The Summer Away

Chapter 1 - Different Dinners

Perrie

"Perrie! Dinner!" My mum calls from downstairs, her voice drifting up the steps into my open-doored room. Our house was a respectable one in a simple neighborhood, a white two story with pretty black trim.

"Coming!" I call back, sliding off my bed, and lazily hop down the stairs to the dining room, where I find food laid out on the table. My mum and step dad are already seated, my brother and half sister sitting down at their places. I fill my plate full of the mince and dumplings, the familiar sight making me sigh happily. Pulling my blonde hair from out of my face, I look across the table, where my mum and step dad exchange a glance. I put my fork down, already knowing something is up. My mum clears her throat, looking at me. 

"Perrie, you just turned 15 last week, and your father and I have been thinking about this summer for you, and we've decided your ready." She says, and I continue to stare, my blue eyes fixed on her, worried but curious. She glances at my step dad again, before continuing. 

"Pez, we are going to send you to a summer camp." 

I'm stunned for a second, before the words hit me. A smile breaks out on my face, and I leap from my seat, doing a happy dance around the table. 

"Thank you thank you thank you!" I shout, wrapping my mum and step dad into a hug, which they gladly return. My step dad smiles at me, his hand on my shoulder. 

"We know you've wanted this for a long time Perrie, and with your good grades and behavior this past year we were happy to grant your wish." I smile at him again, and start hopping in place with joy, the excitement of the idea of camp already filling me. 

I open my mouth to ask a question, but my mum seems to read my mind. 

"You'll leave in two days. The camp lasts three weeks. " She says, grinning at my infectious spirit. 

"I have to go pack!" I say, sprinting up the stairs before my mum calls me back. 

"Petal, eat your dinner first! You have two whole days, that's plenty of time." She reminds me, and I run back down again, jumping into my seat, shoveling down the delicious food. 

I can't resist the urge to kick my feet around under the table, my energy is too pent up. My mum shakes her head, a small smirk on her face. My siblings both look amused, and I make a face at them. Nothing could ruin my extatic mood. 

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Jade

My brown eyes scanned the page quickly as I read the book. My large room was a cluttered place, books and papers covered almost every surface, and my bed space quickly running out. I adjusted my glasses, flipping the stiff page of the new book. 

A floor to ceiling window covered one of my walls, displaying the lit up London city surrounding me. A knock sounded from my doorway, and I look up, my mam standing in the doorway, a wooden cooking spoon in her hand. 

"Jadey come for dinner." She tells me, and I hum in reply, but make no move to get up, my attention focused on my book once again. She knocks again, and when I look up this time she has an exasperated look on her face, and I decide not to push my luck, groaning as I put down my book. Getting up from my chair, I follow her through the fancy flat to the dining table. 

Sitting down, she places a food-filled-plate in front of me, sitting down with her own. Karl, my older brother, sits down beside me; the chandelier above my head sparkling. I take a couple bites of my food, the savory flavor filling my mouth.