An outing, normally I would jump at the idea. Today on the other hand I had slept in a cupboard and had spent the day before crying. My head was already banging and I did not need a bunch of screaming excited kids to add to it. I didn't even remember agreeing to sign up for a trip. Especially an overnight stay at some hotel. Sharing a room with all the younger girls.
Sighing I headed up the stairs to through together a night bag. Carmen was sat on top of a bright pink suitcase. Items of clothes messily poking out of the edges. A large gym bag was lying on the floor also filled with what appeared to be jewellery.
"Umm Carmen are you planning to sell all this stuff."
"Why would I want to do that? These are my essentials for the weekend."
"I was planning to just put a few things together in my school bag?"
"Oh sweetie, I'll never understand why Rick fell for you when you never put the effort in."
I turned slightly offended, surely it was a good thing he fell for just me rather than all of Carmen's over the top cover. If she had just been her maybe they would have lasted longer than 24 hours. I had planned to ignore Carmen but I was struck with the realisation that I didn't actually know what we were doing and there for what to pack.
"Carmen? What should I pack?"
"Well we are doing two assault courses for team building and there is like a party thing in the evening. Oh and sleeping as well so pyjamas and none of Rick's clothes none of us need to see you walking around in his top."
Rolling my eyes I turned a walked to the wardrobe. Running my hands through the clothes I spotted something I thought I would never wear. A little black dress with diamond cut outs and a puffed out skirt. If Carmen thought I never make the effort it was time to prove her wrong. I grabbed some other assorted clothes and chucked them all in my bag. Finally tucking the dress on top, smiling I zipped it up. Just in time to hear the honk of the mini bus down stairs. Grabbing my bag I headed down the stairs and towards the bus.
-The place was cute but a mess. A big house was situated on the side of a large woods, a big contrast to the city I was so used to. Floss and Harry bounded out of the bus within a second of arriving, not thinking twice as they sprayed mud everywhere. Unfortunately the mud hit an unsuspecting Carmen and Tee. Carmen's face turned red with anger and I couldn't control the fit of giggles which escaped me. Once I had started everyone else started, leaving a mortified Carmen glaring at me.
She stormed off towards the house, pony tail swinging behind her with a sense of frustration. I didn't even know hair could do that. Rick looped his arm through mine and pulled me forwards towards the house.
"Come on Shorty, I want to get some food before Tyler gets there."
"Today guys we are doing an obstacle course. It will help develop your team working skills. After this it will be dinner and then the evening party. We will split you up into two teams and the quickest team is the winner."
So many eyes rolled in that moment; it was obvious that this was a regular activity. For me this was exciting, I had never done one of these before. Well I had but not with a team, everyone ran off and I was left behind. I watched as the teams were split apart, I was passed off onto a team with Harry, Tyler, Floss and Johnny. I was ready to do this.
A bored looking leader blew a whistle and we were off, climbing over a wall. The adrenaline rush I was feeling was amazing. I helped Floss boost herself up over the wall and then followed using all the strength my arms could manage. We ran and pushed and climbed. I was reaching the finish line, were you had to swing over a mud pit. I was reaching for the rope when I felt a pair of hands on my back. I knew what was going to happen and on instinct I turned and grabbed the person's hands. Right as we fell into the pool of mud.
Sitting up I pushed the mud of my eyes I spotted Rick dripping head to toe in mud. Then I laughed and could not stop. He had taken a lot more of the mud then I had and he looked hilarious.
"This is so not funny Anna."
"It so is, this is what you get for pushing me. You look like a mud monster."
"I am so getting you back for this!"
"Me you started it! We'll see who gets the revenge."
I stood up and winked at Rick, leaving him confused and cute. I knew exactly how to get my revenge. Involving tonight's party.
-I peered round the door and took a deep breath. I had never felt well truly beautiful before. I had never had a reason to I suppose. Still I felt it, with my black dress and slightly back combed hair. I had even done my make-up. I was worried I was too dressed up but I had seen all the other girly leave just a dressed up as me.
Once again I took a breath and walked down the stairs. Everyone looked great dancing and talking. As the door slammed behind me everyone looked up and I felt the blush creep in. Everyone went back to what they had been doing, everyone except Rick. He stayed staring at me right until I was stood by him.
"Hey."
"Uh…Hi…you look wow, like amazing. You're so beautiful."
"Thanks, you look pretty good too."
"So was this your revenge?"
"It was something along those lines. Although I was planning this anyway. It was something Carmen said."
"Something Carmen said, since when have you cared what Carmen thinks?"
"I don't know, she just made me feel like I wasn't good enough for you and I wanted to prove her wrong. Which I think I did."
"You may have wanted to prove Carmen wrong, but it doesn't matter to me Anna. You can look completely smoking like you do right now, be wearing just my top with wet hair or crying your eyes out. You are beautiful and perfect to me. You Anna, it is you that I love."
Rick froze, he said I love you. I knew that's what I was feeling but I didn't realise Rick felt the same way. Rick was still frozen, his brown eyes were glistening.
"Umm sorry Anna… I didn't mean..."
I wrapped my hands around his neck and pulled his down to reach my level. I pulled my lips to his. His hands snaked down and pulled me closer to him.
"Hey Rick?"
"Yeah shorty."
"I love you too."