A Lifetime Made for Two

Ch. 10: Trouble Brewing

(Michael)

Michael found himself wandering through the woods, Wednesday afternoon. The cool air felt good after spending the morning in the sweltering heat of the dish room. After a while he found himself back at the edge of the woods that stopped a good distance from the dining hall. For some reason the camp owners decided to put benches at the edge for people to relax in the shade, and Michael had emerged almost directly behind one that held two girls. Unsure of who they were, he moved to silently find another place to get back to the dining hall.

As he moved off, they started talking, and one word froze him in place.

"..Piper." That's when he turned around and started listening intently. He figured he wouldn't bother them since they never heard him arrive in the first place.

"Oh my Gosh! I know right! aren't they the cutest couple?" The other girl quipped.

"They are. Killian is so hot, and apparently they've dated before."

"Ship name?"

"Pillian, or Kiper." They both fell silent for all of ten seconds before both speaking in unison. "Kiper."

Then the less talkative girl said something Michael didn't expect. "What about Michael?"

"I don't know," the other replied. "He's cute, but he's also really quiet. That just weirds me out."

At that comment, his heart fell, and he became painfully aware that he was eavesdropping super obviously; all they had to do was glance sideways. He was about to move away for the second time when they said something else.

"Do you think he has a chance with her? I mean it is clear that they're interested in each other."

"Oh they have more than a chance. If only Killian weren't here. Apparently, him and Piper spent yesterday afternoon together. If Michael wants to win her over he better do it fast because it's easier to go back to an ex than to start a new relationship."

At this, his chest constricted and Michael felt an angry heat fill his face. He didn't know what was making him so angry, but he had an idea of how do feel better. No longer caring about stealth, Michael lept from his 'hiding' spot and made his way to the dining hall. The two girls on the bench shrieked at the sudden movement, and one of them even called after him.

Ignoring her, he slammed through one of the dining room doors, narrowly missing a kid. He paused and scanned the dining hall for the face he was looking for. He spotted the perfectly kept hair and cocky face that belonged to Killian. His legs moved on their own, and red started tinting the edge of his vision.

"Hey, Killian!" He shouted to get his attention.

Killian spun to face Michael and stopped. "Oh hi, Michael. What can I help...."

Michael cut off the question with a quick jab to the throat.

(Piper)

"Miss C! Miss C! Miss C!" Melody ran into Piper's classroom excited about something. She started yelling something to Piper, something that Piper could not understand.

"Slow down Melody. What's the matter?" Piper got up from her desk and squatted in front of Kathy's four-year-old daughter. Melody was a very sweet girl, although she often gave her mother trouble. Her blonde curls were bouncing across her face as she continued,

"They're fighting!"

"Who is fighting?" Piper assumed the child was referring to a few of the boys probably having an argument.

"They are!"

"Melody, who is they? Just go tell your mom."

"No! You have to come!" Melody pulled at Piper's shirt.

Before Piper could decide whether to go with Melody or not, Jenny burst into the room.

"Have you seen my charger?"

"Sorry, I haven't," Piper replied.

"Rats." Before Piper could ask for Jenny's help with Melody, Jenny had disappeared into the hallway.

"Melody, please stop pulling on me. I'll come with you, just let me close my computer, ok?"

"Hurry!"

Piper sighed as she walked back to her desk. She was closing the tab she had up when Jenny crashed into the room again.

"Piper come quick! Michael and Killian are fighting!"

"What!"

"That's what I've been saying!" Melody cried.

Piper slammed her computer shut and rushed out the door without replying to Melody.

As she neared the dining hall, Piper could hear kids yelling and cheering from inside. When she opened the door she realized what they were shouting.

"Fight! Fight! Fight!"

Piper pushed her way through the crowd of mostly boys. On the floor, in the large gap between the tables, Killian and Michael were rolling around on the floor. Blood had stained their shirts and was smeared on the floor around them. Piper was startled by Calvin shouting.

"Yeah, Michael! Get him!"

"Calvin! Can't you stop them?!"

"Why? This is the best thing to ever happen at camp!"

Piper squealed in frustration. She looked around for someone who could help and spotted Nick looking curiously at the commotion from across the room. Squeezing back through the circle, Piper called to Nick.

"What's going on?"

"Michael and Killian are fighting! Can you stop them?"

"I can try. Anthony!" Nick motioned Anthony over to him. "Help me break up the fight."

The two boys got into the middle of the circle and began to split up the fight. Anthony grabbed Michael and Nick grabbed Killian. Michael was still steaming and Bryce had to help Anthony hold him back.