Friendzoned

Chapter 23

Ryder

I really don’t want to be here, but my parents are sending me to this stupid summer camp to keep me out of trouble this summer. They are going out of the country and they don’t trust me alone in the house for three months. As I pulled up in the parking lot, I searched the crowd of people for anyone I knew. No one stood out to me. The counselors were telling people to get into vans. I said goodbye to my parents and took my stuff over to the farthest van. A man only a few years older than me was standing in the back taking luggage. I handed him my duffle bag and went around to the side of the van.

I took the seat in the back of the van because I didn’t want to be forced into any awkward conversations with these people. To my surprise, there was already someone sitting in the back. It was a girl. I couldn’t tell if she was hot or not since she was bending over getting something out of her bags. I scanned the whole bus. The first row was full of three nerds who were in the middle of a debate over whether Pluto should be considered a planet or not. The second row was occupied by two guys who reeked of B.O. and were on their game boys.  The next row had two annoying girls who were already talking way too much. Just as I threw my backpack under my feet, the girl sitting next to me looked up. I felt her eyes on me so I turned around so I could see her face.

“What the hell?” Rae yelled at me. I just stared back in shock. “There are seriously 10 vans in this parking lot and you had to choose the one I was on? Do you live to make my life a living hell?” she asked irritated. I was just about to answer when the driver spoke up.

“Alright, take your seats everybody. We are about to leave!” I saw Rae shoot me a disgusted look out of the corner of my eye and decided it was best to sit the farthest away from her I could. I slid over to the right and buckled my seat belt.

As soon as the car started driving away, I put my head phones in and I noticed she did the same. I guess this is going to be how the whole car ride is going to be. Within the first hour of the ride, Rae accidently spilt her water bottle on her seat. The water soaked through the fabric of the seat, keeping it wet.

“Ugh!!” she exclaimed as it soaked through. “Do you mind if I slide over next to you so I don’t have to sit on a wet seat all day?” I pulled out my headphones so I could hear what she was saying. She repeated herself again.

“Oh yeah. Sure thing.” I answered while moving my bag to the ground. She slid over next to me and buckled her seat belt. She stuck her ear buds back in her ear and made herself comfortable.

“Hey Rae, can I talk to you?” I asked. She looked up at me and pulled out her ear buds.

“Yeah. Whats up?” she asked.

“So, I don’t know why you are mad at me, but can we try to get along for this trip? It will be a really long and terrible trip if you won’t talk to me.” I explained hoping she would give in. I could tell she was thinking. She nodded her head and smiled.

“Yeah, I guess I have nothing to be mad at you for. I’m sorry I overreacted when you sat down next to me. I was just hoping to get away from everyone from back home. I shouldn’t have acted like you were the devil or an ex-boyfriend.” She stated. Wow, I’m glad I talked to her about it. She already seems to be happier with me. For the next couple of hours we made small talk and there were only few silences. When we pulled up to a gas station, we both got out to use the restroom. I decided to buy some chips while we were stopped. After I made my purchase, I headed back to the car. Rae was sitting in her seat with a bottle of sprite.

“Don’t spill that on yourself again ok? We don’t have another dry seat to put you in.” I joked. She just laughed and shoved me lightly. She pulled out her book and read for a bit. I pulled out my iPod and put my headphones back on and played my music. After a few songs played, The Show Goes by Lupe Fiasco played.