Chapter Seven

Susie clumsily stumbled through the forest, camera held tightly in hand. She hated to be the accomplice, especially in such irrational conditions. And in this case, Kimi said she desperately needed her to complete this mission. Susie wondered why on earth she would necessitate pictures of Bridget and Tommy kissing, although it hadn't been anything immense. But Kimi said it would assist her with her plan, whatever it was.

Hiding in the trees and spotting one of her best friends in a rather compromising position with a snob wasn't one of Susie's pinnacle priorities. Her arms were crimson and aggravated. She was in frantic need of sleep. The night overshadowed the endless trees and Susie inaudibly crept back into the cabin. Kimi was awake, contentedly staring back at Susie.

"So, did you get the shots?" Kimi asked, eagerly.

"Of course I got the shots. A few of them at that," Susie jadedly muttered, handing Kimi over the digital camera.

"These are fabulous!" Kimi exclaimed. "They are absolutely perfect for my plan."

"What is your plot, anyhow? That you need a depiction of Bridget and Tommy kissing," Susie wondered.

"You'll see in a few days. You'll see," Kimi slyly uttered.

"C'mon, tell me! I'm the volunteer who spent endless hours in brush, scouting for an excusable picture!" Susie whined, restless to know the plan.

"Well, you're going to have to linger like everyone else. Just hold on-I'm guaranteeing that you'll have the laugh of your life," Kimi stated, forcing Susie to beg for more.

"Fine, I'm going to sleep," Susie muttered, and crawled into bed.

Kimi had much more superior plans than sleeping. She desired to finish her project. As she developed the pictures, she smugly looked in accomplishment. You watch your back, Bridget Sharpe. I have the ultimate weapon to bring you down.

That Morning…

Chuckie skipped blissfully into the dining hall, his new girlfriend Bridget around his arm. Sure, she had requested to be his girlfriend at two o' clock in the morning, but he believed that her peculiar timing was romantic. She flashed him her award-winning smile, as his arm was positioned upon her shoulder. He had gotten the girl of his dreams, and he had believed that she was madly in love with him, too. Or so he thought…

Bridget, on the other hand, couldn't believe what she thought last night about Chuckie. Here, a popular princess was stuck with a total geek. The girls at camp would now loathe her, but she had now crossed new territory. A nerd hooked up with an heiress-an ideal plot. Plus, it would aggravate the hell out of Tommy, seeing the girl he missed with his best friend. That was the scheme-that Tommy would appreciate what he missed and come running back into Bridget's arms.

"Hey, you guys! Meet my new girlfriend, Bridget," Chuckie greeted, merrily.

"Girlfriend? Since when have you had a girlfriend?" Tommy asked, perplexed.

"Since I asked him to be, last night," Bridget announced, enchanting everyone's attention.

"Well, congratulations," Phil applauded, and continued the consumption his sandwich.

Didn't Bridget try to kiss me last night? And now she's someone's boyfriend 5 hours afterwards! Tommy thought.

"Bridge, that's such splendid news!" Lil exclaimed, hugging her friend.

"I know we're ecstatic!" Chuckie happily bellowed.

"I'm going to go back to the cabin, okay?" Phil asked, being shunned by the crowd.

"Sure, why don't I go with you?" Tommy volunteered, and together the two trailed off into the distance.

When they arrived in the cabin, the sticky, hot air pounded against they sweaty faces. Tommy could see in Phil's gloomy eyes that he was distressed. His chubby cheeks weren't as full, and his eyes looked droopy. Tommy scooted over to Phil.

"What's troubling you?" Tommy asked, toiling with the bunks.

"I…just don't know how to tell a girl I like her," Phil blurted out.

"Who's the girl?" Tommy wondered.

"It's…it's….it's Kimi," Phil mumbled, barely enough to hear.

"You like Kimi! I never knew that," Tommy uttered, trying to conceal his jealousy.

"Well, kind of. As a friend, I mean," Phil stammered. "I mean, all right, a crush!"

Tommy couldn't believe these words coming straight out of Phil's mouth. Tommy thought he was the only who had liked Kimi, but now he knew he had competition. He glared Phil in the eyes. Tommy's heart was thumping loudly, and his palms were turning sweaty. He calmly breathed in and out.

"It's not like you like, right?" Phil asked, alarmed.

"No, of course not. I mean, she's a great friend," Tommy divulged, not wanting to think about his sudden feelings for Kimi. His heartstrings were tugging-and what about his precious Lil?

Later…

Lil's thoughts were haunting her. She hated to be mad at Kimi-but she was hesitant to leave Bridget all alone. Bridget depended on Lil. And Kimi had been her best friend for, what, ten years? She sought Kimi-and her heart was torn. She needed to urgently converse to someone-and that was Angelica.

"Angelica, I need to talk to you," Lil stated, arriving back at her realistic state. "I'm sick of being the bitch. How do I apologize to Kimi?"

Angelica yawned. "Well, I've had so many friendships that this is my specialty. Can this wait until the morning?"

"I really need to talk to you. I mean, I've been in the clouds for a few days, but how do I get out of my funk? I want Kimi back!" Lil wailed.

"Obviously, this is an emergency, so I'll give you 'Angie's Friendship Advice.' First, you have to admit you were wrong. Then…I'll tell you in the morning," Angelica's eyes fluttered as she spoke.

"Thanks, Angelica. You're a real friend," Lil admired happily.

"No problem. Isn't that what comrades are for?" Angelica asked before trailing asleep. Lil knew what she needed to do in the morning-and that was for sure.

Meanwhile…

Kimi was almost complete her project. She knew that this would make her content, have Tommy fall in love with her, and mend her friendship with Lil. But she had to be extra secretive. But one thing was for sure-this plan was going to be the riskiest and most rewarding thing since open-heart surgery.