Bookview Valley 4

Chapter One: Baggage

Friday, June 14th 2012

It's a beautiful summer day, the sky is blue, the birds are singing, and there is a lot of baggage; so much baggage. That's how it is, though, when you're going away for a month of excitement, or pain depending how you see spending time with kids. 

"Are you sure you packed everything," Mom eyes my multiple bags. 

"Looks like you packed the whole house," Dad chimes in as he comes into the dining room, his eyes stuck on the mountain of bags I've created. 

"Haha, okay," I roll my eyes, but I'm laughing, "I'll be gone for a whole month! I'll definitely need all of this stuff."

"I'm sure," Dad snorts before heading off to the small kitchen that's connected through the dining/living room. 

"Are you sure you guys are fine with house sitting for me?" I question, glancing around my small apartment, my eyes lingering on one of the only two doors that lead somewhere else. My bedroom lies through there, I hope I remembered to pack everything. 

"Of course," Mom gives me a warm smile, her blue eyes resting on me, "Besides, it'll be good for us to get out of Bookview Valley for a little while. See some of the Boston sights!"

"It feels so weird that I'm actually going back to Bookview for this camp," I sigh, the memories of the past couple of years threatening to lay heavily on my shoulders, "It feels like you and I are swapping places." 

"You'll be fine, honey," She reassuringly hugs me close, her black hair wrapping around me as though it can shield me from the pain of the past, "It's been peaceful for the last six months, it feels like all of that is behind us now." 

"I can't believe I've been here for six month," I laugh, "It feels like I just moved here yesterday." 

"I know, but you're in college, you're doing great, and from what I see," Mom wiggles her eyebrows at me, "You might have a very nice boyfriend soon, one you can bring to family gatherings." 

"Mom!" I groan just as there's a knock at my front door. 

"Speaking of..." Mom trails off as I hush her and race to the door. Yanking it open, I reveal a very tall, handsome blonde. 

His blue-green eyes instantly find mine, "Morgan, you ready?" 

His grin is contagious, but I nod, "Just about. Saying by to the fam, come say hi!"

He follows me inside, letting the door shut behind him. We walk back over to my mother, and my father who has come back from the kitchen with a cup of coffee, "Ah, Nick!" My father grins cheekily. 

"Mr. Brooks, Mrs. Brooks," Nick gives them his famous, dimpled smile, "It's good to see you both." 

"It's good to see you too, Nick," My mother says, her eyes showing mischief. She lowers her voice for the last part, "It would be nice to see you more often, at family gatherings." 

My face reddens, "Well, anyway, time to get going!" I rapidly start picking up my bags and passing them to Nick. 

"You sure you got everything?" Nick asks behind a very large mount of bags that are now piled into his arms. 

"Not really," I bite the inside of my cheek, "Do you think I should double check?"

I get a chorus of no's, Mom and dad begin to usher us out of the house, "You'll miss the bus!"

"We'll miss you, but have fun!"

We turn around as my parents wave us off and shut the door in our faces. After a few seconds of silence we both burst into laughter. We carry my multiple bags down to the elevator of my apartment building. 

In the few moments of the elevator, Nick turns to me, "Are you sure you want to go back to Bookview Valley?" 

"We promised our friends we would spend one more summer with them, that and I really want to see them. It's been ages! I'm sure one summer in Bookview Valley won't hurt anything." 

"I'm sure you're right, but what I don't understand is why we can't just drive to the camp. Why do we have to meet at the camp's bus stop?"

"Something about pollution, I'm sure," I shrug, "But, it'll be fine, they said there would be a parking lot for our cars at the stop. We'll take the bus back afterwards and just drive home. Saves me gas, anyway." 

"Are you sure you want to take you car?" Nick raises his eyebrow as the elevator doors slide open. Grabbing my bags once more, we stalk out of the small room and towards the exit. 

"Yes, just because it was once Luci's, doesn't mean it's not a perfectly fine car." 

"Alright," Nick grins at me as we make it over to my car. We pile the bags into the trunk before climbing in. The car purrs to life as I turn the key.

"See, she sounds alive." 

Nick laughs and throws his hands up, "Okay, okay. Ready?" 

"Very," I nod as we pull out of the parking lot and onto the main road. It's a bit of a drive, but with some music and Nick's company it goes by fast. I really can't wait to see my friends again and find out what they've been doing for the past couple of months. I know for sure that Bri, Harper, and Flynn are going to be there; but I don't know if Benjamin is still going to come. I've been talking to him a bit here and there whenever I feel sad about Dean, but other than that we don't talk much. Who knows if he'll show. I am pretty sure that Sebastien will show, though, Flynn and him have been going steady for months now; I'm super psyched for them. 

After around an hour or so we finally reach the sign that reads "Welcome to Bookview Valley". As we cross the line into the town my stomach twists into knots, my mind trying not to think about everything that happened here; especially not Luci. 

Nick reaches over and gives my hand a squeeze, "Everything will be fine." 

"I hope so," I mutter as my car reaches the parking lot. There's no going back now.