Chapter 2
Early next morning I woke up. All of the other people in my cabin were still in a deep sleep. Josh was still sleeping but that didn't surprise me, he needed his sleep. I decided to go to Dendron Lake because something about it in the twilight hour was relaxing. It took me about twenty minutes actually to arrive at the lake. The water stood motionless and the mountain backdrop added serenity to the area. As I was sitting down by the waterside, another figure emerged from the shadow-engulfed corner of the lake. They came over to me and sat down.
"Hi, wonderful day were having huh," they said to me. They had blonde hair and brown eyes, they also had a cheerful disposition, and they looked like they didn't mind engaging others in conversation.
"Hello," I replied, "it's nice to meet you. What brings you to the lake at this early hour?"
"I came out here just to clear my mind; nothing else makes me feel at peace but this beautiful lake. By the way I didn't introduce myself my name is Cory."
"Very nice to meet you Cory, my name is Mike. I guess we had the same idea. Nothing in the world can compare to the beauty and the serenity of this lake. If I didn't know any better I would guess that this was another wonder God had created."
"I would agree with you," he said softly. We sat there in silence as we thought about our reasons for being there, my reason being the hope of something big to happen soon.
"This lake means a lot to me," Cory said, "I spent a lot of my time here last summer."
"What for," I wanted to know.
"This lake was actually where I met her. This lake is where I found first love. Her name was Jenny, a trumpet player just like me. It was a cold summer evening right after a band clinic. I came out here to clear my head. Jenny came out here to view the lake as well just as you are right now. It was like love as first sight; we both didn't know what to say. Shortly after that, we found ourselves in a relationship. At the end of the summer, we left each other and then fell out of contact. The relationship ended because I never heard from her. I never understood why she never emailed or called me. This lake means so much to me. Coming back here in the morning is just a reminder to what I had and lost." I felt bad for Cory. Most people come to camp and make friends or learn something new but Cory fell in love. He felt something wonderful and in such a short time lost it.
"Thanks for telling me Cory. I'm sorry you had to go through that."
"It's alright; I also come to this lake because I believe that one day she will return." Cory had the same feeling I had; that same feeling that he would find 'her'. We both had the same mission.
"Would you look at that, we've been here so long that the twilight hour has disappeared. We should really head to breakfast. I have a feeling that you are just as hungry as I am."
"You have read my mind," Cory replied.
We both stood up and we walked back to the cabins before we went to the mess hall. He told me that he stayed in our same cabin but was in a different room. I woke Josh up and told him that we would head to breakfast early. He got dressed and I introduced him to Cory. We all then went to the mess hall. This camp never failed to please. The breakfast buffet was wonderful. We all took a plate and stood in line. Other campers were smart and came to breakfast early too. We all found a table and sat down. As always, Josh had some questions.
"So Cory," Josh said, "how long have you been attending Pearl Hills?"
"Since last summer; I've enjoyed being here. It's been a wonderful experience. I had the pleasure of running into your friend over by the lake; seemed like we had the same idea."
"I see Mike does that sometimes if not all the time. He has always loved self reflection."
I smiled because I knew it was true. It wasn't soon after we had arrived at the mess hall that Heidi arrived. She needed her beauty sleep and after she entered, she got her food and joined us at the table.
"Good morning Mike and Josh," she noticed Cory at the table and introduced herself. "Hello, my name is Heidi it's nice to meet you—"
"Cory,"
"Cory, that's a very nice name," she replied. The breakfast was very good but it was a time to get to know each other. Heidi told Cory about her love of writing and the fact she played flute. Cory told her in kind about the fact he was a trumpet player and the fact the camp meant a lot to him. Josh did that same and told Cory he too was a flute player. It seemed like making friends at camp was an easy task. I also told Cory something I hadn't at the lake. I told him that I was a baritone player and that this summer I had hoped to find 'her'. We finished breakfast and we all went to our section clinics. It was around noon when they were complete. We had a lot of down time so we decided to do some exploring. Josh and I managed to find the Hidden Cove; the place we found ourselves lost trying to find last summer. We had a wonderful time exploring that area. Several hours had passed since we had arrived and the band barbeque was tonight. Cory, Josh, and I said our good byes to Heidi and went our separate ways to prepare for the barbeque.
Around eight o' clock people started to trickle in near the mess hall. The camp counselors had set up a campfire near the entrance of the camp. Nighttime was always a wonderful time up in the mountains because you could see the stars, something you couldn't see in the city. There was music and the food was amazing. Heidi managed to find us among all of the other campers. We all enjoyed ourselves and after about thirty minutes of festivities decided it was cold. Nights on Pearl Hill were chilly and even after dressing appropriately it didn't matter. The four of us decided to go sit around the campfire. The campfire held more than just a comfortable glow but it was a wonderful place to meet new people. I had made several friends in this very spot because we had the same idea in common; we were both cold. It wasn't hard to start a conversation around the campfire and that is what I intended to do. It was in the moonlight that I finally saw 'her'. She had a smile that cut through the night like a knife. The lambent flames casted mahogany shade upon her long hair and her eyes were alive with their auburn glow. She sat down on the seat next to me. My heart nearly skipped a beat but I mustered up the courage to say hi.
"Hello," I said sheepishly, "I know this is random but what other way could I find to talk to you."
"Its okay randomness is a part of life. It's very nice to meet you; my name is Lizzy."
In that small moment of campfire glow, I knew her name. I didn't know what conversations would entail afterwards but I knew deep down that our friendship would grow immensely.
"Its nice to meet you Lizzy my name is Mike. What brings you around this campfire?" I almost recoiled because I had asked such an obvious question and was expecting a sarcastic return.
"Well last time I checked it was pretty cold on the mountainside so I decided to come over and attempt to get warm. That isn't a problem is it?"
"No not at all, just my feeble attempt at making conversation. If you don't mind telling me what is your story with Pearl Hills." She took in a deep breath and then began.
"This is my first time attending Pearl Hills. My parents thought it would be a good experience for me. I was hesitant to go at first but thought what could be the harm in going." She had no problem talking to me but then again maybe this was how she was with everyone.
"My life hasn't been overwhelmingly a disaster but it had its low shifts. I've been victim to losing a loved one at a young age. My love life has been its own rollercoaster and I've been waiting for the day that someone would come along and actually treat me like I was their equal. Lately I've felt a little lucky in the sense that maybe here at this camp I would find someone."
"You never know only time will tell that fate I suppose." It was an obvious answer but it was still a true answer.
"Thanks for that sentiment. By the way what instrument do you play?"
"I play the baritone; I'm a low brass guy."
"Oh really you're the first I've met that has played a low brass instrument. Being in a room with a bunch of girls, you get flute, clarinet, or trumpet. I play flute just so you know."
"Its okay, you would be the third person I know who plays flute. I have a friend named Josh who plays flute." She looked surprised that I had said that.
"A male flute player those are few and far between."
"Maybe so but there is no harm in it, diversity is what this world is about."
"That is true Mike and I believe that we will get along just fine," she said happily. With one conversation I had sealed a deal that in time would pay off. We talk for a little bit longer and then we said our good byes.
"It was nice talking to you Mike, hopefully I'll see you around sometime," she said tiredly.
"I hope so too Lizzy, you sound tired maybe you should turn in early."
"That is what I plan to do. Have a wonderful rest of the night." With that, she stood up and started her walk to the girl's cabin; she then disappeared in the darkness of the mountain. Heidi, Josh, and Cory had watched my entire conversation and they were shaking their heads in disbelief. They came over by me and sat down.
"Before you guys say anything nothing happened between us. We were just talking to each other.
Cory chimed in, "I've seen that look before that's the same look I gave to Jenny before we fell in love. You like her don't you?"
"Yes I do like her," I shot back; "there is just something about her I can't deny."
Of course Josh would have something to say.
"Mike just don't be too quick to rush into anything. Remember this is band camp. We want to have a pleasant time here. Relationships account for over half of the problems teenagers have these days."
"Okay," I said, "And where did you obtain your data?"
"Made it up," he said playfully.
"I see," I laughed back. He had a point relationships did cause issues but my plan was to avoid the problems at all costs.
"I'll be ready to talk to you when this 'relationship' you want so badly sinks," Heidi answered. "Knowing you, you will have problems and I will be the one running everywhere to pick up the pieces."
"I'll be okay and as long as there are no other obstacles everything should work out." I said. Several hours had passed and the campfire that previously kept us warm had burned out. The barbeque was finally over. Other camper had started to head back to their cabins. Cory, Josh, and I said our good-byes to Heidi but before we left, Heidi had something to say.
"You know I think I've seen that girl before. I think she is in my cabin. There wouldn't be any harm in talking to her."
"I agree," I said. After that, we went our separate ways. Cory, Josh, and I went back to the cabin to fall asleep. Today I had accomplished a lot. I made a new friend who was on the same kind of mission I was trying to complete. I also finally met the girl that I wanted to get to know a little better. So much had happened the day after arriving at band camp. There was nothing that could disappoint me and I knew there was much more to come. The next big event was the battles of the sexes and for me it was just more of an opportunity to find out more about her, Lizzy.
