer than Levi.” Chelsea smiled, sticking her tongue out at Levi as he frowned. “Besides, if you left, who would stay with Levi. He would be all by himself.” Chelsea shrugged, smiling a little. 

“Amelia?” I looked up at my mom as she stopped in the doorway. “Are you ready?” I nodded. 

“Yes, I think.” 

“Where is your necklace?” I lifted a hand up to my neck to find nothing there. I looked around, walking over to my desk. I forgot I had taken it off. I picked it up, walking over to my mom and handing it to her. I couldn’t put it on due to the fact I still had Levi in my arms. He liked me holding him so I didn’t want to put him down and upset him anymore than he was already with me leaving. And as much as I love the fact he hates me leaving, I hope he’s not still like this when I go off to college in just two years. 

My mom clasped the necklace around my neck. I smiled. 

“Thank you,” I said. 

“Of course. Now are you ready?”

“Yes,” I said. 

“Do you have everything? Clothes, water bottle, tooth brush, tooth paste?” She continued listing off things I had while I just kept nodding and saying, “Yes, Mom.”

“Alright then,” she sighed. “Let’s head out to the car.” I nodded, walking out of my room with Levi still in my arms. I walked downstairs and out to the garage. I got in, strapping Levi into his car seat as Chelsea got in on the other side. I buckled as we pulled out of the driveway. It would take us about an hour or so to get there so I pulled out my phone and put my earbuds in. I started playing my music as I stared out of the window with no clue of what the coming week was going to bring.