Chapter 5

Nothing would make me feel better about this. Even though I was told that she had an ex who she liked, I still wanted her to choose me.

Even though I had been told that she liked me because she initiated the kiss, I was scared because she wouldn't want me. maybe she'd want Nate.

"She clearly agrees with me that I am hotter than all of you," Nate had said as he tried to help me make my second bird house. I had been too busy dealing with Mitchie, the Junior rockers and thinking of Ella.

Anytime I walked across the camp, and I ran into her, she'd either duck into the bushes, turn in the other direction and walk away, or suddenly start talking to her friends.

I knew Mitchie and Caitlyn, but I was still a little scared of them. and Ella had many more friends, including Peggy who was her BFF.

"Gee, thanks Nate," I replied, feeling a little better about it.

"Are you honestly that stupid Jay? I just insulted you and Shane and all you can say is 'Thank You'."

I looked up at Nate, probably looking as confused as I felt. He just shook his head and finished up the rest of the bird house.

"There you are!" Mitchie said, grabbing my hand and pulling me into the Junior Rockers' empty classroom. I knew today they had to be doing dancing with Caitlyn.

"YOU TOLD SHANE ABOUT LUKE?!" she yelled, clearly upset.

"I'm sorry Mitchie! I tried not to say a thing, but you know Shane…"

"Yes I do, now he spends all his free time brushing his teeth."

"Isn't it okay to brush your teeth?"

I couldn't get why she was upset. I know I brush my teeth after every meal. Shane does that too, and sees the doctor for whitening every year, or at least twice a year.

"He is brushing them all the time, and its driving me insane!" she yells, and I still don't understand.

"How?" I asked, feeling very confused by what she said.

"He… well, he's always… you know, he doesn't even want to kiss me. He says I might make his teeth change color…"

I blinked before understanding. "Oh! Right, is that why you are upset?"

"Yes, that's why I am upset!"

"I'll talk to him. I swear. Now, however, we need to go check on Caitlyn and Nate."

As expected, they were already fighting. I smiled before separating them. Caity looked livid.

"So, what's wrong with me wanting to kiss you? You let me do it last night!"

"Nate? Weren't you told not to 'see' Caity or Dana?" Ella asked, still wrestling Caity away from Nate.

"Yeah, but I kind of forgot… I really wanted to talk to her then I don't know what happened. I just sort of couldn't resist it. she looked very beautiful."

"THAT'S WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT DANA TODAY!" Caity yelled, running towards him but Mitchie jumped in her way.

"Caity, he isn't worth it. Let's go."

"Bye Caity!" Nate called, waving at her. I sighed and took his hand, dragging him to the corner of the class. He sighed, before looking up at me.

"What happened to you Nate? Why are you being a jerk?"

"Don't you remember?"

I sighed. "Caty's a good girl. Please stop hurting her. Please? Remember how you used to be in love with her? What happened? Dana? Are you scared? This facade you are putting up is hurting everyone."

"Leave me alone then."

"I can't. you are my brother. And what do brothers do? They take care of each other."

Nate looked at me, smiling for the first time in months. "I think I am gonna choose and end this crazy fighting. I need a break!"

I smiled at him. "Well, good for you! Let's go!"

As we walked out, I noticed a weaver bird and a squirrel fighting. I stopped, feeling worried for the bird, but Nate was worried for the squirrel instead. Well… until the squirrel threw nuts at him and ducked into its home, leaving a triumphant weaver bird sitting on the branch. I threw a punch into the air and cheered at the victory as the bird watched us, tilting its head to the side before flying off.

"That was an awesome bird versus squirrel fight," Nate pointed out. I just smiled, feeling so happy, and holding back my excitement. I couldn't wait to tell Ella! At that moment, I remembered that we weren't talking and she kept ducking into bushes to avoid me. I felt so sad at this, and not even the ducks at the lake could distract me from thinking about her.

"Nate," I finally found myself asking. "Could you help me figure out Ella?"

He turned to look at me. "I thought I already did?"

"No, you just insulted me. Nothing else, and I really like Elle, and the summer is almost over, and I feel like I might miss out on being with her if she waits till the end to tell me what she really wants… and I don't want that to happen. I mean, how can I live without talking or kissing her if I already started? I am not ready to stop…"

Nate just smiled, before taking me by the shoulder. "Bro, I might be younger than you, but I seem to be the one who knows everything about girls."

"How can you say that? You and Caity are fighting!" I reminded him. "You don't have it figured out at all!" I pointed out quite distinctly. Nate's smirk dropped and he wore a frown as I continued. "She doesn't even want to see you again! Brown has banned you from seeing either her or Dana until everything works out…"

"Yeah, see how you figure out your Ella problem Jason. Now that you are all righteous and right, I dare you to sort it all out."

"I will," I said resolutely. Nate just shook his head before walking off, leaving me standing there. I saw an owl staring at me and smiled. "I will get Ella to say yes to me big eyes."

The owl blinked and stared at me like I was a mad one, but I knew it was the one between us that was insane. I mean, what was it doing out on a tree during the day? Wasn't it supposed to be asleep or something?

"Wish me luck then, you wise wise owl!"

As if in agreement, the bird hooted before flying away. I smiled before throwing a fist into the air! Woo-hoo! I just got a "good luck" from a barn owl! I couldn't wait to Ella about this either.

On second thought… I think I will keep this bit of information to myself. For good luck anyway.