(COMPLETED) Together, Under The Stars

Chapter 2: A Rock In A Pile Of Pearls

Strutting down the aisle, looking for a seat, making every single girl on the bus who has not seen him drop their jaws, is Charlie Campbell, my long time crush, and the son of my mom's co-worker. We grew up at the same elementary school and used to be friends until we entered that opposite-genders-can't-hang-out-with-each-other phase. And now, he's here, at camp.

Behind him is Justin Sanderson, my cousin, someone who I still hang out with quite often, and Maria's long time crush.

Charlie's jet black hair is disheveled and messy like he just woke up from bed. His skin is pale as always. His face is so adorable with perfectly chiseled features. His eyes scan the seats in front of him for an open spot. I had moved to a seat in front of Maria's while we were chatting since I wanted two seats to myself so I could sleep. And of course, it has to happen; his electric blue eyes land on the seat next to mine.

"Hey Zennzy," He smiles that half-smirk half-grin. "Is this seat taken?" He nods his head toward the seat my backpack is occupying.

"I-I-No," I stutter, quickly swiping my backpack off the seat and placing it at my feet. "But you do know that there are a bunch of seats-"

I'm interrupted by one of the counselors making an announcement over the speakers. "Campers, please sit down in the seat closest to you and strap in your seat belts. We will be departing very soon."

I mentally groan.

Why why why, did Charlie have to be in the front. Why couldn't Justin be in the front? At least I can talk to him without acting like an idiot. But then I see Justin sit down next to Maria, one row behind me.

I mentally laugh.

Maria goes as pale as paper. Clearly, she's having some boy troubles too.

Before I know it, the bus starts to move. Great. I'm stuck on this bus, next to this boy. Next to the cute, extremely cute boy, for the next two and a half hours. What's even worse is that he has a letter J sticker sticking onto his carry on, a black High Sierra backpack. He's in my group. Just great.

"So, have you been here before?" Charlie is talking to me. EEK!! He's talking to me?

I pray that my voice does not stutter. "Um, yeah. I was here last year, cause well, you know it seemed interesting."

"It's like seven days six nights, right?" He casually continues to ask me questions.

"Yeah. It used to be six days five nights, but they extended it. I'm hoping it will be more fun," I tell him. "And the campsite is closer this year. It used to be a four-hour ride, but now it's only two and a half." And still much too long, especially when the hottest guy at school is sitting next to you.

"Sounds chill," Charlie notes. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but breakfast is at eight, lunch is at noon, dinner is at five-thirty, and lights out is at ten?"

Before I can answer him, a snotty high pitched voice coming from behind us answers. "Yeah, it is. What's your name?" Great. Amelia Johnson, my mortal enemy from camp, and Charlie's new fangirl.

"Um... Charlie," He seems so confused. Squinting an eye, he asks: "I-Do I know you?"

"Oh! Right. Sorry. I'm Amelia." She smiles so sweetly it looks fake. She glances at me, her smile fading when she notices me. "You know, there are a lot of other seats in the back of the bus. You can come sit with us. Instead of sitting with...whoever she is."

"Thanks, but Zen's my friend," Charlie glances behind him. "And I don't think Justin wants to move anytime soon. And you shouldn't be standing. Or wearing designer shoes."

I glance behind me. Ria and Justin seem to be having no problem chatting. Maria's face has returned to its normal color.

"Oh," Amelia says, clearly disappointed and embarrassed. "Well, you know where to find me if you ever need better friends." She points a finger at me, telling Charlie: "She's not worth it. Zennzy's just a rock in a pile of pearls."

After she leaves, I kick the seat in front of me and mutter a few words I'm not supposed to.

Charlie glances at me. "You okay?" he asks. "Who is she, anyway? Doesn't seem like a nice person," he declares.

"Amelia hates me because everyone in our group last year wanted to do my idea for the skit instead of hers," I tell him. "And I got to go on the Night Hike for the night clinic, but I was the one to get the last spot. She ended up going to glow mobiles, which, BTW, does not seem like fun. At all."

He laughs. "I hope I don't get stuck with glow mobiles. Or whatever that is."

I laugh with him. "I hope she gets something worse this year. Mud Hiking, maybe."

For the rest of the bus ride, we chat like normal people. Talking about school, life, our parents' work, all that stuff. By the time we arrive at camp, all of my jitters have disappeared.

But when we walk into the campsite, my jitters come back. Why? There just oh-so happens to be a dance at the end of the camp. While Brie, Ria, Ezme were chatting, I told them about the dance, and Ria dared me to ask someone out.

I told her that I would do it if we all did it, and the three of them agreed. Little did I know that Charlie was coming. Otherwise, I would never have agreed to this.

When the four of us regroup in the Group J attendance line, I pull the three of them aside.

"I can't believe it," I whisper, so no one hears. "He's here. At camp."