Here's To Teenage Memories ~ L.H.

Chapter Two

Waking up, sunlight streamed in through the window next to my bed. It was the first day of camp, the first day of activities, the first day of having to work with Luke Hemmings. Groaning at the thought of spending a two weeks with Luke I sat up in bed. I could hear the girls chattering in the next room. Unzipping my suitcase I pulled on my black one piece under an orange camp counsellor tee-shirt and a pair of denim shorts. Walking into the bathroom I pulled my red hair back into a messy ponytail and brushed my teeth. Slipping on a pair of flip flops and clipping my name tag to my shirt, I walked into the girls room. "Good morning." I said to them and was answered by an array of 'good mornings'. The girls were in varying stages of getting ready and clothes ands shoes were scattered everywhere. "Tessa?" Nina's little voice was caught my attention, she was a little, dark haired girl, "What are we doing today?"

"Hmm." I hummed, checking the timetable I had stolen from the mess hall and pinned on the wall, "We're swimming."

"Oh, thanks." Nina smiled, as she pulled on a pair of flip flops. Ten minutes later the girls were filing out the dorm door and down to mess hall for breakfast. "You are looking good this morning Red," Luke's voice was smothered in sarcasm as he sat down next to me, "Really. The red hair and the orange shirt really compliment each other."

"Screw you Hemmings." I said taking a bite of my toast.

"You wish." He remarked, eating his cereal. Rolling my eyes, he was already getting on my nerves. Breakfast was over quickly and Luke and I were leading our groups out of the mess hall and down to the lake. Sitting beyond the dock, in the middle of the lake was a blue pontoon, with a waterslide coming off the side. Within seconds the twelve kids had pulled of their clothes, were bather-clad and running along the dock into the lake. "You going for a swim?" Luke asked, glancing at him he had already pulled his shirt off and was standing in just his shorts. Slipping my shirt and shorts off, I squared my shoulders, "I'll race you to the pontoon."

"Oh you are on." As soon as the words had left his mouth we were running down the dock. Diving off the end of the dock, the lake water was cool and refreshing. Swimming through the water I reached the pontoon and pulled myself up onto it, only to see Luke already sitting there. "I guess I win." He said casually, relaxing back onto his arms. Pouting I turned away from him to watch the kids swimming and playing in the lake. "Aw come on, don't be like that." Luke whined, grabbing my arm to turn me back towards him.

Pulling my arm out of his grip, I sighed, I hated loosing. Luke Hemmings was always able to beat me, at everything. Glancing over at him, he was watching some of the kids go down the slide. He'd grown up since I last saw him when we were fourteen. His tall, once lanky body had filled out with muscles. Droplets of water scattered up and down his bare chest glittered like diamonds. He looked so relaxed and attractive. Suddenly realising what I'd thought I tore my eyes away from his body.

"Hey Tessa, come over here!" Stacey yelled from where she was swimming with some of the other dorm 4 girls. Standing up, Luke glanced up at me, "Where you off too?"

"Away from you." I replied before diving into the water.

The rest of the day passed in a waterlogged, summer haze and soon I was chilling out after dinner. Sitting on a log, the cool breeze blew through my hair as I watched the sun set over the lake. We had an hour of free time after dinner before activities started again and I was spending mine by the lake. "Hey Tessa." Oh joy, no one like Luke Hemmings to ruin a nice moment. "Hi Luke." I replied as he sat down next to me. "Can I ask you something?" Luke asked quietly, none of the usual smugness in his voice. I sighed, "Sure."

"Why do you hate me?"

The question caught me by surprise, "Um well, hate is a strong word."

"Why do you not like me then?" He asked. I sighed, "It's not even that." I thought for a second. He seemed to want an honest answer so that's what I would give him, "Well, Luke, for one you're an asshole to me. You have been since we were 10. And for two, ever since we met you've always been better than me. You know how I am, I like winning and everything we did you were always just better." Watching for his reaction, he started laughing. "See!? This is what I'm talking about. Asshole." I threw my hands up in defeat.

"You don't like me cause I'm better than you. Oh wow Red, that's just hitting new lows." He was doubled over with laughter now. "It's not just that," I defended, anger boiling within me, "It's everything. It's the way you're always better than me, and the fact that you're so smug all the time, like you always know something I don't. Can I bring up the fact that you've always been a douchebag. It's the way that you always look good, like always, and you never seem to embarrass yourself and they way you're always so relaxed, you never get angry and-"

"Red, it kinda sounds like you have a crush on me." Luke cut me off, a smug smile on his face. I stood up then, stomping my foot angrily, "Why would I have a crush on you? I do not have a crush on you. That's the last thing I have. Why in God's name would I have-"

As I'd been ranting Luke had stood up too. Suddenly he rested his hand against my cheek, leaned forward and kissed me. I was frozen. For an instant my whole body was tensed up and unsure how to respond. We were in the middle of and argument and he kisses me, who does that!? Suddenly I felt myself leaning into his lips, I felt myself kissing back. The kiss was cut all to short as Luke pulled away and looked down at me, a smirk gracing the lips that seconds ago had been on mine. Opening and closing my mouth I had to say something but I was struck speechless, I must have looked like some red headed fish.

"What was that?" I squeaked finally, pointing to my mouth. He shrugged confidently, "You're cute when you're angry." I was again struck speechless, what in God's name was going on? "Anyway," Luke said, scratching the back of his head, "Good chat and I will see you later." With that he turned around and sauntered away, leaving me standing on the edge of the lake frozen with shock. Falling back down onto the log I tried to comprehend what had just happened and I wasn't sure what to make of the situation. Luke Hemmings, my only rival for all those years had just kissed me.