The shell of what I was

chapter two

I stared at my closet wondering what to bring, I couldn't find anything I liked or anything that was fit for camping conditions.

I rummaged through my bag when I found the note Nicki left, a list of things to bring. I guess I'll just use this, once I packed everything I ran down stairs to say my goodbyes to my mum and little sister.

"Bye mum, bye Ella" I said as I gave them hugs, "Stay safe sweetie" mum whispered to me.

I walked out to my driveway where I saw Nicki leaning on the hood of the car, her bucket hat over her eyes and her matching cameo shorts and tank top.

I giggled to myself because her outfit reminded me of when we were little kids, the memories made me smile as I walked up to the ford ranger.

"Finally, took you a while" Nicki chuckled; I rolled my eyes and loaded my bag in the back boot.

Two people came out of the car; one a boy and one girl.

The boy had a smile that could turn heads; he had bright blue eyes and blonde messy hair, he had a perfectly sculpted body and a killer fashion sense.

"Hello I'm Adam and this is Cara" he said with a big grin.

"Hey, I'm Nina"

We all waited for Cara to say something but she seemed to be distracted, Cara looked very introverted and shy. She had red hair with a hint of orange and bright blue eyes; she looked like she could model for vouge.

"Ah, hi" Cara said brushing her foot on the ground, she looked nervous.

Nicki broke the awkward silence "come on guys, let's go"

So we all hopped into the ford ranger and prepared ourselves for the four hour trip ahead of us, this was binging to feel more like a road trip rather than a camping trip but Adam insists on going to the mountain ranges, he says it's the best spot to camp.

20 minutes into the trip and Adam and Nicki both started singing to the smiths, obnoxiously loud might I add and I'm trying to get some sleep here.

Cara didn't seem to be really fazed by it; she continued to look out at the window almost like she was in her own world.

We stopped at the gas station, both Nicki and Adam left the car and it was only Cara and I. I decided to make some conversation the silence between us was killing me.

"So, what school do you go to?"

"Chester high grammar school" she said not making eye contact, still staring out the window.

"What are looking at?" I asked, she seemed very distracted this whole trip.

"Not looking at anything, just thinking" She whispered but just enough for me to hear her.

She was interesting, the type of girl that had a lot on here mind she was smart but never spoke up almost like she was afraid of confrontation, afraid of being put down.

Nicki and Adam returned to the car and with smirks on their faces, something defiantly happening between these two.

Two hours past and we managed to keep a few conversations from dying but Cara still stayed silent.

"Want to stop for something to eat?" Adam suggested.

"Yes please I'm starving!" Nicki squealed, driving into the McDonald's car park.

We all unbuckled our seat belts and headed for the entrance, Adam and Nicki went to order our food while Cara and I went to look for a place to sit.

"What school do you go to?" Cara finally spoke; I was surprised but didn't show it.

"Wentworth high" I smiled

And she did too.

Wow that smile.

Her smile lights the room and fills the darkest dwellings with a beautiful glow that beams from her.

I couldn't stop staring.

I cleared my throat and spoke up "Well, have you ever camped before?" I asked.

"Once, with my dad" her smile disappeared and was replaced with anguish.

Oh gosh, I hope I didn't offend her.

I quickly changed the topic,

"Are you new to this town?"

"Yeah, I guess" she said fiddling with her sleeves.

"I've always moved I never stayed in the same town for long. I never really bothered to make any friends or be in any relationship because I know I would leave them soon and I can't cope with hurting anyone like that leaving them under my burdens-" Cara stoped herself from saying more

"Sorry" she whispered.

I was taken aback by what she was saying, but I wanted to hear more.

"No please, continue"

A small smile tugged from the side of her mouth.

We were interrupted by Nicki and Adam, they dropped our food on the table and I started to devour the food.

Adam and Nicki started to burst out laughing at me making a pig out of myself.

Cara started to laugh too; wow even her laugh was beautiful.

Finally, we were here at the camping grounds all that driving made me nauseas.

I placed my bags on the ground and joined the others to admire the view.

As the sun's presents shied away, the landscape became clear, the panorama of land following the significant curvature of the earth, with the forest beneath us and the mountain's towering in the distance. This view was truly spectacular.