Prologue

It was the warm summer of 2008 when I would make my last journey to Band Camp. For the last three years, I had attended Pearl Hills annual Band Camp and each year I had many new friends and memories at the end of the summer. School at Northside High was finally out for the year and for me high school was over for good. Our band teacher Mr. Stevenson knew the people who owned the camp and they allowed graduating seniors to come back one final time. It was almost like one last look at all of the memories we had made. What I had cherished about band camp was not the camp itself but the friendships that were made. The camp each year had a huge turn out and students from any walk of band life would show up. Each summer I had the chance to meet new people and since it was my last trip, I wanted something to happen that would last forever. This summer I wanted to meet "her."

Chapter 1

The bus woke me from my gentle slumber as the bus made its bumpy ride up to the Pearl Hills mountain camp. Many familiar faces surrounded me; they were my friends. One of my many friends was Josh a very smart and unique guy who was always trying to figure something out.

"It seems like we've been on this bus for hours," Josh said exhausted, "Do you know when we will be arriving?"

"No sorry I don't," I replied. Still after all these years, he did not know that the trip to Pearl Hills was a long one. He dosed off again. Next was my friend Heidi who was always listening to my problems even when I knew she did not want to hear them. She was behind me.

"Hey Heidi," I said, "What are you doing now, writing again?"

She was always writing something; I think it was just a way to let off stress even though she actually did it quite well.

"Yes if you must know I am writing. I have to do something to pass the time on this bus ride you know."

"I know, I know." She then tuned me out and went back to the world of words.

After two more hours of riding in the bus, we finally arrived at Pearl Hills and it was just as I remembered. Pine trees as far as the eye could see. Old Dendron Lake glimmering from the afternoon sun and the huge bonfire area near the flagpole. In addition, the camp was 'gender aware' so boys and girls were split up. The girl cabins were over by Dendron Lake and the boy cabins were located near the Summit of Pearl Hills. Heidi, Josh, and I got off the bus and grabbed our bags and respective instruments.

"Well Heidi, Josh and I will be going to our cabin to get our things settled. We will meet you at the Mess Hall at six o' clock for dinner okay?"

"Okay don't get lost," she said, "This forest has a history of playing tricks on people."

"We won't because we know better." Josh and I said our goodbyes to Heidi and made the trek up to the boy's cabin. When we arrived, other band members were arriving as well and the camp advisors had left some snacks for all the boys in each cabin. The cabin was designed in this way. The cabin had four separate rooms two on each side of the cabin. Each room had eight beds and in the central cabin, there was a fireplace and two couches. Josh and I set our stuff down in cabin one and rested.

"Hey Mike," Josh said, "It's nice to be back at camp. There are so many memories here. Remember that time we got lost in the forest looking for the Hidden Cove with the waterfall. They had to send a rescue crew to come find us. We were so young when last we came."

"Yeah I remember and I also remember the time you tried to sneak over to the girl cabins and they kidnapped you. It took all my wit and cunning to rescue you." I laughed at myself

"Well Mike I remember and I have no regrets even though the cabin master had a long talk with me about it. He told me about guys and our crazy hormones; about how we just can't control them."

"Yeah I know right," I replied. "Hey it's almost six o' clock and I'm really hungry. Let us meet up with Heidi and head towards the Mess Hall."

"Okay let's go."

Josh and I then proceed to find Heidi and then we all headed toward the Mess Hall. The stars had started to appear in the sky, as the afternoon sun was almost completely set. The Mess hall was filling up fast so we wanted to get a good seat at one of the five tables. We found a table and sat down. The room was buzzing with excitement as the aroma of barbeque and honey filled the air.

After all of the campers had entered the hall the Camp Coordinator stepped up on the stage. His name was Mr. Taylor and he was happy to see the veterans of the camp as well as the newcomers.

"Welcome campers to Pearl Hills Band Camp. It is nice to see some new faces." The crowd fell silent. "I hope all of you have fun over the next two months. We here at Pearl Hills will try to make your stay an enjoyable one. Over the next week, the activities will be toward meeting new people and branching out from your peer groups. Today is Monday, tomorrow will be a barbeque, and on Thursday, there will be a battle of the sexes competition. I hope you enjoy the feast we have prepared. Please have a safe rest of the evening." With that, he left.

"It's nice to see Mr. Taylor again;" I said, "he has gotten older or maybe it's just the look of his skin from being out in all this sun."

"Yeah but still what do you think will happen this summer?" Heidi replied.

"I don't know but I promised myself I wanted something exciting to happen."

"Exciting huh," Josh chimed in, "isn't being with us enough 'excitement' for you."

"Its not that Josh it's just that I want something to happen this summer that I can remember forever or at least through college."

Heidi replied, "Um hello we are in band, don't you remember how life was at Northside, we had so much drama that we could have sold tickets to a show."

"She's right you know Mike," Josh added, "If you thought drama back at high school was crazy just imagine here at camp, a band camp. Welcome to the soap opera."

I understood what Josh and Heidi were saying, I understood what craziness could occur here over the next two months, but I was ready to take it with open arms. Josh and I said our good byes to Heidi and went back to our cabins. We brushed our teeth and then went to our bunks. I did not know what the next day would bring but I was ready to face it. I was still waiting for "her."