Keepers of the keys

Love Story -Ellie

Right after Riley left I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. I really don't like being mad at people. I actually can't believe that I even told Natalie that she would be out of the group if she didn't read the book that I found about the keys. I really didn't mean it I guess that I should apologize for what I said. As I got up to walk I see Natalie, Eliza, and Riley walking toward me. They are liked together and look like they went through a big adventure together.

Riley and Eliza were really red like they had to run a bunch, and Natalie was extremely wet like she was misted with a hose. All three of them were panting and looking very relieved about something. They were chatting not stop too about something. I couldn't help but think that I was being left out of the group, just like what I said to Natalie. A sudden feeling of guilt hit my stomach like a bowling ball was pelted into it.

I think that Riley noticed that I was standing there feeling guilty because she broke off of the chain and ran toward me.

"Boy do we have a story to tell you" she said as she kept glancing at Natalie.

That's when the entire experience came out. They told me all about how Natalie tried to jump off the cliff into the part of the river that I clearly told her NOT to go into. Then I really felt guilty. I knew without anyone telling me that the reason she was going to jump was because of what I said to her. I looked down at my feet and realized that Natalie was doing the same. I walk over to her.

"I am truly sorry for what I said. I can't believe that I ever said that. I really didn't mean any of it. I am really sorry." I say looking Natalie strait in the eyes which required me to bend down and get under neath her.

"I know, I shouldn't have tried I was just mad about what all of you were saying. I am really sorry for everything I said to all of you." she said.

We pull into the biggest hug in the entire world. Soon after Eliza and Riley joined. If anyone came up to us they were obviously staring. I am sure that we looked ridiculous, though I don't think that anyone cares. I certainly don't care.

That's when we heard the bell ring. Well it is less of bell and more of a triangle. You know like what you play in a band.

"Crap, I have orienteering right now" said Riley "I gotta go, Ellie find that book"

"Can't" I say "I have aquaponics and you all know that I can't miss class!"

"Well you two better get to your classes" said Eliza "Natalie and I will find the book."

"Yah we got this" said Natalie a little more over confident then she was supposed to "I actually like reading so I'm on it"

That took me by surprise. She actually likes to read! This is great, I don't have to be made fun of for being smart and geeky anymore. Natalie has finally admitted her secret! I wish that I could talk to her about it because I have to go.

"The book is called "Keepers of the keys!" I shout as I am running away. "Report back to Riley and me when we get back"

I had totally forgotten that they both had to study wolves after their free period.

...

Aquaponics was a nightmare. I was unfocused the entire time. I even miscounted how many water beetles were in the jar of water bugs. I kept thinking about what the book said. Can it really be true? Were we really meant to have the keys? I even tripped and fell in the water!

I was walking with my sifter, to find sea bugs. The waders hat I was wearing were way to big for me. The top of the wafer fell down and I stepped on it. My face it the bottom of the river and pain shot up my leg. The cold of the creek was seeping into my clothes. Soon I felt a hand yank me upwards. I gasp as water runs from my hair and out of my mouth. I sit in the water gasping, my eyes are still closed. I suddenly sense someone sitting across from me, watching me, and patting my back. Slowly I open my eyes, and there sitting in front of me is Dean Cris. I have had a crush on Dean since I could remember. He was always in my classes, always my partner, and always came to my summer camps.

"Are you ok?" he asks as if he actually cared. Wait, what am I thinking, he is the one who pulled me out of the water, of course he cares.

I try to speak but I am incapable. My lips move, but all that comes out is air. I feel ridiculous. Here I am talking to my crush, and I am not even talking. He saved my from hypothermia, or drowning since I am still at risk of hypothermia, and all I can do it sit there!

"Ok" he says finally clearly worried "we better get you to the cabin, HEY! I am going to take her to the cabins!" he shouts to one of the counselors.

Then he picks me up and wraps me in one of the blankets we have set out, and we walk to the cabins.

...

It's a long walk from the creek to the cabins I share with Natalie, Ellie, and Riley. This time I didn't care about the walk because this time I was walking with Dean instead of walking alone.

"So how did you fall in the creek anyway?" He asks as if he didn't just watch it.

"I.. um.. well.. you see...I tripped." I say finally like it was not a good excuse.

"Right and how exactly did you manage that?" he said like he was in awe.

"I.. my waders are too big" I say pointing to the waders I have on my feet, the top was starting to curl down again.

"Oh... how ... interesting" he said obviously not paying attention to what I just said, he was staring at the key around my neck.

"Where did you get that!" he said with a sound of surprise in his voice.

"Oh ... this" I say holding up the key "Riley found four of them in the grass by the free time field."

"That's strange" he said plainly "those keys must have been there for years and no one has found them yet?"

That hit me by surprise. He was right, these keys must have been on the ground in the grass for years or decades even, and no one has ever found them until Riley. This was also Riley's first year coming to the camp. Maybe Riley is more intuitive than we thought.

"Your right, it is weird that the first time Riley comes to the camp and she is the one to find the keys." I say coming to a halt.

"Yah, well enough about the keys" he said now looking me straight in the eyes "I have been meaning to ask you something for a really long time and I am not quite sure how."

OMG! this is the moment I have been waiting for. He is going to ask me to go out with him! Wait, but what if he doesn't, then I will be heart broken.

"Will you go out with me?" he asks

I knew it! I knew there was nothing to worry about.

I stand there like an idiot for what seems like forever, then he grasps my hands.

"Um ... well .. YES!" I say. Right as I say it his eyes light up. I can tell that he really wanted me to be his girlfriend, he just never had the courage to ask.

"Well that's great" he said "Now let's get you back to the cabin.

And with that we set off. Him with his arm around my shoulders, and me smiling broadly.