I woke up the next morning with a smile on my face, hopped out of bed, and made a b-line towards the restroom. My mother was already gone since it was the last day and the bus left early to take everyone to the airport, she had wanted to get a head start on breakfast.
Choosing a random pair of jean shorts paired with a church shirt, she looked in the mirror, smiling. Quickly I threw on a flip-flops and headed out the door. Eager to find a certain pop star and tell him the news she had for him.
I had looked at both the lake and the mess hall — Shane wasn't anywhere to be found… 'he's not here,' I told myself as I gave up, heading back to the mess hall to eat quickly before I had to help mom load the van up.
'Why did he leave without a goodbye?' I pondered to myself. Sighing, I forced a smile; I wasn't going to act all moody — no one had to see me heartbroken. I'm sure Shane had a good reason if he was truly gone to leave without a good bye.
Right?
Steeping into the mess hall, my eyes scanned the crowds of people, the last of my hope vanished when Shane wasn't there. Shaking my head, I walked over to the line of teens. Grabbing a plate and filling it with some eggs and fruit. I wasn't that much of a breakfast food person.
"Mitchie, over here!" Snapping my head to the right, Caitlyn waved me over to her table.
"Morning guys!" I said, taking the empty seat beside Caitlyn. "How is everyone this morning?" I added, seeing all the sad faces.
There were a bunch of grumbles and mumbles in return — no one all that thrilled to be leaving. My smile faltered, I didn't want to leave either. This was the best summer of my life. I learned so much about music, made a lot of new friends, and learned that if people couldn't accept you for you… those people weren't worth your time.
"I don't want the summer to end," grumbled Lola. Everyone nodded in agreement with her.
Smiling, I added, " I don't either, but let's not spend the last few hours of camp so sad." That got a few small smiles from my newfound friends and a few nods of agreement.
"Oh, as anyone saw Shane this morning?" i asked, hoping for answer.
barron nodded his head, "all of connect 3 left about five this morning." my heart sunk. I didn't even have Shane's number, that was probably the shortest relationship ever.
We ate, chatted, and laughed until our stomachs hurt. And pretty soon it was time for everyone to bid a farewell.
I passed my phone to Caitlyn, and quickly I added my number to hers, trading phones again. "I'm gonna miss you," I hugged the life out of her.
Laughing, she returned the hug. " I'll miss you too."
"I'll see you next year, Mitchie," Peggy hugged me, getting up out of her seat, ready to head out of the mess hall. I nodded and hugged her too.
One by one, everyone bid their goodbyes and went to get their luggage — brown wanted everyone at the bus by 9 and it was 8:45.
I took a deep breath, looking around the mess hall, I didn't know if I would be returning next year. I wanted to take it all in. I would miss this place.
Slowly, I made my way outside, and started down the path that would take me to my cabin — I needed to get my luggage to put in the van.
—
Throwing the last bag into the van, I turned towards the kitchen where my mom was still packing her things and loading them into the truck.
"Here, I'll take that to the van," grabbing the box from her hand, smiling she handed it to me and returned to the kitchen.
With the van finally loaded, we hopped in, "thanks for this summer, mom." I thanked her.
"Oh, sweetie, no need to thank me! Last night's performance was thanks enough." She beamed at me.
We pulled up to brown's office, "can you take this key inside, please?" She asked, handing me her kitchen key.
Nodding, I grabbed the key and opened my door — getting out and made my way to brown's office. 'Maybe he'll know whatever happened to Shane.'
Opening the door to Brown's office caused him to look up from the computer screen; a look of sorrow and guilt crossed his face. "Mitchie, I have something for you," he told me grabbing a sheet of paper off his desk. I handed him the key and took the piece of paper from him, it had a number scribbled on it.
"It's Shane's number, a family emergency came up and he had to leave early thing morning. I was supposed to find you and give you that, but the Chaos of the day got to me and I forgot." He explained, answering my unspoken question. "He wants you to call him" he added.
"Okay, thanks." I smiled. "I need to get going, mom's waiting for me in the van." Brown smiled and went back to whatever he was working on.
"Oh, and Mitchie!" I heard from behind me, I glanced back at brown. "Thanks for helping Shane." I just nodded, words escaping me.
I typed the number into a new message and sent Shane a quick text, not wanting to call him with my mom so close. Hey, brown just gave me your number.
The camp rock sign slowly faded into the distance as we headed back towards our little town in Tennessee. A sad smile on my face, why'd camp have to end so soon after I started having fun?
All good things must come to an end.
