Chapter One: Introduction to Erik

Pulling up to that camp gave me such a thrill that I squealed and laughed. Jumping out of the car, I looked around eagerly at the camp. Up the road was the Village, where I would be living with 7 other people in a cabin. Down the road was the world I had left behind.

After I got my shirt(this year's color for my group was purple)and threw my stuff on a bunk, I grabbed my violin and hurried up to the audition room. Raoul came with me, lugging his viola up the steep trail.

"Is…the whole camp like this?" he puffed as we climbed up the step-like stones to a small cabin.

"Yep!" I laughed as reached the top, grabbing Raoul's arm and pulling him to the path that wound around to the ramp.

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Sierra Mountain Music Camp. I have never been to this place, though Nadir explained to me the concept, I found it interesting enough to go, if only for a week. The ride through the city and to the Sierras had been pleasant, despite the fact that I hid my face so no one could see my mask. We were late to the camp though, I do not know why, but that was just how it was.

After I auditioned, I found Nadir waiting for me, and we proceeded back down the mountain to the main area for lunch. On the way, we met up with Nadir's friend William. He and I got better acquainted, though I kept my hood up on my sweatshirt to hide my face.

"So, shall we go down to the creek?" Nadir asked, gesturing to an overgrown area.

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"Meg! Oh my God! Its so good to see you!" I squealed as I ran towards my friend. She laughed and hugged me. Hasty introductions were made between her and Raoul and we sat down to eat a bag lunch. Raoul looked a little out of place with our girl friends from the previous year running up and chatting with us.

After a fairly quick lunch, we went down the creek, sitting on rocks or on the dirt. Meg and I caught up on what had been happening since we last saw each other. Raoul would jump in from time to time, but was largely ignored by my friend and I.

Looking around my shoulder, Meg cringed and made face. I turned around and only way three boys. Two I knew, William and Nadir, but the one with the hood up I did not. I greeted William with a friendly wave, but gave Nadir a look of contempt.

Nadir was a special case with me. I had met in a long time ago, and from the moment we laid eyes on each other, we despised each other. The previous year though, we had managed to get a little closer but never spoke of it. There was no way I was going to admit that there was a possible friendship between us.

Nadir gave me an equally bad look back, and whispered something to his friend. Meg and I got into conversation with William, while Nadir and Raoul exchanged insults. The boy with the hood said nothing, only laughed at Nadir's insults and Raoul's terrible comebacks. Nadir would occasionally throw insults at me, which I threw right back at him.

After a bit, they got bored and left, only to go to the other side of the creek and throw rocks into the water to get us wet. Raoul tried to stop them, but only ended up getting more wet. Meg was yelling and so was I. The "fun" came to a halt when a rock that the boy with the hood nearly hit Meg in the head. We all went silent, staring at Meg in horror as she looked at the rock that had fallen in the creek very close to her.

I looked at the boy. He was gazing at Meg, but I couldn't see his expression because of the hood. He stumbled backward, and the hood fell off. A half masked boy looked at me, a look of shocked and angry. He grabbed Nadir's arm, and turned to leave. The other boys simply gave one last look at us and left.

"Oh that Erik!" Meg exclaimed, looking venomously at the brush where the boys had disappeared.

"What's wrong with him?" I asked out of curiosity, watching Meg to see her reaction to the question. She shrugged.

"I had to sit next to him for a whole year in English, believe me he is so annoying! Erik is a jackass." Meg said. I smiled. So this was the boy that she had told me about for ages, the boy who annoyed her on end in English class. Meg went to a different school than I did, I seldom saw her, save the orchestra concerts we performed in. She often told me about a boy named Erik, but I never figured out who he was. I had always thought that maybe Erik liked Meg, but I never asked. Meg might've gone into one of her rants, which she does all the time. Sometimes they get a bit repeative which means that I know them by heart. This was one of them.

"Meg, I'm sure he didn't mean it. Are you ok?" I asked as Raoul tried to talk to me. She nodded, though still slightly agitated.

"I can go find them and beat them up." Raoul offered, puffing out his chest. I rolled my eyes and shook my head. He was always trying to do stupid things like that, as though trying to protect me. Or impress me, which I was not. Nor did I need protection from Raoul, I was perfectly fine protecting myself. I'm not as weak as everyone thinks I am, it does get very annoying when people think I can't take care of myself. Raoul looked slightly disappointed that he couldn't go and try and impress me.

The bell began to ring. Clang! Clang! Clang! It was time to gather at the main lodge, Judson. Well, that's what we called it at least. I felt another shot of excitement and jumped up, throwing out a hand to Meg.

It was time to find out wether or not I got into the advanced orchestra, under rule of the baton of Mr. Reyer.

so here's the first actual chapter. im so sorry for being late about it, but its finally winter break so ill have loads more time to write.Enjoy!

AOD