Camp Echo Falls (Completed)

Chapter 49

I head to the main reception to pick up the key for the kitchens and smile warmly when I see Cynthia sitting behind the desk.

Cynthia has always been like a second mum to me, from being the first person I talked to the first summer I came to camp, to caring about my home life and family. She reminds me of a muma bear, which is typical of all the friendly old black lady's at camp.

I walk to the desk and puts my hands on the marble counter, tracing the cold patterns as I wait for her to finish her conversation on the phone.

A few moments later she puts down the phone and her eyes light up as she sees me standing waiting. "Jadey, honey!"

She exclaims, standing up from her swivel chair and leaning her weight over the counter top to bring me into a bear hug.

"Hey Cynthia." I smile brightly, returning the warm hug. Her lavender perfume mixes with the woody scent of the cabin, her soft dark skin feels comforting as she rubs my back. She is smiling as she leans out of the hug, placing her arms on my shoulders to examine me.

"Good lord, have grown up since the last time I saw you!" She exclaims, plopping back down into her chair, her weight causing the seat to go down before bouncing back up.

I chuckle, "You don't look a day older than when I first met you Cynthia." I smile and her familiar rosey laugh fills my ears, making my heart flutter.

"Honey, now that is why you're my favourite." She points at me with her nude acrylic nail and laughs. Her thick African accent combined with her friendly personality makes me feel warm.

"I know." I smile sweetly and put my elbows on the counter, resting my head in between my hands.

"What do you need sweetheart or where you just visiting your favourite member of staff."

"Actually-" I start to answer, when I feel a hand being placed on my lower back. I automatically think that it's Will but my eyes widen as his dark voice speaks.

"We need the key for the kitchens ma'am." His good manners surprise both me and Cynthia and she looks between me and Leo her eyebrows raised.

"And who is this handsome friend of yours Jadey?" Cynthia asks and I can see Leo smirk from the corner of my eye. He doesn't remove his hand from my back and his touch sends a shiver up my back.

"Leo this is Cynthia. Cynthia, Leo Jordans." I introduce them and Leo offers his free hand for her to take, she looks at me her eyes wide before taking his hand and shaking it.

"It's lovely to meet you Cynthia." He says charmingly and she gives a delighted smile.

"The pleasure is all mine Mr Jordans." She says sweetly, despite her age she still loves to have a crack at flirting with the men here at camp. I roll my eyes and shoot her a look telling her to calm her self, she takes the hint and goes to retrieve the key.

When she's out of hearing distance I turn to Leo. "What are you doing." I hiss, my eyes darting back over to Cynthia to see if she can hear us, thankfully she's too busy looking through some files in a draw.

"Getting the key?" He says, pretending to be innocent.

"Getting the key for the kitchens doesn't involve touching me, or flirting with the receptionist." I keep my voice low not wanting to draw attention to us.

"You jealous Jade?" He asks cockily, his eyes lighting up. The way my name rolls of his tongue makes my lower stomach burn but I ignore it as I shake his question off.

I turn back to the counter as Cynthia returns, holding the key in on hand. "Here you go sweetheart." I take the key from her and thank her, grabbing Leo's hand and dragging him towards the door before he can say anything else. I open the door and practically push Leo out, following behind him, before I leave I turn back to wave goodbye at Cynthia. She smiles at me and I catch her wink before I turn back to Leo.

I bounce down the steps dragging Leo behind me, heading away from the reception and towards the kitchens. We slow down into a walk and I hear him chuckle. "This is nice." I look over at him confused and find that he's smirking.

I suddenly realise what he's talking about as my eyes travelling down to our intertwined hands. I try to let go of his hand, but he tightens his grip. My eyes go wide, "Leo let go." I hiss, looking around us at the groups of teenagers walking pass and children running pass us, their laughter faint as the sun shines in a low haze over the lake.

He ignores my begging and a smile crosses his face as he starts swinging out intertwined hands, as we walk towards the kitchens. I try to shake free from him, but he keeps the motion going, showing everyone that we're holding hands. "Leo." I beg, still looking around at anyone who could be watching us.

"Jade, calm down." He chuckles as we get to the side door of the kitchen. He finally lets go of my hand and instead holds out his palm motioning for me to hand him the key. I drop the gold key into his hand and he looks at me with his stupidly gorgeous green eyes as he smiles before turning to the door.

Unlocking it, he pushes it open and stand back opening his arm offering me to walk past him, I sigh narrowing my eyes at him. I feel his hand on my lower back as I step through the door, he shuts it behind us and doesn't move his hand as he guides me through to the main room.

This is going to be a long two hours.