by Rock, J. K.
I stretched out on the bunk and threw an arm across my damp eyes. We should be past fighting about boys or childhood arguments. And if they’d give Matt or the Divas a chance, they’d see we weren’t so different. Their fights were probably as ferocious as ours, outfits as carefully planned, and crushes just as painful.
Speaking of which…my eyes drifted across the room to Trinity’s diary. She’d left it on her cot and I was dying to know what she’d written about Seth. I knew she was hurting that she couldn’t be with him, even as it hurt me to see him with another girl. But I’d never break her trust in a million years.
But then I realized I was lying there, worried about my friends, worried about Seth, worried about Matt, worried about myself. Always about myself. But none of them deserved my self-absorption. It was all about me and it had to stop. Maybe some fresh air would help. I slid into my flip-flops, tugged down my striped tank to meet my jean cut-offs, and made for the door.
A flashlight blared on outside, illuminating a pale face.
“Ahhhhhh!” I stumbled back.
The flashlight clicked off and Brittany stepped inside wearing a periwinkle cotton sundress and white Keds.
“Relax,” she laughed. “It’s just me.”
I drew in a ragged breath. “You scared me.”
She smiled wide. “Did you think I was a vampire?” She sauntered to Trinity’s cot and fingered the wolf totem hanging from a peg in her bunk railing. “I’m all about werewolves now. I thought I’d stop by and check this out. I saw Trinity bring it to the volleyball game and wanted another look.”
I moved between her and the carving. “Trinity wouldn’t like you touching her stuff.”
Brittany’s eyes grew round. “She doesn’t like me?”
I swallowed the truth. “No. It’s, ummm, she doesn’t let anyone mess with her things.”
“Oh. I get it.” She let go of the totem and smiled at me. “And you look super cute, by the way. Matt’s going to go crazy when he sees you.”
My traitorous heart leapt at the possibility.
“I thought he was into Hannah now.” I tried not to sound as jealous as I felt.
“Hannah wishes. She’s totally crushing on him, but all he talks about is you.”
“All bad, I bet.”
Brittany tugged a few strands free of her ponytail, letting them fall along the sides of her face. “No. Totally the opposite. Hey. Do you have any hairspray?”
So Matt wasn’t trash-talking me, and he missed me. In a fog of happiness, I climbed the ladder to my bunk and rummaged for the hair product. Maybe I’d pump up the volume on my look too. I twisted the bottom of my hair into ringlets and sprayed. After separating a few to give myself the “didn’t-even-try” look, I climbed back down.
“Sorry about taking so long—oh!” I stopped on the last rung, surprising Brittany. She sprang from Trinity’s bunk, guilt written across her face with a capital G.
“Oops. Sorry! That wolf totem is irresistible.” She clasped her hands behind her like a kindergartener headed for time-out. She walked backwards to the door. “Don’t tell Trinity, okay?”
“Sure. Hey. Are you going to the bonfire?” I didn’t want to show up alone.
“I’ll meet you there. I’ve got to run to my cabin first.” The door swung shut behind her, the velvet darkness swallowing her whole.
I grabbed my flashlight and stopped cold. Trinity’s wolf totem hung from the bed rail, but her diary was gone.
“Brittany!” I rushed outside, flashlight bouncing off shrubs and trees. Where was she? Her cabin was dark. She must have taken the diary. Why?
Whatever the answer, there was only one solution. If I didn’t get it back, my stormy friendships would hit Category 5 status. After missing the volleyball, I’d top their suspect list for the missing journal and any secrets it revealed.
* * *
A strong hand snaked out from a behind a pine tree, stopping my headlong rush.
“Ahhh!” My flashlight hit the ground and spun like a disco light.
“Lauren. It’s me.” Matt stepped out of the shadows, the moonlight glancing off his cheekbones. “Can we talk?”
“No time.” I grabbed my flashlight and straightened. “I’m really sorry, but this is super important.”
Pain flashed across Matt’s face, shadows pooling under his eyes. “More important than me?”
Crap. I didn’t want to make him feel worse. But Trinity’s missing diary was a ticking time bomb. I didn’t have a minute to waste.
“What’s up?” I adopted a casual tone. Maybe if I kept it light, Matt would too.
I sidestepped Matt’s touch and stuffed my hands in my pockets. It was hard to ignore the heady scent of his cologne—a subtle blend of musk and spice that drew me like the moth fluttering around my flashlight. Memories of us twined around each other in the dugout still made me blush.
“Do you miss me?”
I swallowed. “Sometimes.” It was as close to the truth as I dared admit.
Matt hugged me. I let myself enjoy the smell and feel of him for a sec before I pushed against his chest. “Matt. Let go.”
“I can’t,” he said, then released me anyway.
“This is hard on both of us. But it’s necessary. Trust me.”
Matt exhaled. “I’m trying, Laur. But everywhere I look you’re there.”
I opened my mouth, but Matt held up a hand. “I know I could have left camp for football, but I’m starting to figure out what I want for my future. The only problem is that every version includes you.”
My heart squeezed. Ohmigod. That was beautiful. But it also made me more certain about our breakup. Matt needed space as much as I did, he just didn’t realize it.
I touched his tensed arm, my fingertips lingering on his strong bicep before I forced myself to say, “If we’re meant to be, then it will work out. Just give it time.”
“How much time?”
“I don’t know, Matt.”
Raucous laughter erupted from the bonfire. Could it have to do with Trinity’s diary? My panicked gaze flew down the dark path, then back to Matt.
“Just don’t make me wait too long,” he said and started toward the bonfire.
I jogged after him, unable to keep up with his long strides. “What does that mean?” I called to his disappearing back. Heaviness settled in my lungs, making it hard to breathe.
When I reached the smoky clearing, Matt was already beside Hannah. Was she the reason he didn’t want to wait?
But my jealous heart seized when I spied what she held. Clutched in her red-tipped fingers was an all too familiar book.
Chapter Fifteen
“Hannah.” I sprinted over. “That’s Trinity’s. Give it.” I glanced at my Munchies’ Manor friends who were engrossed in their own conversation. Thankfully, they hadn’t noticed the diary drama. But how long could I keep them in the dark? I’d have to work fast.
Hannah tilted her head. “Trinity’s? How do I know for sure without checking?” Her mouth twisted into to a smirk. “A journal in the wrong hands could be very damaging.”
I lunged, but she tossed it to Eli. He caught it and did a touchdown dance beside the fire.
“Don’t worry.” Hannah widened her eyes, all innocence. “Eli will get to the bottom of it.”
“You’re the one who should be worried.” I stomped toward Eli, already concocting ways to take my revenge on Hannah and Brittany. My friends had been right. These girls didn’t deserve a second chance.
“Temper. Temper.” Hannah said behind me. “You’re so lucky to be rid of her, Matt.”
Matt murmured something I couldn’t make out, then Gollum’s whistle blew. Silence descended on the chattering group.
The wind picked up the three strands of his comb-over, his expression serious. I shivered, reminded of our canoe trip panic attack. What was wrong now?
Alex turned and caught my eye. She glanced from me to Eli, shaking her head at our proximity. I knew what she was thi
nking. Once again, I’d wound up on the wrong side during an emergency.
“Madison Bechard has run away,” Gollum announced abruptly. “She left a note sometime after dinner and hasn’t been seen since.” He cast a disparaging eye at the Divas’ counselor Victoria, who at least had the good sense to look remorseful.
“Counselors, meet me in the parking lot for a search,” Gollum continued. “She couldn’t have gone far on foot.”
The breeze died down and his hair strands fell beside his left ear. Despite the humid air, I trembled. Who exactly had Madison been meeting at the hermit’s hut? The camp rumor was that she was seeing an older guy. Had she run off with him? Was she safe?
Nervous, I raised my hand. “Mr. Woodrow. I saw Madison sneaking off toward the hermit’s hut a few weeks ago.”
Hannah and her gang shot me a venomous look. I hated to tattle, but Madison could be in danger.
Gollum snorted. “Don’t you think that’s the first place we looked?” Horrified looks crisscrossed the clearing. How long had the counselors known about our hideout?
“Anything else?” Gollum reached for his whistle.
I raised my hand again. Most of the Divas’ Den girls put their hands on their hips and glared. Only Kayla looked as worried as I felt.
“She was seeing an older guy,” I offered. “Someone who doesn’t go to this camp.”
Gollum stepped close, a twig snapping underfoot like a gunshot.
“Name?”
I shook my head. “That’s all I got, sorry.”
Gollum grabbed his whistle and blasted it.
“All right people, this may now be a kidnapping. Counselors, assemble in the parking lot while I call the police. Victoria, you’re in charge.”
Victoria gave a nod, although she looked way too distracted to oversee anything. She paced around the bonfire, in her own world.
Gollum jogged away as Bam-Bam pulled a pair of goggles from his camouflage vest.
“Those have night vision,” Emily announced. “If anyone can capture a runaway, it’ll be Bam-Bam. He can see anything in those.”
Hannah smirked. “Anything? Like what, Emily?”
“Well, there was this one time when we were—” Emily prattled before Bam-Bam cleared his throat. Red crept up Emily’s neck. “Well, no time to waste with stories.” She pulled Bam-Bam into the woods.
Rob shook off another female counselor’s clutches and stomped behind them. The rest of the adults followed, leaving us with no one but Victoria, who’d already wandered twenty yards away in her pacing. I saw a light flash near her ear and got the impression she was on a contraband cell phone.
“Sweet. Freedom!” Eli punched Trinity’s journal skyward. I rushed him, but he danced out of reach.
“What’s the problem, Lauren?” Hannah sang. “Fair’s fair. You blabbed Madison’s secrets, so now we’ll spill Trinity’s.”
A quick glance to my Munchies’ Manor friends showed they’d finally caught the exchange. They gaped while Trinity sent me a death glare.
I looked at Matt for help. He shifted on his feet, his inaction reminding me of how he’d stayed out of Crash’s science-project demolition. He lifted an eyebrow, as if waiting for me to fix this mess.
“Give it back, Eli,” Seth’s deep voice sounded to my right. My chest loosened. Finally, someone was stepping up to help me. But when I glanced over, Trinity clung to his arm. Was he aiding her or me?
A couple of Warriors stepped up and blocked Seth. The moment grew tense as both sides of the campfire eyed each other in a scene straight out of West Side Story.
“You’re dead meat, Eli!” Piper shouted. The worst insult from a vegan.
“That’s not yours,” Siobhan growled, her tiny frame advancing on Eli.
“July 25th,” Eli read aloud in a falsetto voice, Trinity’s diary open. “Seth is sooooo hot. I know we’d make the perfect couple if only Lauren would leave him alone. She brought a boyfriend to camp but still wants Seth. Every time we’re together I want to kiss him.”
Eli made kissing noises, sending the younger campers into a giggle fit. Alex, Piper and Siobhan rushed to Trinity and held her as she cried. Matt glared, no doubt furious with the reference to Seth and me.
Jackie strolled toward the biggest Warrior guarding Eli. My breath caught. The boys might be taken in by Jackie’s looks, but her body looked coiled and ready to spring. Oh, it was on now.
Jackie’s white teeth appeared in a come-hither grin.
“What’s up, Momma?” Eli raised his eyebrows and hitched up his slipping shorts. Neither boy saw the flash of Jackie’s fist as she clocked the biggest boy, toppling him like a bowling pin.
Victoria circled us again, definitely holding one hand over a cell phone while she shouted over a vague order for us to “settle down” before returning to her call. No wonder Madison had gotten away with so much.
With everyone preoccupied, I seized my chance. Eli had a big personality, but his small body was no match for a highly conditioned cheerleader on a mission. A high kick sent the diary spinning out his hands and into the fire. In seconds, Trinity’s incriminating words vanished into the flames. If only I could make the fall-out disappear as easily.
I rushed to Trinity. “I’m so sorry. You guys were right. They’re all jerks.”
Trinity’s eyes were red and blurry. I reached out a hand but Siobhan stopped me. “Trinity doesn’t want you right now.”
“I’m her friend,” I said, confused. “I got rid of her journal.”
“But who let them have it in the first place? Friends don’t give diaries to the enemy.” Trinity nodded over at Hannah and Eli’s bunch, who were still laughing and making kissing noises.
My mouth dropped. “I didn’t give it to them.”
“Right.” Jackie shook her head in disgust. “And you weren’t responsible the last time you screwed us over either, were you? We’ve heard enough excuses,” Jackie fumed as Seth joined us. Trinity stumbled into Seth’s arms and sobbed. His eyes were as stormy as the rest. I don’t know what hurt more, seeing his arms around her or the anger in his face.
He—of all people—didn’t believe me?
I stepped back and bumped into Kayla. She twined her hand in mine, an unexpected ally when everyone else seemed to hate me.
Strengthened by her support, I said, “If you believe I’d do something that low, then you don’t know me.”
“And you know who you are?” Piper cocked her head and studied me. “We loved you, Lauren. The old you. This new one, we don’t even want to know.”
I looked around, shocked to see them all nodding. Seth remained stony-faced. My cheeks were damp and my nose stung like I’d leapt from our pool’s high dive and hit bottom.
“Lauren, you can stay at our cabin. Madison’s bunk was above mine.” Kayla put in. “Even if they catch her, Gollum’s never letting her back at camp.”
I glanced from the girls at Divas’ Den to Munchies’ Manor and shook my head. I might not know who I was, but I definitely knew who I was not. I wouldn’t take up residence with people who stole diaries.
“Go, Lauren.” Trinity’s voice was muffled by Seth’s damp shoulder. “You’re more like them now.”
A part of me curled up black and crisp at their collective nod. They were kicking me out.
Kayla tugged me away. I walked backwards, hoping someone would call out, stop me from leaving. But they turned away, closing ranks.
Numb, I followed Kayla up the path to my cabin. I sank to the wood floor and pointed when she asked me which stuff was mine. Drained, I watched her pack my gear, unable to process that this was really happening. I’d been friends with these girls for years and now they didn’t want anything to do with me.
“Hannah’s going to be jealous when she sees this.” Kayla pointed at my Gucci bag, her side ponytail swinging in the same direction.
I shrugged, her words barely penetrating the fog of hurt that swirled around me. How had things gotten this bad? Was I about to b
ecome a Divas’ Den girl? It was exactly the kind of mean, popular girl type I’d wanted to leave behind in Texas.
Except for Kayla. And hey, one friend was more than I had in the Munchies’ Manor cabin at the moment. My hand trailed over Alex’s bunk, my heart in my throat.
Kayla folded my tank tops in threes and matched the seams of my shorts before laying them in the suitcase. Outside, campers returning from the bonfire shouted things like, “Seth my love,” and “Kiss me.” Urgency had me kneeling beside Kayla, stuffing the rest of my things in the bag and zipping it up.
“You don’t want to take a look around?” Kayla held out my pillow. “Make sure you’re not leaving anything important?”
I shook my head, needing to get out of there before Trinity and the rest returned. I couldn’t face their accusations again. Or Seth comforting Trinity.
Kayla stopped my headlong rush out of the cabin with a hug.
“It’s going to be alright, Lauren. You’re moving on, that’s all.”
She was right, I thought, my suitcase wheels making grooves in the ground behind me. But was I moving in the right direction?
* * *
“What the hell was Kayla thinking?” Hannah’s voice poured from the screen windows as we approached Divas’ Den. Something snuffled in a bush beside me and I moved closer to Kayla. Bumps in the night woods could give you a lot more than chills.
“What’s the dif?” I heard Rachel say. “We’ve got an extra bunk.”
“Losers don’t sleep here,” Hannah’s voice sounded final.
I dropped my bag and stood on the path. No way was I entering that lion’s den. Kayla squeezed my arm, her lips straining upward in a failed attempt at a reassuring smile.
“She doesn’t dance like a loser. We could use her for our talent show routine,” I heard Brittany say. “With her fan kicks, we can’t lose. Besides,” she continued. “You owe me, Hannah. You promised the diary wouldn’t go public. Why did you do that?”
