You Swore - GC Story - Summer 1

Chapter 9: Inappropriate Assumptions and Illicit Affairs

Spaces POV

I was even more exhausted than usual as I dragged myself out of bed to go to breakfast. The combination of spending a late night at the campfires with the other cabin and constantly worrying about Andrea led to a restless four hours of laying in my bed and staring at the ceiling, listening to the sounds I had grown so used to after countless summers at camp.  Luckily, by the sound of the groans and yawns coming from the rest of my cabin, I could tell I wasn't alone in my exhaustion, despite probably being the only one with a crazy ex-girlfriend to worry about. 

The obvious exception was, of course, Clara, who remained as chipper and energetic as usual, despite staying up until 4am reading, which i could attest to due to my own sleeplessness. Unfortunately, the one of us that seemed to be bouncing around like a seven year old on a sugar high was also the girl I really needed to talk to. So, with that unfortunate reality, I forced myself to get out of bed and get ready a little bit faster. 

"Good morning everyone," a sarcastic voice deadpanned from across the room. I look up to see Kara drag herself off the space of floor she had collapsed onto last night. 

"Good morninggg" rang Clara's shrill voice, already in the bathroom. Shit, I needed to hurry up if I was going to get to talk with her. I threw on some--probably dirty-- clothes and stuffed  my feet in too small sandals. I managed to get a thirty second tooth-brushing in before rushing out of the cabin door, about ten seconds behind her. Unfortunately, I didn't hear the tired voice of Amelia, asking me to wait up.

I caught up to Clara (which took some effort, as she is an obnoxiously fast speed-walker), but once I reached her side, I realized I didn't really have anything to say. Luckily, she beat me to it.

"So I know I agreed to help you, for Chloe's sake and stuff. But you need to have a complete understanding of what 'my help' entails. I will have complete control of every aspect of Andrea and this control will be elaborately planned and executed." I wanted to point out she didn't even know Andrea, and that if she did, she would be aware Andrea isn't exactly someone you control. I figured saying that wouldn't help much though; Clara wasn't someone who liked her (debatable) intelligence being challenged, so I decided on a simple question.

"Why? Why are you helping me? Doesn't this just confirm every bad thought you've ever had about me?"

"I've never had bad thoughts about you," she replied softly, and there was a certain weight to her words that seemed unwarranted.

"Uh, yeah, you did. We hated each other for, like, four summers. I kinda assume a negative thought went across your mind at least once." 

"Well, that's true, but not the point," She sputtered, still with a strange tone.

"Are you sure there is a point?" I ask, greatly confused about the whole conversation.

"No, I mean, yes, there is! A point, that is. Fine, yes, I did have a few bad thoughts about you. Mostly your annoyingness. But the the ideas you think everyone immediately jumps to when they find out about your dad, never that kinda stuff. And yes, the situation with Andrea is shitty as hell, but it has nothing to do with him." 

"I didn't consent to being psychoanalyzed," I grumble, but I'm secretly relieved. It's like a burden I didn't even know I was carrying had been lifted. Clara let out a short laugh, then we lapsed into a comfortable silence. 

Right before we got to the mess hall, she spoke again. "Oh, and to answer your question from before. Chloe doesn't deserve to get hurt; she struggles enough." By the time I'm done debating over how much I should read into that sentence, Clara is already off to speak with her brother's table, leaving me alone in the crowded mess hall.