Peter furrowed his brow, "What about them? It's fairly simple isn't it? Two groups, two guys and two girls in both of them."
"You're kidding me right?" He shook his head. "Peter we can't just pick the two groups randomly. There are a lot of factors we have to take in to consideration here. It's going to be a tough trip."
"There are a lot of things we need to plan out and discuss regarding this trip. I think the groups can wait. Soph, this is five days we're talking about here," Peter argued. They were busy planning an important trip for the Cliffhangers. It would be one of their last outings as Horizon students. "It can wait until later."
"Exactly Peter, a five day trip. That's a hundred and twenty unchaperoned hours out there in the wilderness. Have you forgotten about all the characters in the soap opera that is the Cliffhangers. They may have been through the programme but they're still teenagers." She stared at him, "You haven't thought about this at all have you?"
Peter flipped a note book open to a fresh page and wrote 'groups' at the top of the page. "If you really think we need to do this right away, then let's get it out of the way."
"Thank you," Sophie gave him a look for patronizing her. "For starters, we can't put David and Ezra together because they still aren't getting along and David won't back off if we're not around."
"I agree," he wrote David and Ezra's names in separate columns. "Next?"
"Should we split up all of the couples?" Something clicked in Peter when he saw Sophie's point, she gave him an I-told-you-so look. It was rather important that they put some thought in to this.
"I don't think Daisy should be in the same group as David. I trust her more with Ezra," Peter said. "I don't know about Juliet and Auggie though. Jules is pushing the limit this year and I'm not giving them an opportunity like this. I'll put Auggie with Ezra and Daisy. Juliet can go with David."
Shelby ran her fingers through her hair, "That leaves Shelby, Scott and Kristy. I don't think that Scott and Kristy should be together."
"I disagree."
"Peter we can't put Kristy and Scott in the same group!" Shelby cried.
He looked up from the list of groups. "Why not? I trust them. Besides Shelby has been spending to much time with the two of them. I think she needs to try getting along with the others for a change."
"But then you'll have to put Scott and Kristy together with David and Juliet."
Peter replied, "David behaves around Scott for some strange reason. He can keep him in line. Kristy and Scott won't do anything wrong, not this close to graduation."
"You're playing favorites," she accused him.
"I'm not Sophie." He tried to reason, "If Kristy and Shelby are in the same group they'll stick together. Shelby will stick to Scott like glue if they're in the same group and I don't think Kristy will do very well in the group with Daisy, Ezra and Auggie. Daisy intimidates her and Ezra is too quiet."
"The others are going to be upset if Scott and Kristy are in the same group," Sophie told him, knowing she was right.
"They'll deal with it." He filled in the rest of the names.
*
Juliet -- April 25, 2002 -- . . . So we found out about the groups for the camping trip we're going on next week. I'll be with David, Kristy and Scott. It's not fair that let Scott and Kristy be in a group together but they split me and Auggie up. We're going to graduate soon and then no one can keep us separated. What do they think will happen then? What difference does it make . . .
Auggie -- Apr, 25, 2002 -- . . . Our last big trip and I'm stuck with the complainers club. What the hell. Shleby and Daisy are going to bitch and moan the entire time. If Ezra starts talking about plants and dirt I think I'll go crazy. Scott got lucky man . . .
*
"Everyone's mad," Kristy muttered as she dangled her feet over the edge of the dock. It was the morning after Peter and Sophie had announced the two teams going out on the trip.
Scott was sitting beside her, playing with the fingers on her right hand, "Why?"
"Because we're the only couple that got to stay together when they made the groups for the trip." She added, "Shelby can't believe she's got Ezra."
"He's not so bad anymore. Besides, it's not like they ever let us pick who we go with anyway. And you and I had nothing to do with it. So their beef should be with Peter and Soph, not us."
Kristy leaned against Scott, "I can't believe we're going to be out there for five days."
"Why you did really well last time," he reminded her.
"But that was an easy trip to the cabin and back."
He reassured her, "Trust me. If Jules and Ez can do it, you can do it.
We should go to breakfast."
*
Shelby's backpack was on the floor, leaning against her bed. She was all packed and ready to go. Now she had to help Kristy pack, which was proving to be a very interesting task because Kristy hadn't been on such a camping trip Horizon style yet.
Kristy was getting annoyed at her lack of wilderness know-how, "Stop laughing at me Shelby. Can I help it if my idea of a camping is a kegger in someone's backyard?"
"And don't forget the double sleeping bag," Shelby teased her. Kristy laughed at the joke, but punched her in the shoulder anyway. Shelby was staring at Kristy's equipment, which was laid out on the bed. "This is like top of the line stuff here Kris, are you sure you want to drag it around the forest with you."
"Shut up. My mom picked it out." Kristy crossed her arms, "If you're just going to make fun of me I'll ask someone else for help."
Shelby stifled a giggle, "Okay, okay. I'll drop it." Shelby helped Kristy pack the appropriate clothing and showed her how to close the pack properly and get it on and off.
"It's not that heavy," Kristy hopped up and down a few times.
Daisy looked at her, "Not right now. But just wait until you've been wearing it for four hours. Then you'll be dying for a chiropractor and a couple muscle relaxers."
"Great," Kristy dropped her bag on the floor with a thud. She was glad Daisy wasn't in her group, she was always trying to discourage Kristy.
Juliet scowled, "I hope it doesn't rain too much. Everything's heavier when it's wet."
"Don't jinx us Jules," Daisy rolled her eyes and went back to zipping up her pack.
*
Peter poked his head out of his office and noticed Scott walking by, "Can you come in here for a second?"
"What's up?"
Peter sat on the edge of his desk, "About the groups for the trip, Scott." He paused, "I want to make sure you realize something. You and Kristy in the same group, that's a privilege. You two are together because I trust you both and I know you won't do anything wrong."
*
"Are you all packed for tomorrow?" Scott asked as he did his math work. It was Sunday, he and Kristy were working in the study hall to catch up on homework before they left the next morning. She nodded at him. "Are you nervous?"
She shook her head, "I think I can handle it. And if I can't you'll just have to piggyback me the entire way."
"Yea right," he laughed.
Kristy teased him, "If you're not interested maybe David will be."
"That's not funny."
"Oh really? I thought it was hilarious." She put her hand on his thigh under the table, "I was only kidding."
"Listen," Scott said seriously. "Peter called me in to his office today and gave me this whole speech. He said he put us together because he trusts us. He actually had to convince Sophie that we wouldn't do anything wrong."
"Okay," she slipped her hand away and focused on her work.
"Just because we're away from the school and them for a little while doesn't mean that they're going to let the rules slide. I'm telling you because I don't want you to get the wrong idea or anything."
"I get it Scott, don't worry."