Author's Rant: So this is pretty much the first story I have ever published at all, so please remember that when you are reviewing. You don't want to say something mean that will forever ruin my self-confidence and force me to give up writing and work at the supermarket, except it had to close down because of construction of a strip mall, and then I have nowhere to live because I can't pay my bills! Because that can happen. So my point is, please review. I can handle constructive criticism, but if you are going to be downright nasty, don't bother.
Also, I didn't add the whole Haley/Lucas in the hospital thing because it won't work with the story. So if you can please forget that, it would be appreciated. Thank you for your time!
"Alright, listen up!" Coach Durham barked to the noisy teenagers as he mounted onto the crowded yellow school bus. "We may have won the state championship, but remember, this camping trip is a privilege for you all, not a right. So any misbehavior or general disregard to the rules I've given you earlier, and we come straight back to Tree Hill High School. Do we have a deal?"
There were murmurs of assent, followed by noisy chatter and laughs. Coach Durham looked around, and took out his whistle.
"I said do we have a deal?" he asked once more while the students, and even the annoyed bus driver, protected their ears from the shrill cry of the medal whistle. The students practically shouted their assent, and the satisfied basketball coach took a seat.
The varsity basketball team and the cheerleaders had won a two-day 'educational' trip to the Croatan National Forest of North Carolina by a very proud principal. The supposed purpose of the trip was to relax on scenic hikes and learn firsthand about wilderness, but everyone knew that this trip was really about drunken teenagers having a forest rave. And they had earned it.
After the duffel bags and suitcases had been stored into the school bus, the driver hopped back in, positioned himself on his seat, and said his ritual prayer of safety and security for this long drive. As the engine revved up, so did the teenagers. Some of them waved goodbye to their smiling parents, some of them mocked their jealous schoolmates walking on the sidewalk as they drove past the seemingly quaint, charming Southern town of Tree Hill, some of them got up to switch seats, but in all of their hearts, it was a sentimental moment. The last school field trip of senior year, to be remembered as a joyous trip with the people that surrounded their daily lives, whether they were friends, enemies, or simply strangers.
Peyton Sawyer ran a sweaty palm through her curly blonde hair, careful not to drop the speakers of the iPod that she and her boyfriend, Lucas Scott, were sharing. She turned to stare at him. His eyes were closed. Sighing, she realized that she'd wanted this for a long time; to be with him, show affection to each other, in public, without worrying about what other people saw or thought, especially Brooke Davis.
Peyton turned her head around to see what Brooke was doing. She was talking animatedly with her new best friend, Rachel Gatina. How quickly Brooke had been able to replace her. Of course, her and Brooke had now resolved their arguments, but Peyton couldn't help being jealous of the seductive redhead. She wanted Brooke to tell her all about what happened to that kid in third period. Peyton wanted to be the one Brooke confided in when she had a secret she couldn't keep. But Peyton knew she could never have that again. Brooke was a luxury, a pleasure to have around, but make a mistake and she'd be gone forever.
But Peyton knew she deserved what she got. She knew she was selfish, greedy, wanting only what she couldn't have. She had Lucas now, but she craved Brooke Davis. Brooke was gracious enough to even acknowledge Peyton, let alone talk to her. Even if it was meaningless small talk.
A tap on her shoulder shook her from her thoughts. The music was pulled out of her ears. And she liked that song. She looked at Lucas, who was listening to Coach Durham's monologue.
"...Anyways, there's been an accident at Croatan National Forest."
Noisy chatter took up the school bus once more.
"What kind of accident?" asked Haley Scott, a visibly pregnant young cheerleader.
"A foolish one."
"So the trip's off?" asked her husband, Nathan Scott, MVP of the Tree Hill Ravens, voicing everyone's main concern.
"Not quite yet," answered Coach Durham, to everyone's relief. "I've called in at Uwharrie National Forest, and they have available space for us. Unfortunately, that's about five hours away, and traffics blocked up right now, so we'll probably arrive there by two o'clock. That means you'll have missed the tour guided hike."
Obviously not caring, the students returned to their talking.
"So guess who has alcohol in her suitcase?" asked Rachel coyly.
"How did you not get it confiscated?" Brooke demanded, astonished at her friend's skills.
"Secret," Rachel replied, winking.
After about an hour, the ride became dull. Haley had to ask the bus driver to stop for a bathroom break five times. Peyton switched seats with Lucas and was now staring out of her window, listening to Sugarcult. Brooke was asleep on Rachel's shoulder, and Rachel was playing a sudoku chart. Even the bus driver had difficulty concentrating on the road that lay ahead of him. He had to slap himself to stay awake.
The bright yellow school bus came to a sudden halt in the woodsy parking lot. Many of the students fell forward and awoke with a start. Excitement rose among them, as they filed out of the bus.
"Finally, I can move my legs!" exclaimed Brooke happily. She jumped up and about, and proceeded to run around the bus until Coach Durham asked her to stop.
"Haley's having a baby! Yeah!" she cried.
"Yeah, Brooke, I think everyone is aware of that by now."
"Whatever you say, Tutor Girl." Brooke responded, sticking out her tongue.
Little did any of them know that someone in the bushes was listening to their conversations, gathering as much information as possible, getting ready to strike.
Author's Rant: Review, please!