Hey everyone, here's chapter 5, I hope you like it! Please review! xxx
Chapter Five – She's All That
"AAAAAAAHHHH!" Lindsay shrieks, waking her entire group from their peaceful slumber.
"What's going on?" Gwen mumbles.
"Can we get some quiet up in here? Some of us are trying to sleep!" Leshawna groans.
"AAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Lindsay continues screaming.
"Where is she anyway?" Heather asks, noticing Lindsay isn't in the tent with the rest of them.
"What is going on out here?" the group hears Chef's voice booming outside the tent. Everyone pops their heads out of the tent to see what's going on. Lindsay is pointing at the ground about a foot away from where she stands. Chef stomps over to see what the fuss is. "It's just a bug. You probably had them crawling all over you when you were asleep. Probably swallowed some too!"
Lindsay turns white and puts her hands over her mouth in horror.
"Why would he tell her that?" Trent shakes his head. Heather stands up and walks out of the tent.
"He's just kidding Lindsay. Can we go back to camp now? I need a shower," Heather directs her question at Chef.
"And I need breakfast!" Owen agrees.
"Once you've packed up the tents and your backpacks we can head back to camp," Chef agrees.
The "Killer Bass" as Chris has now christened them, trudge back to camp tiredly. The sleeping arrangements last night weren't exactly comfortable.
"If you'll just hand me your wrist, and I will draw the number you have chosen," Harold is saying to Ezekiel. Ezekiel hands his wrist over and Harold puts his fingers around it, drawing the number eight in chalk.
"What the hell are you doing, Dorkwad?" Duncan asks.
"I'm showing Zeke a magic trick," Harold explains.
"Lame!" Duncan scoffs. Harold ignores him and continues with the trick. He lets go of Ezekiel's wrist and waves his hands over the number. Duncan rolls his eyes and grabs the chalk out of Harold's hand.
"Yoink!" he says as he swipes it. Laughing, he runs to the front of the group where Courtney, Bridgette and Eva are walking.
"Hey, Duncan! Give that back! I'm not finished the trick!" Harold whines. "Ms. O'Halloran! Duncan stole my chalk!"
"Duncan, give Harold's chalk back!" Blaineley snaps.
"I just want to try the trick!" Duncan tells her.
"You didn't even see the end! You don't know how to do it!" Harold disputes.
"Sure I did! Courtney, give me your wrist," Duncan insists.
"I don't think so," Courtney replies. He grabs it anyway, wrapping his thumb and his ring finger around tightly, forcing her to stop walking. She sighs in defeat and decides to allow him to perform the magic trick. The rest of the group gathers around to watch eagerly.
"Are you scared?" Duncan asks.
"No, of course not, why would you think that?" Courtney snaps.
"Your pulse is racing," he informs her with a smirk. Courtney glowers at him.
"Just do the trick so you can get your filthy paws off me," she spits.
"What's your favourite number?"
"Six."
"Figures," Duncan snickers, drawing the number six on her wrist. "A perfect number for perfect Princess Courtney." Duncan lets go of her wrist, putting a mark on his thumb with the chalk as he does so.
"He's doing it wrong already," Harold whispers.
"Shh, I'm watching…" Geoff replies.
"I'm surprised you even know what a perfect number is," Courtney says.
"I'm full of surprises. Now for the magic words!" Duncan waves his hands over her wrist. "Uhh… Harold's a nerd!"
"Gosh!"
"Well?" Courtney says expectantly, looking from her wrist to Duncan. "What's supposed to happen?" Duncan shrugs.
"Guess it doesn't work." He throws the chalk on the ground and starts walking back towards camp. "Shows over, kids!" he calls behind him.
"Well, that was rather anti-climactic," Courtney huffs.
"He didn't do it right, that's why it didn't work. I could show you if you like, Courtney," Harold offers.
"Ugh, no."
Once both groups are back at camp they gather in the dining hall for breakfast. It looks like scrambled eggs but it doesn't really taste like it. Whilst the teenagers are eating, Chris decides it's time to give an announcement.
"Okay Camperinos! Time for today's schedule. We'll be doing some team building activities! Also, we've decided who the first few people to receive counselling sessions from Chef will be, based on what Ms O'Halloran has told me and what Chef and I have observed so far. So today the counselling sessions will be as follows; Bridgette, Eva and Ezekiel, Courtney and Duncan, and Heather will receive a one on one session." Chris informs them. "Chef will come and get you when it's time for your session. Oh and there's something I forgot to tell you yesterday. We always have a talent show on the last night, so get your talents ready! Now finish your breakfast so we can start today's activities! Oh and I've decided to name each group. I already named one group, the other group shall henceforth be called the Screaming Gophers!"
After breakfast, Chris leads everyone into the woods and stops by a creek. Above the creek, tied between two trees is a rope. There is another rope hanging loosely above it, hung through a loop on each end that is attached to each tree.
"Okay, I need half the group to cross the creek using that bridge just down there," Chris commands. Blaineley gathers up a few of the students and takes them over the bridge.
"Can I have a volunteer from this side, please?" Chris requests. No one puts their hand up. Chris sighs. "You, Cowboy Hat," Chris points at Geoff. "Come here." Geoff reluctantly makes his way to the front of the group. "Alright, I need you to pull this rope as tightly as possible," Chris instructs. "Now a volunteer from the other side… you look strong," he points at Eva. "Okay, you two, pull the rope tightly."
Geoff and Eva grab hold of the rope and pull it taut. Chris holds onto it and steps onto the bottom rope. He carefully makes his way out to the middle of the creek.
"This is what you'll all be doing. As you can see, if my trusted helpers here let go of the ropes, I would fall into the creek," Chris explains.
"Dude, let go of the rope!" Duncan whispers to Geoff.
"No way, man, Ms O'Halloran is watching!" Geoff shakes his head. Chris continues along the rope and steps safely onto the other side of the creek. Geoff and Eva relax, and Chris looks around for his first victim.
"Okay, Nerdy is going to be the first one. Holding the ropes we'll have… you and you!" Chris points to Justin and Ezekiel. The two boys step up to the ropes and pull it. Harold gulps and nervously steps onto the rope. He wobbles slightly as he takes his first step. His confidence grows with each step, and soon he has made it to the middle. Duncan sneaks up behind Ezekiel and grabs the ropes, pulling tightly.
"Let go," he whispers menacingly. Ezekiel immediately does what he says.
"Hey, this is isn't so bad!" Harold beams. He looks up to see Duncan holding the rope and his expression of pride quickly turns to dismay. Duncan grins wickedly before removing his hands from the rope, sending Harold splashing into the creek. Duncan bursts into a fit of laughter.
"Looks like Duncan and Harold need some counselling sessions too!" Chris decides. Duncan stops laughing and scowls.
Chef sits in a chair in the dining hall facing the three teenagers. Eva has her arms folded and is glaring at him, Ezekiel it sitting as far away from her as possible, looking slightly nervous, and Bridgette sits between them waiting for Chef to start the session.
"Can we get on with this?" Eva demands.
"Fine. I've been told you three have issues with each other," Chef begins.
"I don't have a problem with anyone!" Bridgette asserts.
"Oh yeah? Then why'd your teacher tell me you tried to beat this idiot to a pulp?" Chef questions.
"That was Eva. I just watched," Bridgette defends.
"Eva, why'd you beat up this kid?" Chef asks.
"Because he's a sexist pig who thinks he's better than me 'cause he's a man!" Eva growls.
"Right, well… Zeke… what do you have to say about this?" Chef asks.
"I didn't mean to be sexist, eh? I was just trying to be helpful," Zeke shrugs.
"Do you even know how to be a counsellor?" Bridgette asks Chef sceptically.
"Shut your mouth! Now, all of you apologise to each other," Chef commands.
"No way!" Eva refuses.
"I don't think I made myself clear. Apologise to each other, or I will lock you in the fish cabin for the night!" Chef yells.
"Sorry, girls, eh?" Zeke squeaks.
"Sorry, I guess…" Bridgette says.
"Sorry." Eva says under her breath.
"Now get outta my sight!"
After the fifteen minute break in which Ezekiel, Bridgette and Eva had their counselling session, Chris gathers everyone up for their next activity.
"I hope your counselling session went well!" Chris grins. Eva glares and Bridgette purses her lips, while Ezekiel nods happily. "Now for the next activity! You guys are going to be building tepees out of sticks, and you'll be doing in groups of three!" Chris announces.
"Hey, Courtney, do you want to go with me and Eva?" Bridgette whispers. Courtney glances over at Heather and Gwen.
"Uh, no thanks. I think I'll just go with my real friends," Courtney replies.
"Right." Bridgette says.
"Can we go in a group of four?" Owen asks Chris, gesturing to himself, Cody, Noah and Harold.
"Uhhh nooo… what made you think you'd get to choose who you go with? I'll be picking the groups! And I say you'll all be working with whoever is in your cabin!" Chris informs them. There is a collective groan from the group. "Now go find some sticks and build a tepee!"
"Aren't you going to show us how to do it?" DJ asks.
"Nope! You'll just have to figure it out!" Chris grins. DJ mutters to himself as he walks off into the woods, followed by Duncan and Harold.
"I guess we'll be working together after all!" Courtney says to Bridgette.
"Yeah, great." Bridgette says shortly. "Let's go get some sticks or something."
"This is so exciting! Guys, are we like best friends now?" Sierra says, following Courtney and Bridgette.
"Not even close," says Bridgette.
"Gwen, Leshawna, you two go and get the wood. I'll be task supervisor," Heather demands.
"Uh-uh, that ain't how this show is gonna run. You ain't the boss of me! We'll all be getting the wood, and we'll all be building the tepee!" Leshawna asserts.
"I don't recall asking for your opinion, loser." Heather snaps.
"Ooh, I swear I'm gonna slap that pretty little face of yours!" Leshawna rages.
"Thank you for calling me pretty!" Heather smiles patronisingly.
"Guys, can't we just work together?" Gwen pleads.
"Uh, Gwen, I'm the leader of this group, so I'll decide what we do," Heather tells her.
"But… I kinda think Leshawna's right. We should all pitch in," Gwen says.
"Oh you do, do you?" Heather glowers. "Fine. Have it your way!" she storms off into the woods.
"Thanks, girl!" Leshawna smiles. "You know, you ain't too bad."
"Gee, thanks," Gwen rolls her eyes.
"Well, you can't blame me for thinking you're a stuck up bitch when you're friends with that," Leshawna points a thumb in the direction that Heather has gone. "Not to mention dimwitted Lindsay and snooty nosed Courtney."
"They really aren't that bad once you get to know them," Gwen defends.
"Uh-huh, I'm sure," Leshawna rolls her eyes. "Come on, let's go get something to build this dumb tepee with."
Trent, Cody and Noah dump an armful of twigs each on the ground.
"How do we even begin to build a tepee?" Trent asks.
"And what is the point?" asks Noah.
"Don't worry guys, I got this," Cody says confidently. He starts arranging the sticks so Noah and Trent sit back and let him do the work.
Meanwhile, DJ and Harold build their tepee, while Duncan is nowhere to be seen.
"Seriously, where did that guy get to?" asks DJ. "Not that I mind that he's not helping. You won't tell him I said that will you? I don't want him to think I think he's slacking off or anything," DJ assures Harold.
"Fear not DJ. I do my best not to speak to Duncan at all. Every time he is alerted to my presence, I end up in a creek or with a wedgie or hitting myself in the face," Harold says.
"Aw, I'm sorry dude. You know, you're not that bad for a nerd. Can you play any sport?" DJ asks.
"No, but I'm awesome at beatboxing."
Blaineley surveys the groups, and while they aren't all working as smoothly as she'd like, and some people aren't really participating, at least no one is trying to kill each other. Eva seems to be getting angrier and angrier as Katie and Sadie prattle on between fits of giggles, but she hasn't punched either of them yet. Gwen, Leshawna and Heather are building their tepee in complete silence, each with a sour look on her face, but not attacking each other. All the groups of boys are working together quite amiably, although Trent and Noah are sitting on the ground watching Cody, and Duncan has just returned from god knows where. Blaineley breathes a sigh of relief that this camp seems to actually be working, and that she might not lose her job.
"Okay, I'm done!" Cody announces, stepping aside to reveal his structure. Trent and Noah stare at it in shock.
"Uh, Cody. I don't know what you think a tepee is, but that is not it. That kinda looks like…" Noah starts.
"Gwen's face!" Trent finishes. "What the hell, man?" he accuses, standing up and grabbing the front of Cody's shirt threateningly.
"What? It's just a face. It's for my random act of kindness!" Cody defends.
"You can't just build Gwen's face!" Trent yells, ready to hit Cody. Everybody else stops building their tepees to watch the action between Trent and Cody. Blaineley hurries over and tries to get Trent to let go of Cody but Trent ignores her so she runs to get Chris.
"Why not?" Cody squeaks.
"She's…" Trent starts, but trails off.
"You don't own her, she's not your girlfriend!" Cody points out.
"I hope you know I could easily rearrange your face!" Trent threatens. Cody shrinks back as far as he can with Trent still holding his shirt. He giggles nervously.
"Yeah. Totally. I was just joking…" Cody gulps.
"What's going on here?" Gwen asks.
"I, uh, built your face. Happy Random Act of Kindness!" Cody says. Trent drops him and Cody gestures to his creation. Gwen looks at it in horror.
"Oh my god…" she says.
"I know, isn't it great?" Cody beams proudly.
"Cody, let's get one thing straight. I don't like you and I'm never going to, and this… thing is really creepy!" Gwen says. Cody looks crestfallen.
"That's what I was trying to tell him!" Trent says. Gwen smiles at him.
"Thanks, Trent." Blaineley comes back with Chris and the crowd disperses, going back to building their tepees.
After lunch, Chef kicks everyone except Duncan and Courtney out of the dining hall.
"Time for your counselling session!" Chef tells them. Courtney looks at Heather and Gwen pleadingly, silently begging them not to leave her alone with Duncan. They ignore her, obviously, and soon it's just her, Duncan and Chef in the dining hall. Courtney glares at Duncan and he pokes his tongue out at her.
"Real mature," she mutters.
"Okay, so I hear you two hate each other," Chef begins. "Someone want to tell me why?"
"Where do I begin?" Courtney asks.
"You're not so crash hot yourself, princess." Duncan retorts.
"He's a total Neanderthal…"
"She never shuts up…"
"Can't follow rules to save himself…"
"Has a gigantic stick up her butt…"
"Terrible hair and piercings…"
"Thinks she's all that…"
"Always smirking like something's funny…"
"Can't take a joke…"
"Always making rude remarks…"
"Teacher's pet…"
"He basically just gets under my skin."
"She's really irritating." They glare at each other as they finish listing what they don't like about each other.
"I'm sure there's much more but that's all that comes to mind at this moment," Courtney tells Chef.
"Ditto." Duncan agrees.
"Mmhmm…" Chef nods, clasping his hands in front of his mouth and tapping his lips with his forefingers. "I think I see what the problem is here," he muses.
"You do?" Courtney asks, surprised.
"Yep. And I know exactly how to fix it!" he claims. Duncan and Courtney glance at each other sceptically.
"How?" Duncan asks.
"It's quite simple really. Y'all need to make out." Chef proclaims. Courtney and Duncan stare at him in disbelief.
"With each other?" Courtney asks incredulously.
"No, with your poster of Zac Efron. Yes, with each other!" Chef says.
"I don't have a poster of Zac Efron," Courtney denies, turning red.
"Me either," says Duncan.
"And there is no way I'm kissing him." Courtney assures Chef.
"Well, I can't force you. This sessions over, get out." Chef demands. Courtney and Duncan stand up and walk out.
"Just so we're clear," Courtney says, "I will never let you kiss me."
"Fine by me, darling. I wouldn't want to kiss you anyway."