The Girls of Firefly Cabin

by Cynthia Ellingsen

  Lauren sighed, switched off the lights, and climbed back into her bunk. “Okay, fine.”

  “Time for bed,” Cassandra called, banging open the screen door. “Goodness! You guys must be tired.”

  “Or terrified,” Archer said cheerfully. “That story about the headless man was epic. Thanks for traumatizing us.”

  Cassandra laughed. “Thanks. I do my best. Night, all.” The moment she was gone, Isla darted for the door. Lauren hesitated but followed.

  Loons called on the lake, their mournful cry echoing in the night. Jade flipped on her flashlight and pulled out an envelope.

  The morning after she’d written the apology letter to Cat, she’d mailed it on a whim. She’d never expected to hear back, but had received a response that afternoon. The unopened envelope had sat under her pillow for a few hours, but each time she considered reading it, panic squeezed her heart. Now, she stared at the springs on the bed above her, breathing deeply and wondering what it said.

  Fireflies flashed outside the window, and mosquitoes buzzed against the screen. She hesitated, turning the envelope over and over in her hands.

  Should I read it?

  “Don’t judge me,” said a voice, close to her ear.

  Jade jumped. Archer lurked next to the bed, her eyes bright and manic.

  “Paolo is meeting Makayla tonight.”

  No. No, no, no.

  “If I’m not back in time, you’ll have to cover for everybody.”

  “I don’t like this,” Jade said.

  It was so mean. Yes, Makayla was awful, but she also seemed hopelessly insecure.

  “Archer, a prank is one thing, but I don’t understand how you could hurt her like that. Deliberately.”

  “My sister is evil,” Archer insisted.

  “Look…” Jade let out a deep breath. “Kiara was like your sister. Beautiful, and yes, she could be really mean. But, Archer, English was her second language, and she barely spoke in elementary school. The other girls made fun of her. Once she learned to stand up for herself, she was not about to get bullied again.”

  Archer scoffed. “My sister has never stopped talking, so I think we’re good.”

  “You’re missing the point,” Jade groaned. “I’m trying to say you never know why people act the way they do.”

  “You’re missing the point. My sister deserves this.”

  “Nobody deserves this.” Jade glared at her. “You’re my friend, so I can say this: grow up, Archer.”

  Archer glared back. “Will you cover for me or not?”

  I should say no.

  Like that would make a difference. This was a mistake Archer was determined to make.

  “Fine. But I know you’re going to regret it.”

  Archer mumbled something and stomped out.

  Jade sat in silence for several minutes. The trees seemed to sigh in the night air. It was so quiet, she could hear the hum of the overhead fan.

  Letting out a slow breath, she took Cat’s letter out of the envelope. The handwriting was so familiar. Jade squinted, leaning in.

  Dear Jade,

  I was so surprised to get your letter. I was scared to read it, honestly, and afraid you would say the accident was my fault. Why didn’t I drive slower? Why didn’t I steer the car away from the tree? Those questions haunt me every day. The fact that you wrote to say you were sorry? I never expected that.

  I can’t believe you blame yourself. Kiara told me some of the things she said to you that night, and I want you to know something: she felt terrible.

  Jade froze. She had to read the sentence three times before she could continue.

  She begged me to take her back to your house, but by then, the snow was coming down hard. I wouldn’t do it because the roads were getting bad. Can you believe it? If I had turned back, everything would be different. But if you have any doubt in your mind about how Kiara felt about you, know this: she loved you like a sister.

  You were such a good friend to her. Thank you for getting in touch. When you get back from camp, I would very much like to see you.

  Abrazos y besos,

  Cat

  Jade didn’t know how long she sat in silence, staring at the letter. She touched her cheeks, surprised to discover they were damp with tears. Bringing the letter to her heart, she let out loud, choking sobs.

  Kiara had wanted to come back to her house! They would have been friends again by midnight.

  Jade read the letter at least five times, then laid down and stared up at the mattress springs. Finally, she sat up and looked at the clock. It couldn’t have been more than fifteen minutes since Archer left.

  You were such a good friend to her, Cat said.

  Jade climbed out of bed and found a black sweater.

  I am a good friend. It’s time to be a good friend again.

  She snuck out of the cabin.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Archer hid behind a tree, watching her sister.

  Makayla stood in the clearing, fidgeting with her heart-shaped Tiffany necklace and pouting with her glossy lips. The Bluebirds whispered to one another. Two of the girls seemed to be getting bored.

  “Maybe he’s not coming,” one finally said.

  Makayla shot her a deadly look. “Oh, baby’s tired? Then go back to the cabin.”

  Something crashed through the brush, and all the girls, including Archer, stood up straight. The sound faded into the night, and the Bluebirds nervously giggled. They started telling ghost stories, and eventually, Makayla sat down on one of the large logs with them, looking bummed out.

  It’s getting to her. She’s about to lose it…

  “I’m cold.” She jumped up. “Obviously, he got stuck in Detroit and sent a message at the last minute. He doesn’t know I’m living in the third world and can’t check the Internet every second of the day.”

  Wow. Makayla didn’t bring her phone to camp?

  That made Archer feel cooler somehow.

  “Do you want to go back?” asked the short girl who was always with her. Quickly, she added, “We’ll stay as long as you want.”

  Makayla stretched. “No, let’s go. I’m sure he’ll try again tomorrow, so we better get some rest.”

  To Archer’s absolute delight, the other two Bluebirds exchanged glances like, Yeah, right. They probably doubted Makayla had a boyfriend at all, which was hilarious.

  The Bluebirds filed through the woods. Archer trailed them, heart pounding.

  Just wait until they see the note…

  It was tacked on the door of the cabin and said: “You look nothing like your picture. I saw you in the forest and I am repulsed. I am a model and only date beautiful girls. You seem like the type who might look okay on the outside, but is covered with warts within…”

  The note went on and on. It was so mean, and Archer felt a rush of glee. It was time someone taught her sister a lesson. Maybe Makayla would finally learn it was not okay to hurt other people.

  But isn’t that what you’re doing?

  Fine. Yes, but she was proving a point! This wasn’t the time to have doubts.

  Archer chewed her nails, and memories started flipping through her head: baking brownies with Makayla, sneaking downstairs early on Christmas morning, sharing clothes before her sister was all into designer brands…

  The memories got darker.

  She thought of those moments her sister had broken down—when her pet bunny died or the time she didn’t get invited to a big party in elementary school. Back then, Makayla had tried so hard to keep up with the older girls in their neighborhood.

  The memory of her sister as a sad and lonely kid was unexpected. Back then, Archer would have done anything to protect her.

  So, why am I trying so hard to hurt her now?

  Jade’s words jumped into her head: It’s easy to judge someone by how they look, but you never know what people are going through.

  A chill cut through her.

  I can’t do this.

  But there wa
s no way to stop it.

  You have to.

  Archer darted through the trees, desperate to beat the Bluebirds to their cabin. Branches slashed at her face, and she burst into the clearing at the edge of the forest. To her horror, the Bluebirds were already at the cabin steps.

  She hung back in the trees, feeling sick.

  I’m sorry, Makayla. I’m so sorry…

  The cabin door banged shut. Had they grabbed the note and gone inside?

  She felt a hand on her shoulder and whirled around.

  Jade.

  “You were so right.” Archer practically fell into her arms. “I took it too far.”

  Jade hugged her tight. “It’s okay.”

  “It’s not okay.” Archer’s voice cracked. “I can’t take it back. I—”

  Jade held up a piece of paper. “It never happened.”

  The note. Jade had the note!

  Archer grabbed it out of her hands. Yes, this was it. But how…

  “I took it before they got back.” Jade’s blue eyes shined in the dark night. “She never even saw it.”

  Too many emotions whirled inside Archer to process. Humiliation, relief, confusion…then absolute fury.

  “How dare you?” she hissed.

  Jade blinked. “Huh?”

  “This was my problem, not yours.”

  “Archer.” Jade grabbed the note and wadded it up. “Be happy it’s over.”

  Happy? How could she be happy?

  Look at what she’d done. Makayla might be mean, but now, there was no doubt: Archer was even worse.

  Tears streamed down her face, and she took off running, desperate to escape the person she’d become.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  The moment Isla saw Jordan standing on the beach, the moonlight glinting off his dark hair, the world seemed perfect. He kicked off his shoes, and giggling, she did the same.

  “Hi.” He took her hand. “You look beautiful. Let’s go for a walk.”

  The night felt enchanted. Mist swirled above the water, and stars glittered like fireflies overhead.

  “I can’t believe you wanted to do this,” she said, looking up at him as they strolled along the shore.

  “It’s so risky.” He grinned. “Do you know how much trouble we’d get into? We’d make history as the worst campers ever.”

  “The ones who ruined it for everyone.” She felt bold making jokes like Archer. “It’s worth it, though. To spend time with you.”

  He stopped and looked at her. They stood in silence for what felt like three hours. Then he leaned forward and placed his lips against hers.

  With a shiver, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Her head spun at the warmth of his mouth. A million thoughts ran through her mind:

  My parents are going to kill me!

  Am I doing this right?

  Wow, he smells good.

  I love him.

  The first thought kept coming back, though. Her parents would be horrified. Not only had she disobeyed them, but they had never even met the boy she was kissing.

  In her heart, Isla knew her mother would have wanted to shop together to find the perfect outfit for Isla’s first date. Her father would have wanted to meet Jordan at the front door, shake his hand, and grill him about politics in the library. Both of her parents would have watched with pride as he took her arm and escorted her to the elevator like a gentleman. Instead, she was sneaking around, and the guilt was totally interfering.

  Don’t think about it. Think about him.

  Jordan hugged her close.

  “Let’s sit.”

  He guided her through the sand to a piece of driftwood. It was damp and cold of course, but Isla was getting used to the pitfalls of nature. Besides, Jordan was there to keep her warm.

  The full moon rose in the sky as they talked. They touched on serious topics like school and their parents. Isla told him how strict her parents were, but did not reveal that she would need permission to date him. The thought was too depressing, so thank goodness he made her laugh, joking about his counselor and the other guys in his cabin. He was so smart, so quick-witted, that Isla couldn’t help but think: My parents will like him. I know they will.

  “I found a copy of the song you sang,” he said suddenly. “I listened to it, like, a hundred times. You sound better than the singer.” Before she could respond, he added, “Still, I know someone who can sing it better than you.”

  Jordan leaped to his feet and let out a warbling cry. He started dancing in silly, jerky moves and pulled Isla to her feet. He led her across the sand, and she laughed until her sides hurt.

  Isla was having so much fun that she didn’t notice the warning signs until it was too late. She stopped abruptly and put her hand to her chest. Her lungs were tight, and her breath, thick.

  She was having an asthma attack.

  With a start, she realized she hadn’t even thought to transfer her inhaler from her uniform to her black shorts. The telltale sound of a wheeze escaped her lips, and she plunked down on the nearest log. Sweat dampened her neck as her mind went into a singular focus point of survival.

  Jordan was still laughing from their ridiculous dancing. He bopped over to her, stretching out his hands. “Come on. You’ve got more moves than that!”

  The wheeze came louder now, thicker.

  “I can’t.” She was too scared to be embarrassed. “I can’t breathe.”

  His expression turned serious. “What?”

  “I have asthma,” she said in short bursts. “I forgot my inhaler in the cabin, but there’s not enough time to get it. I’m going to need an ambulance.”

  The gravity of the situation hit her. Everyone would get caught. Her parents would know she had been on the beach with a boy in the middle of the night.

  What was she thinking? Why had she thought she could get away with this?

  “I didn’t know you had asthma,” Jordan said.

  Now was not the time to play getting-to-know-you.

  “Go,” Isla gasped. “Get help.”

  “Okay, but…” He rummaged through his pockets and pulled out a blue contraption. “I know it’s not yours.” He held it out. “But I take this in emergencies. Use it and I’ll get help.”

  Isla stared at him in disbelief.

  Jordan has the same inhaler as I do.

  He has asthma.

  He is perfect.

  Isla grabbed the inhaler and took two greedy puffs. It cut through the fog with a minty, medicinal taste. She felt the small branches of her lungs open and oxygen reenter her bloodstream.

  Jordan was already jogging down the beach, toward the path.

  “Wait!” she shouted.

  He turned, his silhouette lanky in the pale light of the moon. “I have to get help!”

  “No, you don’t,” she called. “It worked. We have the same inhaler.”

  Jordan let out a cheer. He jogged back, sat on the log, and pulled her into the crook of his arm. “I knew that stupid thing would be good for something. When did you get asthma?”

  Isla never dreamed she would share this with anyone, let alone the boy of her dreams. It turned out Jordan got asthma when he was in fifth grade too.

  “It’s so embarrassing. I’ve been hiding it from the girls this whole time.”

  Jordan looked confused. “Why? They’re not your friends if you can’t tell them things that matter.”

  Isla looked down at her hands. The other Fireflies were her friends. There was no reason to keep secrets from them. It was just…

  “I feel ashamed about it,” she admitted.

  Jordan frowned. “Why? Lots of kids have asthma.”

  “No one in my family. My older brothers are perfect. They’re so smart and so sporty. Even my grandmother runs marathons, and she’s seventy-something. My parents seem bewildered by my asthma, as if I’m a science experiment gone wrong.”

  “Even more reason to tell your friends,” Jordan said. “They won’t think it’s weird. They would probably
even help you through all that.”

  It was hard to imagine Lauren making fun of her for having asthma. Or any of the girls, really.

  “You might be right. I’ll…try.” She looked up at the moon and then, feeling bold, leaned her head against his shoulder. “Thank you for saving my life.”

  “I wanted to give you a reason to like me,” Jordan joked.

  Isla grabbed his face and kissed him.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  The white sand glowed in the silver light of the moon. Jordan had brought two of his friends: the blond boy who’d been with him outside at the singing competition, and Raahithya, the one Sally liked. The second Jordan and Isla headed down the beach, the guys stripped off their shirts and jumped into the lake for a night swim, leaving Lauren alone.

  In the moonlight, she could see Isla and Jordan sitting on a log by the water. It made her happy that Isla was happy, but it felt dangerous being at the beach at all. It was a risk she didn’t like taking.

  If they got caught, they would get sent home. That meant no more campfires, no more competition, and no more Fireflies.

  You’re here now, though. So, enjoy it.

  Letting out a breath, Lauren got to her feet. “I’m going to take a walk,” she called to Jordan’s cabinmates, but they didn’t notice.

  Lauren walked up along the edge of the trees. It was a beautiful night, and the stars were nearly as bright as the moon. She had started to feel better about things, since she’d accepted camp was only a temporary situation. Still, it wasn’t easy, because the experience had changed her.

  For example, she finally knew what it was like to play in a sports league. She could kick a soccer goal or shoot baskets with the best of them. It seemed hopelessly unfair, all of a sudden, to think she wouldn’t be able to play back at school.

  Life is not fair.

  Lauren knew that, coming in. But somewhere along the way, the lines had gotten blurred, and she’d thought she could make this experience last forever.

  Lesson learned. Now, she had to bite her tongue every time the girls tried to plan for next year: What snacks should Archer bring? Should they draw straws for top or bottom bunk, to keep it fair? What cabin would they get?