Camp Pinewood ~Book 2~

27

We were left to wait for the other teams, and that seemed to take quite a while. Alyssa and Ethan's team came up shortly after us though, and she did not look happy. At least not genuinely happy.
"You guys did a great job! Congratulations!" she said, hugging me. I hugged her back but pulled away as quickly as I could.
"Thanks Alyssa, you guys did really well too." I looked over at Ethan when I said that and gave him a small smile.
We all fell into silence then, not really sure what else to say. After a few minutes, she turned towards me again. "We should celebrate. How about the four of us go and hang out tonight? Just us counselors?" she asked.
I looked over at Jesse. He shrugged, but I could tell he was not looking forward to it. But there really wasn't a way to say no.
"Sure. How about around seven?"
"Great! We'll meet at those cliffs that overlook the lake?" she asked us.
"Sounds great."
The last team had finally shown up, with only two items. Clearly they had given up. But at least now we were free to go.
"Come on guys! Let's go get some dinner. I hear we'll be getting some cake to celebrate. We'll see you guys later." I said to Ethan and Alyssa.

A few hours later, I was getting ready to go hang out with Alyssa and Ethan. Jesse was sitting on one of the bunks, waiting for me. I chose to wear some leggings and a yellow tank top and some flats. I looked pretty nice actually.
"Okay let's go get this stupid night over with." I muttered.
"Oh come on, it won't be that bad I'm sure." Jesse told me, taking my hand in his.
"I'm just feeling kind of nervous is all. I'm sure you're right."
They were already there when we arrived, and they'd even gotten a fire started up to keep us warm. It was a beautiful view from the cliffs. The moon was shining down on the lake like in those cheesy movies you always see.
"Hey you're here! It's about time!" Ethan said, hugging us both.
"We're on time..." I muttered, patting his shoulder.
"You're supposed to arrive early. Duh."
"You're drunk."
"Maybe just a little..." he said.
"How did you even get alcohol?" I asked, looking between him and Alyssa.
"Oh, I knew the guy running this place before I took over and I knew about all the places he hid beer. Actually, could you two," she looked at Ethan and then Jesse. "Do us all a favor and maybe go find some more? Smiley over here decided to drink most of the drinks I brought tonight." She said, glaring at Ethan slightly.
"We're celebrating! Don't judge me!" he half whispered.
"Come on, you're helping me get the rest. You'll be okay?" Jesse asked me.
"Yeah, just hurry back okay?" I said, kissing him before pushing him away. I sat down by the fire as they walked away. Alyssa joined me and started to talk my ear off. I wasn't entirely listening though.
"You really love him don't you?" she asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.
I smiled a little. "Yeah... he's helped me a lot."
"You've helped him too. He's been different ever since he met you that one summer."
"That means a lot Alyssa." And it did. I felt my heart swell knowing that.
Suddenly, she pulled on my arm excitedly. "Look at that!" she pointed over to the lake. I couldn't see it from where I was sitting, and she started to stand up, pulling me with her. "Look!" she said.
I stood up but still couldn't see anything. "What is it?" I asked her.
"Ugh, you need glasses." She said, pulling me over to the cliff. "Can't you see them?" she asked, pointing down to the lake. I was too busy focusing to notice she had stepped back and behind me.
"I still don't see anything." I said, turning to where she was. I turned all the way around to find her right behind me and before I could do anything she pushed me, hard.
I fell back, and off the cliff, but not to the bottom. I managed to grab the edge before I could fall. Alyssa, an annoyed expression on her face, came to stand over me.
"Damn it. Will you just die already?" she muttered, kneeling down and grabbing my wrists like in the Lion King.
"Alyssa don't do this..." I said, not opposed to begging now. "Please, just help me up!"
She laughed. "How pathetic. You know I honestly thought that when this moment came you'd at least keep your dignity and not beg but looks like I was wrong." She started to try and push me off, but I fought her, struggling to keep a grip on the edge. I was screaming as loud as I could for help but no one was coming.
Suddenly Alyssa disappeared from my sight. As I worked to pull myself onto the cliff, Ethan came into my view and started to help me. When I finally got back up, he helped me stand up. I saw Alyssa, crumpled on the ground a few feet away. I sagged in relief, my heart pounding in my chest.
"Where's Jesse?" I asked Ethan.
"I forgot my phone. I came back looking for it and saw Alyssa about to push you off. He's still looking for drinks." Ethan explained.
Just as I was about to respond, Alyssa, who'd gotten back up, pushed him off the cliff- just as she'd done with me before. Only this time, Ethan wasn't able to grab the edge.
"NO!"I yelled, reacting instantly as I shoved Alyssa down to the ground. I climbed on top of her, landing a few punches on her. She struggled to push me off and a minute later, I felt someone pull me off of her. Jesse was there, and Alyssa had passed out.
There were a few administrators there, picking up Alyssa to take her to the nurse. That was when I couldn't take any more.
I blacked out.