“Awesome!” Chelsea beamed. She looked back at the assembled campers, sweeping her eyes over the crowd. “I’ve got two. I only need one more—one brave volunteer. Who’s with me?” Sarah felt a little chill as Chelsea’s eyes met hers. It seemed like such a bad idea . . . and yet . . .
Sarah turned to her left, where Abby was sitting with Gaby. Gaby was anxiously searching the crowd, looking just as tense as Chelsea. She kept giving meaningful glances to Abby, but Abby looked torn. She kept looking at Chelsea, then looking around at everyone else’s reaction. She would do it, Sarah realized. But she’s scared. She wants to, but she’s afraid of getting in trouble.
Sarah didn’t even feel her arm go up in the air. She was barely aware of announcing to the crowd, “I’ll do it, too.” But as soon as the words were out of her mouth, people were turning to her in surprise, and Chelsea was getting up with a huge smile and running over to her.
“Awesome!” Chelsea cried. “You won’t regret this, Sarah, I promise. We’ll get David’s bunk so good, they won’t know what hit them!”
Right, Sarah thought. Kind of like I don’t know what hit me right now. Or what got into me. But then she felt Abby’s eyes on her and turned to face her. Abby looked surprised, but also something else—something much better. Yes, Sarah was sure of it: There was jealousy in her eyes. Abby wished that she had been the one to volunteer for the final space. And now she was too late.
For the first time that she could remember at camp this summer, Sarah felt totally satisfied.
chapter EIGHT
Dear Diane,
Thanks for your letter. I’m glad you had such an awesome time at Lake Winnipesaukee this year! I wish I’d been able to go with you, but camp’s finally looking up. Abby and I are in sports together, which is not going anything like I planned it. But what I’m really excited about is, we’re having a prank war with a boys’ bunk—there’s this kid, David, in sports with me and for some reason his bunk pranked us. They put bug juice in our showerheads a few days ago—so gross! But Chelsea’s got this awesome prank planned to get him back. I could tell Abby wanted to volunteer to help, but somehow I got my hand up first…
“Hey.” Grace was smiling down at Sarah when she looked up from her letter. “Ready to swim?”
“Ready.” Sarah smiled. It was the end of siesta, but she’d actually just returned to the cabin a few minutes before. She’d been busy with Chelsea and Gaby, carrying out Stage One of the Big Prank.
Sarah put aside her letter and got up from her bunk. It was a beautiful day, warmer than usual, with a nice breeze off the lake. All of her bunkmates got into their bathing suits and collected in front of the cabin, then started the short walk to the lake together. As soon as they’d gotten away from the cabin, the bunkmates converged on Gaby and Sarah.
“So . . . how’d it go?” Brynn whispered.
“Yeah,” Candace said. “How’d it go?”
“It went fine,” Gaby replied. “Keep your voices down.”
“Did anyone see you?” asked Tiernan. “Did anyone ask you what was in the bags?”
“No,” whispered Gaby.
“It was simple, really,” Sarah added. “Just moving things from one place to the other.”
“I know,” Abby put in, staring straight ahead. “Seriously, guys, it’s not like it was a big deal.”
As they reached the lake, Sarah couldn’t help smiling. She’s so jealous, she thought with satisfaction. I’m so glad I volunteered for this prank. Finally, something I have over Abby!
“It was a big deal!” Grace broke in. “If they got caught, they’d be in big trouble.”
Abby rolled her eyes, looking away from the group, out at the lake. “Anybody want to race me to the dock?”
“I know,” Candace agreed, ignoring Abby. “You guys are brave to do this. It’s so cool that you pulled the first part off.”
Gaby grinned. “I know,” she agreed. “And I hate to admit it, but Chelsea really did come up with a great prank. If you think it’s cool now, just wait till we pull the rest of it off.”
Abby made a face like she’d smelled something awful. “Aren’t we here to swim, not talk about the prank?”
“I could never do it,” Valerie whispered, not paying any attention to Abby. “Honestly, I don’t know how you guys did it without freaking out. You must have nerves of steel.”
Suddenly, Abby turned from the lake and faced Sarah, looking royally annoyed. “You know,” she said, “it’s funny about that. I’m really surprised you volunteered for this, Sars. At school you’re not exactly a risk-taker.”
Sarah was stunned. This is it, she thought. She’s going to tell them all that I’m some kind of lame-o at school. My cover will be blown. “Well—uh—” she stammered. “I love a great prank. I mean, I’ve always loved a great prank.”
“What do you mean, she’s not a risk-taker at school?” Gaby asked, smiling a little at the new gossip. “What’s Sarah like at school? Tell us. I’m curious.”
Abby smiled, looking pleased to be the center of attention. “Well,” she said. “It’s nothing bad. She’s just . . . different.”
“Different how?” Alex asked, looking skeptical.
Abby shrugged. “Quieter. Smart. All the teachers love her.”
Gaby’s smile grew and became meaner. “You mean she’s a nerd?”
Sarah’s heart sank. It was the meanest thing anyone could possibly say about her, and there it was, out there. The word she hated more than any other.
Abby suddenly looked uncomfortable. She looked out at the lake again. “I didn’t say that,” she said quickly. “Just . . . quiet and smart. She kind of keeps to herself.” She glanced at Sarah and seemed to get more annoyed. “Like, she doesn’t spend all her time flirting at home.”
Sarah’s mouth dropped open at that one.
“Flirting?” Alex asked with a laugh. “Sarah? What are you talking about?”
“Yeah,” Brynn agreed with a chuckle. “If there’s one thing we know about Sarah, it’s that she’s not ‘into’ boys.”
Abby frowned at Sarah, like she thought Sarah was holding back information or something. “All I know is what I see,” she replied. “And in sports, Sarah, you spend all your time flirting with that David kid.”
Sarah let out a short bark of laughter. “David?!” she cried. “Flirting? You think I’m flirting with David?”
Abby shrugged. “What would you call it?” she asked. “All I know is, every time I look at the outfield, you two are out there laughing it up and doing cartwheels or whatever.”
“No, no no no no no,” Sarah insisted. “David does cartwheels and whatever. He does something ridiculous, and I look it him like, you’re ridiculous, and then the ball comes at me and I miss it. Is that flirting?”
Abby threw her hands up, looking really annoyed now. “Call it whatever you want, Sars. It looks like flirting to me. It’s sure not catching the ball, and that’s all I care about.” Abby stomped off to the lake, leaving the group. Everyone watched as she waded into the lake and started swimming out to the area for advanced swimmers. Then the bunkmates turned to Sarah in stunned silence.
“Sarah and David, sittin’ in a tree . . .” Gaby cooed.
Sarah rolled her eyes. “That’s so far from the truth, it’s actually funny.”
“So there’s no truth to it?” Alex asked curiously. “Really? You don’t like him at all?”
“I like him as a friend,” Sarah said. “A little. I guess. But Abby’s way off.”
Brynn shrugged, dropping her towel on the ground. “Well, one thing’s clear,” she told Sarah with a mischievous grin. “Somebody better start concentrating on the ball.” All of Sarah’s bunkmates laughed as Brynn ran over to the dock and dove into the water.
Sitting on the bench in sports the next morning, Sarah couldn’t help giggling whenever she thought of what Abby had said. Imagine, she and David, having some kind of stupid romance out in the outfield! If David ever tried to kiss m
e, Sarah thought, I’d punch him. Twice. She couldn’t believe Abby had really thought that was what was going on out there.
“Sarah!” Abby suddenly appeared in front of her. “You’re next up at bat. Get ready! Look alive.” Abby ran back behind home plate to watch Jimmy bat, and Sarah shook her head and got to her feet. She’d actually been doing okay lately. Not awful, and not great. Just okay. She’d caught a couple balls in left field, and hit the ball more often than she struck out. It gave her back a little of her confidence. For the moment, at least, Abby had nothing to complain about.
The Tigers were playing the Bears again. Both teams were doing pretty well in the tournament—right now, they were the top two. Jimmy hit a double and ran to second base. Sarah picked up the bat he had thrown down and swung it a few times, feeling its weight in her arms.
When she was ready, she walked up and stood over home plate. She caught Jenna’s eye at third base, and Jenna just waved and smiled. Sarah smiled back, thinking of what Abby had said again. She couldn’t help laughing a little. The ball came toward her, but it was too high to swing at. “Ball one,” announced Kimberly.
The pitcher warmed up a little, then wound up and threw a knuckleball. Sarah watched it curve easily through the air and toward her bat. Without even thinking about it, she swung, and heard the sharp crack of the ball ricocheting off her bat. It soared into the air, past second base, past the center fielder—and over the fence!
“Home run!” yelled Kimberly. “Great job, Sarah! That’s three points for your team! It puts you in the lead, 5-3!”
Sarah just stood there in openmouthed shock. Kimberly had to yell to her: “Run, Sarah! You have to run the bases!”
“Oh!” Sarah cried, coming out of her stupor and jerking toward first base. “Right!”
Jenna was laughing as Sarah approached third, and clapped her on the back. “Awesome job, Sarah! That’s the girl I know!”
When Sarah ran back to home, all of her teammates had gotten off the bench and ran forward to hug her or slap her five. “Great job!” Lily said.
“I knew you could do it,” added Kelly.
David ran forward with a huge smile. “I guess you are a Curt Schilling!” he said.
Sarah started laughing. “Well, sometimes I am.”
David nodded. “Great job, buddy.” He leaned in and, before Sarah could think anything about it, gave her a hug. It felt so natural, Sarah hugged him back warmly. But then she remembered what Abby had said. Uh-oh, Sarah thought. What is he doing? Does everyone think we’re flirting?
Just then, another pair of arms were thrown around her from behind, and Sarah turned around to see Jenna’s smiling face. “I ran in from third base just for a second,” she said. “I just wanted to hug you, too.”
David heard that and, laughing, threw an arm around Jenna. He, Sarah, and Jenna all cracked up in their three-person hug until finally David let go.
Sarah couldn’t stop beaming. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt this totally happy. Then all of a sudden, she realized: Where was Abby? She turned around and around to look for her, but it was a minute or so before she located her: sitting on the grass off to the side, totally on her own. Everyone else on the team was still cheering for Sarah. But Abby, the person who should be most excited, wasn’t—she was scowling at her.
chapter NINE
Sarah lay in her bunk, staring at the springs above her. But this time, she wasn’t worrying herself awake—she was waiting. Tonight was the night: the prank to end all pranks. And Sarah was going to be part of it.
She kept checking her watch until a full hour had gone by after lights-out. Then she lay very still and listened. Everyone else seemed to be asleep. Sarah sat up and nodded at Gaby, then they slipped silently out of their bunks—something Sarah was getting very good at—and tiptoed over to the door in their black T-shirts and sweatpants. Sarah had wanted to wear her Red Sox hat for luck, but Chelsea had explained that that would only make it easier to identify her if they were spotted.
Chelsea was waiting by the oak tree outside 4A’s cabin. Sarah’s whole body seemed to be tingling with excitement. Or was that fear? She really did think this was a great prank, but if they got caught, it would be big trouble for all of them. Definitely calls to their parents—and maybe, depending on how the camp director was feeling, a session with no activities.
“Ready?” Chelsea whispered when Sarah and Gaby approached.
“Ready,” Sarah replied.
“Ready,” Gaby echoed.
Silently, they began the hike to 4E’s cabin.
A week before, Chelsea had overheard two counselors talking. One was saying that 4E’s counselor, Kenny, had tonight off and was planning to go into town. The other counselor had thought it was funny because whenever Kenny was gone, the CIT, a friend of hers, slipped off by the lake to meet his girlfriend, who was also a CIT. The counselors had just been joking about it, but to Chelsea, it meant only one thing: 4E was unguarded tonight. At least, it was unguarded until midnight or so, when the CIT usually slipped back in. That meant opportunity. Bunk 4E was a cabin just waiting to be pranked.
The girls didn’t speak at all, or use flashlights, because they were afraid of being spotted. That made the hike very quiet and longer than usual. Sarah had plenty of time to psych herself up. I bet Abby wishes she could be here, she thought. I bet she’s never been so jealous in her entire life.
Finally the cabin came into sight. Chelsea held up her hand and they all stopped while she handed them something to put on: black masquerade masks. Something her parents had sent when Chelsea told them the social committee was considering a masquerade theme for the camp social. Also very handy for those who don’t want to be recognized.
Once the masks were on, Chelsea led the way to the cluster of trees where they’d hidden the garbage bags. Very carefully, they pulled out one of them. With the bag at their feet, they paused and looked at one another.
“Ready?” Chelsea whispered.
“Ready,” Sarah affirmed.
“Ready,” Gaby whispered.
Chelsea clutched the handle of the bag. “One . . . two . . . three . . . GO!”
They ran to the door of 4E’s cabin, and Chelsea threw it open with a loud bang. As the boys began rousing from their beds and muttering “What the . . .” Chelsea, Sarah, and Gaby each reached into the garbage bags and pulled out several balloons. Before the boys could react, they began throwing, and soon the air was filled with shrieks and yells and the satisfying sploosh of a water balloon hitting its target.
“Aaaaaahhh!” Sarah heard Jenna’s brother Adam yell. “It’s gotta be my sister’s little friends! They’re getting revenge for the bug juice!”
“No mercy!” Chelsea screamed. She grabbed three balloons and flung them, one by one, at Adam’s head.
Sarah threw balloons at every moving target. She saw David rouse from his top bunk and immediately hunker back down under his sleeping bag. Soon the whole bunk was soaked, and half of the boys looked like drowned rats in their dripping-wet pajamas. The shouts continued—“Augh!” “Stop!” “Not at the beds!”—but so did the attack.
After what seemed like hours, but was probably only a few seconds, Chelsea fished the last balloon out of the garbage bag. “Justice!” she yelled, aiming it at David’s head. It exploded all over his sleeping bag, and he groaned. “That’ll teach you to mess with girls from the fourth division!” Then, just as quickly as they had come, they grabbed the garbage bags and darted off into the night. They ran over to the trees where they had stashed the garbage bags and waited.
All three girls were struggling to stifle their giggles.
“That was awesome!” Chelsea whispered.
Gaby shook her head in delight. “It couldn’t have gone better,” she whispered back.
Sarah was beaming, still on a high from the amazingly successful first wave. “It was perfect,” she whispered. “Maybe . . . too perfect.” She could hear the boys talking loudly in the cabin
, complaining and wondering who exactly had planned the prank. “What if we just left now?” she whispered.
The voices in the boys’ cabin were getting louder, and they sounded pretty angry.
Chelsea looked at Sarah like she’d suggested maybe ice cream was too bad for you to eat and TV would give you cancer. “Are you crazy?” she hissed. “Sarah, that’s the whole beauty of this prank. The second wave. See”—here she started giggling hysterically—“they think it’s over, but it’s not! Because we go back!”
As she always did at this point in the explanation, Chelsea doubled over, giggling, and Sarah and Gaby had to wait for her to recover. “We go back!” Chelsea whispered, throwing herself into another fit of giggles.
“I get it,” Sarah whispered. “And it’s great. It’s a great prank. But maybe . . . just because the first wave went so incredibly well . . . we should quit while we’re ahead?”
“No quitting!” Chelsea hissed. “It’s only the perfect prank as planned. And don’t we need the perfect prank here? Don’t we? Gaby?” She looked at her friend for help.
“I’m with Chelsea,” Gaby agreed. Sarah expected that, because Gaby had been weirdly gung-ho about the whole prank thing lately. The voices from the boys’ cabin were calming down. Chelsea reached in and pulled out one garbage bag, then another. Silently, she pushed one bag at Gaby, then grabbed the handle of the other one.
“Good thing Tiernan had a birthday last week,” Sarah whispered. “Her parents had no trouble sending all these balloons.”
“Stop stalling,” Chelsea whispered. “Ready, ladies?”
“Ready,” said Gaby quickly.
Sarah waited for a minute, looking around the peaceful woods and taking a deep breath. “Ready,” she said finally.
Chelsea nodded. “One . . . two . . . three . . . GO!”
They dashed over to the cabin door, albeit a little slower than last time, since they were dragging an extra bag of water balloons. Chelsea grabbed the door handle. With a mighty bellow, she flung it open—
Camp Confidential 08 - Wish You Weren't Here Page 8
