Disclaimer: I own nothing!
"Campers, today's challenge will test your outdoor survival skills. I'm not going to lie to you; some of you may not come back alive."
I rolled my eyes. I knew Chris well enough to know that he's always trying to scare us. Luckily, I have a natural ability at telling when people are lying. I looked over at Noah, who was sitting next to me. He rolled his eyes and pointed at Chris, then made the crazy sign with his hand. I smiled. Noah and I were starting to get really good at communicating without talking. We have lots of practice in the mess hall, on the occasions where Chef threatened to force more food down our throats if we didn't shut up. Weirdo.
Speaking of weirdos, the campers didn't seem to get the joke, since they all gasped. I should've know. After all, the others didn't have my C.I.T training, where our ears were taught to pick up the slightest hint of dishonesty.
Chris laughed. "Just kidding. All you have to do is spend one night in the woods." Oh yay. "Everything you need is at your team's campsite in the forest. You just have to find it." Chris threw a map and compass to each of the teams. Obviously the team would take it to guide their team through the woods, so when the supplies came flying towards me, I grabbed them without hesitation. Gwen, who was sitting on the other side of me, nudged me and pointed to Heather, who was glaring at me. Whatever. Maybe is she was a little nicer, and if she had been a C.I.T, she could be a good leader, like me.
"Oh, and watch out for bears. Lost a couple of interns in pre-production." Chris smirked. "First team back for breakfast wins invincibility!" Somehow, he got a blowhorn out of nowhere, and rang it. "Well, off you go!"
"Sleeping in the woods. Gee, someone put a lot of effort into this challenge." A sarcastic voice whispered in my ear. I turned to smile at him.
"Hey, it's better than another talent show." I said. For some reason, I was feeling strangely optimistic that day. Probably something Chef put in the food.
"Touche."
I stopped in front of the trees, waving my arms. "Alright, Screaming Gophers! Gather over here!" The team stood in a loose crowd around me, except for Heather, who was standing off to the distance and scratching her arm, trying to glare at both Gwen and me at the same time.
"Okay, to get to our campsite as orderly as possible, We are going to walk in a single file line down the path that has been drawn for us," I said, pointing to the map. "Any questions?"
"Yes!" Heather called from the back. "Who decided you were the leader?"
"Do you see anyone protesting?" I asked, glaring back at her. No one said anything, though some, like LeShawna and Gwen, were glaring at Heather. "Good. Let's get moving."
As we walked through the forest, I kept a close eye on the map, though I could still hear my team mates talking behind me.
"Did he say there are bears up in here?" LeShawna asked nervously.
"I had a little encounter with a bear once! Let's just say, his head looks real nice up on my mantle." Owen bragged. I rolled my eyes at this. Yeah right he fought a bear. and I'm an exoctic belly dancer.
Wow. I think I'm hanging out with Noah too much.
"This one time, I saw a bear eating our garbage," Beth was explaining. "He had old spaghetti noodles hanging from his teeth, It was so gross! Um... you didn't have spaghetti did you?"
Someone, probably Lindsay, made a strange noise in response. "Good!"
I shook my head. My team was crazy, that was for sure. It was a good thing I was here to lead them, or they would be spiraling out of control by now.
...
As much as I would've liked to stand in the front near Courtney, somehow I got stuck behind Heather. Yippe. All she did was scratch her arm and mutter angrily to herself. How riveting.
"Ugh! She is so the next one to leave." She said, loud enough for us to hear.
"Who?" Trent, who was standing behind me, said.
"Who do you think?" Heather pointed to Gwen, who was walking ahead of us sadly. "She dumped Harold's red ant farm into my bed!"
"Yeah, but you did read her diary out loud to the entire world." Trent replied. Heather whirled to a stop and glared at him, making the rest of the team behind her bump into each other.
"So?" Heather said icily, as if daring him to reply.
"So, that was pretty harsh."
"She is going down!" Heather yelled. "Her, or Miss C.I.T!"
"And why, pray tell, is that?" I piped up. It was rude enough when she threatened Gwen, but threatening to vote Courtney was completly unessacary.
Wow. I think I'm hanging out with Courtney too much.
"Hello, she's trying to be the leader of this team! I am the leader!" Heather said, practically screeching by now.
"Oh yes, and you do such a good job at it too." Ooh, she just got burned. Sizzle.
"Are you trying to insult me, dweeb?"
"I'm not trying, I am."
Heather opened her mouth to reply, but then shut it and replaced her scowl with a sickly sweet smile. "You know, Noah, I think it's really sweet how you're defending your little girlfriend. Maybe I should go tell her how you feel right now? I'm sure she'll be touched."
I didn't have a comeback. How could I? I could almost feel my face getting pale, and from the evil smirk on Heather's face, she could tell she had won.
"That's what I thought." she turned around and continued walking.
"Nice try, man," Trent said, patting me on the shoulder. "You had her for awhile, I thought."
"Thanks." I muttered. Damn. How could Heather make me freeze up just by threatening to tell Courtney that I liked her? I had given her a weapon to use against me. But why? Why does it bother me so much?
Gentle readers, I don't know the answer. All I know is that we can't lose, because I can't let Courtney get voted off... or Gwen! Gwen too. Jeez.
...
Finally, we arrived at the campsite around noon. Thank God. I had quickly lost my optimism listening to my team, and I had a serious migraine.
Why couldn't Noah walk with me? His voice didn't sound like nails on a chalkboard. Not that I care. I don't.
"Uh... there's no food here." Owen deduced. I rolled my eyes. Thank you, Captain Obvious. I looked at the map. "This is a survival task. Look at the instructions!" I said, trying to keep my calm. My team needed me as a role model, someone who could guide them.
"I wonder if there are any bears around today!" Owen wondered. "Wouldn't it be funny if we made some bear sounds and then they came?" No, he's not being sarcastic. He's genuinely excited.
"Yeah, that would be funny." I said, trying to smile. "But you're not going to do it!" I said a little more harshly. Of all the people on our team, Owen annoyed me the most. Still, I couldn't hate him: he was just so darn cheerful.
"Sorry." he muttered. looking away.I felt something being torn from my hands. When I turned, Heather was holding the map in her hands. "Hey!" I protested, but she ignored me.
"It says we're supposed to find our own food." Heather looked around "I still don't see it."
"I think they mean in the woods." Beth offered, but Heather just glared at her.
"I'll go! I'm good at finding food!" Owen said, walked into the trees.
""You don't say." Noah said, looking at his huge retreating figure.
"Wait, Owen! You shouldn't go alone-"
"Oh, let him go," Heather interrupted me. "It's not like he'll be any help. Right, Lindsay?" Heather turned, expecting her loyal follower to be there, but she wasn't. "Lindsay? Where is she?"
I started to look around too, and noticed something else. "For that matter, where's Trent? Trent! Lindsay!"
"Oh, this is too much," Gwen snickered. "Both Trent and Lindsay are lost?"
"Yes." I confirmed.
"I wouldn't worry then. They're probably making out in the woods as we speak."
"Ugh, that idiot!"Heather cried. For a brief second, I wondered if I should send out a search party. Nah. Gwen's probably right.
...
An hour after Owen left, we were all sitting around our fire, waiting and becoming impatient. I never really eat that much, and I'm almost never hungry. But I hadn't eaten anything since Chef's slop last night, so even I was starving. Where was that tub of lard?
"Uuh, I am so hungry!" Heather moaned.
"I think my stomach just ate itself." Courtney agreed.
"Is it just me, or is Beth starting to look really good right now?" I whispered to her. She smiled, of course, which was my intention.
"Hmmm, we already have the fire going." Courtney joked back.
"That's right. You grab Beth, and I'll get the roasting stick."
"What are you too lovebirds whispering about?" Heather glared.
Before they could retort that they weren't lovebirds, Owen walked through the bushes, carrying a bunch of fish. "I am man! I bring fish!" he bellowed.
"I guess we won't have to eat Beth now." Courtney whispered.
"Aww, shoot." I said, making a show of snapping my fingers, but she was already on her way over to Owen. Note to self: Next time I want to impress a girl, I'll get fish.
"Are you kidding me?!" Heather yelled, but everyone ignored and ran to Owen. However, she didn't give up that easily. "How did you learn how to fish?"
"My grandpa taught me! I caught a shark once, it bit me on the butt, check it out!" Owen bent over and pulled his pants down.
"EEEEWWWWW!!!!" most of the team yelled, mixing in some grosses and sicks. But it was Courtney who yelled the loudest.
"Owen! Pull your pants up, that's disgusting!" the C.I.T yelled, trying to pull his pants up without actually touching his butt. Since it was so big, that wasn't going to be easy.
"Sorry, Courtney." he smiled, pulling his pants up. "It's just the thrill of the wild you know? It's making me crazy!"
"You're saying you weren't crazy before?" I asked, staring at him. Of all the campers, Owen is probably the strangest. Well, besides Izzy.
Oh well, at least we had food, however insane the catcher was. Hopefully we could get through the night.
Damn optimism. It always disappoints.
...
"Okay. Fire's hot, fish are grilling, tent is tenting." Owen said as we sat around the fire, waiting for the fish to cook. As much as he could get on my nerves, I had to admit, I was really impressed with Owen catching the fish. As someone who has spent most of their past three summers in the wilderness with kids, I could respect that.
"Nice going, man. Fish looks awesome." Cody complimented.
"Thanks man, I owe it all to Grandpa."
"So you and your grandpa really fought a bear once?" Gwen asked, looking uncharacteristically curious.
"Heck yes. It was the scariest day of my entire life. We were out in the woods when we came upon the great beast. I tell ya, he was ten feet high if he was a foot! And then he roared his terrible roar! RAAAAA!!! We grabbed our shotgun. We knew it was either him, or us; nothing personal, just the law of the wild. And then, BAM! One shot was all it took to fell the great beast. We took his blood and marked ourselves to honor him. It was a good death."
"Yeah right. There's no way you took down a ten foot bear." Heather said. just then, we heard a rustling in the bushes.
"W-what was that?" Beth asked nervously.
"Probably just Chris trying to punk us. I'M ONTO YOU,CHRIS!" Heather yelled, but that seemed to make the rustling grow. All of a sudden, a bear popped out of the bushes., growling.
"AAAAHHH!!!" the teens cried. My hands reached out to grab onto the closet thing that was near me, which happened to be Noah. But only because he obviously would have died of fright if I hadn't wrapped my arms around him. It was a pity hug!
I have to admit, with all the fear and panic, it would have been easy to for get my C.I.T skills. But luckily, the only important one still lingered in my head.
"The trees! Climb into the trees!
...
"What now, Miss C.I.T expert!" Heather called down to the branch I was sitting on with Courtney and Owen.
"How should I know?" Courtney yelled back. She obviously didn't want to seem scared, but she was shaking. And she hadn't let go of me since we saw the bear. Not that I'm complaining.
"Why don't we ask the bear-hunting expert." Heather grinned sadistically. "Hey Owen, what now?"
"Don't look at me!" Owen held onto the tree trunk, crying.
"Dude, you said you killed a bear!" LeShawna pointed out.
"I was being theatrical!" Owen cried, practically in hysterics now. Below us, the bear was starting to sniff at our fish.
"Hey! Lay off our fish!" Courtney yelled.
Beth was crying. "It's probably already eaten Lindsay and Trent!"
"Than it shouldn't be hungry anymore." Heather said, to which we all gasped. I mean, I knew Heather was horrible, but to not care if a bear had eaten others was... totally like her.
"What? This is survival of the fittest!" next to her Beth started crying even louder. "Oh, what now?"
"I really have to pee." Beth whispered.
"So, just go in your pants like Cody." Up on the highest branch, Cody looked away, ashamed.
"Uh, guys, is it just me, or is this branch starting to wobble?" Owen said to us nervously. As if on cue, half of the branch snapped from Owen's weight combined with ours. My quick reflexes from playing video games kicked in, and I scooted over in time. Courtney, however, fell to the ground, right in front of the bear.
"Dear Abby, she's going to die!" Owen yelled. The others started screaming at her to climb into the trees, but Courtney was still on the ground, scooting away from the bear that was stalking towards her.
"N-nice bear." she said nervously. The bear came even closer. Her back was up against the tree, and she screamed.
The next thing I did was probably the stupidest thing I've ever done in my life. And for someone who's IQ is 184, that's saying something. For some weird reason, I just got really scared for Courtney, and my body wouldn't let me do anything. I didn't have time to make the decision then, but looking back, I know I did the right thing. Or something like that.
I jumped of the branch. I fell, and landed right next to Courtney. The bear grinned and continued creeping forward, but I was quicker than that. "Get up." I whispered. She nodded and got up, never taking her eyes of the bear. Supporting her with my arms, I ran to the lowest branch and jumped on it. I couldn't have done it alone, but luckily, Courtney seemed to have gotten over a little of her fear and climbed with me, until we were sitting on a branch slightly lower than the one were on before, but still not in the bear's reach.
The rest of the team started cheering, but I barely heard them. Courtney was still staring at the bear, and shaking.
"Are you okay?" I whispered, putting my hand on her shoulder. She didn't respond. Just then, I felt something drop on my head. Seconds later, it began to pour rain.
Great.
...
The next morning took way too long to come. I mean, we were sitting in a tree all night, and it was raining. Basically, none of us got any sleep. Though, the bear was gone, that was a plus. My optimism was starting to return, until I saw the chewed up map.
"Great!" I yelled, "Just great! Now how will we get back?"
"Just follow Owen." Noah suggested. "If Chef is making breakfast, Owen will be able to smell it and lead us back."
I stared at him for a second before grinning. "Noah... that's genius! Owen, can you do it?" I turned to him, but he was already taking off into the trees. "Come on, guys!" I yelled. running after him. In almost no time at all, we saw the campfire pit, and Chris, waiting for us.
"Yes! We're the first ones back!" I exclaimed. A few seconds later, the Bass ran in.
"Oh no, they beat us here!" Bridgette yelled.
"Not so fast, fishies. It seems that the Gophers are missing a few peeps. Where's Lindsay and Trent?" Chris asked. Just then, Trent and Lindsay ran in.
"Oh my gosh, you guys, you would not believe what happened last night." Lindsay said, panting. "We got lost and then we got in this huge fight and then there was this bear who was like 'rawr, you're in my crib, get out', and it was so scary." Lindsay turned to Trent. "I'm sorry Brent. I shouldn't have yelled at you."
"I'm sorry too, Lins. You're not dumb at all, you're really smart!"
"Really! Oh my gosh, thanks Todd!" Lindsay grabbed his face and kissed him hard. they went on for a few minutes, which got really awkward. Luckily, I stepped in.
"Are you two done with your little love-fest?" I asked. They nodded, breaking apart. "Good. Because thanks to you, we just lost the challenge!"
"Gophers, one of your furry butts is going home tonight! Killer Bass, you will be recieving an all expense paid trip to the Tuck Shop!"
The Tuck Shop!? No way! I glared at Lindsay and Trent, along with the rest of the team. The two of them looked at us nervously.
One of those lovebirds is so gone.
...
"You've all cast your votes. The camper who does not recieve a marshmallow must immeadietly hit the Dock of Shame, grab the Boat of Losers, and get the heck out of here!And, you can't come back, ever!
"The first marsmellow goes Courtney." Yes!
"Noah." Double Yes!
"Gwen"
"LeShawna."
"Cody."
"Beth"
"Heather."
"Owen."
"Lindsay and Trent, this is the final marshmallow of the night.... Trent!"
The marshmellow hit Trent's head, falling to the ground. "What? No! Not Lindsay!"
"Sorry dude. Lindsay, the Dock of Shame awaits!"
Lindsay stood up, smiling. "It's okay, Trent."
"It's- you got my name right?" Trent asked, smiling.
"Of course! I'll miss you, but I really hope you win this. I'll be cheering for you. I'm really good at cheering." Lindsay pulled Trent in for one last quick kiss, then walked down to the Boat of Losers with her head held high.
...
That night, I was about to walk into my cabin, when a voice called out my name. I turned to see Courtney running up the steps behind me.
"I just wanted to say thank you for last night. If it weren't for you, I'd be in that bear's digestive system by now."
I shrugged. "It's no big deal." That's always what guys say in movies when girls thank them. I haven't really that much experience with girls, so that's all I have to work from. Oh please, don't look so surprised.
"Of course it is! You saved my life!" Courtney leaned in closer. I closed my eyes, praying to the gods of whatever, I didn't care, that she wuld do what I was hoping she was going to do. For a brief second, I felt her warm lips brush against my cheek, than it was over. I opened my eyes. Courtney was walking away, waving.
"See you tomorrow!" she yelled back.
"Oh ma gah." I couldn't form a complete sentence. As soon as I was sure she was gone, I pumped my fist in the air. Yes! Totally worth almost being mauled by a bear!
Granted, the cheek wasn't as good as the lips. But hopefully, I would be getting the latter soon enough.
I think this might be the most IC chapter yet. Sorry if the marshmallow ceremony and the end were a little rushed, I'm going to the movies in a few minutes, and I really wanted to finish this before I go.
Also, I probably won't be updating until after Christmas. Sorry. It's not on hold or discontinued, but I have another story I'll be working through most of December. Still, I promise the next chapter will be worth the wait... but only if you review!!!