Mercedes: POV
This weekend was draining. After we left Tana's, Mikey drove us home & Lucy sat on my bed & cried about breaking up with Finn. She just knew that he was going to get with Rachel.
Marcy & I had to calm her down (me being tactful about it, Marcy saying that Finn & Rachel deserved each other). We drove poor Mikey away. He stayed downstairs with Marc until we went to the festival.
Lucy calmed down there but she was still upset on Sunday. After church, we always go out for Brunch. She was down then, too. Then we went back to the festival & hung out until around seven o'clock.
Marcy went to meet Kenneth & I went to see Sammy. I stayed with the Evanses until nine o'clock then Sam & I said our goodbyes. It was really hard but I was looking to the future.
I had to concentrate on me now. I no longer had a boyfriend. I felt down in the dumps. I know boys don't make or break you but that boy made me feel good about myself.
Where was I going to find another one…?
S&M&P
Puck: POV
I spent the rest of Saturday with my moms & sister. We went to temple & out to dinner before watching a movie. We don't spend too much time together anymore so it was nice.
Then we spent Sunday together. Just chilling out & relaxing. That was nice, too. Moms is usually on my case about a bunch of stuff but she was calm this weekend.
I think she's going to miss us.
Anyway, I was all packed & I had a three month supply on all my meds. Nic was packed, too & we went to bed kinda early.
Mom made us breakfast Monday morning. She usually has to go to work early so she was already up. Doc was coming to pick us up at five thirty.
She made pancakes & turkey bacon. She doesn't know but I like real bacon. I don't eat any other pork like she doesn't but I can't live without bacon.
She's just going to have to deal with that… If I ever tell her.
There was a beeping outside as we finished up. Moms got a still sleepy Nic & put her jacket on her. "Come on, Noah. I don't want you late for your flight."
I stood up & grabbed a couple bags.
Moms opened the door & I could see a small bus parked in front of the house. Marc, Mike & Mal got out to help me. We all spoke.
Nic got on the bus & sat behind Mama & Q. Moms stopped me from getting on the bus when we finished. She cupped my chin. "Be good. Look after your sister. Be good. Have fun. Be good!"
I smirked. "Ma!"
"Okay." She hugged me tight then let me go.
I got on the bus & sat next to Nic.
Moms waved us off. "Goodbye! Have fun! Be good!"
Doc beeped the horn & waved before driving off. He drove to the airport & parked. We got out with our stuff (Q had a bunch of shit) & walked inside.
We went through security & put our stuff on the spiny thing. Then we found seats to wait for our flight to be called.
This was only my second flight so I was a bit excited. It was Nic's first so we were looking around, acting jumpy. Nic asked a million questions.
Mama thought it was cute & smiled at her the whole time as she answered all her questions.
Even the one about us falling out the sky…
I told her it was magic because she still believed in that crap but they all looked at me like I was smoking crack. I didn't appreciate that.
Our flight was called & Doc said goodbye to us. We got on the plane & I tried to stay awake, I really did but I was tired!
I slept the whole flight there. I only woke up because Mama pushed at my shoulder. I looked around & saw Laura, Marc, Mini Mama, Mal & MadDog staring at me like I stomped a cat to death. Q & Nic were giggling & Mike looked like he wanted to say something.
"What?!" I didn't get it.
Mama waved a hand at them. "You were snoring."
Dammit! "In front of people?"
"Yeah."
"My bad." I ran a hand over my 'hawk.
"It's okay. Just come on. The plane's empty."
We got our stuff we took on the plane & got off it. We went to collect our bags then stood around looking until Laura noticed a man with a sign. "I think that's us."
We went over to the man. He was holding a sign that had three words on it. One of which was Fabanges. What the hell did that mean?
"We're the Fabanges." Laura told him.
He smiled. "We're just waiting on a couple other people."
"Okay."
"Fabanges?" I leaned over to Mama.
She smiled. "I came up with it. It's the F-A-B from Fabray, the A-N-G from Chang & the E-S from Jones. It's cute, right?"
I stared at her.
She slapped my chest. "Shut up! It's cute!"
"Okay, Mama." I rolled my eyes. I was in love with a… hell I didn't know what she was. But I loved her. What did that say about me?
While we were talking, four other people walked up.
"Terry!" Mama hugged one of the girls.
"Mercedes Catherine!" Terry hugged her back.
"Jerry!" Marc slapped hands with a guy that had to be her brother.
"Hi, Sherry!" MadDog hugged the girl around her age.
Sherry jumped around. "Madeline!"
"Marcus Donald! How are you?!" Jerry gave Marc a manly hug.
"Hey, guys!" Terry hugged Mini Mama, Q & Laura.
"That's everyone." The guy with the sign said. "Follow me."
"How's your school year been?" Sherry asked MadDog as we went outside & to a long white bus with the name of the camp written in purple and gold. Go Lakers!
We stored our stuff in the back & climbed on the bus. The driver drove us away from the airport as the others talked.
Nic & I were left out & so was the other guy. They didn't seem to know him & no one introduced themselves… Or us.
The ride to the camp took an hour but we finally made it. I actually fell asleep again. So did Nic. I woke up on my own though & carried her off the bus when we stopped.
A man came from a big building that looked kinda like the post office. It was white & had red lines around it. He was an older guy, like fifty & he was happy.
He spread his arms wide. "The Fabanges & Turners! Welcome back to Camp Whitewaters!"
"Hi, Fred!" They waved.
"& who are the newcomers?" He peered at me & Nic.
"This is Noah & his little sister, Nicolette." Mama touched my arm. "He's seventeen & she just turned eight."
"Ooh! Have you ever been to camp before, Noah?" Fred was entirely too happy for me.
"No." I shook my head.
"That's okay! Have you guys met Brandon Cooper?" He turned to the guy nobody talked to. "He's going to be working in the kitchen & he's coming to us from Camp St. Paul."
Everyone shook their heads before speaking to him.
"Let me read you your cabin assignments & positions." Fred brought up a clipboard I didn't see before. "Laura, you're working in the craft barn & you're in cabin Rabbit."
Laura smiled. "Yay!"
"Marcus Donald, you're working the fields & you're in cabin Iguana."
"Alright." Marc nodded.
"Michael, you're leading the nature walks & you're in cabin Wolf."
"Yes!" Mike high-fived his brothers.
"Mercedes Catherine, you're in the kitchen & in cabin Robin."
Mama hugged Q. "Yay!"
"Quinn, you're in the main cabin & in cabin Robin."
Q hugged Mama. "Yay!"
"Marceline Anne, you're working in the stables with Kadee as your junior counselor. You're in cabin Wolf."
"Awesome!" Mini Mama high-fived Mike.
"Malcolm, you're working in the animal barn & you're in cabin Snake."
"Yes!" Mal high-fived his brothers, too.
"Madeline, you're in cabin Swallow with Sherry."
The little girls screamed & hugged each other.
"Terry, you're in cabin Fox. Jerry, you're in cabin Fox. Brandon, you're in cabin Frog." Fred looked at me. "Noah, you're in cabin Snake. Nicolette is in cabin Robin. Got that?"
We all nodded.
"Go to the main cabin & get your t-shirts then get settled in. We'll start airing out the camp after breakfast."
We went to get t-shirts then we grabbed golf carts.
"Where's cabin Snake?" I asked.
"I'll show you." Mal told me.
"What about cabin Robin? I don't want to be too far from Nic."
"She'll be with us." Mama reminded me. "She'll be safe."
"Are the cabins coed?" I wasn't sure how I felt about that.
"No." She frowned.
"Then how come Mini Mama & Mike got cabin Wolf & those guys got cabin Fox?"
"Because there's the boys cabins & the girls cabins. There's two of each animal."
I pulled a face. "Good."
"Oh Noah." She rolled her eyes.
I smacked her butt as she turned away from me.
"Noah!"
Her brothers fell out laughing. I had no regrets.
I finally put Nic down. "Go with Mama, Runt."
"I'm not a runt!" She glared at me.
"Whatever." I pushed her away.
She went to Mama & hugged her. "I don't like Noah."
"Not too many people do." Mama wrapped an arm around her.
"Not too many people should." Mini Mama sat in a golf cart & took off.
Q & Mama laughed at my face. I was in shock. I thought Mini Mama was on my team?!
S&M&P
I was nearly settled in. I had my stuff where I wanted it & I was heading to the mess hall with Mal so I could eat a second breakfast.
When we got there, there was a few more people there & they were eating & talking. I went to get food (I got a lot of bacon). I went to sit down next to Mama & elbowed her. "How's the grub?"
"Food's good." She ate a piece of egg off her plate. "Have you looked around any?"
"Not yet. Where is everyone?"
"This week is for all of the counselors & staff to show up. Next week, the kids will be here. The only reason you guys got to come early is because you're with us."
"& you're all counselors?"
"Laura, Marc, Mikey, Lucy, Marcy & I are. Mal's still a junior counselor while Maddie's still a camper."
"Why?"
"You can't work for camp until you're thirteen & then you're a junior counselor, like Mal. When you're sixteen, you can work as a full time counselor."
"Then why aren't I a counselor?"
"Because you've never been to camp before. They usually hire from within but if you've never worked at camp, they're less likely to hire you. You have to be over eighteen &/or with a degree."
Wow. "Wow."
"Yup." She ate off her fork.
"So what are we doing this week?"
"Getting everything ready for the summer. Airing out cabins, changing sheets, stocking the cabins, preparing the animals. All that stuff. Then this weekend, we'll have a jam session to bond us all before the kids get here Monday."
I nodded. "Cool. I wish I brought my guitar."
"They have plenty."
"Nice. So-" I was interrupted by Mini Mama yelling something in a language I didn't understand at Mal. She stood up & stormed out.
Mama touched my shoulder. "I have to go see about her. I'll be right back."
I nodded. "Okay."
She ran out after her sister.
I continued eating & talked to the others but I looked over when Laura tapped my arm. "Yeah?"
"Can you & Mal go find them? They've been gone for a while."
"Yeah, sure." I put away my plate & silverware before setting out with Mal. I looked to him. "What was the fight about?"
"She wants nothing to do with me." He kicked a rock. Hard.
"Q didn't want me near her either when she was pregnant." I shrugged.
"That is not helpful. She & Lucy are a lot alike."
I chuckled. "Mini Mama's dope though. She'll come around."
He shrugged. "I don't know what to do about her."
"Why don't you follow the advice you got in the bar?"
He frowned. "Bar?" His face cleared. "You followed me."
"I just wanted to see."
"Yeah, they're cool but I don't know. Not one of them is in a healthy relationship."
"Aren't they the first ones to give out advice?"
He snorted. "Yeah. Hey, you check over there & I'll check over here. Call me if you find them."
"Can't we call them now?"
"Reception's bad up the mountain. Besides, Marce won't answer & Mercy left her phone back at the mess hall."
I didn't even notice it. "Yeah, okay."
We slapped hands & took off.
S&M&P
Laura: POV
They'd been gone a while. "Marc."
He tore his eyes away from Kimberly. Flirting jerk… "What?"
"The kids have been gone a long time. We should go find them."
"They'll be alright." He dismissed me.
I grabbed his ear. "We're going to find them!"
"Ow! Ow! Alright!" I let go & he rubbed his ear while glaring at me. I don't know why I loved him.
We went outside. "More than likely Marcy's in the woods." Marcy walked when upset & nature soothed her.
"Fine. Whatever." Marc set off.
I rolled my eyes & followed him.
We went into the surrounding woods & didn't find anyone. So we went up the mountain. We searched in silence until I couldn't take it anymore.
"What's your problem?! You can't take your eyes off Kimberly long enough to search for your missing family?!"
He swung around & gave me a look. "So what if I pay attention to her?! Why do you care?!"
I balled my fists. "Who said I did?!"
"Obviously you do! What?! are you jealous?!"
I would never admit I was… "Not on your life!"
He stalked close to me. "I think you are! You want me to pine after you but I'll be damned if I do! You married someone else! Not me!"
I looked away.
"You told me you were getting married unless I gave you a reason not to! You chose him over me! I didn't create this! You did!"
"That's right!" I glared at him. "I told you to give me a reason not to & you didn't! You said to go ahead, to do whatever I wanted so I married somebody who wanted me!"
"I wanted you!" Even he looked surprised at that.
I searched his dark brown eyes. "You did?"
He sighed & ran a hand over his braids. I noticed they were getting frayed & needed to be redone. "I did. Dammit, Laura. You didn't have to marry him. I wanted you. I just knew you didn't want me."
"What are you talking about? I've always wanted you." This was news to me.
"Then why did you let him propose? Why wouldn't you make us official?"
I bit my bottom lip & looked down. I didn't want to tell him that & lived in fear of him asking me this exact question.
He lifted my chin. "Laura."
My bottom lip wavered. "I was scared."
"Of what? Of me?" He searched my eyes.
"Yes. Of you. Of us. I never had a chance to love anyone else & it felt weird to love my brother. But I looked at Mal & Marcy & I wanted to. But I felt too much for you & you know that's not really our family's way. I could see things were going south for Mom & Daddy & I didn't want to be like that so I held you at arm's length."
"Laura." He held me by my arms. "I felt so much for you, I thought I was crazy. I never knew what Mal was talking about until I looked around & saw you. You were my everything & it crushed me to see you with Robert. If I could have killed him & gotten away with it…"
I smiled. "I'm divorced."
"What?" He obviously was still thinking of committing a felony.
"I'm divorced." I said louder.
He stared at me. "It sounds like you said you're divorced."
"I am."
"But- how? When?" He looked so confused.
"When Marcy came home. She was staying so that meant if she could be good & get to come home, I could be honest with myself & be free."
"Wow."
"I'll be officially a single woman when the papers come in the mail but that shouldn't take more than a week. I asked Mom to tell me if any letters come to the house from the state & to send it here."
"What does that mean for us?" He looked afraid to hope.
I did that to him. To us. I brought his hands from my arms to my hands & held them. "It means we can start over."
"I don't want to start over." He took his hands from mine & my heart dropped. Maybe what I'd done couldn't be fixed? He cupped my cheeks. "I want to pick up where we left off."
Then he kissed me.
I smiled & let him pull me to the ground. I was going to enjoy this.
S&M&P
Mercedes: POV
I heard a noise & turned around. It was Noah. "Puck? What are you doing here?"
"I've been all over these woods looking for you!" He snapped.
"Why? What's wrong?" I stood up off the log I was sitting on.
"I-" He looked closely at me. "Were you crying?"
"No." I wiped my face.
"Yes, you were. What's going on?" He went into savior mode.
"Nothing." I laughed shakily. "Have you seen Marcy?"
"No. & don't change the subject. Who made you cry? Did you let a pregnant girl make you cry?"
I chuckled. "I haven't seen Marcy. She was gone as soon as I stepped outside."
"Then what's with the water works?" He came closer & held me.
I leaned on my tiptoes & kissed his chin.
"Mama." His lashes hid his bejeweled eyes from view.
"What?" I wrapped my lips around a section of his jaw & sucked.
I could feel the muscle there twitch. "Mama, we can't do this. The people said-"
"Forget those people! Puck, I need this!" I wrapped my arms around his neck.
"Why? Because your boyfriend's not here?"
I whimpered. "We broke up."
His brows lifted. "Ahh shit! I'm sorry, Mama. Why?"
"He's moving tomorrow."
"He is?"
"His dad found a job. In Kentucky. We can't fight that."
He looked at me strangely for a minute. It was bewildering. "I'm sorry."
"Are you? You never liked Sam." I walked away from him.
"That's not true. I didn't like him for you."
"Why not?!" I set my hands on my hips & tried to give off the angry vibe so I wouldn't cry again. "He was the only boy who paid any attention to me! He was the only guy to ever like me!"
"That's not true!" He grabbed my arm & whipped me around. "& what about Finn? Didn't you date him?"
I didn't want to talk about Finn with him. "I don't want to talk about that."
He narrowed his eyes. "You don't see all the guys that's into you!"
"Name one!"
He looked really conflicted & I just knew he was going to make someone up. See? that's why I was crying! Instead of saying anything, he pulled me to him & kissed me.
When he let me go, I looked into his eyes. "I thought you wanted to do what the doctors said?"
"Fuck them doctors." He seemed to be glaring at me. "Are we starting over? Fresh slate? Just me & you?"
I nodded. "Starting over. Fresh slate. Just me & you."
He brought me to him again & kissed me roughly.
I pulled his shirt over his head & kissed his bronze chest. I was going to enjoy this.
S&M&P
Mal: POV
I wanted to strangle the mother of my children… "Why are you so difficult?!"
"I hate you! What part of that are you repeatedly missing?!" Marcy spat.
"The part where you're lying to yourself! We're in love & you're going to see that one day!"
"& what?! I'll be too late?! I wish that day was here! Go on & find somebody new! You're good at that!"
"So you are mad I was with Ellen!" I threw up my hands.
"I'm mad you used me to cheat on your girlfriend!"
"What was I supposed to do?!"
"Not cheat!"
"So you really wanted me to leave you alone?" I walked over to her & put my arms around her waist.
She looked at me but it wasn't with hatred. I could see the stirrings of lust in her sage irises.
"You didn't want me to kiss you?" I placed a kiss under her chin so it would tickle.
She breathed breathlessly but said nothing. But she wasn't pushing me away. Finally…
"You didn't want me to lick you?" I licked her bottom lip.
She scrunched her nose.
"You didn't want me to touch you everywhere?" I ran my hand over her hip to her bottom.
She grabbed my hand & put it in the small of her back. At least she wasn't punching me…
"You didn't want me loving you?" I whispered against her lips.
She pressed her lips to mine in the barest hint of contact before leaning back. She just stared at me until she leaned in & gave me one of her signature kisses.
I was thrilled. I knew she still loved me! I drew back. "The twins?"
"Will be fine. Especially if I'm on top." She rolled her eyes & dragged me back to her by my shirt.
I smirked, happy. I took off my shirt & laid it in the grass. "Ladies first."
She took off her shirt. "I hope it's true; good guys come last."
She was a naughty thing. I loved her. I joined her on the ground. I was going to enjoy this.
S&M&P
Puck: POV
Mama & I walked back to camp with smiles on our faces. I saw Mal & Mini Mama coming from one way & Marc & Laura coming from another.
Mike was at the door of the mess hall with this weird grin on his face like he was trying not to laugh. "Marcy, you have a leaf in your hair."
She shook her long hair & the leaf fell out. "Thanks, Mikey." Mal stopped at the door & she poked his chest. "See you later."
He grinned goofily & ducked his head.
She went inside.
Laura kept going when Marc stopped at the door. She turned around & blew a kiss at him. He winked at her.
I stopped with the guys. Mama walked backwards until she had to turn around to go up the step. I grinned at her & she blushed & ran inside.
Mike slapped hands with all of us. "I see you unthawed them."
"She was never all that icy." Marc grinned.
"Uh huh."
Marc turned to me. "So what's up with you & our sister?"
"We're on." I stated proudly.
"Don't make me kill you." We slapped hands & that was it.
"Puck's good people." Mike vouched for me.
Marc nodded. "I'm hungry!"
I'd already eaten twice but so was I!
"I never got to finish my food." Mal said. "I wonder how much food is left?"
"Whatever it is, it's not enough." I looked through the doorway.
"Well come on, boys." Marc rubbed his hands together. "Let's demolish this buffet."
"But I didn't have sex." Mike grinned.
We looked at him. Mama them was right. He was a troublemaker. "Come on here!"
Mike laughed.