That Summer

The Bus

Bumpy. That's all that I have to say about this bus ride. Actually, no. There is much more that I have to say about this bus ride. Honestly, what the hell was Abby thinking when she asked to go to Camp Takiamaka? She wasn't thinking of me, that's for sure. But what Abby wants, Abby gets. 

"Alisa! Al? Come on! Talk to me! Are you excited! 'Cause I sure am! This is so great." Abby Gene exclaimed. She was overjoyed that we were on this hot, bumpy, horrible bus ride to a torture camp. 

But it was Abby, my twin, my best friend. I forced a smile, though I'm sure that it seemed halfhearted. "Yeah Abs, I'm excited," I said. She squealed and bounced around before joining in on the campfire song that the bus driver was belting out. Stupid excitement. That means that I can't complain. My mind wandered to the moment that got me on this bus. 

"Hey Al, look at this!" Abby said. I looked up from my phone. I was reading The Fault in Our Stars, one of my favorite books, on novels77.com because my parents won't take me to the book store. 

"A webpage?" I asked. Why do I care if she shows me this? It doesn't matter!

"Not just any webpage! The webpage for CAMP TAKIAMAKA! I want to go soooooooo bad!" Abby whined. I grimaced. Abby might want to go, but I don't. Too much social interaction. Camp Takiamaka was a world-class summer camp that is known for its awesomeness. I, for one, do not see the so-called 'awesomeness.' But, Abby could just go without me.  

"Ok Abby, ask Mom and Dad. I'm sure-" I was cut off by a squeal. Abby's soft hand grabbed mine as she pulled me along. We were similar, I guess, but Abby was prettier and more outgoing. She was popular, I wasn't. Get the jist yet?

"Mom, Dad! Look at this! It's a full summer of camp at the prestigious Camp Takiamaka!" Abby pushed the computer into Mom's face. Mom studied it, looking at all of the creditability facts, how they train the counselors, and the reviews. 

"Oh, sweetie, this is great! You two will have so much fun! I'll sign you both up!" Mom exclaimed. She had always wanted us to go out in nature, and this was her chance. 

"Wait, both? No Mom, I'm not planning on going. I was just here to support Abby." I explained.

"Well then," Mom said. "You can support Abby at Camp Takiamaka." That's it. My summer is ruined. 

Now, I'm sitting on a bus to go to a torture camp. Great. Before I could go and wallow in my sorrows again, a boy caught my eye. He was tall, with messy blonde hair that looked like he just woke up. Somehow, it was amazing on him. He wore a blue sweatshirt that said "Camp Takiamaka" on it. He was smiling, wow his smile is shining. He met my eye- I didn't realize that I was staring- and gave a little smile. Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my fucking God he smiled at me! He looked away, a slight dusting of red on his cheeks. 

Words from Abby tore me away from the boy. "Hey Al," she said quietly. "Look at that boy over there. He's cute, right? I so claim him. By the end of the summer, I'll have him." Please, please let her be talking about any other boy. Just. Not. Him. I thought. But it was. It was him. My heart sank.

No. I can't think like that. Abby would give her happiness for me, I should give mine for her. I noticed kids pressing their faces against the window. It was then that I noticed us going under a big arch with the words "Camp Takiamaka" on it. The bus came to a stop and the counselor stood up. 

"Ok campers! Time to get off the bus and sign in! It's time for your greatest adventure!" 

Ok, everyone! Thank you for reading the first chapter of That Summer. Your comments and votes mean everything to me. I know I won't get any, I'm not popular. Please give this story a chance though. Thank you! 

By the way, I will try and do weekly updates.