SPLASH

Chapter three

The bus came to a smooth halt when we reached our destination almost five hours later, with everyone sighing softly, thankful that the long ride was over with. Sure, we did have breaks in between but there's just nothing as tiring as long rides, to me at least.

I took a tentative look around the familiar place from where I sat in the bus. The site was a moderately large clearing with actual hut-like buildings situated all around the place to still give it the camp-y feel nonetheless. Miss Renata once told us that since it will be wonderful to share a place with other people, get to know each other and get along well while staying at one place without having to huddle to our respective tents right afterwards, the camp organizers decided to make something unique.

Hence, the buildings. Most of us didn't want to deal with tents anyway so it was ideal.

It was a really different camp site that I adored immensely and I've never missed a summer of it. Not that I had a choice though.

We can all go to different camps where we use tents on any other day but these few days taken out of the summer were for the 'stay in an actual building' camp time. For most of us at least.

I always imagined that if we were videoed from up in the sky, it'll seem like a little serene village in the middle of somewhere in this vast forest.

“All the girls to my right, all the boys to my left! Be good kids and make sure you don't mix up.” Miss Renata was shouting into the megaphone. All the other campers groaned at her usual greeting every first day of camp, complaining about how we are all old enough to know what to do and that we didn't really need to hear this every single time.

I smiled wryly at her figure. I guess she just forgets that we are not seven anymore. But I also guessed that's what happens when you've been doing this for such a long time, dealing with almost the same people ever since they were kids.

Nevertheless, we adored the heck out of her. She and three other teachers were going to take care of us. They always do.

I got up from my seat and shot a dagger-like look at Stanley, who was slumped ungracefully in his seat, with muscular arms – which I admit I had no business noticing but was extremely hard to go unnoticed either – bulging since it was crossed behind his head and had his long legs stretched forward.

Coughing a little to get his attention, I fixed him two of my facial expression representatives. The bored and impatient, all rolled into one. “Just in case you didn't notice, we've arrived and I need to get off..”

He finally graced my existence again with a grin and I thought he had a nice smile. Too nice a smile for a boy.

Rearranging his position, he stood up and without even asking, swung down my bag. But before I had a chance to say another word, he carried it down off the bus for me and I didn't see any other choice but to follow.

His muscles flexed.. I noticed.

It wasn't really taut but it was just enough to be stroked by a girl. Goodness! What am I thinking?!?
I felt the need to rub my temple and pretend that it could at least rid my mind of all these thoughts but even I know it's too far fetched.

I realized with a start that Stanley was that irreversible, when you encounter him. Technically, he was a complete stranger and already he was starting to take resident, running riots in my thoughts.

I rolled my eyes yet again when he successfully landed my bag on the floor without breaking a sweat. “Show off!” I muttered at his back.

“Nope. You're just noticing things.” he said and leaped down.

I gave him a duh look like to say ‘really’ and trudged down on the few steps, careful not to slip since I usually posses two left feet sometimes.

“Yeah. Like you noticed my deep green eyes..” he added boldly.

“Wh–what..! I feigned sheer amazement, refusing to be caught. He can't be serious right now.

He arched a brow, a sardonic smile on his full lips. “And I know you like them.”

“I-I did not..” I muttered incredulously. Oh my God. I can't deal with this insufferable ass anymore.

He smirked.

“Oh puh-lease! You're so full of yourself. My bag!” I snapped and snatched my bag from him. It was starting to get uncomfortably hot and it wasn't from the sun beaming right down on me.

“You know a simple thank you will do.” He grinned pleasure at me, seemingly unbothered by my attitude. I ignored him. Perhaps, he finds immense humor in me visibly swimming in my carefully sustained embarrassment.

Shuffling quickly towards the group of girls who were walking up the hill to their dorm, I let out a huge breath of relief, applauding myself of my self-convincing acting skills. I'd die if I've let any of his accusations caught onto me red handed.

I greeted a few of the girls I recognized from all my time here at camp and lamely attempted to have a decent conversation with them, asking them about how they've been and what they've been up to since last summer.

But my supposed escape was short-lived.

“I'll see you around.” Stanley shouted. I turned around to fix him a look when everyone else focused their gazes between him and the rest of us, trying to decipher who he was speaking to. He even had the grace to scratch the back of his head, acting all shy. “You know, I still don't know your name..” he trailed off.

Not bothering with an answer, I turned back around and resumed walking, dragging my suitcase tiredly behind me. We were almost halfway through our little trek to the dorm and I couldn't wait to relax my brain from all these chaos.

Yeah, yeah and you'll never get to know. I thought to myself when his last words continued to play in my mind. I could easily admit that he looked almost cute when he was acting shy, but not that he'll ever hear of it from me. It's been one hell of a day and yet it was far from being over.

Camp is big and I'm aware that even if I sold my soul to the devil and eventually got it back doing hard chores, it won't be big enough for me to avoid Stanley completely. But then again, I'd really like to die trying. I mused humorlessly.

‘Playing it real smooth, eh?’ That was inner voice, with yet another bout of unwelcomed views, ‘Be ye reminded that this isn't some whole ass universe where people meet momentarily and then end up at different dimensions afterwards. Girl, y'all be crossing paths pretty soon.’ Barging in my head unannounced with a scoff and sounding like she was quoting a scripture.

‘I'll see him of course, I'm not deluded enough to rule out that possibility. But, whoever said that we have to fraternize?’ I retorted back with my own sassy scoff.

We got to our dorm and ten girls were asked to occupy it. I promised myself a relaxing shower to soothe my wound up muscles, a brief head massage and a quick call to my friends. I could swear they'll have an enormous fit over my attitude when I tell them everything that's happened. And I was determined to watch them while they regret their decision to stay behind and send me off alone on this trip with nothing but just an emotional farewell..

And a sleazy pinky swear to keep me updated on all their endeavors in the real world.

This should be exciting, I nearly gave in to a maniacal laugh.

Real world, huh. My effing ass.

Composing myself, I finally entered the dorm and moved to the bed near the windows.

It was the same bed I slept in last year.

And all the years before that.

Hey, howdy my little Doves🕊

So, another chapter, huh. Yay.. 🤡

Please comment and smudge that cute star orange.🌟

Or whatever color it is.. 😂

Until next chappies.

Love y'all.❤

Ciao💞