Summer Loving

Chapter 4

Rylee Summers
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"What a nice show Rylee. I quite enjoyed it. I've got to say, I've never left a bruise like that. It's nice." Derek gloated from the doorway. All the boys got up and stood in front of me protectively.

"What the hell do you want?" Lukas snarled while Derek grinned.

"Oh, I just came to see my work. I'm impressed with myself, but I could do better." Derek was grinning from ear to ear. He was getting pleasure out of seeing me so fragile. I turned to Gaby and Vanessa and looked at them. They both had fear in their eyes, just like me. I couldn't stand Derek scaring me or my friends. I didn't want to, but I got up, wiped my tears away and faced him.

"Thanks guys, but all he wants is to see me suffer, it's pretty obvious." I stepped in front of Lukas, Ty, and Jace.

"She's right, but I do want to see your friends suffer through you also."

"You know what Derek, I don't care what you think of me. I've dealt with enough bullies like you that I've learned why you are how you are. From what I've heard, there are three possible reasons you are a bully. One, under that tough guy persona you put on, there is a little girl banging on the door trying to get out," the guys looked at me shocked. "Two, your brain is underdeveloped, and you're just like a caveman. And three, you have a small wiener. All could be possible, but it also may only be one. So, I suggest you leave me and my friends alone before I tell the whole camp about your issues. Got it?"

Derek was shocked. You could see him physically shaking and all you could hear behind me was everyone trying to hold their laughter in. He stepped towards me, and I just stood there. Even though I was still scared of him, I had a lot more confidence in myself. I felt one of the boys move closer to me, but I put my hand out.

"What's wrong Derek? Are you mad?" I asked him, more like taunted him. He brought his hand up in a fist, ready to punch me. But before he could swing, all three guys had his wrist in their hands and were in front of me.

"Get the fuck out of here and never speak to her again." Lukas growled and the boys let go of Derek's hand. With one last glare, Derek turned and left, not forgetting to slam the door behind him. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and turned around. I collapsed to the floor on my knees, my face in my hands. I wasn't crying though. I felt someone touch my back and looked up to everyone staring at me proudly.

"I can't believe you did that! I'm so proud of you!" Gaby squealed.

"Where did you get that from?!" Ty exclaimed sounding proud. To be honest, I have no idea how that confidence came to me so quickly. I wish it would stay with me, because it sure as hell hasn't been with me forever. I just shrugged and gave a small smile.

"I think I heard it in a movie somewhere, but obviously he hasn't ever heard it." I looked around the room and saw everyone grinning, except Lukas. He was just watching me. I scrunched my nose at him, like I was saying "what's wrong?", but he just shook his head.

"Guys it's getting late, and I've had an exhausting day, I think I'm going to go to bed."

"Yeah guys, Rylee and I are going to go to bed, we'll see you tomorrow." Everyone said goodnight and left our cabin, except for one person.

"I'll meet you guys later," he said, "Hey, can I talk to you? Outside?" Lukas asked me. I shared a look with Vanessa, then I turned to him and said, "Um, sure, give me one minute please." He nodded his head and went outside. I put on some shoes and a light jacket, then I walked outside.

"Are you okay?" he asked me.

"Mentally, I'm drained. Physically, I'll be fine."

"You know I don't hate you, right?" he asked another question.

"You don't make it seem like that. When I first met you, you yelled at me. That doesn't really make me feel like you like me." I said. He looked down, then he looked back up at me.

"I didn't mean to make you feel like I hate you. I guess that's just how I come off. I'm sorry." I wanted to know why he was like that, why did he come off like that?

"Don't worry about it, if you ever need to tell me something or want to just hang out, talk to me. But can we be friends?" I answered him.

"Of course." We talked for a little bit longer before I decided to go to bed. It had been a long day and I needed my rest, and I could see that Lukas needed rest too. We said goodnight and I headed back in the cabin.

"So, what was that about?" Vanessa was grinning. I threw a pillow at her and went to bed.

The next morning I woke up before Vanessa. She was still sleeping with her hair all tangled and her blanket half off the bed. I took a quick picture and started to get ready for the day. When I was done getting dressed, I woke Vanessa up.

"Vanessa wake up, we have to go to breakfast," she didn't budge. "Vanessa wake up!" Still no answer. "Vanessa wake the fuck up!" I yelled at her. She jumped up and groaned when she saw me. I just laughed at her.

"Come on Vanessa, we have to go to breakfast."

"But I want to sleep."

"Don't we all, but seriously, we need to go."

"Ugh okay, give me a few minutes." I decided to sit on the bed and wait for her. After about five minutes, she finally came out of the bathroom ready for the day. We left the cabin and made our way towards the canteen.

When we entered the canteen, we saw our friends sitting at our table. For some reason the table seemed tense, like something had happened. But we had taken care of everything last night, so why would there be an issue today?

"What's wrong? Did something happen?" I asked as I sat down next to Gaby. No one really answered me. All I got was stares from everyone.

"Um, okay, I guess I'll go then." As I went to get up, Gaby pulled me back down.

"No, Derek was just being an asshole and left just before you came."

"Oh, what did he say?"

"Nothing important." Gaby responded. I was confused. Why wouldn't they tell me? I decided to leave anyway. I guess whatever he said was about me and the whole table was uncomfortable.

"You know what, I think I left something in the cabin, I'll go get it now." I stood up and walked away from the table. I began walking towards Jace. He wasn't sitting at the table with the others and he has been the most pleasant to me. I found his table and asked if I could sit with him, to which he said yes.

"You know, what you did last night was totally badass." He said to me. I smiled at him gratefully, he seemed to be the only one who wanted to spend time with me. I decided I wanted to ask for help.

"Could you help me with something?" I asked him.

"Of course, what is it?" Jace questioned.

"Can you help me learn to protect myself?" I looked at him hopefully. He was the only one that I felt I could truly count on right now. He is being friendly and I feel like I can trust him.

"Of course I can help you, do you want to meet tonight?" I nodded gratefully. I didn't exactly expect him to say no, but I also wasn't exactly sure what he was going to say.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I squealed and hugged him. He laughed and hugged me back.

Throughout this conversation, I didn't exactly miss the stares in my back from my friends at the other table. I wasn't exactly pissed at them, but I was definitely upset with them. Whatever Derek was saying, I would be able to handle. I may be struggling to stand up for myself right now, but I want to get better at it. And them keeping whatever he said from me isn't helping. I'll get it out of one of them later. I think Gaby will be the easiest to get it out of.

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End of Chapter 4
Word Count: 1,481 words
Wow guys! It's been a long ass time since I have updated anything on this app. I believe I started this book when I was 15 and now I'm going to be 17 in five days! Yes I know it has been a long time, and I know I keep saying this, but I think I might be able to knock out a few more chapters before I take another break aha.
I hope you guys had a great Christmas and enjoy the new year and decade!
amanda