The Isolation Camp

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

No matter how popular or invisible a teenager is, they can never have a life without drama, whether that is family, friends, bullies or anyone else. My life has been the same. I have it all, family, ex-best friends, crazy ex-boyfriends. Heck, I dated a gang member and unlike in all the cheesy novels, they don't change.

I got away from it, of course. I am not that stupid. Just a few months ago I reduced my social media usage and reduced talking to people. I do go out with a few people, I am not completely anti-social, I have just stopped talking to people who don't bring anything positive into my life.

My morning started off with me informing the instructors that I wasn't well and could not do anything today. They even bought, probably because of the huge black bags under my eyes and my extremely pale skin. Since they know my medical history, which is pretty long, they let me stay in.

I heard knocking on my door and it was Nathan, great start to my day, note my sarcasm.

"I brought you some breakfast."

"Thanks I guess, you didn't have to."

"You know Maddy even if I am a jerk I don't lie about it. No, please don't stop me today I have to tell you that I am sorry for everything that happened and I will wait for the time when you are ready to give me a chance to explain everything. I know I hurt you a lot and that I don't deserve this, but please just think about it okay?"

Without waiting for my reply he left leaving me with a series of thoughts.

I check to see what he got me for breakfast and I was surprised that it was my favorite, eggs with bacon. He remembered. I eat all of my breakfast while reading, desperately trying to block all my thoughts.

I decide to go to the dance studio, after freshening up. Dance has always made me feel better. I dance because I am happy, sad, angry, frustrated, anything. Dance is a way to express my emotions and while I dance I forget about the world it's just me, in that moment I feel like a princess.

I move out of my room and towards the studio. I play some music and start dancing. Time goes by and I don't realize that it has been two hours since I left my room.

My stomach growled. I was starving and I was craving some spaghetti. I knew I wouldn't get spaghetti at the camp so I would have to make it. Usually I would not do so much, especially for myself. I am one of those people who will take lots of efforts for everyone else, but when it comes to doing something for myself I sit back.

Once I enter the apartment building I come face to face with the person who has put me in this situation, Ashton. I know I told him that I will give him a chance to explain and I will do it.

I give him a weak smile and ask him to walk with me to my apartment. He was clearly taken aback, he probably expected me to resist and argue and throw a fit or something. He eventually caught up with me.

"Do you like spaghetti?"

"Umm.. yes I do but,"

"I am cooking would you like to join me? We can talk during that?"

"Yes, please, yes."

"Okay then let's do this."

We went upstairs and I started working on my food.

"You can start explaining now."

"So I have a sister, she is a freshmen and she wanted to join the populars and everything you know how it is right? So well, since she knows Katherine she asked her for help. Katherine being herself decided to push my sister too far. Ava, that's her name, was forced to drink and smoke and videos of her were taken. She was pushed into the pool at midnight and left there all alone. Katherine threated to upload those videos online unless I date her. I am telling this now because yesterday I deleted those videos from her phone and made sure she knew that I have things against her, but as soon as she saw you come in she pushed herself on me and kissed me. I wanted you to know that I did not kiss her back and that you mean a lot to me, hence I told you this. I am very protective of my sister and I keep her out of the limelight as much as possible, so a lot of people don't know about her."

To say that I was shocked was a huge understatement I managed to burn water because of it.

"Oh my God, I don't know what to say and I am really sorry for not taking inconsideration that you might have an actual reason. I am also sorry for overreacting, because we aren't really a couple and you shouldn't have felt obliged to me. After all it's not like we are together right?"

A flash of disappointment crossed his face but then he said, "Yeah...right."

Wait did I say something wrong?

Does he want us to be together?

We ate our food in silence, somewhat awkward silence.

His explanation was genuine I could see it in his eyes. His explanation came as a shock to me and it caught off guard. Of course I forgive him, but what now? Do we continue going on dates or do we go back to being friends? I am sure going back to being would definitely be weird.

After we finish our food its late afternoon and Ashton decided to give me some time to think about everything, but what is everything.

I wanted to talk to my mom or Matt, I just need some advice.

I went ahead and took my phone from the instructors ensuring them that I was better and that I did not need a doctor. I decided to call my mom, hoping that she is free.

"Hey sweetie." Looks like today is my lucky day.

"Hi mom"

"What's wrong?"

"Do you remember Ashton?"

"Yes, yes I do. What about him?" With that I told her about everything that has happened. My mom has always managed to keep things very open and communicable between us.

"Don't stress over it Maddy, if you really think he was genuine just go with the flow. If it's meant to be it will happen and remember don't stress over it or you will get sick."

We spoke for another 15-20 minutes about everything, home, family, this camp, and my brothers, just everything.

I was checking my phone when I saw multiple messages from Adam, Carla and Nathan and to my surprise even Matt, looks like Adam told him about the recent events in my life. I know I have been sort of avoiding them, but I really don't know how to explain this situation to them. I will talk to them tomorrow. Ya, I will talk to them tomorrow.

After that I just spent my time in my room watching stuff on Netflix and I decided to call it an early night.