Last Summer Here

Chapter One

Chapter One

This was my last summer at Camp Cyan and I can safely say that I would miss it. I have been coming here for five years and not once did I ever ask to go home. This place is like a second home to me. I know where everything is and I know all of the people. The lake, The Pier, The stables all these things I would miss. Then of course there is Christie and Cam and Steph and Morgan. Sure, there are something’s I would be happy to say goodbye to; the lumpy mattresses that reek of bug spray and freezing cold showers that ensure you won’t be sleepy when you head down to the mess hall. But, they were all part of the experience and I would give the world just to be able to go through it all next year.

But I couldn’t. I was moving to New York with my Mom and Dad, and Camp Cyan was too far to travel too apparently. Of course I put up an argument but in the end I could never have won. It was one against two. And so I cherished each moment and filled up all of my time with camp activities, and there were a lot. I took part in everything and not once did I complain.

“Jen!” The voice that could only belong to Morgan called from behind me. I tugged on my Camp T-shirt, which was obviously cyan blue with the small orange logo stitched on left and also on the sleeve. I turned and watched as the mop of brown curls bounced as she skipped to approach me. I had been sitting on the log just outside of our cabin. Morgan was smiling, as usual, and pulled me in for a hug, which I of course returned.

“Morgan, what is it?” I laughed pulling her away from me and holding her at arm’s length. Her deep blue eyes filled with uncontained joy, and I noticed that the amount of freckles she had splattered across her nose and cheeks had increased during her time here.

“I’m a big sister!” She burst, jumping on the spot.

“Oh, congratulations!” I pulled her in for another hug. Morgan’s mother re-married last year and became pregnant shortly after. Morgan had informed me via letter, that she was expecting a new baby brother.

“His name is Charlie, and he has hair.” She added, cheerily. I congratulated her once more before announcing we should celebrate.

“Lemonade in the mess hall! You go rally up the girls and I will quickly get changed.” She nodded eagerly and sprinted off to tell the rest of the group. I shook my head, a silly smile spread on my lips. I love this place.

I leapt up the steps of the cabin and pulled open the creaky door, I felt sticky and horrible after horse riding today. I quickly swapped my jeans and T-shirt for a checkered flannel shirt and a pair of denim shorts. I tossed my worn clothes into the hamper and surveyed myself in the mirror. I grimaced at the sight of my tousled hair and pulled the blondish-brown locks into a ponytail. My eyes were becoming more and more brown recently, there not as hazel as they once were.

I pulled on some flip flops and hurried towards the Mess Hall where Morgan, Steph, Christie and Cam were waiting. All had excitement bubbling on their faces and five glasses were set out on the table next to them along with a large jug of cool pink lemonade.

There was no hesitation as we huddled together for a group hug. We laughed and spun and the second we pulled apart we filled our glasses and made a toast;

“To new, baby Charlie!” And we drank our lemonade and discussed life outside of the camp. A conversation topic I was less than fond of, so I silently listened and prayed it would end soon. At one point Cam turned to me and asked a casual question about school, but luckily before I could answer, she and Steph began to bicker. You see, Steph and Cam are twins. They both have the black hair and green eyes, but somehow they look completely different. They act completely different too; Cam is always calm and modest. She does yoga every single morning and has a talent for athletics. Steph however, is strong headed and loud. She would rather be caught dead than wear a dress and is also a complete feminist. If men can do it, women can do it better, she told me.