Dabbling In Sweetness

Chapter 48

The spring weather was beautiful as we stepped out of the bus for the annual senior camping trip that took place at the end of March. It lasted for a week and it was the last time we would all get together as a school-sanctioned event. I looked out at the giant river that was shimmering with the bright sun, a tree to the side with a tire swing. I could imagine how cool the water would feel against my skin, especially with this nice weather. On the side, the wooden cabins stood on top of a big deck. The cabins were separated down the middle, on one side boys while the other girls. Gina quickly grabs my hands and guides me to one of our cabins with Lynett and Sienna.

"Oh, it's you," Lynett says. Sienna had been nicer as we had put the past behind us but Lynett was still mad. She didn't bother me anymore now that Sienna didn't, but she still didn't like me. I didn't blame her.

"I'm sorry. I was a terrible friend," I tell her without missing a beat. It was our final school trip and we graduated in less than 2 months. I didn't want to have this animosity between us, considering she was once my best friend.

"Whatever," she says and continues unpacking.

"Lynett," Sienna nudges.

Lynett sighs and looks at all of us. "I know you guys want me to forgive her but she was my best friend and ditched me."

"Well you weren't acting like a good friend to me either," I argue back, "you ignored me for no reason when I befriended them."

"That was to protect you. Did you not see everything that happened once you befriended them?" She tells me in annoyance.

I shake my head, "I had the best time of my life, that's what happened."

"Well I'm glad it all worked out," she says.

I close my lips and start unpacking. The other two girls look at each other and pretend they didn't notice anything. I sit on my bed and sigh, "yea." That was the last thing I had to say to her.

There is a knock on the door and Gina opens it to reveal Abacus with a wide grin. He notices the tension and his smile falters. "I came to tell you guys that lunch is ready and then we're all having a swim."

We all nod our heads and Gina closes the door as he walks away. Just like he had said, we spent the day eating and playing in the water. By the end, we were all so tired that there wasn't a sound heard anywhere as we all slept soundly for tomorrow.

The next day, the afternoon activity consisted of a game called Capture the Flag. Five people have been selected and all are hiding in the woods, waiting for the group to give them flags. The first one back wins the prize of getting into the luxurious hot tub reserved for the staff and a paid meal of their choice. To say everyone wanted it was an understatement. We all get to pair up in a group of twos. I hold my partner's hand while looking at my friends, Gina and Link are glaring at each other, Matt is with Alex, and then there is Sienna paired with Abacus. Lynett hands out the maps to the teams and then goes to stand in the center, I guess she wasn't going to participate. I shrug as I look over our map, Grayson hovering over me to look at it.

"Ready," she yells, "go."

With that, we all take off in different directions. The forest was pretty big, but the maps gave clear directions on where to go. We stand behind a group of people until Grayson decides to sit down. I pout at him and cross my arms, "what are you doing?"

He looks up at me, unbothered. "I'm fixing my shoe," he says matter-of-factly.

"We're going to lose?"

He stands up, "Well then maybe we should take advantage of the fact that no one is here."

I put a hand on my hip, "Grayson. I want to win. That's the only reason I chose you as a partner."