Spy School: Camp, it's complicated

It's about to get CAMP-licated.

Aren't I hilarious? No? Yeah, I'm not, bad pun.

(Sorry if Erica comes off as a little OOC, but I always figured she was like this before the ice wall, and she's starting to open up to Ben.)

(Erica's POV)

As I hopped off the bus and stretched my legs and arms, I noticed something strange. Woodchuck wasn't standing there to greet us. In his place was a middle-aged man with closely cropped dark hair and a grim, serious face. I was distracted soon by the appearance of Ben hopping off the bus, stretching his arms as well, sighing contentedly when his joints cracked satisfactorily. I forced myself to look away and headed to the back of the bus to get my luggage. A second later Ben appeared, and grabbed his luggage, and slung something that looked like an instrument case over his shoulder. "Ben, what's in that case?" I asked casually. His cheeks colored slightly. "It's a guitar," he mumbled quietly. I gave him a look. "Why is that something to be embarrassed about?" I questioned. "I think it's cool." I continued. A broad grin that couldn't have been any more Ben-like appeared on his face. "Thanks," he answered softly, his head dipping shyly.

"Attention campers!" I heard and immediately turned in the direction of the speaker. It was the stern middle-aged man I had seen earlier. "I am your new camp director Jack Kimberly, you are to address me as Agent Kimberly," he announced loudly. I heard whispers ripple through the crowd. "Where's Woodchuck?" I heard several times. "There will be some changes at camp, budget cuts. Instead of cabins we now have two people tents, and you will be paired with someone of your gender, except for one pair because of an uneven number of boys and girls." he continued. He looked down at his clipboard, and announced "Here are the pairs. Zoe and Chelsea. Mike and Sean. Chip and Jawa. Warren and Hauser." he went on and on, and I didn't pay attention until he announced "And the final pair, Erica and Ben. You two are the uneven pair. Sorry about this guys." I turned towards Ben. "So..." he said slowly. "You're cool with this right?"

"Yeah," I answered indifferently. On the outside I was casual, but on the inside, I was like "Oh. My. God. This summer just got 10 times stranger." Ben scrubbed his hand through his hair, and I couldn't help but follow the movement of his well-muscled arm flexing slightly with my eyes. I tore them away quickly, and he mumbled "Gotta find Zoe." and left. I exhaled slowly and rubbed my temples. This was going to be a long summer.

(Ben's POV)

Oh jeez, that was soooo embarrassing! I can't believe that Erica thinks that playing the guitar is cool. I was so caught up in my thoughts, I didn't even realize that I was about to bump into someone until I did bump into them. "Oh sorry," I mumbled, and then looked down at who I had knocked over. It was that new kid, Sean. I grudgingly helped him up and enthusiastically said "Hey, Sean? How's spy school so far?" with a smile faker than a celebrity's 80% plastic face. "Not bad. The people have been very welcoming!" he replied in a thick Irish brogue. "I bet they have been," I muttered. "Wait, how do you know my name?" he asked a second later. "I'm a spy. It's my job to know things." I answered coldly and strolled away.

I ran into a lot of people before I finally found Zoe. "Hey! Zoe!" I shouted when I finally caught sight of her. "Hi Ben!" she answered, but her eyes were looking elsewhere. "Who are you looking for? Sean?" I asked. She reddened and focused back on me. "N- no. Wh-why would you th-think that?" she stammered. "Irish boy says people have been really welcoming," I answered coldly and brushed past her. And walked straight into Erica. My quick reflexes went into gear, and I caught her hand before she hit the ground. "Hey Erica, sorry," I said, very unfocused. "What's wrong?" she asked. I was a little startled that the Ice Queen was talking to me outside a mission. "It's just that Mr. Irishman is getting on my nerves. And I feel like Zoe likes him, more than a friend, and I have a feeling that Mr. Irishman reciprocates those feelings." I rambled on. "Whoa, slow down Ben," Erica said, trying to calm me down. "It's ok Ben, Zoe would have to be crazy to like someone better than you." My head quickly whipped up, and I must've looked very, very shocked because Erica quickly said "You tell anyone I said that and I will personally find you and kill you." and walked away. I laughed. That's a lot more like the Erica I knew.

(Erica's POV)

Did I actually just say that? ERICA WHY? I have the ice wall up for a reason! It doesn't matter that your heart skips a beat when he's near you, or that he's a much better spy now because he worked so hard. It doesn't matter that he plays the guitar, and you find it a little... attractive. Or that he was the definition of charming when he caught your hand and kept you from falling. Snap out of it Erica! Somethings not right here. Woodchuck wouldn't quit out of the blue like that, something must've happened to him. But the question is how can I find out? And where is my freakin' tent?

I wandered around camp a little until I found a tent labeled "Ben and Erica tent. Team name: Proud Rabbits." Great. Ben and I are proud rabbits now. I walked into the tent, only to find Ben putting his luggage next to a tiny cot. Mine was a couple of feet away, and there was a curtained off area for us to change in. There were two plastic dressers and two foldable chairs to sit in. I saw Ben prop his guitar case against the wall, and then flop onto the tiny cot. "Ben," I said. He got up and replied "Sup roomie. Or should I say tentie?" I felt a laugh bubbling out of my throat, I couldn't help it. Ben looked pleased with himself, and I couldn't help but notice how cute he looked when he was smiling. Again Erica, snap out of it! Pretty boys usually don't have this effect on me. Ben's not just a pretty boy, he's sweet and loyal. And he's also the prettiest of the pretty boys, My mind pointed out. That's true. I answered back to my mind. WAIT! Stop having conversations about Ben in your own mind Erica! When I came back out of my thoughts, Ben was waving a hand in front of my face. "Helloooo. Earth to Erica!" He was saying. "Hi, Ben, sorry," I answered absentmindedly because my thoughts were still on Ben.