After a whole forty-five minutes of driving, we finally arrived at New Tech Forest. A hundred acres of open land and trees. It was beautiful seeing the tall pines as we stopped in front of a small looking cottage, with the words "New Tech's Gift Shop" written on it. All the students unload the bus and stood in a pile as we waited orders from Mr. Cruger.
"Alright ladies and gentlemen, settle down. Before we start today's tour into the forest, I would like to bring your attention to the store behind you." Everyone looked behind them at the store and then back at Cruger.
"There are restrooms, water bottles, and little snacks for you to buy before we go into the forest. I'll give you guys an hour to do what you want and then we'll meet back here so I can assign you in your groups. Is that all understood?" Most of the students nod and said yes to his question and begin to walk in the store.
"Oh and another thing. Don't run around or go off by yourself or you might end up lost and I don't want your parents calling me and blaming me for your mistake. Now run along."
The students made their way into the store eyeballing everything in their sight. Bridge and I made our way to the snack area just because Bridge said that he was hungry. He grabbed a store basket and started to fill it with different varieties of snacks. I rolled my eyes and headed for the beverage area to get some water. I turned around and spotted Jack looking at the eyewear and picked up a pair of red shades.
"I think these would suit you," I said holding up a pair of glasses with trees painted all over them.
"Ha ha, very funny."
"Why are you spending your time looking at glasses when there's a whole store fill with t-shirts and globes."
"What do I look like wearing a t-shirt with "THE FOREST IS YOUR FRIEND" on it. No, I rather get the shades and only the shades. Maybe you can get your lover boy over there to get a t-shirt, maybe he'll wear them," Jack said pointing his chin to where Sky and Sydney stood.
"He's not my lover boy," I said looking in the direction Jack was pointing at. Sky and Syd were standing by the collective items. Sydney picked up a water globe and began to shake and watch as the glitter inside the ball fall.
"Your crush, whatever. Listen I'll meet you outside okay."
"Okay."
I watched as he went to go pay for his glasses and head out the door. I turned around and saw that Bridge was standing behind me.
"Hey, you're through shopping," I asked.
"Yep."
We walked in the line, full of students, and waited until we were at the counter to pay for our stuff. I put my two bottles of water on the counter and waited until Bridge loaded all of his snacks on the counter as well.
"Whoa Carson, you buying out the whole store aren't you," said a person behind us.
I looked back and it was Sky and a boy standing behind us. I looked over at Bridge and he was just looking at the boy next to Sky.
"Uh, you know me," was all Bridge could say.
"Your weird, Carson," the boy laughed.
Bridge just smiled and chuckled a little and turned back to his unloading of snacks. After we paid for our stuff, we went outside and met up with Jack. Jack turned around toward us and saw Bridge stuffing his backpack with snacks.
"Bridge why are you….you know, I'm not going to ask."
"Well beside me, I thought that when I'm in my group we can have something to eat in case we get hungry."
I nod at the thought of that and put my backpack on the ground.
"Watch my things okay. I'll be back."
Jack and Bridge nod and started a conversation once I left. I made my way to the girl's restroom. After using the restroom, I washed my hand and dried them. I looked in the mirror and stared to fix my hair when I heard the toilet flushed. I turned around and saw Syd literally running out.
"Oh my gosh, I am not using this restroom again," she said as she washed her hands. After she dried them she started to put on some extra make-up. I went to put on some lip-gloss and put it up when Syd looked at me.
"What."
"Is
that peach bloom by Chanell your wearing."
"Yeah…so."
"Nothing, except that I got the same except mine is strawberry cream."
"Okay." I was about to leave when Sydney stopped me again.
"Don't take this personal but peach really isn't your color."
"Okay I'll keep that in mind."
I finally left with Sydney not far behind and I saw a group of five students standing together. Realizing that I'm late, I hurried to meet up with Bridge and Jack. Cruger was still calling out names and putting them in groups. Lucky for me Bridge and Jack names weren't called and they told me that my name wasn't called either. Ten students remained waiting for their names to be called. I took a look around and saw that Sky and Syd still standing, waiting for their names to be called.
"Miss Delgado."
I snap my attention back to Mr. Cruger once he called my name. I stood out from the nine still standing in a group and walked over to Cruger. I faced the rest of the group of nine and waited until he called another name.
"Mr. Carson."
I let out a sigh. I'm glad that I got him in my group I thought. I smiled at him as he walked over to me. We stood there and waited some more as Cruger calls another name.
"Mr. Landers."
Jack put on his red sunglass and walked over to me and Bridge. Jack and Bridge high-five and I smiled as he stood next to me. My two favorite people in the world is in my group and I thankful for that. Cruger call another name.
"Miss Drew."
I look at Sydney as she walked over to where we were. She smiled and waved at us as she pulled her purse up on her shoulder. I smiled back and quickly dropped it to see who was the last person in our group. I just hope it wasn't Sky because him and Jack would not get ….
"And last is Mr. Tate."
My thoughts were cut short after hearing those words. I turned and looked at Jack, whose head was up and eyes close. I bit my lower lip and look over to Sky who look on in astonishment.
"You can't possibly expect me to work with him can you," asked Sky.
"Yes I can," replied Cruger.
"Did I miss something here or did yesterday did not happen," asked Jack.
"Yes it did," replied Cruger.
"Well unless you want what happen yesterday to happen again, I think you might want to put him in another group," Jack suggest.
"Why should I be replace when you could be put into another group, not me," said Sky.
"Oh, yeah I would like to see you put me in another group."
"Maybe I should."
Both Sky and Jack started to walk up towards each other but was stopped by Cruger.
"I suggest both of you cool down right now. If I catch you two fighting, I will get you both suspend for two months. And I know with football season not over yet, that won't look so good for you Sky, nor for your father." Jack let out a snicker. "And don't think I forgot about you Mr. Landers. With your delinquency problems, this won't look good for you either."
"Jack," I yelled out looking scared.
He looked at me and then back at Sky. He backed off and so did Sky.
"Alright. I suggest you both work out your differences and join your group. Now shake hands." Both boys looked at Cruger.
"I said shake hands or both of you are suspended right now and I can call both your…"
"No," both boys said in unison.
Jack stretch out his right hand and Sky stretch out his left. Both boys looked on in disgust as they shook hands. They let go and walked over to me, Bridge and Syd.
"Since that little show is over, I want Jackson and Law groups over there. You're group one and two. And I want Delgado and Paul group over here. You're group three and four. Now you all wait here while I go get your tour guides."
Students began to talk among themselves except for my group. Syd was filing her nails, Sky was looking around, Jack was listening to his CD player, and me and Bridge was looking at our group in hopelessness.
"I hope we won't walk into mud. These shoes cost a lot of money for them to get ruin on our little hike in the woods," said Sydney, stopping to look at her shoes.
Obviously this isn't going to work.
