The Quiet Ones | Jc Caylen

Chapter One

"Hazel, have you packed for camp yet?!" My mother yells.

"Just finished!" I yell back as I tuck an extra pair of headphones into my bag. I didn't pack much; clothes, music, and my special hat that my father gave me when I was younger.

A few times a year, my family and I go camping with a few other families up at a property that we own in northern California. The trips usually only last a few days, but this trip is planned to last a couple weeks because it's the annual Fourth of July trip. The Fourth of July camping trip is always known as the big and special one that all the invited families showed up to. Unfortunately, my father can't make it because he's off in another country like usual. He's always traveling because of his job, and he loves it. I can't say that I love that he's gone all the time, but we've learned to deal with it.

I rush down the stairs and set my packed bag beside the door. I find my mother in the kitchen doing some last minute packing as well.

"So Mom, who's coming this year?" I ask, taking a bite out of the apple I found on the counter.

She lets out a big huff, "Let's see. The Lawley family are coming for sure," she ponders for a moment, "the Brown family is coming a day later, the Waters family are already on their way to the camp site, and I think that's it." She nods.

The Lawley family consists of a boy my age, Kian, and his parents. The Brown family consists of two girls. One is my age, Amber, and one just a year older, Jessica. The Waters familes consists of two young boys, Tommy and Jason. Tommy just recently learned how to walk, and Jason just recently learned how to talk!

"What about the Johnson family?" I question.

"They're on vacation somewhere else, they can't make it."

My heart sinks for a moment, I love when the Johnsons come camping with us. My closest friend, Sierra, is in that family, and she's the easiest to talk to. It's gonna be tough without her.

"Oh, and I think Kian is bringing a friend," She adds last second, "Jc? You might know him."

"It sounds familiar," I shrug, "I think he was in my math class last year."

Our dog, Willow, comes prancing over to me as my mother finishes her packing. A wide grin spreads across her face as I begin to scratch her head.

"Are you excited to go camping, Willow?" I laugh at her. My mother gives me a strange look for trying to talk to the dog.

"Hazel darling you've really got to stop talking to the dog like that." She chuckles. I roll my eyes and continue to play with the dog.

"Help me load everything in the car, would you?" My mother asks. I nod and walk away from Willow. She lets out a long whine. Goddamn, that dog's a princess.

About half an hour later, we finish loading up our luggage into the car. My mom's phone pings.

"Looks like the Lawley family just left as well," She informs me, "Let's get this show on the road!"

I sit in the back of the car with the dog to keep her at ease for the simple two hour drive (but really, I just want to play with her more). I've always loved camping just because there are so many dogs that are brought along, there's like a whole pack. I've always had an obsession with dogs. I don't know why, though. I've always loved how you could say anything to them without it being nerve wrecking because they won't think anything of it. The problems of being a shy person.

I have no idea what to expect for this camping trip. It's gonna be different without the Johnsons or my dad coming. Plus, this Jc kid who's coming is probably just going to make things awkward among us considering only Kian knows him. And, the Browns are most definitely not my favorite people anymore. Amber and Jessica used to be sweet, innocent girls but now they're arrogant, and straight up boy crazy to be honest. I'm closer to Kian than I am the girls coming, but he's probably going to want to hang out with Jc instead of me. I'm probably going to be a loner this trip. 

Never did I realize that this trip is totally gonna blow until the long, anxious car ride began.