Camping with the Jerk

Chapter 4

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Chapter 4

"I hate you. It's your fault he's gone!" The cold look in her eyes was piercing through me.

"No! Mommy, I didn't mean to..." But I knew it was true. It was my fault he died. It was all my fault.

The vase went hurdling towards me, sending a searing pain throughout my body. Tears. I remember tears. But there wasn't any screaming...I knew it was my fault. I deserved this.

Without another word, she walked out of the house crying, and slammed the door shut. I heard the roar of an engine as she drove away.

I sat up in bed, gasping for air. Strands of hair stuck to my forehead as I breathed heavily. "It was just a dream," I whispered. "Just a dream."

Of course, I was lying to myself. It wasn't just a dream. It was a memory.

                It felt like my body was on auto-pilot as I stood up and slipped a pair of converse. Silently, I crept over to the door of the cabin and slipped out. The full moon was shining brightly, illuminating the camp grounds. I don't know how it happened, or how long it took, but I ended up standing by the lake.

                Sitting down on a rock, I let my mind drift away from the dream. I concentrated on the rippling water as my hands subconciously played with the necklace around my neck. It was a gift. More specifically, a gift from my dad. I haven't taken it off since the day he gave it to me.

                The sound of a twig breaking and leaves rustling snapped me back to the present day. I looked around, squinting my eyes to see clearly, but I couldn't find anyone. All of a sudden, I heard footsteps. So I did what any sane person would do, and I ran straight back to my cabin, sneaking under the covers before they realized I was gone.

Morning came entirely too fast. I was in a terrible mood from the second I woke up. Gina and Maya were playing with Maddie, who jumped around and giggled.

"Morning, Jess," Maya greeted, pulling her hair into a ponytail.

I faked a grin and sat up, wanting to forget about last night. "Good morning. What are we doing today?"

Gina picked up a book and curled up into a chair. "They said it's some sort of day off. The camp directors are busy."

Busy getting drunk...

"Oh. Well, what are you guys planning on doing for the rest of the day?"

Maya grinned and lifted Maddie onto her hip. "Maddie wants to get ice-cream. Right, Maddie?"

My sister nodded, making her curly pigtails bounce. She made Maya put her down before biting on her finger.

"I tink..." she started. "Dis is what I tink. We go get ice-cream, and den I play dollies. Jessie, can I do dat?"

Only Maddie could make me feel like the happiest person alive on my worst days. Her big eyes were gazing up at me expectantly. "Please? I be good!"

As soon as I nodded, she smiled, showing her teeth. "Yay!"

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                The campgrounds was almost empty. Just about everybody decided to go into town to hang out in town with their friends. While Maya forced Gina to go shopping with her and Maddie, I made my way over to the lake.

                The sun glistened against the water, and birds were chirping in the trees. My eyelids drooped, but I forced them open, wanting to stay awake. Eventually, sleep overtook me and I was willingly shutting my eyes.

                "You know, you could get sunburn if you stay out here too long," a deep voice spoke. My eyes fluttered open and I looked up to see Colton, gazing out at the water. With his arms around his bent knees, he looked calm. Peaceful.

                I rubbed my eyes and sat up, staring at the boy beside me. His light brown hair was perfect, as always, and the tight white t-shirt wasn't making him any less attractive. Suddenly, his eyes were on me and a smile was growing on his lips. "Take a picture. It'll last you longer."

                I sighed. "Look, I'm not in the mood right now."

                For the first time ever, I saw Colton Andrews looking concerned. "What's wrong?"

                "Nothing," I snapped, running a hand through my tangled hair. "It's nothing."

                Maybe, if I weren't looking so tired, I would have fooled him. Maybe I could have just faked a smile and acted like nothing was bothering me. But that wasn't the case here, so I wasn't surprised when he raised his eyebrows and said, "I'm not an idiot. Tell me."

                I don't know if it was just weariness or the intense look in his eyes, but I felt like I could tell him. Like I could trust him with the secret that has been eating me up since that fateful day last summer. I was about to tell him. I really was. But before I could say anything, Dean came pushing through the trees to sit by Colton.

                "Hey, man. What's up?" And just like that, the caring Colton was gone.

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I absolutely love Maddie. And there will be more of caring-Colton!!! Tell me what you think. Comment. Vote. Fan. I love youuuu! <3