Hi guys, glad to see people are still reading this and thank you again for the amazing reviews alerts and follows. I was watching season 3 the other day and it gave a great idea for a new story, but I promise I'll finish this one and feels like home first. I do hate unfinished fanfiction!
Warning, some swearing in this chapter! I do try to keep it as civil as possible.
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Chapter 11
Sleep had not come easy for her last night, she had been busy all evening sorting all the files for the campers who would need medication in the morning. She laid them all in neatly stacked piles and sorted the medicine for the entire week in containers. Just as she was finally getting ready for bed, trying the push all her thoughts about Wade to the back of her mind, a counselor had walked in with a camper, who had apparently been sent to camp with a high fever. Zoe had done everything in her power to bring the fever down, which halfway through the night she had managed with some help from Heather. She had put the young girl in one of the patient rooms and finally tried to sleep around 3.00 am herself.
Thoughts of Wade entered her mind once more as she tossed and turned all night, thinking of all the reasons he had been so jovial about the girlfriend situation and making it all look better for his mother than it actually was. She was still mad at him, but was also curious to see what he would be telling her come morning. After she had analyzed about several situations that might occur with different kind of outcomes, did sleep finally consume her.
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At 5:45 sharp there was a knock on the door of the nurses station, Zoe was just checking on the young girl still staying with her in the patient room. Her fever had gone down, but Zoe wanted her to stay in the nurse's station for another day just to be sure.
She faced the door thinking why on earth Heather would knock on the door, because she had a key.
She walked over to the door, unlocked it and yanked it open, only to reveal Wade standing there with a nervous smile on his face and 2 cups of coffee in his hands.
"I reckoned you might like this?" He said, handing her a cup, his eyes on her.
Although still a bit mad at him, she accepted the cup with a smile, also partly due to the lack of sleep. It was a sweet gesture. As she accepted the cup she could see something handwritten on the cup, she looked at it and laughed when she saw what it was.
"Wade's girlfriend," it read.
He was looking at her as she finally noticed the writing, a small smile forming on her lips, he took it as his cue to walk into the office and sat down on the bed he had occupied the night before.
"What's this then?" She asked him pointing at the writing and sitting down next to him, taking a sip from her coffee.
"Maybe it's a not so subtle message from me?" He joked and turned to face her.
"Look Zoe, I'm so sorry about yesterday. He said. It all came out wrong and I really wanted to explain myself properly. That comment about calling you my girlfriend just for my mom's benefit was so stupid and not at all true."
"So what is the truth?"
"I really do want to, you know, officially be your... your boyfriend. He struggled a bit with the word boyfriend, he had never been a boyfriend before. It sounded weird to him but right all the same. He took Zoe's giggles as a good sign.
"It's just for me, it means so much more than just being your boyfriend, for me it also means thinking about life after camp and what I want. Because I would really like to keep seeing you after camp Zoe, but with the distance and all, I think it would be a struggle, however one I'm willing to embrace if that means I'll get to keep seeing you."
Her whole body filled with warmth at his words and she was smiling again.
"I want that too Wade." She said shyly, she was glad they were on the same page again. He smiled at her, but she was surprised to see that the smile seemed forced.
He had tried to smile, but only managed a forced smile. He HAD to tell her now, he had to lay it all on the table for her, come clean about everything. Zoe noticed the pained expression on his face, immediately worried again.
"Wade, what's on your mind?" She asked him.
"There's actually something else I really want to talk to you about." He said seriously.
Just then Heather walked in for the beginning of her shift. Wade was determined however to explain things to her as clearly as possible.
"Zoe, can we maybe talk in private?"
"Now?"
"As soon as you have time, I just really want to tell you something."
She sighed, "I'm in between the station and lifeguarding today, but aren't you leaving on that camping trip with the kids tomorrow?"
He nodded, he nearly forgot about that. He and Ben still needed to pack everything up today and prepare the campsite.
"I'm going there too, maybe we could talk then? We'll be able to have some alone time." She said eyeing Heather.
"Sounds good Zoe." He said smiling.
Heather was hovering and Wade got the hint that he was meant to leave, so he quickly pecked Zoe on the cheek and got off the bed, he nodded kindly towards Heather and left to go back to his cabin, it was still too early for breakfast, maybe he could still catch some sleep.
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The hours lifeguarding in the scalding sun left Zoe feeling exhausted, why had she signed up to run both as a lifeguard and as a nurse? Why did she always want to aim so high?
Gigi had found her during lunch and offered to come and help at the station later in the afternoon after her last group of campers. Which clearly meant eating all the popsicles and gossiping, but Zoe was looking forward to it all the same.
Zoe was sitting on the porch of the nurses station, a large glass of Soda on the table. Gigi had just joined her on the porch when they saw Gemma walking up to them.
Hey Gemma." Gigi said.
"Hey Gianna, hey Zoe, she said with a wave walking up to the porch, she never lost the old habit of calling Gigi by her full name. How are you girls doing today? She asked sitting down.
"Good," they replied in unison.
"How are you Gemma?" Zoe asked her.
"Very good, I'm so excited I'm getting to see you guys as staff this year, it's really great having you back with us this year and you're both so grown up!"
Gigi and Zoe both smiled. Gemma had always been that constant factor in their lives growing up.
"I was actually looking for you two, I need to go into town again today and I need someone to cover for me in the office for the rest of the day. You'll most likely get phone calls from parents asking about their children and how they are settling in. Could you guys come down to the office with me so I explain a few things to you before I leave?"
"Are you sure you don't want us to drive into town for you? That might be easier. Besides I still need to pick Wade's birthday present. I ordered it a week ago."
"When is his birthday?" Gigi asked
"This weekend."
"How did I not know that? Jesse never said anything."
"Apparently he doesn't like to celebrate it." Zoe shrugged.
"I'll gladly pick it up for you Zoe, but I really do need to go into town myself. Gemma looked a bit uneasy as she continued. "It needs to be me because… she looked around her to see if anyone could hear them she continued in a whisper. "Me and David have been trying for a baby for a while now and we're going in for a blood test today."
Zoe and Gigi squealed and clapped loudly, hugging Gemma in excitement. "Oh Gemma that's wonderful news." Gigi gushed.
"When do you get the results?" Zoe asked, did you not do a home test?"
"I did and it was positive, but I just want to make sure you know." She continued to whisper as she rubbed her belly.
Gigi and Zoe smiled at her, they were so excited for Gemma, she would be a great mother.
Gemma had explained everything there was to know about the work that needed to be done in the office to Gigi and Zoe, Gigi was doing some billing on the computer and Zoe was dealing with some documents that needed sorting and responsible for the phone.
Zoe was happy she was hanging out with Gigi today, they hadn't been able to spent time together since Gigi had told her everything about Jesse. Whenever they did see each other, it was late at night when the both of them were tired or early in the morning when they were rushing to get breakfast.
"Glad we have some alone time Zoe." Gigi smiled, although it's spent working."
Just then, the office phone rang. Zoe handled the call curtly but as fast as possible because she really wanted to spend the time catching up with Gigi.
"Me too, I feel like I don't get to see you enough anymore."
"I know babes, Gigi said. What are the plans for Wade's birthday, wait what did you actually buy him?"
"That, Zoe said pointing her finger at Gigi, is a secret."
"Is it something sexy?" Gigi asked her eyes big.
Zoe laughed loudly, "No! Nothing like that, but Ben said Wade would love it."
The phone rang again, it was once again a parent asking if their child had settled in okay and if they were eating enough. It was starting to annoy Zoe to no end that parents kept calling, she was hardly getting any work done, let alone being able to catch up with Gigi. Even though she was in the office to work, not to gossip with Gigi.
"Well can't wait to see what it is, Gigi continued as if there had been no interruption, do you have anything planned for the special day?"
"Figured we could all go out and celebrate it Saturday evening, I asked the girls if they can switch their nights on duty with their co counselors so we can all go out. It's been a long time since we were able to all hang out together. It should be fun!" Zoe said enthusiastically.
Gigi looked uncomfortable. Zoe eyed up her friend and realised what was going on in her mind.
"So that will be the first time you Aoife and Jesse will be in a room together."
"Yes." Gigi said uncertainly.
"How are things with Jesse anyway?"
"Good I guess."
"Are you guys together?"
Gigi blushed and smiled to herself. "We have been together, if that's what you are asking?"
"That's not what I was asking, Zoe laughed, and I do not want to know! I assume you're not officially together then? For everyone to see I mean."
"No, I really don't want to upset Aoife, how much I like Jesse and how much I love spending time with him, it's not worth upsetting Aoife for."
"True, so you guys are sneaking around for now?"
"Well, there is this loft in the fashion facility, so it's not like we're going to get caught."
Zoe shook her head and laughed but couldn't ask Gigi more about her crazy escapades because the phone started ringing yet again.
After a hour of constant phone calls Zoe finally understood why Gemma was happy to get out of the office today, although it was for valid reasons. Most calls were from worried parents asking about their children, asking how they settled in, if they had their medication, if they slept well, if they had been homesick and so forth.
Before she continue to work on the files Gemma asked her to sort out, the phone rang once again and Zoe almost automatically recited the line she'd been repeating for an hour on end.
"Good afternoon, Camp Shawnee office this is Zoe speaking, how may I help."
"Hi yes, I'm looking for my husband, I can't seem to reach him on his cell phone, I've been trying for a few days but I don't think he had any signal out there. I need to speak with him about our son."
Zoe was only half listening to what the woman was saying, all she caught was something about a son.
"What cabin is he in? Your son?" She asked almost automatically, due to the countless calls all afternoon.
"Our son isn't at the camp, the woman chuckled, just my husband."
"Oh sorry Mrs, is it an emergency? The programs are all running at the moment." Zoe said sweetly, however she wondered was why on earth someone would be working at a summer camp if they had a wife and a kid at home.
"It's not an immediate emergency but I do need to speak with him as soon as possible." The woman answered.
"I understand, let me see if he might be available, Zoe said absentmindedly, walking over to Gigi's desk, grabbing the roster and scanning it. Who is it you are looking for Mrs…?"
"Mrs Kinsella, I'm looking for Wade Kinsella."
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Zoe had dropped the receiver on the floor with a loud bang but didn't notice, Gigi however did notice and looked over at Zoe, noticing all color drained from her friends face and a horrid expression on her face, her mouth gaping and as if in slow motion, her hand moving to cover her mouth, the other hand seeking the desk for support.
Gigi jumped from her seat toward Zoe, helping her into a chair where she slumped and stared into the distance.
Zoe absentmindedly pointed at the receiver on the floor and said weakly "It's for Wade, have him come to the office as soon as possible."
Gigi scurried over to the intercom system and called for Wade to come to the office. She then moved her attention back to Zoe, kneeling in front of her and looking at her intently.
"Zoe?" She said softly, placing a soft hand on her knee. Zoe seemed dazed, frozen even, her face chalk white now and her big brown eyes large yet completely drained of life. She looked on as Zoe wrapped her arms around herself protectively and pulled her knees up. Gigi had never seen her like this in their entire friendship. Zoe was still staring at the phone which lay near her feet. A loud "hello?" came from the receiver and Gigi picked it up.
"Hello? this is Gigi."
"Hi Gigi, this is Tansy, I was just talking to Zoe? I heard a loud bang and then her telling someone to call Wade to the office, do you know how long he might be?"
"Who Wade?"
"Yes, Wade Kinsella, unless there are more Wade's there." The women chuckled.
"No just the one and only." Gigi laughed, completely unaware of who Tansy was and what just happened between Tansy and Zoe. "I assume he will be here in a moment, his program is quite far out, is it okay if I put you on hold?
"Sure thing." Tansy said cheerily.
Gigi put Tansy on hold and turned to Zoe again, "Zo? What is wrong? What happened?" She asked her looking at her in concern.
Before Gigi could press Zoe for an answer, the door of the office slammed open which made Gigi jump. Wade stood there panting, as if he had been running.
"You needed me in the office?" He asked Gigi with wide eyes. He never saw Zoe sitting there, hidden in the large office chair with the back of the chair towards the door.
"Yes someone called for you but there was no need to rush." Gigi giggled
"Your voice sounded urgent though." He told her, who was it?"
Gigi was about to answer him when she heard the chair behind her make a creaking noise and Zoe got up from the chair.
Zoe had the cordless receiver in her hand now, moving slowly towards Wade with an enraged look on her face, her eyes furious. She slammed the receiver hard into his chest and yelled at him.
"It's your WIFE on the phone Wade!" She yelled, her words laced with venom and anger. The look on her face the scariest both Wade and Gigi had ever seen.
Zoe stormed out of the office, bumping into Wade on purpose which ended up hurting her more than it did him, slamming the office door behind her with such force the little window in it trembled long after she was gone.
Gigi looked at Wade with eyes like saucers, he was looking at the receiver in his hand as if it was going to attack him at any moment like Zoe just had, his hand slightly trembling as he moved the phone to his ear, Gigi quickly moved over to the phone and pressed the hold button again to release Tansy so he could speak with her.
She gingerly sat back down behind the desk, hoping Wade wouldn't notice her. She wanted to hear as much of that conversation as she could so she could relay the information to Zoe later.
"Tansy?" Wade spoke quietly into the phone.
Tansy started talking happily, clearly she had been blissfully unaware of the drama that had happened moments before. He was thankful of it, Tansy had a knack of making situations even worse if that was even possible in this case.
"Hey Wade, are you okay? You sound shocked."
"Yeah well, last time we spoke I remember telling you I never wanted to talk to you again. He said angrily glad to have someone to take his anger out on."
"I know Wade, but it's about Chase."
"What about Chase, is he okay?" He asked panicked, his demeanor softening instantly.
Gigi momentarily made a mental note about the name Chase. She could hear Wade's smile in his words as he spoke the next words.
"That's great to hear Tansy, she heard him say. I'm glad you informed me about it, but you could have told me in a letter or an e-mail or something." He said annoyed, her calling to camp had ruined everything, it was easier to blame her for the entire ordeal than take the blame himself.
"I know Wade, I was just so happy for you that I wanted to tell you as soon as possible."
"I'm happy too but…"
"I know Wade, she sighed a small silence falling between them. I know I hurt you with what I did, I hurt myself as well."
"I know." He said timidly, swallowing the large lump in his throat, trying not to cry as his thoughts went to his son. He was very aware of Gigi listening to the conversation.
"Wade?"
"Yeah."
"Are you ever going to forgive me?"
"I'm working on it Tans. One day I will I'm sure."
"That sounds a whole lot better than, I'm never ever going to forgive you." She chuckled. He remained silent, he didn't have anything else to say to her.
"Goodbye Wade, she eventually said.
"Goodbye Tansy." He said as he put down the phone and moved his hands through his hair in frustration.
Gigi immediately moved the chair around to face him. He slumped down in the chair Zoe had left moments before. He knew Gigi wanted to know everything.
"You're married?" She asked him directly, he knew there was no point in lying to her, she heard everything and he wasn't sure what Tansy had told them. Not that it mattered now anyway.
"Hopefully divorced very soon, but yes, still married now, he said looking at his feet.
"Who's Chase?" She pressed on.
He took a deep breath before he managed to speak, "He's my son."
Gigi let out a loud gasp. "You have a child?!" She shouted.
Wade nodded slightly.
"He's was adopted without my knowledge, he continued, his voice breaking. "I never knew about his existence until he was already gone." He said sadly.
Gigi could tell Wade was fighting back tears, he sniffed loudly, wiped his eyes angrily and stood up.
"What are you doing?"
"Going to find Zoe, I need to talk to her and explain this to her."
"Wade that's a really bad idea, she is not going to want to talk to you." Gigi said, getting up as well and reaching for his arm, but he yanked it back.
"Though luck, I want to talk to her."
"Wade please listen, give her some time to…"
But he never let her finish her sentence as he stood up and hurried out the door, looking for Zoe.
Gigi sighed and sat back into her chair, she felt so bad for her best friend, she knew Zoe would take this news very hard and it would take all of her best friend ammunition to help Zoe get back to her feet. Her mind was racing with what little Wade had told her and what she had overheard on the phone. She needed to find her friend, to comfort her and be there for her, but she was stuck in the office with both her work on the computer and the phone that just started ringing as well.
She hoped Gemma would be back soon.
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Wade had looked all over camp but had manage to find her, he guessed if she really wanted to be found, she would be at one of their places they has used in the past few weeks to be alone, but she wasn't there, neither was she at the secret rock, near the outdoor program, nurses station or the staff lounge nor was she in her own sleeping quarters, he even went to Emmy's cabin where he wasn't supposed to go, but she wasn't there either.
When Emmy saw his face she tried to talk to him, but he was determined to find Zoe. He even contemplated driving off to Milford and look around the waterfall where they had their first date, but none of the cars had been signed out so she couldn't be there either.
After hours of searching the camp without finding her, he had to give up as the sky darkened around him and he couldn't see much anymore. He went to the outdoor program, not feeling like facing Jesse nor Ben tonight, he grabbed a sleeping bag from the shed and laid down under the stars.
He didn't want to think, he didn't want to remember the look she shot him when she slammed the phone into his chest with all the force she could muster, her eyes full of hurt and anger. He didn't think anyone had ever looked at him with so much disdain. He groaned loudly and wiped his hands over his face and into his hair. Tears prickled in his eyes. He furiously wiped at his face.
He looked up at the starry sky trying to clear his mind, but that only reminded him of the many nights he spent with Zoe on the rock as he has pointed out the many constellations to her.
He got up and rummaged in the shed once more and came out with an axe. He started hacking angrily at a tree stump nearby. Droplets of sweat falling of his forehead within minutes.
He never heard her approaching, only when she was closeby did he notice her standing there, looking at him with pitying eyes. He put down the axe and wiped his forehead.
"Who told you?"
"Gigi, she came to my cabin to find me."
"Where's Zoe?" He asked her.
"She's with the girls, Some of the co-counselors and program staff are watching the campers in the meantime."
"Great, so everyone is going to know by tomorrow morning. He signed, placing the axe back into the shed. With the way camp gossip had been going the past weeks, come morning he would become the most hated man at camp.
"Where has she been? I was looking for her for hours." He asked her.
I don't know, I didn't ask, I just came looking for you as soon as I could."
"Thanks Emmy, I guess." He said, looking back at the lake in front of him and sitting down.
Emmy sat down next to him, stroking his back.
"How are you holding up?"
"I feel like shit I really do. I went to Zoe this morning to tell her everything, about Tansy and Chase, I really was. But then we got interrupted and I had to run the outdoor program and now everything has gone to hell." He angrily threw his hands in the air.
"I'm really sorry for how it happened Wade." She said sympethecially.
"But?"
"But, you should have told her earlier like I said before, especially before you guys had sex. If you would have told her now she would still be pissed at you. Maybe not as pissed as she is now though."
"How bad is she?"
"Pretty bad, she's really hurt."
"I just really want to talk to her, explain everything to her."
"I think you should leave her be for a while Wade, she is in no state to listen to you right now. She won't hear what you'll have to say to her."
Wade swore loudly and wiped his hands over his face in frustration. "I can't believe how much I've screwed this up Emmy. She's never going to forgive me."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that Wade."
"Please elaborate, he said sardonically.
"Well Aoife is not at all bothered by Jesse breaking up with her, it's like nothing ever happened between them."
But Zoe, well besides being angry at you for obvious reasons, she's also hurt and very sad and completely heartbroken about it all."
"Thank you for that compliment Emmy, he said sarcastically. But what is your point?"
She looked at him incredulously, her eyebrows raised, how did he not understand?
"Wade... clearly she loves you or she wouldn't be so heartbroken right now."
Wade scoffed loudly "I highly doubt that Emmy."
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I know you might hate me now but it had to happen some day. There was so much more I wanted to include in this chapter, but I decided to save it for the next one, as there is enough drama going on in this chapter.
I hoped you enjoyed it all the same, I struggled a bit with the ending of this chapter, but then again, it's not really an ending at all.
I hope to be able to update soon!
I continue to love your reviews!
