16 year old Everleigh Jackson is excited for her first summer at Black River Horse Camp in Michigan. She's been a horse lover basically her whole life, and has always wanted her own horse, and has occasionally ridden a horse, but this is her first...
The mess hall is slowly filling up, and Zarah and I and the rest of the cabin are sitting at a round table that just fits all of us.
I glance up and this guy catches my attention as he walks in. He has shaggy short brown hair, and is wearing a red and black flannel. We make eye contact for about 2 seconds, then I awkwardly look away. Oh my gosh he looked at me. He was kinda cute...
Eventually the mess hall is filled up, and I see a middle aged man with brown curly hair that goes down to his shoulders step up on a small stage near the back of the room holding a microphone.
"Welcome campers, I'm glad you're all here today! I see lots of familiar faces, and even some new ones." he says.
The noise in the room quiets down as everyone listens to him.
"For those of you who are new here, I'm Matt, the camp director, welcomes all new campers." he says into the microphone. "We're gonna have lots of fun this summer, with the horses, the activities such as archery, rock climbing, and of course the group games."
"Each night we'll have a party basically, in the big barn across the field, with each night a different theme, which I assume you packed for, if you read the email we sent out I all parents and campers." he continues.
"After this little meeting, I'll be sending each color group one my one out to the stables to pick your horses, and if you look at the wristband you were supposed to receive at check in, whatever color it is will be your team this summer."
Everyone starts chattering excitedly.
"Yes, yes, I know it's exciting." Matt laughs. "Shhhhh." he says into the microphone, lips touching it, making a loud echoing sound across the room.
The room slowly goes quiet, and Matt continues. "Thank you. Now, as I said, I'm glad you're all joining us for this summer, again, welcome new campers, you're in for a real treat." he laughs.
"Now I want you all to go hang around outside, and wait for your color group to be called to go to the stables." he finishes and puts the microphone on the mic stand and walks off stage.
My table stands up, and we watch and wait while the room slowly empties.
All of a sudden I make eye contact with that gut again. I feel my cheeks turn bright red, and I immediately look away.
"Ok girls, let's go outside and wait by the basketball court." Jessie says.
I then realize Zarah has been staring at me for the past 2 minutes with a smirk on her face.
I look at her. "What?"
"Oh nothing..." she says.
"Come on tell me." I say impatiently.
"Girl that guy totally has a crush on you." she giggles.
I blink and glare at her. "No he doesn't shut up."
She snickers and rolls her eyes. "Whatever you say."
We all walk out onto the patio and down steps onto the grass.
People are picking up balls and playing on the basketball court, others are playing 4 square.
"Hey Sav." I hear a male voice speak behind me. I turn around and see a curly brown haired guy with brown eyes.
"Hey Jake." Savannah says and kisses him.
Everyone looks at her. "Oh sorry- this is my boyfriend Jake." she says.
"Hi." we all say in unison.
Jake waves at us, and the hugs Savannah.
Then I see Matt walk out onto the patio. "Ok would blue team please head up to the stables now."
"Eeeeek I can't wait." I exclaim. "Where are the stables???"
Jessie laughs and starts walking. "Follow me."
We all follow her to a wide gravel path, and we walk down it for about 10 minutes before turning right onto a small trail that leads us up to the stables.
I see the giant barn peaking through the trees and squeal. "Omg we're here!"
Jessie leads us up to the barn and opens the door for us and we all walk in. The smell of hay and manure fills my nose.
A lady in jeans, cowboy boots and a cowboy hat walks up and says, "Are you blue team?"
"Yeah, we've got some more people coming." Jessie replies.
After about 5 minutes another group of girls and 2 groups of boys walk in. I freeze when I spot that same guy from the cafeteria, and I can feel my face turn a bright red.
Zarah notices and smirks. She elbows my side and I blink and look at her. "Ow! What was that for??"
"You know." she nods her head at the guy.
I lightly punch her elbow and turn back to the lady.
"Alright is everyone here?" she asks.
Jessie and the other cabin counselors nod.
"Ok follow me." she leads us down a hall and out into this coveted outside area with rows on either side with stalls.
I see horses heads peeking over the edge and suddenly get really excited.
"Ok hi everyone, I'm Lana, welcome to Black River Horse Camp, go ahead and pick your horse, just check with me when you decide." the lady says and walks away.
I start walking down the isle, looking left and right at the horses.
I pet some of them as I walk, and one of them even tries to lick my face. I giggle and keep walking.
"Omg Everleigh lol at this horse." Zarah squeals.
I turn and see a beautiful brown horse.
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"Oooo pretty." I say.
I then turn my head and see a gorgeous white horse that I immediately fall in love with.
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I walk over to it and stroke its head. There's a name plague on the stall door that says "Clara."
"Hi Clara." I say as I pet the side of her head, stroking her mane. "You're so soft."
Zarah walks over to me. "Oooo is this the horse you're picking?" she pets Clara's nose.
"Yeah I think so, but imma go look around at the horses just because haha." I start walking down the isle, when I suddenly slip on water and start falling backwards.
I close my eyes as I fall, and that's when I feel an arm come under my back and stop me from falling.
