Camp Crestfalls

Chapter 17

We sat there in silence for a moment. I didn't know what to tell him, but it seemed as though Scott still loved me because he was still sitting there waiting for an answer.

"You never did tell me why" Scott mumbled to the room. I know it was directed at me and I swallowed because I was trying not to cry again.

"The reason is stupid," I said sounding as though there was a frog in my throat.

"Not to me. If we are going to fix this, that is if you want to fix it, then I need to know," Scott gently insisted.

Tears started to fall down my face once more, which really surprised me because I seriously thought I was all cried out. I took a deep breath trying to calm myself down then looked at him.

"I can tell something is really bothering you, Katie. I hate seeing you like this. Even if you don't want to get back together at least tell me what's happened." Scott said in a pleading voice reaching out for my hand. I let him take it and he pulled me out of my chair, tipping the chair, dragging me towards him. I stood in front of him and he grabbed my other hand. We let my chair fall on its side behind me. I let out a small giggle and he smiled. I looked down at his face and he looked up at me patiently. I gulped back my tears and started my explanation.

"It's botherin' me that everythin' is comin' to an end," I began and felt Scott tenderly squeeze my hands. "I never thought I would like it here, but it's been amazin'. I made friends. More friends than I have ever had. I met you," I paused and stroked his hand with my thumb. "You have changed my world and made me a more confident and stronger person. I love you and I am so sorry for hurtin' you." I saw the hurt in Scott's eyes reappear and tears start to form in his own eyes. I was thankful he let me continue without any interruption. I could hear campers outside continuing on with the day, but I kept my eyes focused on Scott. I swallowed again and continued. "I never dated anyone before," I admitted with a shrug and Scott just nodded. "So I when I overheard Tiffany talkin' to a group of girls about long-distance relationships and how they don't work. How no matter what the couple does to stay connected they just end up cheatin' on the other or fallin' out. I didn't want that to happen to us. I love you too much to not see you every day. That's why I thought it'd be the best for both of us to end it now before we have to hurt each other by endin' it later. Then Bonnie reminded me of the farewell party and whether or not you were invitin' me as your date and I lost it. I don't want to lose you or my friends and that is what's goin' to happen when we leave here. That's why I broke up with you and have distanced myself from them. I hurt you real bad and I understand if you don't want to be with me or even see me anymore. I am truly sorry," I finished and bowed my head in shame. Scott pulled me into his lap and hugged me tight against him. We sat like that for a bit because I started to cry like it was my responsibility to fill a manmade lake with only my tears. I was soaking the shoulder of his shirt and I could feel his own tears hit my shoulder.

"It's okay, Katie. I understand, but you have to understand something in return," Scott said making me look into his face. "You really hurt me and over something we could have easily fixed by talking about it. How do I know you won't leave me again when we have to face another challenge?" That was such a deep question for a 16-year-old to ask. I sat there stunned and bit my lip again unsure of how to answer.

"All I can tell you is that I regretted my decision as soon as I ran away from you. I knew it was goin' to be hard to break up and I honestly thought I was doin' the right thing by us," I said. "I knew what I did was stupid and selfish, which was pointed out to me several times by Bonnie, Sam and Irie this morning," Scott smiled and said,

"Remind me to thank them later," I totally deserved that comment. "That is just a nice reminder that we need to talk to each other about everything. If something, anything is bothering you, Katie, I want to hear about it. Communication is how any relationship works. If we can't talk to each other then there is no point in being together." I nodded because I completely agreed with what he said.

"I want you to tell me anything and everything too," I said to him with a smile, which he returned.

"We sound like a married couple," I added jokingly with a laugh. Scott's eyes sparkled for a moment and then he blinked. He just smiled in response and gave a small chuckle. We quietly sat in his chair for a while and then I asked,

"How are we goin' to keep the long-distance from tearin' us a part? We live states away from each other. It's what, a seven-hour drive from Belle Meade to Chicago?" Scott sighed and hugged me.

"Well I have a car and my driver's licence, so I can always come and see you. Though you are right it is a long drive. Maybe we can see each other every second or third weekend?"

"Maybe I can fly out and see you?" I suggested knowing that the flight wouldn't be too much money.

"That's a possibility if our families will allow it. There is also phone calls and Skype. We'll make it work," Scott said with absolute confidence in his voice. "You can also do that with Sam. Bonnie and Irie too," I nodded and gave him a little squeeze.

"Thanks for, forgiving me," I said softly. He sat there for a moment and then turned my face to his and gently touched his lips to mine. The familiar charge ran between us again as we prolonged the kiss. All of a sudden I thought I heard a knock at the door so we pulled apart and stared at the door realizing no one was there.

'I thought that was your dad for a second. I forgot we were in his office," I said and we both laughed. I got up from his lap and stretched, looking out the window. "I still can't believe he is alright with you dating me. Did you know?" I asked feeling Scott put his arms around my waist. It was intense how much he didn't want to let me go.

"No, I had no idea. Though I had a suspicion after the day we were working on our schedule for weeks three and four. When he lingered by our picnic table."

"I remember that," I said turning around to face him in his arms. "I'm not going anywhere now. You can let me go," I said gently and tapped his arms. He nodded and put his arms by his sides. "We'd better head to the bathrooms because they need to get clean," I added and started heading for the office door. Then Scott put his hand on my arm and stopped me. There was a look on his face as though a light bulb went off in his brain.

"Did you say you overheard Tiffany giving relationship advice? Where was this?" He asked looking me square in the eyes. I blushed and nodded,

"Yeah, I know it was stupid to let her get inside my head. We were in the games room. I was looking for the cards box and she was playing Scrabble with Rosemary and two other girls."

"Wow, that girl will stoop to anything to get at you. Who wants to bet she knew you were in there and that's why she brought up the conversation."

"That or we are just being paranoid," I added. "I had been feeling a little down thinking about leaving, which didn't help."

"I think it's time she got her just desserts," Scott said as we started for the mess hall and the cleaning we needed to get done before lunch time. He looked determined.

"What are you planning?" I asked looking at him a little worried.

"I don't know yet, but I'll let you know when I do," he said giving me a quick kiss on the lips before heading to the guys' bathroom. All I hoped as I entered the girls' bathroom was that Scott wasn't planning something that would get him hurt in the process.