by JE Hunter
“You make Greece sound so exciting; I wish I could go there,” I said at Friday lunch hour—relieved to finally have time to talk to my friend about something that didn’t have anything to do with school.
Amynta nodded. She was wearing her typical designer jeans with a fancy, shiny white top. Over the past week I’d noticed she wore something white every day. “It is. The sea is so blue and the water’s so warm—the only problem is the population. I’d kill to have a private island like this back in Greece.”
I was about to finish the last spoonful of my creamy potato salmon soup, when Markus sidled up next to me, sitting comfortably on the bench. “So,” he said, his Russian accent making his words as thick as the soup.
I looked at him suspiciously. “So?”
“So, I'm not sure if you know, but tomorrow is the welcome back to school annual camping trip.” Markus raised one of his blonde eyebrows, eyes twinkling, and waited.
“Actually, I do know that. However, I’m still grounded so I’m not planning on going.” No matter how much I wanted to.
“That’s too bad.” Markus shrugged, interlacing his hands, resting them on the table. “But do you think you could ask your grandma if we can borrow her boat tonight to go to town? Get some supplies for the trip?”
“Why would I help you plan for a party that I don’t get to go to?” I turned back to my empty soup bowl, hoping Markus would go away. I was dying to go to a party, preferably one with my friends back in Surrey, but I didn't feel like asking Grandma for anything—let alone begging her.
“Nessa, maybe you’d be able to go if you just asked. Shouldn’t you at least try?” Markus rested his hand on my shoulder.
I smacked my hands on the table. “No. If you want to go to the mainland in the boat, ask my grandma yourself. I’m not your minion.”
“It’ll be a great time, and you-know-who will be there.” I glanced in the direction Markus was nodding and saw Caesar approaching. I tried to not blush. Did Markus know I had a thing for Caesar? Did everyone?
“What’s going on, Nessa?” Caesar said, plopping down across from me.
“Markus is trying to convince me to ask Grandma for the boat. But since I’m grounded, and won’t be going, I’m not sure why I should help out.”
“Nessa, I'll lift your grounding for school related activities.” I cringed as Grandma spoke from behind me. How long had she been there?
I turned to face her. “I don't know if I would consider a weekend camping trip to be school related.”
“Would you rather remain grounded?” She looked at me coolly.
“No.”
“Then you may consider yourself un-grounded if you help your friends plan the trip and attend it yourself.” She managed to give me half a smile.
Markus nudged me with a sharp elbow. I glared at him, though going camping sounded a lot better than remaining grounded.
“Alright,” I said. “Then would it be okay if a few of us took the boat to the mainland to get some supplies?”
“I suppose as the Hunter hasn’t been spotted in a week that it should be alright—as long as you’re all back before dark and stay together. As far as we know, there’s still a hunter on the mainland. But he shouldn’t try anything if you’re in a large group. Nessa knows the rules—most of the time anyway—but be sure to remind her if she forgets.” Grandma nodded at us all, politely excusing herself from our company.
“Awesome. We’ll see you later, Nessa.” Markus rose, holding out a hand to Amynta, who took it with a giggle. Together, they headed for the classroom.
“You shouldn’t let Markus upset you. He just likes to tease.” Caesar reached up, brushing his dark hair out of his eyes.
“Well, at least he got me un-grounded.”
Caesar laughed. “Guess this means we have some time to hang out now. Maybe I can show you my treasure maps or my guitar. Of course, both of those are up in my room.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re just trying to get me alone?” I took my dishes over to the sink, fully expecting Caesar to follow me, but when I turned around I found him chatting with Shia as he walked into the classroom.
Maybe Caesar was just pretending to like me. He was tying my insides up in knots just like he’d tied Colleen up in a net last year. Maybe this was the joke he was playing on the new student this year. Shia gripped Caesar’s arm, giving it a friendly squeeze. My insides clenched. I turned away again.
“I saw you talking to the pirates,” Colleen said, coming up beside me with her own dishes.
“Oh. Yeah. I have to help them pick up supplies tonight for the party tomorrow. Grandma said I’m ungrounded so long as I help out.” I rinsed my bowl, placing it in the dish rack.
“You're coming? That's great, we can share a tent!” Colleen danced in place. I joined her, forcing a smile on my face. I didn’t need pirates to be happy. I just needed friends.
“That would be great since I don’t own a tent.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.” Colleen stopped dancing so she could wash her bowl. “Since you’re off grounding, you should come swimming with Kyle and me after school.”
“Sure, I’ll just have to go home and get my swimsuit first.” My body felt light; I had free time again.
“Cool. Kyle and I can come over to your place. We could use a change in swimming grounds.” She turned to face me. “Promise me something, Nessa. Promise me that you’ll be careful tonight. The first week of school might almost be over, but the pirates might still try to haze you. I really don’t want you to get hurt like I was.” Colleen finished with her dishes, nodding toward the doorway. “Come on, it’s time for more lessons.”
