I woke up to an obnoxious buzzing sound coming from my nightstand . I reached over and slammed my hand down on the alarm clock. "Uhhh, 6:00 already, I feel like I just went to bed". I tossed over on my stomach and buried my head in my pillow wishing I could sleep through the morning, but, my best friend Alice would definitely not let me get away with that. We have been planning this for weeks. With everyday that the trip grew closer, the excitement in Alice grew stronger. She is unstoppable when she has something on her mind.
Today was the first day of our annual camping trip. At the end of every school year our families venture to the great outdoors to celebrate the beginning of our summer. This year however was going to be different. All of us kids are seventeen now and after much begging, pleading, and reasoning our parents have agreed to let us go unsupervised. A week without adults, sounded great, but was only approved after family meetings, which involved every one of our parents telling us what was acceptable and what wasn't.
I hopped in the shower and quickly shampooed and washed. I towel dried my hair and threw on a cream colored tank top and cut off jean shorts. After dressing I stared at myself in the mirror. I was so plain. Why couldn't I be an athletic blonde with a nice tan. No , that's Rose. She was the run-way model type that every girl was jealous of. Instead, I was ivory-skinned, with out even a hint that I have seen sunlight in my life. I have always been slender, but some how soft. Definitely not sporty. My hair hung low past my shoulders, brown with a few natural high lights. I pulled it back in a pony tail and figured I better hurry before Alice sent the FBI looking for me.
I wandered back in my room to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything. As a last minute thought I searched for one of my favorite books, my Jane Austen collection. I'm not usually a romantic when it comes to myself, never having a boyfriend, but, I loved reading the classic love stories. Besides Juliet and Catherine, Elizabeth Bennett was one my favorite characters. She is independent, ordinary, and puts every one she loves first. I sometimes wonder if the reason I love her so much is because I am so much like her. I have read it so many times that the edges are worn and the leather cover is faded. I searched until I found it laying by my aged computer under a stack of college applications.
I grabbed my book and hurried down the stairs. As luck would have it my toe caught the bottom step. I put my hands out in front of me to brace myself for impact. I was so hoping that my clumsiness would subside the older I got, but, it seemed to be getting worse. After checking my skinned up palms and knee I made my way into the kitchen to grab something quick for breakfast.
Renee my mom was sitting at the table reading the paper. "Morning Bella, are you all set for the big trip?" She flashed me a look that gave away her uneasiness about a bunch of teens camping with no parents. I grabbed a banana and chuckled "Mom, don't worry, everything will be fine. Between the nine of us I think we can manage setting up tents and making sandwiches."
"I know you guys will be fine, it's just that it seems like yesterday when all of us would go together and now you guys are all grown up and heading out on your own." I know how it bothered my mom about me going off to college, but I really wish she wouldn't worry. I don't know if the problem is her not seeing me for long periods of time, or realizing that I am a grown up, and that means she has to start relying on herself. My mom has always been the type to act like my best friend, and depend on me to remind her of everyday duties, like remembering where she put her cell phone or what day she had to pick up the dry cleaning. It was not until recently that my mom actually started acting like a mom.
I gave her a light kiss on the cheek and told her to tell Dad I'll see him when I get back. I new that she would call at least five times before we got there, overprotective as usual. I really didn't mind much. My Dad, Charlie, is the complete opposite of my Mom. I'm a lot like him, quiet, shy, easygoing. He was all for our "no parents" camping trip. There must be a baseball game on this weekend. I know he'll be just as worried, but he knows Mom worries enough for both of them.
I did a quick scan of everything in the back of my old chevy truck before heading to meet up with everyone. I pulled into the parking lot of Newton's store to find everyone already there. As I was getting out Alice danced over to me and drew me in for a hug. "ok, were all here and ready to go, aren't you so excited? I can tell already that this is going to be the best camp out ever!" Alice was always chipper and excited. Her boyfriend Jasper is quiet and reserved. They have been together for three years and are perfect for each other. They kind of balance each other out. You could just tell by looking at them that they are in love. I hope that someday I will be fortunate enough to find the same quality of love that they have found in each other.
We made our way over to the party of people. I was scanning the crowd when I heard Mike Newton hollering over to me. "Bella we haven't even left yet and you're all skinned up, looks like I win the bet Emmett." I glared over at Emmett who was leaning onto the hood of his jeep with his girlfriend Rose nestled against him and then back over to Mike. Emmett looked a little pissed. I walked over to the jeep "How much did you lose Emmett? Five or Ten?" I was trying to look hurt at the thought of them betting against how long I would make it without tripping over my own feet, but, I couldn't hold back the giggles that were causing my body to shake. Emmett scowled over to Mike and announced that he was twenty dollars poorer. At the sight of Emmett everyone started laughing. He really did look upset about losing the bet. "Don't worry Emmett, that will be the last bet you lose. I'll make sure Bella is safe from herself this week." I just glared at Mike and said "Mike I can take care of myself ."
As I was pulling up behind Emmet's top less Jeep that contained Emmett and Rose, Alice and Jasper, and Jacob and Leah scrunched in the seats, Alice gave me a sympathy glance. She new that I felt awkward having Mike and Jessica ride with me. Everyone new that Mike has had a crush on me since the third grade. He asked me out numerous times and each time I told him that I just wasn't into him like that. I think that he thought deep down that I was playing hard to get because he keeps trying. I try to avoid any alone time with him so it doesn't feel awkward. Mike isn't the only one with a crush, Jessica is head over heals for Mike. It is so obvious to everyone but Mike. I'm hoping that he'll take the blinders off on our trip and hook up with Jess, get me off of his radar.
Mike insisted on sitting in the middle which made me feel even more uncomfortable due to him straddling the shifter. Jess was trying her hardest to get him into a conversation but he just keep talking to me. Finally I turned up the radio to drowned out any noise and watch the white jeep ahead of me. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Mike staring at me and brushing his arm against my side. I squeezed over to the door as far as I could go hoping he would take the hint. About that time my cell rang. It was Alice…
"How's it going back there Bell's?" She new that it was torture. "Don't worry, Emmett's got a surprise for Mikey!" My mind was going about a mile a minute when I looked up to see Emmett's white ass hanging out. How he was driving and mooning us at the same time I have no idea. He had slowed down so our bumpers were just inches away from each other and we could see every tan line, hair, and dimple. To make matters worse Jacob stood up and started making slapping motions at Emmett's ass. Jessica and I burst into a fit of laughter while Mike started making gagging noises and flipping Emmett off. Mike was silent the rest of the trip, thank god. I hope he has nightmares of Emmett's hairy ass every night of our trip.
It took four hours, two bathroom breaks, and a snack stop before we made it to Anthony Chabot Regional Park. I love coming to California. Once we signed in and bought a few bundles of firewood we made our way to our tent site. I stepped out of the truck and took in my surroundings. This place is so amazing. I took in a deep breath of the warm breeze that was whipping my hair around my face. The crisp aroma of the trees and water brought back memories of our previous trips.
As I was taking it all in I felt an arm wrap around my shoulders and I knew it was Jacob. It seemed like everyday he was getting bigger and bigger. When we were growing up Jacob was thin and scrawny, now he's tall and fit. There are only two people I know that can eat a large pizza and two dozen wings by themselves. Jacob and Emmett! Emmett's always been the one with big muscles and an ego to match them, but Jacob was catching up fast.
"It truly is good to be back here after a long winter huh Bells? It's nice to get away from Ashland Oregon even if it's just a few hours away." I looked up at him and noticed he was scanning the country side just as I was moments ago. Jacob has been my best guy friend since forever. I can let the tom boy side of me out and just be Bella with Jacob. Growing up we used to make mud pies and sit around listening to his father Billy tell old Indian legends, now ten years later were fixing up a couple of old motorcycles and were finally going to go cliff diving this summer. I always joke and call him "my Jacob" even though he's like a brother to me, but his girlfriend Leah has been trying her damness to put an end to that.
We started unloading all our camp supplies and tents and started setting up. It was the perfect site. Lots of space so our tents could be spread out, an oversized picnic table to seat ten, a fire pit for cooking and keeping warm, and just close enough to the lake for evening swims. I still wasn't sure how sleeping arrangements were going to go. In past years it was always girls in one tent boys in the other and parents smack right in the middle, but, this year with no parent supervision I had a feeling I was going to be stuck in the singles tent which includes Mike and Jessica. I was starting to have some unsure feelings about this camping trip.
I grabbed my tent and headed for the far corner of our site right next to a small patch of tree's to set up. As I got to work I saw Alice and Jess making their way over, and I instantly saw the uncomfortable expression that Alice gave me. This look I have seen before, and I instantly knew that she had something to say
"Hey Bella, need some help?"
The way Alice moved she was like a little fairy with her short spiky hair and high pitched voice. She pranced around Jess and I humming while putting up the poles. Once we had the stakes securely in the ground we set up some chairs and plopped down exhausted from the long day. It was nice to have the quiet sound of nature. We all just stayed peaceful for a while and then Alice couldn't take it any longer, she broke our silence.
"Bella, I was wondering since we have five tents if you wouldn't mind if I stayed with Jasper this year? I know it's not usually how we sleep but……"
"Of course Alice, you can sleep wherever you like." I cut her off.
"Really, I mean you don't mind? I can share with you a couple nights and then stay with Jasper a few." I knew that if I asked her to stay with me she would in a heartbeat. She is always looking out for me and my future. I also knew that her and Jasper would want some alone time. Hell if I had a boyfriend I would be staying with him. I wouldn't be passing up a perfectly good opportunity like this one.
I really didn't like the sleeping arrangements, but what was I going to do about it. I knew that I would do the same thing if I were in her shoes, so I put on a happy face and acted like I didn't care. "Alice really you should stay with Jasper, it's not every day you can sleep with your boyfriend without parents around."
She gave me a questioning look to make sure, and then her face just starting beaming with happiness. "Thanks Bells, you're the best, and I mean it. I owe you big time! Something big is going to happen for you on this trip, I can feel it!"
With that she bounced over to her and Jasper's tent to tell him the news. From the way he snatched her up in his arms, I could definitely tell that he was just as thrilled with my understanding about the sleeping arrangements. As I watched everyone finishing up I realized that Jessica was still sitting next to me.
"Looks like were bunking together Bella, hope you don't snore." She started giggling at her own comment. God, I was not looking forward to five night's with her. "Don't worry Jess, I don't snore, but, I've been told that I have a lot to say when I'm sleeping." She just kept giggling and I couldn't help but think what she would think if I started talking about her in my sleep. She could learn a lot about what I really think of her.
We all decided to get the fire going and roast some wieners over the open pit. Before I made my way over to the fire I started poking around in my bags to find a sweater to keep off the chill in the air. Out of the corner of my eye I could see a faint golden glow shinning through the patch of tree's by my tent. I glanced through the brush and could make out shadows and voices coming from our neighboring site. I headed back to the fire where everyone was crowded around heating up their supper.
"Hey guys, do you know who's camping next to us?" I glanced around and nobody seemed to know but Leah being Leah piped in "Maybe there's some single guys over there looking for some summer fun for you and Jess, Bella. I'd hate for you guys to feel left out while we all sit around and talk about our sex lives." There it was, I had been waiting for this since we left this morning. She just couldn't swallow her jealousy of mine and Jacob's friendship for one week. She is always making smart ass comments about me not having a boyfriend when all my friends do.
"Whew, a cat fight….let it all out girls, don't be afraid to take off some clothes before the match starts getting…..OWWWW" Emmett didn't even get a chance to finish his sentence before Rose smacked him across the back of the head. "Come on Babe, I just didn't want them to ruin their clothes, now don't be like that." "I bet you did Em!" is all she said before turning away from him. Emmett will be Emmett!
We were all laughing at Emmett and Rose's little tiff when I heard Jacob whisper to Leah to shut up but she kept going…. "You must get pretty lonely all by yourself Bella. To bad you won't take Mike up on his offer and quit being the third wheel already." My mouth just dropped at her snide comment. Why the hell did Jacob have to bring her? She knows that I don't like Mike and now she's just running her mouth about it to tense up Jessica. As I sat in my fold out chair biting my lip so I wouldn't scream at Leah I noticed Mike staring at me with a shit eaten grin on his face. I could just kill Leah. Jacob grabbed Leah by the arm and told us they were going to their tent. He turned to me with an apology written across his face. I nodded to let him know that it was ok. I could never be angry with him because of Leah. Nothing can ruin the bond that we have formed over the years, not even her.
After letting the fire die down and saying our goodnights we all started heading off to bed. Jess and I were making our way over to our tent when Mike came over to us.
"Hey girls, I was just wondering if you'll be ok by yourselves, I mean I have a lot of room in my tent if you want to share." Yeah right, like I would ever share a tent with that perv. What does Jess see in him? I mean, ya Mike can be a good guy when he's not trying to get in my pants, but seriously he's kind off annoying and always trying to be the center of attention. I snapped back to reality when I realized that Jess was inviting him to stay in our tent. I couldn't believe it. That was the last straw. I had to intervene.
"Actually Jess, our tent only sleeps two. Why don't you go stay in Mike's tent, I don't mind at all and he seems to want some company." Before Mike could argue she squealed "Bella you really don't mind staying alone?" "Not at all, I could use some alone time right now, you guys have fun though." I couldn't help but chuckle at the expression on Mike's face. His plan totally back fired. "Are you sure Bella, there's room for one more" he said through gritted teeth. I'm not usually a violent person but if I didn't get away from Mike I was going to punch him in the face. "I'm positive Mike" I hissed at him while making my way into my tent.
I snuggled down into my green sleeping bag and let my thoughts take over my mind before falling asleep. I knew that Leah was going to be a problem on this trip if I didn't start giving it back to her. But, I just didn't want to hurt Jacob and that's what Leah wanted more than anything, for us not to be friends. She was right though. I do feel like the third wheel. I just wish that I could find my Mr. Right. I know what I want in a guy, I just haven't found him yet. I was brought out of my thoughts by squeals and moans. There was only one tent here that it had to be coming from. Emmett and Rose's! They weren't bashful when it came to their sex life and I could only hope that Emmett was a fast one or else everyone here was going to be having a sleepless week!