Betrayed By Destiny

~CHAPTER TEN~

I advanced towards the tents, my steps seemed heavier as I looked around. Tall trees that were looming over me. I felt nauseous as I noticed that, all that surrounded us were trees, no river visible, only trees. But what made me a little relaxed were the chirping of the birds and pure fresh air that hit my nostrils.

"Here we are," Jessica said as we stood in front of the tents.

"I hope we will have an adventurous and memorable trip. So now, you all go and fresh up before we start exploring. And whenever or whatever you girls need, you may ask me and the boys may ask Mr Carson." She smiled as she looked at him. I could officially declare that I just hate the way she was looking at him. I seriously doubted if they were just colleagues or friends or more than that?

"So, as you see, there are two tents, this one is bigger than that one," Shawn said as he gestured towards the two tents.

"As you girls are bigger in number and us, boys, are only five in numbers including me so we will opt for the smaller tent, leaving you with the bigger one." He informed and we agreed.

"And, there is the washroom which could accommodate two people at one time and the water supply is also limited so guys, please be considerate and also don't take forever inside as there is no Wi-Fi here." He joked and we laughed.

After a while, we went inside the tent.

"So, what do you think?" Rain asked as we set up our things. All the girls were busy setting up their things. Jenny went to freshen up. Jessica also was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps she was outside or in the washroom.

"About what?" I knew exactly what she was talking about but wasn't so sure that I want to talk about it. Indeed, I boasted about it yesterday but now I was feeling reluctant.

She advanced towards me quickly and whispered quietly as if it was a secret that none should overhear. Indeed it was. At least until my graduation, "You said you will talk to Shawn, what are you waiting for?"

"Yes, but I told you I would when I have the opportunity to do so, with Miss Meyer and the other students clinging with him all the time makes it a little difficult." I thought of an excuse quickly which was also true.

"Yes, you are right but please Amy, make sure you talk to him as soon as possible, all I want is to see you happy and loved, don't think that I'm not seeing how desperate you are for him." She said, with her eyes full of genuine concern as she took my hand in hers.

Am I?

I was lucky to have got two caring friends who were ready to do anything on my single request. Rain was more understanding, mature, reserved and would think twice before she would speak whereas Jenny was broad-minded and spoke whatever was in her mind, not fearing the consequences. She would speak first and then considered later.

"Of course Rainy." It was a term I often used when I would pamper her.

"That's like my good Amy." Rain smiled as she pinched my cheeks and took me in a hug.

"Okay, I will just go and freshen up, I think Jenny must have finished by now," I said as I attempted to take off my band.

She held my hand as she warned, "Wait, what are you doing Amy? You are not supposed to take it off as Mr Bishop and Shawn instructed."

"Relax Rain, I am just going to the washroom which is just outside, here itself, barely two feet away. I am taking it off because it might get wet and moreover I don't think I will get lost here, amongst you." I laughed as I kindly brushed off her hand and proceeded to take it off.

"But Amy," She didn't seem convinced.

"Relax Rain, I am just two feet away, I will wear it immediately when I come back from the washroom," I assured her as I took off the band and placed it on my bag. She still wasn't convinced about my actions.

"I'll be right back." I smiled at her and placed my band near my bag before I went away from there. As I exited the tent, I saw that all the boys were out, looking out for dry leaves that were scattered around were making a small mountain out of it. I guess they would make a bonfire with that later. I scanned around for Shawn, he was nowhere to be seen, probably he was inside the tent, alone.

'You must talk to him as soon as possible'

Rain's words played in my mind. Actually, I should. I can't deny that maybe I started having feelings for him. Although I didn't know if it was peer pressure or love, I wanted him to know. I wanted to let him know that I was ready to give him a chance. Who knew I may fall in love with him someday.

With courage and confidence, I advanced towards his tent.

As soon as I entered his tent, what I saw froze me completely. A lump was stuck deep in my throat. I wanted to scream but I couldn't find the voice. I started to feel dizzy and nauseous at what I saw. My mouth left agap and tears already formed in my eyes. I tried hard not to let them escape but however, a single tear dropped and rolled down my cheeks. I watched them in horror.

Shawn, the one who claimed his love for me, the one who said he didn't want to have any serious relationship ever until he met me, the one who said I meant everything for him was in a very compromising position with my best friend. Jenny was on top of him on the inflatable bed.

I couldn't bring myself to explain the way they were. Shawn was down and Jenny was on top of him. What could this possibly mean? All the time I had been having doubts about Jessica but the snake in my garden turned out to be my own friend? It was not that I loved him but I somehow felt betrayed. Maybe I started having feelings for him.

If Jenny had told me once then I would have gladly moved out of her way. Actually, it was her who persuaded me to accept Shawn so how could she do this to me? She instigated feelings in my heart for him and now she wanted him instead.

"How could you both..?" I forced those words out. At this point, tears started flowing out freely. I was angry and felt betrayed. Why? I didn't know exactly.

"Amy, listen to me." Jenny got up and ran towards me. In the meantime, Shawn got up also and Shawn's face was filled with horror and fear. Fear that he might lose me because of this or fear was that he was exposed. However, Of course, he would. Who would like a womanizer for a partner, who didn't even spare my best friend?

But his eyes were screaming and claiming his innocence so were Jenny's as she looked at me with her piercing hazel eyes.

"It's not what it seems, actually..." She tried to touch me but I was too mad that I didn't give her a chance to complete her phrase and pushed her hard enough that he lost balance but Shawn managed to save her from falling.

"Are you alright Jennifer?" He asked as he held her by her shoulders.

"Yes, thank you." She said.
Seeing this made me fumed with anger. I shook my head at their actions.

Not giving them further occasion to speak a word more, I ran away from here. I knew they would come to talk to me if I went to my tent and I was in no mood to talk so I ran opposite of my tent and went deeper in the woods as I wept loudly.