Demi's camp getaway

Chapter 20

"It's all in the past"

A week later

"Pass the jam" Ava asked reaching over to grab the jam from Tyler. We were in the dinning room for breakfast "We get our new list of activities for the week today!" Maddie said excited "I know! I've been dying to do the escape room since we got here! I hope we're doing it this week" Jess said crossing her fingers. I didn't really care about the activities. I've been my happiest the last few days then I have ever been in my whole life, "let's go to the lobby and check what we're doing" Ryan said getting up from his seat. "Wait!" Ava muffled stuffing the rest of her toast in her mouth. Everyone scrapped their plates and took them into the kitchen and we started heading over to our lobby. I looked over to the lake, I squinted my eyes to get a good view of the other side. Flashbacks of the day started to wash over me, the fear but relief. The hurt but freedom. I'm so happy that Demi is safe and we are getting along again.
"Hayley?" Joel whispered tapping my elbow. "Huh?" I looked at him confused "are you okay?" He asked following my gaze over to the lake "uh yeh" I scratched my neck looking at my feet "it's okay. It's over" Joel put a comforting hand on my shoulder and I smiled at him.

We reached the lobby and waited for the crowd around the bulletin board to leave so we could check this weeks news and activities etc.
"No!!" Jess yelled dramatically "we have camping!" She cried "ughhh" I grunted. "Are you guys kidding? It will be so fun!" Ava said.                                                                                                                        "okay good morning everyone!" we turned around to see Nick and Demi walking in. "if you have already checked the info and schedule for the week, then you would already know that this week one of our activities is camping!" Demi announced excitedly, the room filled with a mixture of positive and not so positive reactions.  "oh come on guys, it's one of the highlights every year!" Demi yelled trying to encourage everyone "so we leave after breakfast tomorrow, we will have no activities in the morning, and we jump on a bus and then hike about 30 minutes-" "HIKE?!" someone yelled out interrupting Nick "yes, we will be hiking" Nick smirked and some people groaned. "hey but guys, its totally worth it, the entire hike is on a beautiful trail. there's trees and beaches, it really is a rewarding hike and as soon as we get there we have the rest of the day and all day tomorrow to do whatever we want there. there's going to be a bon fire, marshmellows, paddle boarding and a sandcastle competition! I promise your all going to love it!" Demi cheered. I have to admit that did kind of sound like fun. "I do NOT want to go camping!" Jess groaned quietly in my ear "why do you hate it so much?" I asked "we literally sleep in tents.. on the ground.. in a bag" she signed "its not like that" Ryan spoke up "think of it as....yeh I got nothing. but come on Jess, it'll be fun. and we'll all be there" he playfully nudged her "yeh it won't be that bad" Maddie agreed "I'm so excited" Ava squealed "we'll get to be on the beach all day! how Is that not something to look forward to?" she continued. "what are we having for dinner if there's no kitchen?" a boy asked "like always. another group will be joining us at the bon fire and we're going to roast sausages and burgers" Nick answered. "yesss" I heard some people say. "anyway! so, that's tomorrow, but for today we have baking, water slide, rock climbing and a lot of free time to rest up for tomorrow,
so everyone please follow me to rock climbing!" Nick cheered and we started following him out the door. "hey" someone said grabbing my arm, I turned around to see it was Demi "hey Demi, what's up?" I smiled, she pulled me over to the side "I have to go into town during free time to grab some stuff for tomorrow, I made you a doctors appointment, you only have 1 anti biotic left which means hopefully your not contagious and your all clear." she smiled. I looked down, I always feel bad whenever she mentions anything to do with it but I'm glad it'll all be over soon "okay" I said and turned around to follow everyone else "hey lets walk together" Demi said catching up. I didn't respond but instead kept walking, there was a bit of awkward silence between us "are you doing okay?" Demi asked looking down at me "yeh I am" I responded, she nodded her head awkwardly and looked back down, I wonder what she's thinking about "do you miss him?" she asked "huh" I looked up at her confused "Noah, do you miss him.. you can tell me the truth" she said giving me a reassuring smile. I thought about what she had asked. did I miss him? I hadn't really thought about it. my memories with him were mostly dark and evil. "no" I replied bluntly "you don't?" she said sounding surprised "Demi.. he tried to hurt you, he hurt Joel. he wasn't a good person. I don't miss him. I'm glad he's not here anymore and can't hurt anyone, aren't you?" I said "of course I am, its just, you-"   "Demi, I liked him when I first met him, but when I found out how horrible he was, what a liar he was and what he was trying to do to you. I lost all feelings, I only stayed with him so I always knew what he was planning, otherwise... I don't know if you'd be here right now.." I interrupted trying not to let the thought of that make me cry. "lets just try to enjoy the rest of our time together" Demi smiled changing the topic. the rest of our  time together? that's when it hit me, I only have a few weeks left with Demi, then I might not ever see her again. how can I let her go?