"Goofy is not a dog," Gordie yelled. I laid on my back watching the conversation between Vern and Gordie.
"As much as I would like to know what Goofy is I have a present for Allison," Lauren said. "This is from me and Gordie."
"And me put my name on that Lauren," Vern said. I opened up the small box and revealed pencils, a small notebook and pens.
"We know you applied to school to be a teacher,"
"And we know you didn't get a reply yet, but you will, so we got you stuff to get you started for college," Gordie explained.
"Okay ours next," Teddy said hanging it over. "Erica chipped in to."
"No I think I paid for it," Erica said. "Don't listen to him." I opened it up and revealed an Oregon State University pendant.
"You actually got into Oregon state university, Kevin found out about two weeks ago. He wasn't going to tell you until your birthday because…"
"Because you got a scholarship Audrey," Kevin said.
"I didn't apply for a scholarship," I said.
"I did for you," Kevin said. "I knew you weren't going to apply for it because you wanted to stay here and take care of dad. But I can take care of him, you need to get out of here."
"I am going to Oregon State University," I said.
"Well happy birthday, that's my present you. Applying for you to get that scholarship," Kevin laughed.
"Thanks Kevin," I said.
"I am actually going to leave, as exciting as this is, I do work tomorrow morning. See you tomorrow Audrey," Kevin said leaving the tent.
"Okay I have a present for you to," Chris said.
"Can you put my name on that," Vern asked.
"Shut up Vern," Chris said as he handed me my present. It was a small box. I opened it up and revealed a small jewelry box. I then opened it up to reveal a ring with a heart shape on the top.
"O my god," I said.
"Chris how did you get money for that," Teddy asked.
"Did you steal that," Vern asked.
"No," Chris said. "I do work at the mill sometimes."
"Thank you so much," I said putting the ring on.
"It is a promise ring," Chris said looking at me. "I promise I will always be here for you."
"Awww," Gordie said. I looked at Gordie then threw a pillow at him.
Everyone fell asleep inside the tent but me. I laid awake looking at the ring Chris gave me. I loved Chris, but never had the guts to tell him. Did he love me? I looked at everyone sleeping. Vern was snoring and cuddling with a pillow. Teddy laid with Lauren next to him his arm around her. Lauren and Gordie also laid together. I looked at Chris who happened to be next to me. He was so beautiful, his bruise on his eyes was getting darker. I touched it lightly but he woke up anyways.
"I am sorry," I whispered. Then I heard a crack come from behind the tent. It sounded like someone stepping on dead leaves.
"Did you hear that," I whispered. Chris and I listened but heard nothing.
"Maybe it was an animal," I said.
"Yea a big animal," Chris said sarcastically. Then all of a sudden we heard yelling.
"Audrey, we know you're in there," it was Charlie. We heard laughing and shouting coming from outside the tent.
"You better come out," Charlie yelled. Everyone was awake by now and already out of the tent. Chris grabbed my arm and the ring slipped off my finger.
"My ring," I yelled as he pulled me out.
"Forget it," he said. All of us stood outside the tent as Charlie and his gang surrounded us.
"I got to go get it," I said to Chris.
"What is in there Audrey," Charlie said coming up to me. "Is something in the tent that you want?"
"Her ring that Chris gave her," Vern said.
"Shut up Vern," Gordie and Chris yelled. Charlie's eyes grew red with anger.
"Really," he said. "Burn the tent." One of Charlie's friends threw his cigarette into the tent. In minutes, the tent was up in flames.
"Sucks doesn't it Audrey," Charlie said coming up to me. "I told you not to leave me." Charlie looked at me once more than walked away with his friends.