Camp Driftwood

Chapter 1 - Rebel Youth

Chapter 1 - Rebel Youth

Kaylee's footsteps echoed through the narrow concrete alleyway. Her bag swung loosely by her side, only a few items inside. A clarinet she had received on her fifteenth birthday, a water bottle, and two packets of gum. Spearmint and strawberry. The afternoon was just starting to cool down, and the amber glow of the sun was starting to fade. She was already late.

This was a route she had walked many times over the past two years. She had memorised every inch of pavement along the way, every store window and street light. This was the highlight of her week. Washington DC was in its usual bustle at this time of day, but she barely even noticed. This was the second week in a row she had been late, and Henry wasn't going to be happy. She could already see the pursed lips, the slightly raised eyebrow, and the visible release of breath.

She looked backwards discreetly, making sure that nobody was following her, before slipping through one of the thick metal doors that lined the alleyway. If her mother saw her coming in here, it would be game over. Go to jail, do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars. As soon as she closed the door behind her, she was met with a pair of exasperated sighs.

"Yeah, I know," she grumbled, throwing her bag onto one of the chairs beside the entrance. "Don't need to hear it guys."

Gemma and Andrew shrugged, walking along beside her toward the main area of the studio.

"Do you think she's starting to get wise to it?" Andrew asked, leading the group. "I mean, you've been pulling it off for two years, and that woman's not dull by any means. Maybe she's caught on."

"She suspects something," Kaylee nodded as Gemma passed her the real bag, full of her training gear. Gemma always held onto it over the week between these sessions. If Kaylee's mom ever found it, she would completely flip. "Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but I swear she's been tailing me in the car to see if I've been going to music class. The level of distrust there is scary."

"Yeah, because you're so innocent," Gemma scoffed, "You have to admit, it's a tad suspicious that you've been going to 'music lessons' for two years and still can't play for peanuts."

"It's a clarinet," Kaylee protested, "What the hell am I meant to do, actually learn to play the thing? No. Hell no. I put my foot down there."

"But you could finally become Squidward," Andrew laughed, "You've already got the attitude down, and the looks..."

Kaylee's fist lashed out, striking Andrew just below the shoulder. He knew the blow was coming, but was just too slow to avoid it. Kaylee's training had made her fast. The punch deadened his arm, and Kaylee's fist had already retracted before he had a chance to yelp.

"Well you're just a bundle of fun today, aren't you?" he scowled, staying an extra pace away from her as they approached the main studio.

"I've had a bad day," she grunted, "Sue me."

Kaylee fished a pair of lightweight training gloves from her bag, putting them on as Andrew pushed open the door to large door with his elbow. The wide interior, covered in padded rubber mats and lit with bright electric lights, was a place Kaylee had gotten very used to in the past two years. Henry Buscador was waiting on the other side of the training studio, walking new students through some basic moves. As soon as the door opened, his eyes turned and locked onto the three late entries. He exhaled slightly when he saw them, with a slightly raised eyebrow and pursed lips. Kaylee had become quite accustomed to that look lately.

"Henry, I'm sorry," she apologised when he got close enough to hear her, "My mom, she's been getting suspicious lately, and it's been-"

Henry held up a hand to cut her off, closing his eyes briefly as he approached. "It doesn't matter now. Let's just move along with today's session, and we can talk about it later."