The Bright Side (A One Direction Story)

Chapter 1 ~ Summer disaster

'I'm not going.' I look over at my mom, who is sitting at the kitchen table with an enthusiastic look on her face, seeming not bothered at all by my remark.

'No way, I am NOT going.', I repeat stubbornly, in an attempt to make my mother change her mind.

It's the last week of summer holiday and I've planned spending it at home, reading the books on my must read list and hanging out with my friends. Since it's the last week before school starts again, there are a lot of things I still want to do and a lot of end-of-summer parties I want to go to.             

However, my mom seems to have something else planned out for me.

'Lola, sweetheart, don't be difficult now, please. It's only for four days and it will be so much fun! You will learn so much and make a bunch of new friends... You'll thank me when you get back.'

I don't think so.

My mom has gotten the delightful idea of sending me on a language camp. A week before school starts again. Goddamnit parents.

She basically works at a travelling office and has gotten a huge discount on this losercamp that she now desperately wants me to attend. The camp is in Spain and is all about learning teenagers the Spanish language and culture. Now, here is a little list of why I don't want to go.

1. The camp was from the age 12-16, so I (I'm sixteen) will be one of the oldest kids who basically will be forced to babysit the younger ones.

2. Since it is for kids from those ages, it will be this extremely boring camp with activities that are not okay for my age, there will be no going out or even a little bit of freedom. We probably all have to be in bed at 9.

3. I had allready attended one of this sort of camps earlier this summer in France to please my parents, and it happened to be extremely lame, so I expect pretty much the same from this one.

4. A week before school? Really? Learning stupid words and grammar IN MY WELL DESERVED HOLIDAY a week before school? REALLY?

5. I can't really handle heath very well, (I tend to get quite pissed when I'm in the burning sun for too long) so Spain isn't the best place for me to go.

6. The 'hotel' we will be staying at is very low budget. Pretty much the whole camp is low budget. I don't like the sound of that.

7. I have plans, okay? You can't just ruin my plans.

'Mom, just listen to me. I know it's good to know a lot of languages and all but please, don't force me to go on some stupid camp again a week before school and...'

'You are going, Lola, wether you like it or not. I know you planned to spend your last week different but this will be such an experience for you and it's only for four days. Now stop whining and go pack your stuff. You are allready leaving tomorrow, so you have to be prepared! You need enough clothes and paper and pens to write and oh, you can't forget your ID and...'

As I watch my mom get all enthusiastic again, I know it won't be any use to argue. I stomp away to my room in the middle of her sentence and slam the doo shut. She should know I'm mad.

I turn on the radio and call my BFF Grace to tell her the horrible news.

'Hi, this is Gr..'

'GRACE! YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT MY EVIL MOTHER JUST GOT ME INTO!'

'Oh no, not ANOTHER language camp.' Grace jokes, lightly laughing at the thought.

'Telepathy.' I simply awnser.

It's silent at the other end of the line for a second, then Grace starts laughing nervously.

'You're kidding right.'

'I wish.' I start to explain everything to her, than we both just curse the whole world for a while.

'Well, there is one bright side.'

'What on earth can possibly be the bright side of this horror story.'

'One Direction is in Spain at the exact time you are there too, in the same city as the camp is organised.'

'Ow yes, that IS a bright side. But with the strict rules of torture camp, the chances of me seeing them will be very small, I fear.' I sigh, turning sad again.

'Hey, don't get sad now. It's only four days, we still have friday, saturday and sunday left to party like fools. I'll come over and help you pack, okay? I'm sure we can smuggle some candy to camp.'

'That's why you're my bestie, gurl.'