Well I have civics homework to do and not a lot of time to do it! But I had to get this chapter out! Enjoyy! But remember...
i own nothing
¨Okay cool.¨ I grinned at Nate as we finished the song. He laughed and tapped a beat on his guitar with one hand. I nodded my head with the rhythm he made. My phone rang and I walked away to answer it. ¨Hello?¨
"Sweetie? It's Mom." Caitlyn Geller's voice filled my ear and I stumbled. Nate looked up alarmed but I waved my hand in his general direction, hopping onto the grass.
"Er what's up?" I asked her nervously rubbing the edge of my shirt. I could almost hear her shrug and wanted to smile until I heard what she said next.
"Well I just wanted to let you know that I'm flying out to see an old friend of mine. She just called me to say that she's going to be having a baby and to reminisce about old times. I figured since you're away with Trish I'd go visit her." I breathed a sigh of relief.
"That's awesome Mom! What's her name?" I was enthusiastic as I spoke. Nate was looking at me oddly but continued his guitar playing nonetheless.
"Mitchie Gray." I nearly dropped the phone. I began to stutter but she cut me off. "Well I have to go finish packing! I leave the day after tomorrow! Love you!" The call ended with a click.
I turned back around to Nate, a bright visage on my face though beneath it I felt like my whole plan was cracking down the middle. All the effort towards getting here and now the minute my mom saw me she'd bring me right on home. "Sorry Mom misses me." I shrugged with a laugh.
"No problem Hayden. I gotta get back though, Mitchie and Shane said they have some big news to tell me. Who knows what it could be with them. Probably a fantastic new brand of hair product." He laughed and waved as he exited.
I smiled weakly and then walked inside. I should cherish the time I had with Nate, there probably wouldn't be much more. I flopped down onto my bed for a nap.
Three hours later it was dark out but I had awaken with a new determination. I ran to Brown's cabin and knocked furiously on the door. He opened it curiously and I invited myself in. "My mom's coming." I sat down, exhausted from the spurt of energy that had brought me there.
"Oh. Well the jig's up hm?" He rubbed his ashy hands together and I eyed him, raising one perfectly thin eye brow, a dead ringer for the look I got from my mom on a regular basis. "Or not. My you are your mother's daughter." He laughed.
"You cant tell her." I crossed my arms tightly, to get the point clear across. He nodded his head obediently with a small but noticeable cough.
"So how do you intend on hiding from her? She's your mother Hayden. I think she'll notice you on her own." He pointed out and raised his eye brows, creating creases in his forehead, but I shook my head.
"I'll take care of the rest. Just please do not tell her." I turned on my heel, the frail door slamming shut behind me. I trotted out towards the building I had discovered earlier that day. There was a multitude of costumes and wigs from some show they must have done because everything looked brand new.
I pulled on a blonde wig and grinned in the mirror. I could totally pull this off. I grabbed some clothes that fit and jogged back to my cabin. Melissa stopped short as I walked in. Pink sweatpants, a gray tank top donning me, and oh yeah. I was blonde.
"Who are you?" She asked quizzically and I squeaked, throwing my arms around her neck.
"It's me! Hayden!" I giggled, removing the wig. Her jaw dropped and I laughed, telling her about the day I had. We spent the next hour figuring out my new look.
The next day I walked into the dining hall and felt strange. I would be myself just not. Even I was confused by the plan, but that didn't matter. I approached the counselor's table and Nate looked up at me mid-chew.
"Hayden?" He swallowed with wide eyes and asked at the same time so it came out as more of a croak. I raised the corners of my mouth and nodded.
"Hi."
"Why is your hair... blonde?" I took a breath and this is where I hoped those expensive acting classes would pay off. I burst into tears and he looked around hurriedly. "Whoa Hayden, why are you crying??" He stood awkwardly and led me out.
"I just. I wanted to go for a new look you know? And I thought hey maybe it'll look totally natural but obviously it didn't work!" I cried louder this time, smiling to myself. I knew what I had said didn't make much sense but that didn't matter, Nate was an adult male and I was a preteen girl. Didn't have to make sense.
He pat my back. "Now Hayden it looks great! I was just in shock. But you know what? I bet no other counselor will even notice." He said and I sniffled.
"Thanks Nate. But by the way, I'm going by H-hannah now!" I wailed, a new wave of tears gushing from my eyes. I hugged him tightly and scurried away, hearing him tell the other counselors. This was almost too easy.
The next day I held my breath as I walked carefully into my dance class. Shane and Mitchie were sitting together across from my mother. The married couple was grinning from ear to ear and holding hands. Some other people were sitting on the floor stretching for class so I joined them.
I leaned over my right leg and felt my back crack. I continued stretching, the blonde hair falling into my face. I looked down and saw the necklace she had given me for my birthday, my name molded in cursive on a silver chain around my neck. My hands flew to the clasp.
I could never get the darn thing open. I tried to work my nail under the edge of it but nothing was coming of it. I finally closed my eyes and gave the thin chain one good strong tug. The necklace snapped with a little click and pooled in my hand. I squeezed open one eye and looked down at it before shoving it into my pocket. The three stood up and I moved my hair to the side of my face.
¨Hi every one! So we finally choreographed a great number for the Final Jam!¨ Everyone cheered and the Grays laughed. ¨Oh and this is one of our best friends Caitlyn Geller!¨
My mom stood up and I avoided looking at her. ¨Hi there! Mitchie has asked me to help teach on days she cant so I cant wait to get to know each of you!¨ She grinned.
I nodded my head along with the rest of the people in my class and we all began to dance. I didn´t really try that day so I wouldn´t stand out. As soon as class ended I hurried out the door and went straight to my cabin.
I avoided Nate and hoped that he and my mom hadn´t seen each other yet. That night at dinner I applied a little more eye liner and green eye shadow. I walked up to the table, glancing around, damn she wasn´t here yet. I slowed my walk so I was nearly going backwards.
I sat back down and looked at the doors, they were opening and Shane walked in. ¨Okay Mitchie next...¨ I said aloud. But she didn´t. I moaned and then the doors opened again. Mom and Mitchie emerged, talking and laughing.
I sprinted towards Nate breathlessly. ¨Hi! Come on! Let´s go play guitar!¨ I pulled on his arm so he stood up. ¨Oh hi Mitchie! Didn´t see you there.¨ I grinned at her. ¨Miss Geller.¨ My voice was a little higher.
¨Hi Hannah...¨ Mitchie trailed off, looking between Nate and my mom who were looking at each other uncomfortably. ¨Er Caitlyn. You remember Nate...¨
She turned on her heel and walked out. ¨Just like last time.¨ Nate muttered before storming off in the opposite direction. I looked at Mitchie.
¨Uh I´m sorry. Do they not like each other for some reason?¨ I asked, feigning obliviousness. Mitchie took a breath and looked away hurriedly.
¨It´s a long story hun.¨ She followed Caitlyn and I moaned.
¨A story I´ll never hear apparently!¨ I muttered under my breath. I walked outside and saw Nate skipping stones on the lake. I walked towards him cautiously.
¨She´s the girl? The one you were telling me about?¨ I asked him quietly. He looked up at me and nodded, his hair partially covering his eyes.
¨Yes.¨ His voice was barely above a whisper.
¨I´m sorry.¨ I hugged him and he hugged me back, sitting down on the ground. I sat opposite him and stacked the smooth stones in a pile. ¨Tell me about her.¨ It wasn´t really a question, more of a request than anything.
¨When we first met, we had a spark between us. She loved to dance and produce, I loved to play guitar and sing. I tried teaching her but our tempers always got in the way. We were both stubborn and constantly tried to be louder than the other. But we always walked away happy. After a while we were really in love.¨ He stopped speaking and I looked up.
¨Then what happened?¨ I spoke up.
¨It´s getting dark. You should get back to your cabin.¨ He stood abruptly and walked into the darkness, not turning back. I stood warily and went to talk to Marissa.
I removed my wig with a yawn and changed into my gray pajamas. I looked at the crumpled chain of my necklace sitting on the nightstand right before there was a knock at the door.
I yawned and opened it, standing in front of me was my mom. ¨Hayden Elizabeth Geller. What are you doing here??¨ She growled and I shied away from the door, allowing her inside.
¨Don´t yell.¨ I asked her weakly and her nostrils flared. Oh damn, when that happened I knew I was done.
¨I told you no. You told me you were going to your friend´s lake house. You´ve been lying to me all summer. How did you get here?¨ She hissed angrily and I looked down.¨
¨I took the money out of my savings account at the bank.¨ My mom raked her hands through her hair.
¨Why? Why after I told you no!?¨ She walked towards me and stayed standing.
¨My dad! I wanted to find out who my dad is! I didn´t know he would be here! I just wanted to find out more about him! You never talk about him, I didn´t know who he was.¨ I felt like I was on the edge of tears.
¨Didn´t know? You know now?¨ She murmured, a tear falling down her cheek.
¨I´m sorry Mom. We can leave tomorrow morning.¨ I whispered. She looked at me for a long time and I felt as though I was being scrutinized, like she was looking for evidence that Nate had rubbed off on me or something.
¨I have to take over Mitchie´s classes. Once she comes back from her vacation with Shane we´ll leave. Don´t tell your father who you are. I cant do this again.¨ She fled the cabin and I flopped back into the blankets of my bed.