Listen to Your Heart

Chapter 7

Joey and I start walking on a path that runs through most of the camp. "So what did you want to talk about?" I ask.

"I umm just needed to uh tell you something," he replies nervously.

"What is it? You don't need to be scared to tell me anything," I say.

"I, uh, I like you Lauren."

"What?"

"Do I have to say it again? It was hard enough the first time."

"Sorry, I mean I heard you, but wow," I pause. "Why?"

"What do you mean why?" He asks.

"Why would you like me?"

"Lauren you're an amazing girl. You're so beautiful and smart and kind and you're not afraid to speak your mind."

"Okay," I say.

"So..." he says.

"So, what happens now?"

"I'm not sure," he replies.

"Why now, Joey? After all those years of being Jaime's partner in crime, why now?"

"Look, Lauren, I feel really badly about all of that. I was an asshole then. I wanted to be cool and I didn't care who I hurt. I just wanted the great stories to bring back home."

We sit down on a bench and I say, "She bullied me for years. I spent so much time hating myself and thinking I was just an annoying loser because of her, and you helped with that."

"But you seem to be friends with Jaime now. Well at least at dinner tonight."

"She apologized to me. She's trying to be a better person. See Joey, that's the thing, if you want someone to be your friend or whatever you want with me, you have to apologize when you've done something wrong," I say. I stand up and start to walk away.

"Lauren! Wait!" He shouts, but I keep walking. I hear him running up behind me. He pulls on my arm and I spin around and am facing him.

"What now, Joey?"

"I'm sorry."

"I don't believe you."

"I was a shitty guy. I was rude and arrogant and you're right I was horrible. I don't deserve to be your friend or anything more."

"Joey what do you want from me?" I ask.

"I want to take you on a date. I know you have a thing with that Walker guy or whatever his name is but I just want you to give me a chance."

"I don't think that's a good idea, Joey."

"Please Lauren."

I don't know what to say, so I just look at him. He looks desperate. And yeah, he should be. I'm awesome and he'd be lucky to date me. So why do I have this feeling that if I say no, then I'll be upset, but if I say yes, I'll feel like I'm caving into what he wants.

"So what's your answer?" He asks.

"I just need some time to think about this," I reply.

"Okay," he says and I turn around and start walking towards my bunk. When I get inside, Julia is sitting on a bed and looking on her phone.

"Hey, are you okay?" She asks.

"Yeah, I think I'm gonna go find Meredith. I need to talk to her about something."

"Okay, well I'll see you later."

"Yeah, bye," I say while grabbing a sweatshirt and heading outside.

I walk to Meredith's bunk and she's sitting on the porch alone. "Hey, Mer. Can I talk to you about something?"

"Yeah, is this about your walk with Joey?"

"Yeah." I take a deep breath in and continue. "He told me he likes me."

"Wow."

"I know and he said he wants to date me."

"Do you want to date him?"

"Maybe, I don't know. I mean he's Joey Richter. He was my dream boyfriend for years when we were younger, so I feel like I owe it to my younger self to try this out. But at the same time, he was such an asshole to me and I'm going on a date with Walker, so it's not like I'm alone."

"I can't tell you what to do Lauren."

"I know," I say, "but what would you do?"

She sighs and says, "I think you should go for it. Life is short. Be fearless. Be bold and don't hold back. Make things happen for yourself. Besides, just go on one date, how bad could it be?"

"I guess you're right. I just don't know Mer. He was horrible to me."

"So he danced with you so Jaime would kiss him when we were like twelve. It's been six years Lauren."

"I forgot that I didn't tell you about the other thing."

*One year earlier*

Another amazing summer away from camp and I was so happy to be home. I was in Cape Cod with Emily and a bunch of my friends from school. Luckily, Camp Blue Brook never took campers here so I knew I would be safe. But it seemed that I was wrong. They decided to change up the trip for the waiters and waitresses and go to Cape Cod for five days.

My bathing suit shrunk in the dryer so I decided to go to the outdoor mall to buy a new one while my friends were busy cleaning the house from the party we threw last night. When I arrived at the mall I was in the same place that I was in two years ago when I arrived at a mall with my mom and saw a sea of Camp Blue Brook shirts. Only this time I was alone, but more confident. I bravely walked into the mall and made my way towards Victoria's Secret, my favorite store to get bathing suits. Surprisingly I didn't run into anyone from Blue Brook in there. I was lucky, almost too lucky.

I looked down at my phone and had one text from Emily. She wanted me to pick up some pizza for lunch. I made my way to the food court and my luck ended when I got in line. I was waiting for a minute when a guy in a Camp Blue Brook shirt tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Are you Lauren Lopez?"

"Yes and you are?" I replied.

"Hi I'm Darren. I was told to give you this note," he said while handing me a folded piece of paper.

"Um thanks."

"Kay, bye," he says while walking away.

I unfolded the piece of paper and read the note. "I think your pants look hot, Lauren I like you a lot. – Joey R." I looked up in confusion and saw Joey waving at me. He walked towards me and said, "I'm just kidding. I could never like someone as ugly as you."

I didn't reply. I couldn't. I was crushed. I needed to go find a choir room to cry in or something. But I didn't give into my urges. I quickly ordered the pizza, headed back to the house, and never spoke of it again.

I finish telling Meredith the story when she says, "Oh my god, Lauren that's horrible. I take back everything I said before. If he could do that only a year ago, then he's a dick."

"I know Mer, thank you for helping me," I say while standing up.

I turn to leave when she says, "Lauren wait!"

"I have an idea for revenge."

"Okay, let's hear it," I say while walking back over to her and sitting down.