A Lifetime Made for Two

Ch. 8: Confusion

Most of the girls were still asleep when Piper woke up Sunday morning. She woke up with a smile on her face and a good feeling about the day. Maybe it was just left over from yesterday. That was the best time she had had in a long time... well at least since she and Killian broke up, but she wouldn't let thinking of him ruin her day. As quietly as possible, Piper got dressed and ready for the day. She still had twenty minutes to get breakfast so she took her time walking to the dining hall. When she arrived she was surprised to see Michael sitting at one of the tables; he normally took his breakfast into the dish room. Poor Michael was being crowded by little kids. Apparently, many of the other teen workers had already eaten and started their jobs. When Piper emerged from the food line, Michael motioned for her to sit at his table. He moved over and Piper quickly stole the spot next to him before the kids could.

"I'm surprised to see you out here," Piper stated.

"Well, I thought I'd shake things up today."

"Uh-huh," Piper said unconvinced.

Anthony walked into the dining hall late and sat with Lily and Margeret. They started gossiping about Piper and Michael.

"I can't believe how obvious they are and yet they expect no one to notice," Lily said.

"It's so cute!" Margeret shrieked.

"I'm just glad for them. Michael has been a lot more friendly, and Piper is way happier," Anthony commented sincerely.

Eventually, the dining hall thinned out until only Piper, Michael, Anthony, and Margret were left. The other teens were already doing their jobs. Piper and Michael didn't even realize what time it was; they were having such a good time talking and laughing together. At the other end of the dining hall, Anthony and Margret were passing the time talking. But soon Nick poked his head out of the kitchen and told Anthony, Michael, and Margret to get to work. Piper headed down to the beach with her painting bag.

While the other teens were slaving away in the kitchen and dish room, Piper was lost in the beauty of the lake and mothering mountains that surrounded it. She felt safe and cradled here, nothing like the city where she went to college. She loved the business of the city, she loved meeting new people and passing hundreds of people on the street every day. But it didn't feel safe, didn't really feel like home. She didn't unpack and set up her easel, canvas, and paints for a long time; she simply enjoyed the solitude.

"Don't worry, be happy..." Piper was surprised by the ring tone she had set for her sister. Normally cell service could only be gotten at the flag pole, office, and at a few of the cabins. No service was ever gotten at the beach.

"Hello."

"Hey, Sista!" Madison cheered. "How's Camp so far?"

"Great! I've made lots of new friends. Oh! And Anthony is working here too! I haven't seen him in so long!"

"That's great! How is he?"

"Good. He's good."

"I detect sadness in your voice. What's the matter?"

"You'll never guess who else showed up. Killian."

"Oh-no. How's that been?"

"Terrible. He keeps trying to get back together, and last night after I got back to camp with Michael he was interrogating me about my day."

"Wait, wait. Michael? Who's that?" Madison teased.

"No one. Just a friend." Piper tried to sound nonchalant and keep Madison off her, but she failed.

"He doesn't sound like no one to me. Where did you guys go? How long were you out? What happened?"

"Oh not much. We stopped a bank robbery and kidnapping is all."

"You what?! Are you ok?! What happened?"

"I'm fine. It was right before Michael and I came back to camp. He wanted to stop at a bank for a few minutes; I went in with him. A few moments after we had reached the counter, the outside lights went out, the door locked, and a man waved a gun at the teller and ordered him to put the money in a bag..." Piper continued to tell Madison about how she and Michael stopped the robbery and saved the hostages. She embellished a bit when it came to Michael.

"That's so exciting! I have to tell John when he gets home."

"Say hi to him for me!"

"Will do. I should go now. I love you!"

"Love you too. Bye."

Piper hung up. It was only 10:30, and she didn't know what to do next. She didn't feel like painting, so she grabbed her stuff and strolled back up to the dining hall. The day was getting hotter and Piper regretted wearing jeans. Maybe if it got any hotter she would change; for now, she would try to cool down by putting her hair in a high, off-center ponytail.

Just as Piper was walking up the flight of stairs to the dining hall, the door at the top swung open with a crash and a flood of kids came pouring down the stairs followed by Bryce who was clutching his guitar. Piper quickly backed off of the stairs to allow the kids and teens to rush to the playground without any interruptions. As Bryce passed her she stopped him.

"Would you teach me to play the guitar this summer?"

"Sure. I have time right now if you want to start," Bryce eagerly replied.

"Great." Piper followed Bryce to the playground. They sat at the picknick table and Bryce taught Piper a few basic chords.

Michael and Nick passed by the playground on their way to their cabin a few minutes later. Piper noticed Michael glaring at her and Bryce and wondered what his problem was. But she was soon distracted by Bryce trying to teach her a new chord.

"You're really gifted at this," Bryce complemented Piper.

"Nah. I'm just a fast learner. Thanks so much for teaching me."

"No problem. But I have to get ready for my next class."

Bryce exited the playground and Piper turned her attention to the kids. Some of them were only a few years younger than she was and they quickly struck up a conversation with her. Calvin came onto the playground and several of the girls and one or two guys flocked around him. Then one of the teachers called from the porch of the dining hall informing everyone that break time was over. The kids reluctantly filed inside. Calvin sat next to Piper on the picknick bench.

"So. How's it going."

"Fine," she replied suspiciously.

"You like my brother don't you."

"Um. Well, yeah. I guess. Why?"

"Just wondering."

With that Calvin left the playground. Piper was utterly confused. She sat on one of the swings and pondered her interaction with Calvin and the look Michael had given her and Bryce. Was he jealous and now sending his little brother to check up on everything? That was kind of sweet... sort of. More than anything it was kind of clingy. Was he jealous of her spending five minutes with Bryce? And was he this insecure that the day after their first date he was already worried? There had to be more to it than that, and Piper was determined to find what was wrong. She held her head high and had a determined look in her eye as she headed towards the dining hall.