"Just for that asshole, you can pay for your own damn trip."
"Okay, okay I take back the bitch part."
"Someone better explain because I am obviously not in on the big joke." Sarah huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.
Charlie finished her apple and stole Jules' drink again.
"I have a very large trust fund and I can afford all three trips."
"Trust fund? No way, you aren't touching that money, you need it for college."
Jules pretended to bang his head on the table.
"Oh my God. Can I just tell her already? Ppllleeasseee?"
"I don't care."
Jules was going to tell her whether she gave him permission or not. Charlie was actually surprised he hadn't already told her.
"She has millions. Her grandparents tried to buy her love so they paid her off with a ton of money. They thought money was better than a relationship and they still want nothing to do with her. But did I mention millions?"
Sarah's eyes started to water. "Oh God, Charlie, I am so sorry. That must really hurt that they did that to you. I can't imagine my life without my grandparents. What horrible people to think money can replace love and attention."
That was why Charlie loved Sarah. There was nothing for her to gain from them being friends. She liked Charlie for who she was and was more concerned with her not having a relationship with her grandparent's than the fact she was loaded.
"Out of all of that, that's what you heard?" He yelled at her. Her money always got Jules all worked up and she thought it was hilarious.
"I heard you, but what does her money have to do with me or my friendship? What do I care? It doesn't change anything."
"I guess it doesn't," Jules muttered.
"Sarah, he's just kidding, it's okay."
"I can't let you pay for mine. It doesn't feel right."
"I'm paying for all of our trips, there is no argument. You guys were both there for me and stood by me when you didn't have to. I will never be able to repay either of you for that and I am forever grateful. So let me do this please. I want to do this."
"Okay we accept," Jules blurted out before Sarah could decline.
All they needed to do was get their permission slips signed and in two weeks they'd be parent free and beach bound.
♥♥♥♥♥
Sam was called into the principals office and he suddenly felt like an adolescent in trouble. Mr.Thomas's door was open, so he knocked anyway.
"Come on in, Sam."
"You wanted to see me?" he asked, as he walked in and sat in one of the chairs in front of his desk. Why am I so nervous? He knew deep down why.
Mr. Thomas leaned forward on his desk. "I'm sure you've heard about the senior trip coming up at the end of the week."
"I've heard about it." Oh shit, he did not want to get dragged into that trip.
"Well we need six chaperone's."
Sam stayed silent and just stared at his boss. He didn't want to say anything that could be misinterpreted as him offering or volunteering.
"All of the positions were filled until I had one pull out this morning. Hotel and bus fare have already been paid for and I really need you to step up for this one."
He was going to try to rope him into it and Sam needed to find a way out of it. "Sir, with all due respect, I'd rather not go."
"Look, I am going to be frank with you. I let the little stunt go in the beginning of the semester when you let a student leave campus. I've been watching every move you make and I'm just dying to catch you slip up."
Sam swallowed hard, Tread lightly Sam, tread lightly.
"I'm calling you out on it now. You will do this for me or your performance review will not be pretty."
What a dick. He was going to blackmail him to get what he wanted.
"Fine."
"Good boy. I'm glad we had this talk. Here is the list of your students."
Sam took the paper from him and skimmed down it.
Jakk Henderson
Kyle Johnson
Michael Jones
Calvin Lucas
Grant Moore
Julian Montgomery
Kelli Allen
Lisa Noll
Raelene Colombo
Sarah Drake
Charlotte Evans
Holly Ike
Sam swallowed hard after he read the list.
"Is there a problem with these students?" Mr.Thomas asked, with a raised brow.
Is this some kind of sick joke? He was afraid he'd be found out and would lose everything. It wouldn't be so bad to lose it all if he still had her, but he didn't even have that going for him. He was baiting Sam, just waiting for him to screw up again so he could fire him.
"Uh, no...no problem."
"Good. You can go."
Sam stood and left his office. He needed to get the information on the trip and get a plan together. It was going to be the longest week of his life. He walked into the main office and was pretty sure he'd seen flier's in there.
"Can I help you with something, Mr. Greyson?" a student office assistant asked.
"Actually Holly, yeah you can. Do you know where those fliers went on the senior trip?"
"Are you going now?"
"Looks that way."
"Awesome, I think theres a packet for chaperone's. I'll be right back."
She disappeared around the corner and reappeared with the packet in hand. She gave it to him and smiled.
"There you go, anything else?"
"No, that's it. Thank you, Holly."
"You're welcome."
Sam walked back to his classroom. His planning period was almost over. He sat behind his desk and pulled out the paperwork.
Dear faculty;
Thank you for volunteering your time to chaperone the senior trip. Each of you have a list of twelve students. These students will be your sole responsibility for the week. Each chaperone will ride the bus with their group. Once at the resort, the students will sleep two to a room. Your room will be located in the same hallway as your group. Your group will need to stay together at all times. The times you eat each day will be up to you and your group. If there are any other concerns please see Susan Cento. She is the coordinator of this trip. Please report back to the school by 6 pm on Friday. The buses will be leaving at 7 p.m sharp.
Principal Thomas
What a way with words the asshole had. He loved how the word volunteer rang so untrue. Sam wondered if he'd threatened everyone else to go. Not only did he have to be in charge of her group, he had to ride the bus with her, room down the hall from her and eat every meal with her too.
Was the universe trying to torture him to death? It was cruel to dangle the one person he wanted to be with more than anyone on the planet, in front of him and tell him he couldn't have her. It'd be like baking a chocolate cake, icing it and licking the spatula in front of a diabetic kid and then telling him not to touch. It's not going to happen. Sam dropped his head into his hands in frustration, but he needed to get over it, the bell just rang and his next class was coming in.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Charlie pulled into the parking lot of the school and it looked like they were the last ones to get there.
Sarah and Jules piled out, grabbing their stuff from the bed of her truck as they hustled to the buses. Charlie trailed behind them as she dug around in her bag, looking for her phone.
Her head was still down when she ran into the back of Jules who was stopped dead in his tracks. "What the hell?" She looked up and her eyes locked with Sam's as he stood outside the only bus left with an open door. All she wanted to do was turn and run.
"Uh... Hey, what are you doing here?" Jules asked.
"I got suckered into being a chaperone."
"Oh. Do you know where Mrs. Walkers group in supposed to go?"
"This bus, but Mrs. Walker had to pull out. I'm her replacement."
"Oh shit," Jules said, wide eyed as he looked over his shoulder back at Charlie
.
"Yeah, I have to get on the bus. Toss your bags underneath." Sam turned and climbed up the stairs of the bus.
Charlie fought back the tears that burned her eyes.
"I can't do this. I'm just going to go home." She turned to go back to her truck.
Jules stepped in front of her. "No, Charlie. Don't do this. Please. This trip means a lot to us and we want to spend it with you."
"He's right. You already paid all that money. Let's make the best of it. You guys have tolerated each other a little better lately, maybe it won't be so bad," Sarah said, trying to force a smile.
"Guys, seeing him for an hour a day is hard enough. But being with him for a week, under his constant supervision, it's going to kill me. I... I just can't." She wiped her face.
Jules shook his head. "Fine, go home. I thought maybe you'd do this for me. It's not like we had a lot of time to spend together before you got sick. Do whatever you want Charlie." He pushed past her and disappeared on the bus.
Hot tears rolled down her cheeks. The last thing she wanted to do was alienate him.
Sarah pulled her into a hug. "He just misses you. I think you'll regret it if you don't go. But that's just my opinion." She got on the bus and left her standing there.
Charlie grabbed her bag, threw it as hard as she could in the belly of the bus and climbed the stairs. She wasn't about to let Jules down. As she scanned the seats, there was only one left open.
"It looks like there's nowhere else to sit, will it bother you if I sit here?" she asked, uncomfortable.
Sam looked up at her. "No, have a seat."
She sat down and immediately pulled out her phone.
I'll try to make the best of this for you Jules. I promise.
With him so close, her senses were on high alert. His cologne assaulted her nose and she wanted to reach out and touch him. She pulled a book out of her bag and stuck her headphones in her ears as a distraction.
She didn't pay attention to the name of the town they were headed to. Her phone vibrated in her lap. It was a text from Sam.
I'm sorry you got stuck with me. I had no intention of coming on this trip. I was forced to, just as I was assigned to your group. I don't want you to think I put you in this situation
She looked up at him. "I know."
He nodded but didn't say anything else. They held each others gaze for a moment before she looked away. She went back to her book and he stared out the window deep in thought. It was going to be more difficult than she thought. She needed to stay away from him but she didn't want to.
♥♥♥♥♥
They pulled into the resort a few hours later. Everyone unloaded off the bus into the parking lot. The bus driver helped everyone find their luggage as they made their way to their groups. Everyone in Sam's group stood around with all of their bags thrown into a pile in the middle of their haphazard circle.
"I'll go check us in if you guys want to head into the lobby. I'll hand out room keys so I guess pair up with whoever you want to bunk with." He paused and turned back around, "Let me specify, girls with girls, guys with guys."
Sam turned and headed for the front desk. It looked like he was the only one that had the idea of checking in his entire group. There were students, unprepared in line and the frazzled clerks looked like they were going to pull their hair out. He walked back over to his group who had made their way into the corner of the lobby.
"Okay guys, This isn't a seating chart, you aren't in second grade, so who is bunking with who?"
He watched as everyone seemed to pair off. They had rooms 101-107 and handed out the room keys. The boys were on one side of the hall, the girls on the other and he was at the end.
"Here are the keys, there are two for each room. Do not lose your key. The front desk has been instructed to not issue any more. No sleepovers of any kind. Boys stay in your rooms at night and keep it in your pants. Girls, same goes for you." They all laughed and he continued.
"We have to stick together this week, meals included. Curfew is 10pm you need to be in your rooms. It's late, why don't we call it a night for tonight and meet around eight or eight thirty for breakfast?"
"Sounds good to me, I'm exhausted," Grant said. Everyone else agreed and headed off to their rooms. Sam made sure everyone went into their rooms and the doors shut before he went into his own. He had a sliding glass door that lead right to the pool.
The room was a King suite with a full couch and a small kitchenette. The shower was a good size and he wasted no time getting in to get the bus funk off of him. He thought about Charlie while he was in there and prayed the week wouldn't be awkward between them.
♥♥♥♥♥
Charlie unpacked her bag while Sarah was in the shower. Their room was on the pool side, so she slid the sliding glass door open and walked over to the gate. The inside of the pool was lit and it made her almost giddy.
It was sheer perfection for a night swim and after being forced to sit next to Sam for the bus ride she needed to clear her head. The sign on the pool gate said it closed at ten every night but most pools said that. She pulled on the handle anyway and it was locked. Shit.
She needed to find a way to get in there and she didn't want to hop the gate. Maybe she could talk to the security guard. When they checked in, she'd noticed him sitting behind his desk. He looked like he was in his sixties and she hoped he would be understanding.
"Hey, what are you doing out here?" Sarah whispered.
Charlie whipped around with her heart pounding in her chest. Sarah stood in the doorway to their room.
"Holy hell, you scared the crap out of me."
"Oh, and you didn't scare me? I walk out of the bathroom in nothing but a towel and the sliding glass door is wide open. And you're nowhere in sight."
"Sorry, was just checking out the pool."
"Obviously."
"Then why the hell are you asking me what I'm doing?"
"I meant, why are you out here? We're supposed to stay in our rooms."
Charlie rolled her eyes and walked back into their room. Sarah closed the door behind her.
"I need to get a night swim in."
"Dude, you're going to get in trouble."
"I'm going to get in even more trouble if I don't clear my head and you know damn well that's the only way I'm able to do it."
"Clear your head about what? We're on vacation."
"You assholes made me sit next to Sam the whole way here. What do you think I need to clear my head about?"
"Oh...yeah sorry about that, there weren't any other seats open."
Charlie sat down on the edge of her bed while Sarah slid her pajamas on under her towel.
"Look, I'm going to go talk to the security guard and see if he'll let me in."
"Don't you think you should ask Sam? He'd understand."
"No, I'll be back."
Charlie stood and grabbed her room key off of the desk. She walked out of their room and down the hall toward the guards desk. She hoped she could get him to relate to her.
"Good evening," she said, to him as he looked up and smiled at her
"Well hello young lady, what can I do for you?"
"I have an unusual request for you?"
He looked intrigued with her.
"I'm listening."
"I was wondering if there is any way we can work out a deal?"
"I don't know if theres anything I can offer you, my dear. I won't get you into any boys rooms."
"Oh, there is something you can offer, and it has nothing to do with a boy."
"I'm still listening."
"I've had five heart surgeries. Are you familiar with the zipper club?"
"Five times huh? I thought I had that lottery won with two. How does an old man like me, help a young pup like you out with that?
She took a deep breath and continued. "Swimming helps me clear my head. Is there any way you'd allow me to swim in the evenings after the pool is closed, so I can be alone?"
H
e pointed his finger at her. "You know what, kiddo, I think we can make that work, with an exception."
"I'm listening," she said with a Cheshire grin.
"Well, the cafe makes these blueberry muffins. They close up shop before I get here every night. I usually have a girl that works the morning shift get them for me, but she is on vacation for the next week. Throw in a muffin every evening and we have a deal."
As he stood from his chair, he held his hand out to her. They shook on their deal and walked toward the pool.
"Do your friends know?" he asked.
"My two best friends do. I don't like anyone seeing my scars though."
"A pretty girl like you, you shouldn't worry about little scars."
"If mine were little I probably wouldn't, but they cover my chest every where. They're pretty gnarly looking."
He smiled at her as they finished their walk in silence. They stood in front of the pool gate while he pulled his keys out and unlocked it.
"Well young lady, since we are forever a part of the same club, I will meet you here every night at eleven and you have an hour to swim. Deal?"
She smiled at him.
"Deal."
She went to the sliding door of their room and slid it open. She was surprised Sarah hadn't locked it. She was laying in bed watching t.v.
"So whats the verdict?"
"I made buddies with the security guard. He unlocked the gate and gave me an hour of swim time every night."
"How'd you swing that?"
"I've got mad skills."
They both laughed as Charlie dug through her bag for her suit. She went into the bathroom to change and came out with a towel over her shoulder.
"Damn girl, are you trying to torture Sam to death?"
"Huh?"
"Uh, your suit is rockin' and so is your body. He's going to see you in that and want to die because he can't have you."
"Whatever, besides no one is going to see me in this. Night swims alone, remember."
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