better off at camp

Chapter Seven: Hazel

I woke up to the counselors turning on the lights. I rolled over and checked my watch, it was 7:30. Usually waking up early was a huge detriment, but at camp I didn't really mind it. Except when I was hungover. 

Ava had no trouble getting up, she was already dressed and getting her shoes on by the time I could get out of bed. She was kind of a bitch, but I liked her. Emma on the other hand needed a total attitude adjustment. But I was always up for a challenge. 

After all she had came to the party and swam naked in the lake on her first night here. I totally respected her for actually going through with it.

In all honestly I was almost sure Emma had done more stupid shit last night than she had ever done in her life. I took pride in knowing I had been a part of that. 

In one swift motion I threw on a sweatshirt and laced up my navy converse and ran out the door to catch up with the rest of the group not even bothering to brush my hair.

"Have fun last night?" I laughed catching up with Emma who walked at the tail end of the big cluster. She smirked sarcastically but nodded. "Is that what you guys consider fun?" She asked poking fun at me. 

"Pretty much." I admitted in defeat throwing my arms in the air. 

Abby and Liz slowed down so they could walk with us but Ava hung with the front of the group talking with the counselors. "She probably fancies the hot Australian," Liz scoffed.

 I nodded, even if that was true I couldn't blame her, Evan was totally hot, and extra points for the accent. But he was also totally against the rules. All relationships were frowned upon at camp not to mention those between camper and counselor. 

If  her and Evan did have a future it was going to have to include a lot of sneaking around and secret meet ups. I was totally down for it.

The three other girls went off in some meaningless conversation about how cute the new guy Jack was. But I was having trouble concentrating. I had a lot on my mind. 

In the dining hall I did my best to avoid Kyle. The last thing I needed was a recap of what happened last night. My plan was to sit at the opposite end of the table as him and prayed no one would notice anything was up between us. We had been basically inseparable all of last year.

I found a seat across from Ava, a comfortable distance away from Kyle and his new bff Jack. "So, I want deets on you and the hot Australian, now." I squealed trying to forget everything from last night, leaning in a little. 

"Yeah he's totally cute and totally nice, and doesn't have a girlfriend or anything back home, but-"

"But what? He's totally hot!" 

I looked up for a second to make eye contact with Kyle. Fuck. I quickly adverted eyes and focused back on what Ava was saying. 

Why was I even looking at him in the first place? It's not like I had anything but platonic feelings for him. Right? The fact that I even had to question it made my stomach turn. I couldn't finish my cereal. 

"I'm... uh... not one to go for older guys," Ava said shrugging as I snapped back into the conversation. "Plus, he's a counselor so its never going to happen anyway." I knew this mindset was subject to change, she just might take some persuasion. 

After breakfast, our counselors handed out sheets to everyone assigning them to help with a certain clinic. Since this was my fifth year I had tried just about everything from archery to arts and crafts, and was basically equipped for anything. 

Our counselor Rocco handed me my paper with a creepy grimace. What the actual fuck. I turned to look at Ava. She burst out laughing after he finished making his rounds.

I quickly scanned the page. "You've got to be kidding me," I said out loud not even caring who heard me. A couple of people around me looked over but I was too focused reading the small print in front of me. I shoved my paper in Ava's face. Not only was I assigned possibly the worst possible clinic, mini farm, but I was going to be working with my favorite counselor Rocco and Kyle for two whole weeks. Perfect!!!!

"At least you have Kyle," Ava mentioned trying to make me feel better. If only. 

"What do you have?" I asked her, trying to change the subject. 

"Ummm..." She said glancing down at her paper. "Soccer with Evan and Chris."

"God, you're so lucky. You get to be with the hottest counselor here and your future bf." I said, jealously evident in my voice. At a time like this I would literally do anything to switch places with her.

"I thought you said you weren't into Chris?" Ava said chuckling. I glared at her. 

'Well, you do have a really hot, ripped teacher to help you. Things could be much worse. You could be with Rocco." I said laughing.

"Evan probably hates me. He's the one who found me naked in the woods that night." Ava said, her cheeks turning red as she recapped the awful night in her mind.

"Hey, at least you have something to talk about now," I suggested poking fun at her as we left the dining hall. I kept quiet about me and Kyle. The last thing I wanted was for more people to find out. Ava and I were friends, but not that good of friends. 

I was not ready to talk about the weirdness between me and Kyle with anyone, especially not Kyle himself.