Thanks for all the reviews:) I kinda wanna hurry and finish this up because I've started writing one story and I'm in the works of another:) But I don't want to have too many things going. I think my story schedule's going to go like this: Finish Sleep Away: The Sequel, then start my next project, then maybe half way through the next project I'll start Sleep Away: The Threequel. What do you guys think?:)
Ps, long chapter:) just to show you guys how much I love you all!
Pps, I want to update tomorrow, but I haven't even started on the chapter yet, so if I don't I just want to wish you all a very happy holidays:)
xo
"Guess who I'm going to the Social with!" I shriek the second I step into the cabin. Claire and Dylan are playing Rummy on Claire's bed, Olivia's reading a Harry Potter book and Nikki's painting her nails. The fact that Nikki's there makes it even better.
"We know," Claire grins as Dylan sighs in defeat in their game. "Cam told us."
Cam. Oh. Right. I must look as upset as I feel because Olivia immediately asks "What's wrong?"
"You know when I went for a walk with Derrick? He said he still loved me and he asked me to the Social."
"Aweeeeh," Olivia says. "That's cute. So-"
"Well if you're not going with Derrick," Nikki's silky voice interrupts, "maybe I should go talk to him."
My amber eyes narrow. Although I know that she's not what everyone thinks she is, Nikki's still kinda intimidating. And I still want to rip that light brown hair out of her fake, lying head. "Actually, Nikki, I'm going with Derrick," I say, ignoring the look of surprise on Claire's face. "Cam and I were just going as friends because there was no one else for us to go with."
Nikki rolls her eyes and plugs in her earphones. Claire gets up and drags me out the door, shutting it behind us. "Are you really ditching Cam?" she asks.
I nod. "Claire, I'm in love with Derrick. Cam and I are just best friends. Nothing more. Besides, he'll understand. He knows how much I love Derrick."
"Alright," Claire says uncertainly. "You sure? Cam sometimes seems like he likes you just a little more than you like him."
"He doesn't," I insist. "And trust me, he'll understand. And-" I break off, seeing Derrick and Josh walk towards us. I grin -seeing Derrick happy to come to my cabin to see me is something I haven't seen in a while.
"I'll talk to you later," Claire says quickly, eyeing Josh.
"Claire, talk to him," I grab her arm.
"I can't," she says firmly before disappearing back into the cabin.
"Hey," Derrick grins when he sees me, grabbing my hand. Little electric tingles shoot up my arm, bringing a smile to my face.
"Hey yourself," I say, leaning into his chest the way I used to. It feels comfortable and safe but...not totally right. My smile flickers into a frown. Before I can ponder it any further, Josh interrupts my thoughts.
"Uh, was that Claire?"
My heart breaks a little for the guy. "Yeah," I murmur. "I'm sorry, Josh, I've been trying to get her to talk to you but..."
"It's okay," Josh's eyes are cast down at his toes. "I just wish she would listen to what I have to say. I'll, uh, see you guys later then."
Derrick shoots a quick glance at me before saying, "Come on, Hotz, you can hang out with me and Massie. I was going to take her for a walk on the beach because of the sunset, but you can come too. You love the sunset."
My heart melts. Isn't he the best? He's plans a romantic walk for the two of us, but because his best friend is down, he invites him along too. Sure, it'll ruin our moment, but I've come to like Josh.
"Only because they made me think of Claire in LA," he murmurs. "But sure, let's go," he starts walking, so Derrick and I start after him. I look back at the cabin to find Claire pressing her forehead against the window. Guess she heard what Josh had to say afterall.
Later that night, Landon walks into our cabin, so we all sit up a little straigher and smooth our hair. Nikki goes so far as to lean forward slightly on her bed so that her boobs hang slightly over her tank top. Slut.
"What're you doing here?" Dylan crinkles her brows.
"Mail," Landon says with a shrug, even though he never delivers mail. "You had a pretty big letter," he tosses her a thick envelope. "Thought there'd be something juicy in it and I wanted to see what it was."
"Nothing juicy," she rolls her eyes. "This cabin's had enough drama, if you ask me."
Landon scans the room, taking us all in. I see what he's doing. He's didn't come to see what was in Dylan's letter, or even to see Dylan. He came to make sure none of us have killed each other yet.
His eyes pause at me and he nods a little. It's his silent way of telling me he finally accepts my apology and gets why I told everyone about him and Dyl. I smile at him but quickly look away. No need to cause problems between me and Dylan again. And I have Derrick.
Once Landon leaves and Nikki disappears into the bathroom, I pounce on Dylan's bed. "What is it?"
"You know how I was reading that book last night?" she looks meaningfully towards Nikki's bed. "I found a name in it. Well I have my sources in Chicago and I got his email. Landon let me borrow the computer in the Big House and we Skyped. Guess who's got an envelope full of pictures of Nikki pre-camp?" she grins.
"No way!" I squeal. There's a knock at the door so I jump off Dylan's bed to get it. "Hey!" I grin when I see Cam.
"Can I talk to you?" Cam leans against the door frame.
"Last time I checked, this was talking," I giggle, "but sure!" I shut the door behind me. Usually Cam and I can keep up our little banter for a while, but this time there's no rebuttle from him.
"Are you actually going to the Social with Derrick?"
Dammit, I completely forgot to even tell Cam! God, what a bad friend I am. "Yeah," I blush. "Sorry Cam, I meant to tell you but I just didn't see you around. But I mean, this is great right? It's what I've wanted all summer and now I'm finally getting it! You'll find another date right?"
"Yeah, maybe I'll ask Nikki or something," he shoves his hands in his pockets.
"Ew, Cam, you're not that desperate, are you? You know what a whore she is. What about Claire? Or Livs, but I think she's going without a date..."
"I'll see you around," he says suddenly. "Congrats on you and Derrick getting back together, Massie."
"Thanks," I smile. "See you tomorrow for the Camp Olympics?"
"Yeah, maybe," he shrugs before a grin creeps over his face. "But your cabin is going down. See ya."
"Bye!" I call at his retreating form. See? Cam's happy for me. I'm happy for me. I'm finally back with Derrick, which is exactly where I'm supposed to be.
We're all crowded in the Amphitheatre, waiting for Chris to get up on stage to announce this years End of Camp Activities. Finally, the cute in a geeky way guy gets up on stage, adjusting his glasses and clearing his throat over the roar of applause and cheers.
"Hey guys," Chris waves slightly with the hand that's not holding the microphone. "So as you all know, this is the last week of camp-"
"BOOO!" I shout with all the other campers and Landon.
"I know, I know. But we might as well make our last week a week to remember! So starting tomorrow we have the Camp Olympics!"
The whole camp cheers. The Olympics are definitely one of my favourite EoCAs. Last year, even though my cabin didn't win gold, we had the time of our lives.
"Then on Tuesday, we have Camp Idol, and the camp play, which those of you in drama have been working on all summer!"
The kids in drama cheer, along with some of the losers who actually love Camp Idol. Last year, my cabin and Derrick's cabin ditched. I'm hoping we do it this year again.
"Wednesday," Chris continues. "Is the much-awaited Do Nothing Day!"
The camp cheers again, except for Nikki, who I have the..pleasure of sitting beside. "What's Do Nothing Day?" she glares at me.
I ignore her, pretending I'm cheering to hard to hear. Chris taps the microphone and we all quiet down. "That's right," he says, "it's the one day you don't have to do any camp activies and can do whatever you want! Within reason, of course!"
As the crowd cheers again, Nikki leans in close to me. "Well if I can do whatever I want, maybe I'll have to go find Derrick."
Ignore. Ignore. Ignore. Ignore. IGNORE.
I'm the one with Derrick. He loves me. No one loves Nikki. And after the Social, I'm pretty sure Nikki won't think she's so hot.
Tomorrow's the Social. Claire agreed to go with Cam, since I'd drilled it into her head we were JUST FRIENDS and Olivia and Todd were going together.
"It's not like I'm into him," Olivia tells me and Claire. "I mean he's your brother! I've seen him naked," she shudders.
Claire giggles. "Okay. Seriously though, if he tries anything, I'll kill him. You guys better just be friends."
"We are, don't worry," Olivia reassures her.
As if brought on by our conversation, Todd, Derrick, Josh and Danny enter our cabin. Nikki, Olivia and Claire immediately smooth their hair, but I just grin, knowing Derrick likes me evem with messy hair.
"Josh," I hear Nikki's nasally voice call. "Who're you going to the Social with? Since the girl you loved is going with Cam and the girl you drunkenly hooked up with is going with Todd?"
Josh clenches his fists, sitting beside me. "No one."
"So sad," Nikki clicks her tongue. "Then again, Claire's going with Massie's reject. My how the mighty have fallen."
Claire whirls around, blue eyes blazing. For a second, I'm scared she's going to taunt Nikki about how fake she is, which would ruin tomorrow's surprise, but instead, Claire slaps her.
We're all so silent that the crack of Claire's thin hand hitting Nikki's smooth cheek echoes around the room. "Don't talk to Josh," she says, her voice low and scary. "And don't talk to Cam or Derrick or Todd or Danny. And I think you know better then to talk to us. And set foot on this camp again, and I'm going to do much more than slap you." Then she leaves the cabin, slamming the door behind her.
We're all shocked, and Nikki puts her hand up to her red cheek. Josh stares at the closed door, like he wants nothing more than to go after her. I sigh. In a way, I'm glad camp ends tomorrow. I don't think I can take much more of this.
The next day is a sad day. It's our last day of actual camp. We do everything slowly, as if that could make them last longer.
After lunch during freetime, I leave my friends and Derrick to go use the phone in the Big House. I haven't talked to Skye in a while and I could really go for hearing the sound of her voice.
"Massie," Landon says with a grin, sitting at his desk. "What's up?"
"I need to call Skye," I smile, happy he no longer hates me. "You?"
Landon surveys his desk. "I'm supposed to be reviewing all of these new camper forms but I'd much rather be out there," he glances out the huge floor-to-ceiling windows that stare straight at the beach where my friends are. Specifically, right where Dylan is.
"Why can't you just like break the rules?" I ask him.
Landon knows exactly what I'm talking about, right away. "Massie, I'm head counsellor of this camp. I'm not allowed to break rules."
"But you're head counsellor! You make the rules!" I protest.
Landon sighs, almost a little sadly. "We're five years apart. I met her mom and she's cool with it, but no one else would be. I'm starting to think maybe I should just let Dylan go. She shouldn't have to hide if she's in a relationship, you know?"
"Landon, you can't break up with Dylan," I tell him. "She's in love with you."
"I love her too," Landon shrugs, "But what can I do, Massie? I can't tell anyone we're dating, I can't tell her how much I love her in public. She can't be happy with this kind of relationship. What would people say if it went out we were dating?"
"If people could see how in love you two are, they wouldn't say anything!" I stomp my foot. "And she is happy!"
"I dunno," he says, almost to himself. He blinks his gorgeous black eyes once before nodding to the hallway where the phone is. He sighs. "Phone's all yours."
"Thanks," I say, dialing the familiar number to Skye's hospital room.
"Westchester Hospital, room 602," someone picks up.
I freeze. Last time a nurse had picked up the phone it was because Skye wasn't doing very good. I clear my throat. "Hi, is this still Skye Hamilton's room?" I ask in my most adult-voice.
"Oh, I'm sorry," the nurse replies. "You must not have heard -Skye's not with us anymore."