Chapter 1
It was the first day of camp at summer bay music camp. I trudged up the dirt path towards my allocated cabin of cabin 9 with Trish. Mostly music students go to summer bay music camp but Trish was here as a camp coordinator seeing as she got fired from her last job at Gary's Gator Golf store three shops down from Sonic Boom. It was a good compromise because it meant we could still have fun and spend summer together. Cassidy was also from our school and often came to Summer bay camp for her singing, she was running behind us with her many pink suitcases trying to catch up. I pushed open the wooden door with a creak revealing our room fit with three beds, a desk with a computer and a unlit fireplace.
" Wow this place is so cool." Trish exclaimed dumping her bags down in one of the beds and squealing.
" Guys a little help." Cassidy was yelling from the door, her suitcase was stuck half way out and half way in the door. I came and gave it a tug sending me, Cassidy and the suitcase down to the ground. I lifted up my smaller bag and headed towards the bed near the window. It had a perfect view of the lake and I wanted to be able to look out and see it at night time as it glistened under the moonlight.
" I can't believe we're actually here! We have been looking forward to this all summer." I exclaimed.
" I know! I think this could be the one job I'll actually like."
" We should go and explore the area. I hear there is a welcome to camp bonfire tonight." Cassidy suggested.
I pushed open the door, stepping out into the warm summer heat.
" Hey, Dawson or should I say Dorkson!" I heard someone call from behind me. The only person I knew who did that was Austin Moon but that was not possible! He never ever came to Summer Bay Camp and of course he would turn up just to ruin it. He was a bully who picked on me, called me names and teased me. The only time I had ever been bullied in my whole life was when Cassey Harmon stole my animal crackers in 2nd grade. I wish all Austin did was steal my nutritious food snacks instead he was a real pain in the ass.
" What are you doing here Moon!" I said spinning on my heels so I could face the overly blonde jerk.
" Me and the guys are taking up resident in cabin 8! It looks like we're going to be neighbours this summer." he smirked. My face turned red with anger. The one time I can get away from this guy was during the holidays and here he was yet again ruining my life.
" Just stay out my way Austin! I mean it, I'm trying to have a good summer here and I can't possibly do that with you hanging around like a bad smell." I said. He mocked offence as he dragged his suitcase into cabin 8 before yelling.
" We all know that you just couldn't wait for me to turn up Dorkson! There is no one here, who are you pretending for."
I gritted my teeth and marched away with Trish and Cassidy hot on my trail. I turned into the main hall to look at camp activities.
" Yep, it says here there is a welcome to camp bonfire tonight at 6:30 to 8:00"
" Cool, it sounds like fun!" Trish exclaimed.
" Yeah well it also says the activity director who is hosting it is you."
" What?"
" Mhmmmm, she's right." Cassidy agreed looking at the pin up board.
" Great, my first day here and I already have to start working."
" Well what exactly were you expecting." I said with an eye roll.
" Your just still in a bad mood from your encounter with Austin."
" He is staying in the cabin right next to us, I mean how am I going to avoid him now."
" Don't worry just don't let him get to you. Take the high road." Cassidy said.
" Easier said then done." I grumbled.
" Anyways I am going to go and say hello to the girls in cabin 3. Anyone want to come?" she asked.
" No, I think I'll stay and get unpacked." I replied
" Yeah and I have to sort out this situation with tonight's bonfire."
" Okay, suit yourselves. I'll be back in a few." she said before running off. I turned around and began walking back towards our cabin. I pushed open the door with yet another creak and began sorting through my clothes. There was nothing much to do once I has finished because neither Trish nor Cassidy were back yet so I grabbed my small brown song book from its place under my pillow. The lake would be a good place for song writing. I stepped outside instantly smashing into Austin who was passing by the door. My songbook tumbled to the ground.
" Watch it Dorkson!" he exclaimed. I hurriedly leaned down to pick up my book but he reached it first.
" Don't you dare open it." I snapped poking my finger at his chest. He held it out of reach flicking through a few pages.
" You have stage fright?"
" Stop it!" I yelled avoiding answering the question.
" A simple please would do you wonders." he chided.
" I'm not going to say please to the person who stole it."
" I merely picked it up for you Dorkson."
" Just give it back, it's not funny."
" Not until you say please."
" Please!"
" Fine." he dropped the book to the floor grinding it into the dirt. " Enjoy."
I dropped to my knees carefully scooping the book back up as if it were a frail child. This book meant everything to me and I could not afford to lose it.
" Hey, Ally!" Trish and Cassidy yelled as they ran up towards the cabin.
" Guess what?" Cassidy asked. I really was not in the mood for guessing games.
" What?"
" All of the girls from cabin 3 are headed down to the beach for free time and they invited us to come."
" Great." I said. I could not sound more unenthusiastic. The beach was filled with hot sand that just gets everywhere and I couldn't even go into the sea because I could not swim.
" Ally come on it will be fun."
" I know, I know I'll come." I said. It didn't take long for us to grab our beach items and head down towards Daytona beach. The sand was burning hot. I slipped on my sandals as we made our way down towards the other campers who had taken up residents near the rocky cliffs. Some guys had a barbecue going and others were playing volleyball in the sand. Most girls were sunbathing or swimming in the cool blue water. I set down my towel and lay down, leisurely stretching out. I looked up at the sky hoping to spot a few clouds but it was blue skies all around.
" I'm open!" I heard a guy scream from the volleyball court that had been set up and the next thing I knew the sun had disappeared as one of the volleyball players had fallen, kneeing me right in the nose. This was not my day at all. I sat up quickly, blood was pouring out of my nose and I made a lame attempt at stopping it. The guy sat down in front of me and carefully lifted my head upwards. I was ready to spew a mound of profanities at him until I met his warm brown eyes.
" I am so sorry, I wasn't looking were I was going."
" No, um it's okay." I stuttered trying not to burst into tears.
" Oh god what's Dorkson done now." Austin laughed coming up behind Dallas.
" Shut up Austin!" I snapped harshly.
" Do you have a tissue on you?" Dallas asked completely unaffected by the argument going on around him.
" Yeah, I think there is one in my bag." he carefully reached into the bag pulling a few stuff out including my brown book.
" Woah dude hands off the book, if you touch it she will go postal on you."
" I only go postal when dirt bags like you touch it Austin."
" Whatever." he rolled his eyes and walked off. Dallas carefully started dabbing at my nose with the tissue until the bleeding had stopped.
" Do you think you will be okay?"
" Yeah, I'll be fine. Thank you."
" It was the least I could do after pretty much causing it in the first place." he said giving me a small smile before heading back to the volleyball court. I quickly stood up grabbing my towel and bag, moving everything further away from the court. I wasn't going to take any chances. The next hour was spent reading Jane eyre whilst eating mounds of my favourite ice cream, fruity mint swirl. The sun was still burning brighter than ever and I longed to cool off in the cold waves but I was too scared.
" Ally, free times over we should probably get back to camp." Trish said.
" Yeah, the bonfire is starting soon." Cassidy added in.
" Okay." I pulled my things together before slipping on my flip flops. We headed up towards the path that lead to camp.
The bonfire was flaming at the centre of the outdoor stage. Everyone had gathered in the rows for the audience below. Trish was up on stage seeing as she was hosting the event and I was sitting next to Cassidy trying to avoid Austin and keep a low profile. Drinks were continuously being handed round, I grabbed a glass of orange juice before handing the tray to Cassidy. I had put on my favourite white dress specially for the event, it hugged my figure perfectly and was light and airy. Perfect for the summer heat. Several people had already sung or danced including Cassidy who was amazing as always.
" Excuse me." Austin said barging past people in the audience. He strode right up to me trying to slip past knocking over my orange juice. It spilled all over my dress causing it to turn a weird shade of orange and also revealing everything I was wearing beneath seeing as it was white.
" Nice look Ally!" he winked before striding off. I huffed as in examined my dress that was ruined.
" And now introducing Austin Moon." Trish said into her microphone. Whoops and hollers filled the air as he took to the stage. He spotted me sitting next to Cassidy down below. A strange look crossed his face for a split second as he stared at me but just as quickly it was gone and he smirked instead. I couldn't quite put my finger on it and so shrugged it off. He instantly looked away and began to address the whole crowd.
" This song is dedicated to the one and only Kira Star!" he yelled. Of course it would be, she was yet another girl that was obsessed with him and he didn't mind because her dad was rich and owned a record company and the camp. Could he get anymore predictable? I sighed as he began to sing.
I remember years ago
Someone told me I should take
Caution when it comes to love
I did, I did-
And you were strong and I was not
My illusion, my mistake
I was careless, I forgot
I did
And now when all is done
There is nothing to say
You have gone and so effortlessly
You have won
You can go ahead tell them
Tell them all I know now
Shout it from the roof tops
Write it on the sky line
All we had is gone now
Tell them I was happy
And my heart is broken
All my scars are open
Tell them what I hoped would be
Impossible, impossible
Impossible, impossible
Falling out of love is hard
Falling for betrayal is worst
Broken trust and broken hearts
I know, I know-
Thinking all you need is there
Building faith on love and words
Empty promises will wear
I know, I know-
And now when all is gone
There is nothing to say
And if you're done with embarrassing me
On your own you can go ahead tell them
Tell them all I know now
Shout it from the roof tops
Write it on the sky line
All we had is gone now
Tell them I was happy
And my heart is broken
All my scars are open
Tell them what I hoped would be
Impossible, impossible
Impossible, impossible
Impossible, impossible
Impossible, impossible!
Ooh impossible (yeah yeah)
I remember years ago
Someone told me I should take
Caution when it comes to love
I did
Tell them all I know now
Shout it from the roof tops
Write it on the sky line
All we had is gone now
Tell them I was happy
And my heart is broken
All my scars are open
Tell them what I hoped would be
Impossible, impossible
Impossible, impossible
Impossible, impossible
Impossible, impossible
I remember years ago
Someone told me I should take
Caution when it comes to love
I did... (1)
The song ended. It was actually really good but you wouldn't catch me admitting that to anyone.
" And now introducing a special performer! Ally Dawson." Austin shouted. Confusing Trish who did not have my name down on her list.
" What?" Trish began to argue but was cut off.
" Come on up here Ally!" Austin yelled. " Don't be shy." I wanted to cry, he knew I had stage fright and he had done this on purpose. A clawing sense of dread filled the pit of my stomach as people began to chant my name. This was a bad situation for me, especially with my panic attacks. Austin ran down into the audience grabbing my hand and pulling me up.
" Austin no! What are you doing?"
" Helping you perform." he laughed pushing me further forward. Count to 10 Ally, come on you can do this. My legs were shaking as I made my way to the stage. It was high above the crowd. Don't look down, don't look down I told myself over and over. I squeezed my eyes shut and opened my mouth but no sound would come out. I looked out towards the crowd panicking even more. The constricting feeling in my chest began indicating the beginning of an attack. I stumbled backwards knocking the microphone into the bonfire. Everyone burst out laughing as I tripped, falling off the side of the stage. I smacked my head hard against the ground. Feeling dizzy I looked up to see Austin in fits of laughter as he stood over me. Everyone was jeering. I knew I was going to be sick. I began to run, I didn't know where I was going but I just ran and ran and ran. I could hear Trish yelling at Austin, telling him I had panic attacks. I could hear Cassidy calling my name over the shouts and laughter. I didn't care. I found myself at the lake breathing hard, hot wet tears dripped down my face as I puked into one of the upturned canoes. Why was Austin such an ass? Why couldn't he just stay the hell away? The constricting feeling was back and I couldn't breathe. I gasped and gasped but no air was entering my lungs. Warm, strong arms wrapped around my waist.
" Ally come on count to ten and take deep breaths." Austin breathed against my ear as he held me. I tried to pull away from him but my arms and legs felt like lead. He slowly pulled the loose strands of hair off my sticky face and cradled me. " Count with me Ally come on, one." He said and I took in a deep breath. Slowly the tension was easing out of me but I still felt ill.
" Two." I took another breath as he spoke.
" Three." I inhaled again this time collapsing against his sturdy chest.
" It's okay Ally I'm here." he said rubbing my arms to stop me from shivering. My eyelids felt heavy as I lay against him. I rested my head against his shoulder as he held me.
" Four." he whispered. His sweet breath cascading over me and tickling my skin. I let the tears pour out, they slid down my soft cheeks and pooled on his shoulder.
" Don't cry, please Ally I'm sorry." he said wiping the tears away with his thumb but I couldn't help it. I just kept crying. " I shouldn't have done that to you. I didn't know you had panic attacks like me." he whispered again as I shook. He peeled off more hair from my sweaty brow carefully as I calmed down.
" Your an ass you know that?" I frowned as I lay against him.
" Yes I know. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to take it that far." he said holding me closer.
" You have attacks too?"
" I used to when I was a kid but I learnt to control them." My heart rate was beginning to slow down and I carefully pulled away.
" Where are you going?"
" Back to my cabin, I've had enough for one night." I said as he helped me up and towards the cabin. I pushed open the door to the room and entered the bathroom. I pulled on my pyjamas carefully peeling of my ruined dress. I brushed my teeth slowly trying to get the disgusting taste of vomit out of my mouth. I came out to find Austin Pulling down the sheets of my bed.
" Here." He said placing my blanket over the sheets. I was too tired to argue with him or decline his help so I climbed in. Slowly he pulled up the sheets around me. I turned on my side drifting off slowly. I was extremely tired and my body ached. The last thing I heard before I closed my eyes was Austin's voice.
" Night Alls" he whispered and then I was out like a light.
(1) James Arthur Impossible
Thanks for reading the first chapter. Please review it would mean a lot to me. Tell me if you like it and think its worth continuing because I wasn't sure. Anyways that's me done! Have a good weekend.