I've decided that there is only one way I will get through these next months at Camp Green Lake. Ignoring everyone. And that's what I'm gonna do. I will not talk, I will not communicate, I will be so invisible that it's like I never even came to this place in the first place. So, that's my plan.

A shout interrupted me. Something about "dinner is ready!".

I have one thing to say about "dinner". Yes, "dinner" in air quotations. Dinner is composed of some type of slop that, I assure you, is not food. Just when I think my life can't get worse, I have to starve myself.

I sat down at the table, turning around to ignore the guys. I could tell they noticed, because they immediately stopped talking. Then they started whispering to each other, probably about me.

"Hey, Kristina," one of them said. Who said it, I don't know, but I don't really care either.

And so, I ignored whoever said my name. I went back to picking at my food, looking down at my plate, turned away from them.

Okay, what happened next has to be the stupidest thing I've ever heard. They started to chant my name, to get my attention or something. But I knew exactly what they were doing. They were trying to get me mad at them. But I vowed to ignore them, so, I did. At least for a little while.

Then, I heard it. A "Krissy" thrown into the chant of Kristina. And by, the third Krissy, I cracked.

"WILL ALL YOU SHUT UP!?!?" Oops.

"Sorry," the one guy said. Why can't I ever remember names? Um...ZigZag. Yeah. That's it. "We're just trying to talk to you."

"I don't want to talk to any of you," I said simply. I was laying out the rules.

"Well, that isn't a very nice thing to say," X-Ray stated. "You've got to have respect for your fellow tent mates." What an idiot.

I resisted the urge to talk back to them. Not that I couldn't, but, I needed to survive here, and that meant I had to get along with them – somewhat. It wasn't gonna be easy, but I had to do it. I said nothing. Not completely ignoring them, but just not speaking. It would work. Maybe...

"So, Kris..." "he" said. Yes, "he" in also air quotations. I cannot bring myself to speak his name. Or nickname. "He" deserves to be unnamed. Anyone who calls me Krissy or Kris does.

"What did I tell you about calling that. Please stop," I tried saying as nicely as I could.

"Whoa, I got a 'please' out of her. It's a miracle!" "he" said, looking quite satisfied with himself. Wow, what a great example of an egotistical jerk.

"You know what? You are the most egotistical person I have ever met." I didn't mean to say it outloud. It just sort of happened.

All the other guys 'oooh'ed like they knew what 'egotistical' meant. Doubt it.

"He" just stared at me, and then went back to his food. I raised an eyebrow at his failure to come back with something but decided that it wasn't important.

"So...um...whatcha here for?" ZigZag asked. I bet he's trying to make conversation.

Wait a second. What was I here for? Oh my god, did I have to make something up? Oh great. "Uh...I..." I thought about it for a second. "I got sent here because I sent my school on fire." That was the only thing that came to my mind.

"How did you manage to do that?" Magnet asked, an eyebrow raised.

That's a good question. Now I needed the answer to go along with that. Time for story time kiddies, gather round. "Well...I...umm..." Then it came to me. "Purposely mixed the wrong chemicals together in chemistry." Ahh...my least favorite class finally paid off. I'd have to thank Mr. Pedister later. "My...uh...gang told me to do it." As soon as I said that, I knew that I should have stopped talking long ago.

"Gang, huh? You don't seem like the type of person to be in a gang," one of them said. I didn't really pay attention to who said it.

"Well, I am. So shove off." Usually, when I'm shoved into a corner, I rely on threats to get me out.

All the guys looked at each other with false fear. "Oh, I'm so scared!" They're all jerks.

I suddenly got up from the table and threw away my food. I didn't have to deal with this any longer. Without a word, I walked out of the mess hall, and out of the guys' sight.

Walking to the tent, I began to think more about this assignment. About how stupid and unnecessary it was. I saw nothing harmful about this assignment. Yet, anyway.

The tent came into view, and I sped up, finally walking inside. I was never gonna get through this assignment. Never.

I needed some rest and relaxation. I laid down on the cot, trying to relax, ignoring the fact that the cot smelled like puke (urgh) and felt hard as a rock.

You know, all this would be resolved if I just died now. Someone kill me. It would clear all my problems.

I heard someone come in, but I didn't care. Then I had a gut feeling that a person was standing right beside my bed...excuse me, cot. "Go away," I snapped, out of nowhere.

"Fine, be that way. I was only gonna apologize." I opened my eyes to see "him" walk out of the tent. I frowned, and sat up. Well, that was different.

I got up and walked over to the entrance of the tent, watching him walk back to the mess hall. I kind of felt bad. Wait. Wait a freakin' minute. I cannot feel sorry for "him". Nope, never going to happen.

Walking back to my cot, I remembered what I was actually here for. Maybe some snooping would crack the case, and I could get out of here. Tonight, I would go to find something. Clues maybe. All I really want is a way out of here. Guess that I have to solve the case before I go anywhere.