Northwoods

Chapter 4

The rehearsal was cancelled due to the heavy rain, so the students were all trapped in their cabins.  Brian didn't mind as long as it kept him in close proximity to Jen.  The ten students in Fox Den gathered in the main room and broke out a deck of cards and some board games that they found stored in a closet.  As they kept themselves entertained, they watched the storm display it’s fury through the grimy windows.  Even Brian had to admit it was breathtaking to experience a thunderstorm in the wilderness.  He was just thankful they weren't in some flimsy tent.

            Brian eyed his cousin across the table.  Jake seemed distracted and distant since his return from the woods, soaked to the bone and full of mud.  He had ignored the stares of his classmates as he disappeared into the guys' bunk room to change.  When he reemerged, he simply shrugged and said he'd gotten lost.  Brian didn't buy it.  He didn't often give compliments, but if there was one thing Jake was good at, it was finding his way around the forest.

            He continued to observe, noticing the glances Jake spared for Katie, who was sitting with Liz at another table playing a board game with two of the other girls assigned to Fox Den.  He seemed put off that she was not at his table, interacting with him.  Brian knew his cousin perceived it as an indication of her disinterest in him.  Truth was, even Frank noticed the way she looked at Jake.  So why couldn't he see it?  It was most annoying.  Brian would certainly notice if Jen was interested in him.  He'd be happy if any girl found him remotely attractive.  He made a mental note to prod Jake later, and then returned his attention to the card game he was playing with Dan, Jen, and Frank.

            The storm raged for what seemed like hours.  Time seemed inconsequential, as though they were lost in a moment.  Birck and Trevek came and went several times, talking in hushed tones whenever they were around the students, and the band director looked irritated.  Then again, he frequently looked that way.  Brian wasn't one to eavesdrop, but he was curious to know what had them all stirred up.  In the end, he gave up trying to overhear them and decided it might have something to do with that rumor of romance between them.  A lover's spat.

            It was mid-afternoon when the rain subsided and they were finally able to get out of the cabin and stretch.  Brian was ready to escape.  Jen had grown more belligerent towards him as time went on, and the dance of avoidance continued between Jake and Katie.  And Frank was...well, Frank was being Frank.  Brian strode away into the humid, damp woods, eager to get some distance.  He took the wide path that led to the lakeshore.  It wasn't long before he realized he wasn't far enough.

            Frank's loud voice called to him, “Whatcha doin'?”

            Holy Mother of God, how can he be so obtuse? Brian thought to himself.  He reluctantly stopped in his tracks and turned to see the big oaf trundling down the trail towards him.  “Has it occurred to you I might want some time alone after being cooped up in that cabin with a bunch of primates?”

            Frank's face split in a wide grin as he ape-walked the last few steps to his classmate.  "That's me, the missing link."

            Brian rolled his eyes.  "I could comment, but it would be just too easy.  What are you doing?"

            "Saw you walking down here," Frank replied.  "I thought you could use some company.  Hey, did you notice Jake doesn't seem to be himself?  I think he‘s losing his nerve."

            "Of course I noticed."  Brian sighed, wishing the conversation was over.  He counted Frank as his friend, but he could only take him in small doses.  "Everyone in the universe notices, except him.  As for what exactly is wrong with him--oh."