Trepidation | Sitkolson [ C ]

Chapter 6 | Camp

For the whole English lesson, I payed next to no attention. We were watching some movie, so I had an excuse as to why I was staring off into space.

What were my thoughts? Nothing, really. What my future would be like, what the rest of school would be like, normal things like that. Somehow, Ryan crossed that path, but I ignored him.

When the lights flicked back on, signalling the lesson was coming to an end, I finally snapped out of my daze and payed some attention to my teacher's words.

"As many of you would know, the senior camp is coming up," she said, stacking her papers, "Forms need to be returned on Friday, or you'll be on your own. Your partners will be picked by us teachers, and so will your groups."

At the sound of the bell, every student stood up, not listening to her last words before walking out.

Sometimes I felt bad for the teachers, but they brought it all on themselves by becoming a teacher, so it was even.

"Are you going to camp?" Kylie asked, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

I pursed my lips. Technically, it was all up to Jenna. I didn't want to stay on my own, but I also didn't want to go somewhere with a group of students I barely even knew. That and I didn't want to be paired up with someone who was a judgmental dick, or would just talk nonstop.

I shrugged, "I dunno."

From there, we made small talk and decided to meet up with Devin and Josh instead of going to the next period.

In six weeks, we had skipped class three times. That may seem like nothing, but it is a lot to me. Necessarily, I didn't have a problem with it, but I also didn't need Jenna getting up me for getting low marks. Plus, if I wanted to go to this camp, I'd have to show I deserved it, first.

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"Hey, Jenna?" I asked, recording a small 'hmm' from her, "The senior camp is coming up, and I was wondering if I can go...?"

She stopped cutting and looked up at me, an eyebrow raised, "Have you been going to all classes? Have you gotten any detentions?"

"I've skipped three times, but I haven't gotten a detention yet."

"Yet?" She chuckled. She shook her head and looked down at the chopping board, sighing, "Well, you didn't lie, so I guess... How much is it and where is it?"

"Josh said it was at the Promised Land State Park."

At that, both of her eyebrows raised, "Is it a reasonable price?"

I nodded, "Yeah."

She pursed her lips, "Okay. You and Devin can go, but you guys need to make up for it after."

I nodded and leaned forward, hugging her, "Thank you. And I will, promise."

"I didn't know they let schools camp there." She mumbled, more to herself than me.

I laughed under my breath and thanked her again, then made my way to my room.

Jenna wasn't one for the whole 'you just got me something I wanted, so I'm gonna be nice as fuck to you now'. She was more of a 'yeah, I got it, now go'. I didn't exactly have a problem, because I had a fair amount of homework to do. Even if I didn't want to do it, I still did.

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In anticipation, I tapped my fingers on my thigh.

Teachers being the assholes they are, decided to leave who we were paired with and who we were grouped with ten minutes before we had to actually leave for the camp.

If I'm honest, I wanted to just stick with Kylie. She was nice, and rarely talked, so I wouldn't have to communicate for the hour it took. And, if I was, that meant Josh and Devin could be paired together instead of with someone they don't like..

The weather was as you'd expect it to be during camping; sunny. I mean, you can't go camping whilst it's snowing unless you plan on skiing or something.

The head teacher (I forgot his name), stepped in front of the cohort, a clipboard in hand.

"Okay, first, we're going to pair you up. Once we've arrived, we'll let you know what group you're in. If you don't like who you're with, too bad. No swaps, nothing."

He received groans from several students whilst I rolled my eyes.

What good does groaning do? He wasn't going to change his mind, no matter how much you hated it. Anyways..

After at least a dozen names, the teacher said one that stuck out a little.

"Matt Patlan, you'll be with Mr. Costanza."

I turned to who I knew was Matt, watching as his eyes widened.

He looked terrified. Beyond terrified, even.

Mike simply sighed and made his way into the first bus, Matt quickly following.

"Miss Kylie, you'll be with Franccesca."

"Great.." Kylie mumbled, stomping her way to the same bus Kuza and Matt recently boarded.

"Mr. Balz, Mr. Cerulli, second bus you go."

Josh sent Devin a small pout and followed Chris onto the second bus.

Another few names passed before Devin's was said, causing me to cross my fingers.

"Sola, Parente, second bus."

I swore under my breath. No one. No one I actually liked would be paired with me. If it was Angelo, I would've been okay with that, but I have no one. I'm either stuck with some stuck up bitch, or-

"Sitkowski, Olson." The teacher jerked his head to the second bus, causing my eyes to widen.

Ryan. Of course! Who else would it have been? Apart from the six students left, but still. Ryan. Of all people I'm chosen to share a room with and sit next to for an hour, it's Ryan.

Ryan was the first to start walking to the bus and I followed, noticing the looks of sympathy each passing student–except for Josh, Chris, Angelo and Devin, that was–, and I didn't even know them. Stereotypes played a massive part when it came to Ryan, but I didn't exactly let that get to me.

So deep in my thoughts, I didn't notice Ryan had stopped until I bumped into his back, causing him to send me a small glare from over his shoulder.

I gave him an apologetic smile and watched as he threw his bag over the top, then sat in the window seat.

I stood on my tip toes, trying to place my bag next to his.

After at least ten seconds of watching me struggle, Ryan stood up and grabbed my bag, putting it next to his.

With his chest against mine, he looked down at me, staying like that for a few seconds before moving back to his seat.

I let out a small sigh of relief before sitting next to him.

At the time, all I wanted to do was make it to this place with my sanity left. I wasn't going to strike up some conversation with him. Not on the drive there, anyways.