Camp Crestfalls

Chapter 7

 I jolted upright from my sleep and almost hit my head on the bunk above when I heard a loud noise that sounded like a trumpet start playing some fast-paced tune. I felt like my heart was going to beat out of my chest it was pounding so hard. 'What in tarnation is going on?' I thought to myself. The sound was dim at first then it got gradually louder and softer again as though it was moving. I heard beds squeaking, blankets rustling and groaning coming from all over the cabin.

"Ugh, I forgot they did this every morning," I heard Bonnie moan as she sat up and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.

"What time is it?" groaned Sam, a hand flopping down from up above as she rolled over.

I took a look at the clock on the cabin wall and it read 7:05 in the morning.

"It's a little after seven in the mornin'. What song is that and why are they playin' it?" I asked getting out of bed and going to my drawer in the dresser I shared with Samantha to grab my clothes for the day.

"It's called 'Reveille'," said Irie stretching before she pulled open the lid of her trunk to get dressed.

"Re-val-ee?" I asked not having a clue what Irie just said.

"Reveille, it's French for wake-up," replied Irie with a smile. "They play it in the military and in prison as a wake-up call".

"How the heck, do you know that? Is your commune near a prison, or are you makin' it up like you did with the hornswoggles and whales?" sneered Tiffany as she put on her Camp Crestfalls shirt. We all gave Tiffany a look of various disbelief or offense. For some reason Tiffany had it in for Irie and I didn't have a clue why. It definitely wasn't sitting well with me.

"Seriously girl, what is your problem? I don't remember you being like this last year," Bonnie pointed out as she finished tying her shoes. Tiffany looked around at us as we waited for an answer. Irie had her head down while she tied her shoes and I could see a tear drop hit the floor.

"Really? You're lookin' at me like I'm crazy when she needs to be on the next bus to the psych-ward? We weren't dealin' with any nutcases last year," Tiffany stated folding her arms.

"No one here is a nutcase," I said quietly looking at Irie. The room was silent as Tiffany stared at us in disbelief.

"You all laughed, remembered that." Tiffany scoffed as she stormed out of the cabin letting the screen door bang behind her.

"We really should report her," said Sam lightly. "Maybe get her swapped for a new cabin mate?" Bonnie and I nodded in agreement. I thought Tiffany was going to be nice when I met her on the bus. I never imagined she would turn into such a bully.

"No, it's all right," Irie said as we all headed outside to the mess hall for breakfast. "I can handle her. I have dealt with kids worse than her." That confession from Irie stung at me. I couldn't imagine having to deal with other kids mocking. All I ever have to deal with are people leaving me out of games and parties and picking me last for teams even though I am pretty good.

"Well if you change your mind we'll be here for you" I told Irie and patted her on the shoulder. "We're all friends here," I saw the girls nodding in agreement which I am thankful for.

"Thanks, now let's get us some breakfast! The last girl to the mess hall is a snaggletooth!" Irie exclaimed as she ran down the path. After some outcries and laughter Bonnie, Sam and I raced after her. I didn't have a clue what a snaggletooth was, but I was okay with that.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Once everyone had shown up for breakfast, Chief Councillors Stewarts and Stevens greeted us to inform us of our jobs for the next two weeks as well. There was a list on the wall with all the campers' names on them from youngest to oldest. The 12 and 13-year-olds had duties like sweeping and mopping the mess hall and other floors found in the community buildings as well as set and clear the table after every meal. The 14 and 15-year olds had to do the dishes after every meal and put away the equipment (balls, rackets, canoes, life vests, art supplies etc.) after every session depending on which activity they were doing for that session. The 16 and 17 year-olds were required to collect the garbage from main community areas and any garbage left outside by the stairs of each cabin then place it in the main dumpster on the side of the mess hall. They were also required to collect firewood for the community campfire as well as each cabin (cabins only needed five pieces of wood collected for each day). At the end of the two weeks these duties would rotate to the next age group for the following two weeks until the end of our time here (and so everyone will have done the chore). There was a loud groan from many of the campers and a few complaints to which we were reminded of the camp rules and consequences by Chief Councillor Stevens. We were then reminded of which activities we had signed up for, for the morning and finally were allowed to eat. Breakfast was made up of bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, omelettes, toast and all sorts of spreads, healthy cereals, porridge and fruit. Then there was orange and apple juice as well as milk and water to drink.