Chapter Ten
Summary: A fun camp field trip and Ravi & Fran catch up!
Evie's Notes: Enjoy the new chapter!
The first Thursday morning was full of excitement as all the campers were loaded up on the Camp Kikiwaka bus for their first field trip. Lou was in the Driver's seat as she was the only one certified to drive it.
"Alright Campers, listen up" shouted Hazel from the front of the bus. "When we get to Medowbrook make sure to stick with your cabins. Do NOT wander off from your counselor. If you miss the bus we will NOT be coming back for you"
Francesca glanced over at Lucas incredulously. "Does she really mean that?!"
"It's Hazel, duh" laughed the boy.
Fran just shook her head and resolved to not let her campers out of her sight.
*Journey to Happiness - Journey to Happiness - Journey to Happiness*
The group disembarked from the bus and quickly split into their cabin groups. Each camper was given a bucket and directed to enjoy the sunshine as they headed into the fields.
Grizzly Cabin decided to pick blueberries. Ravi excitedly recited fun facts about the benefits of blueberries and organic fruit.
"Jorge you're eating more blueberries than you're putting in the bucket" laughed Xander.
"I can't help it. They're just so good!" mumbled the boy through a mouthful of blueberries.
"Yeah, but they'll taste even better when we turn them into a pie or Muffins," pointed out Mick. "I once made some awesome muffins for my ex when she was competing in a school election".
"This isn't going to be another Mara story is it?" whined Joey, sick of hearing about his C.I.T's ex. Mick just rolled his eyes and ruffled the boy's hair, before going back to picking berries.
*Journey to Happiness - Journey to Happiness - Journey to Happiness*
Francesca and Lucas' cabins had paired up since they had campers of the same age. Jack and Kim were thrilled to be hanging out, the best friends had talked their respective cabins into picking peaches.
"Ugh, being at camp is so not what I had in mind for this summer" whined Oliver Otto.
"Come on Amigo, at least we get to spend summer together this year" consoled his best friend Cooper Bradford.
"And camp can be a lot of fun, you just have to give it a chance" added Lucas as he held the ladder that Oliver was currently standing on.
"I didn't expect to be at camp this summer either but I am so excited to be here now" shrugged Fran, placing the peaches Elena passed her into their bucket.
*Journey to Happiness - Journey to Happiness - Journey to Happiness*
Emma was sulking over the fact that the other Woodchucks had vetoed her plan to go blueberry picking with the Grizzly and Eagle cabins. The girls had voted to go pick strawberries in the fields on the opposite side of the farm. Emma had hoped to use the time in the fields to bond with Xander again. She hadn't had the chance to talk to Xander alone since she had arrived on Monday. With all the new rules she found herself always stuck with the C.I.T.'s or the Woodchucks. Whenever she thought she was finally going to get a chance to talk to the man of her dreams they would be interrupted by another camper or counselor. The worst part was that Emma knew she was running out of time. From the looks of it, that new counselor for Fox Cabin was trying to steal him away.
"Emma, keep up! Anna Kat and Tiffany are already two rows ahead of you" warned Lou.
Huffing annoyedly, Emma tightened her Camp Kikiwaka bandana before hurrying after her two campers.
*Journey to Happiness - Journey to Happiness - Journey to Happiness*
Sliding her camp credit card at the register, Francesca paid for the various baskets of fruit that the campers had picked. They had ended up with tons of blueberries, strawberries, peaches, cherries and lemons. Zay, Farkle, Maya and Hazel loaded the buckets into the back of the bus as the campers and C.I.T's enjoyed some delicious fresh ice cream from the farm store.
"You're little girl looks awfully happy" said Xander as he slid up next to Francesca, handing her a bowl of vanilla soft serve.
Francesca looked at where the man was pointing to see her little sister sitting at a picnic table with her campmates talking excitedly and enjoying some delicious rainbow sherbert.
"Thanks Xan. And yeah, Maria has been having a great time at camp so far. I was kind of worried about how she would adapt and her being away from me most of the time, yet Maya and Liv are doing a great job with her".
"You're not doing too shabby a job yourself" teased the man, his brown eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Oh shut up" laughed Fran knocking her shoulder against the boy. "I'm lucky to have such great girls and especially Avery's help".
"Well be that as it may, I can tell they already adore you" said Xander seriously.
"Thanks Xander. You've done a great job with your Grizzlys too. We are clearly in for a great summer".
"Well duh, I get to hang out with you" smirked the law student.
Francesca blushed, surprised that he was still flirting with her now that Emma was back at camp. She wasn't blind, the New York girl was gorgeous and rich, plus the pair had history. How was she supposed to compete with that?
"Hey you two, we're playing mafia. Come join us" called PJ motioning the couple to come join them. Grinning, the pair joined the group of counselors and campers at the picnic table.
*Journey to Happiness - Journey to Happiness - Journey to Happiness*
"All right girls lights out" called Francesca as she grabbed her flashlight. "I'm stepping out for a bit, but if you need anything tell Avery".
Kim shot a double thumbs up from her bed where she had already put on her sleep mask.
"We'll be fine Frannie, go have fun with your friends. Besides I have the walkie talkie to call you with if there are any problems" assured Avery as she got into her own bed.
"Ok. Well sweet dreams everyone" called Fran as she shut off the light and made her way out of the cabin down to the docks to meet Ravi.
One of the many perks of Fox Cabin was being so close to the lake, so it only took her a minute or two to hurry down the hill to the dock where her best friend was waiting.
"Hey Ravi!"
"Frannie! So glad you could make it" grinned the young man pulling her into a hug.
"Me too, I've wanted to catch up with you ever since you arrived but I was worried about leaving the girls with just Avery while they adjusted".
"And they're doing better?" asked Ravi, a note of genuine concern in his voice.
"Oh yeah, it was probably just me being a worry wart, especially given how Avery basically pushed me out of our cabin tonight".
Ravi laughed at that, "Well I'm glad you and Avery are working out so well. It's taking a bit longer for me to bond with Mick. We're just very different"
"You and Xander are different and look how well you guys bonded," encouraged Francesca. "I'm sure you will find a way to connect with Mick soon enough".
"Thanks Frannie. How are you settling in otherwise? You seem to be making some good friends?"
"Oh yeah, everyone has been super welcoming. You were totally right about how awesome this camp is when you used to talk about it"
"Good. I'm glad you are having fun. If anyone deserves it, it's you".
"Aww, thanks Rav. Maya and Lou are becoming great friends. And I already knew Zay and Lucas from growing up in Texas. Xander has been so great with helping me get to know the camp".
"Oh HAS he" smirked Ravi teasingly.
"Shut up" scoffed Fran, splashing lake water at her best friend.
Ravi held his hands up in surrender, "I'm just saying that I see the way he looks at you. And more importantly the way you look back at him. Why haven't you made a move?"
"Clearly you need to get your eyes checked, because he has a girlfriend" sighed Fran sadly.
"Really?! He hasn't told me about one"
"Uhh, I mean your sister… Emma" Fran reminded him.
"What?"
"Tall, gorgeous, leggy blonde. Any man's dream girl"
"Well yeah my sister's pretty, but the two of them are over".
"Nuh uh, she was just going on about how he's her boyfriend when we were down at the lake for free swim yesterday" argued Fran.
"I don't know what to tell you other than the fact that Xander swears they are over. I love my sister but even when she and Xander were dating it wasn't smooth sailing"
"Huh" hummed Fran, not totally convinced but willing to drop the topic for now. "Well how about you? I see the heart eyes you've been giving a certain counselor lately"
"What?!" denied Ravi, looking anywhere but at his friend.
"A certain pretty counselor seems to have caught your eye, huh Mr. Ross" teased Francesca.
"I do not have a crush on Lou" yelled Ravi.
"Whoa! Who said anything about Lou?" replied Frannie slyly.
Ravi blushed darkly realizing his slip up.
"She's cute and so sweet, you should ask her out" urged Fran.
"Yeah 'cause that has gone so well for me all the times before" scoffed the man.
"What are you talking about? You dated Megan for two years in University"
"Ok, Megan aside, I don't have the best track record with girls. I mean why would they like me?"
"Uh because you're awesome?"
"You have to say that, you're my best friend"
"Not true. You are an amazing, sweet, kind, funny, intelligent, caring, supportive and all around great guy. Plus you're smoking hot. Any woman would be lucky to date you. Heck I'd date you if you were interested in me".
Ravi laughed at that, throwing a grateful arm around his friend. "Thanks Frannie, I just get so stuck in my head sometimes and all the negative stuff I've heard all my life takes over".
"So does that mean you'll ask Lou out?" needled the girl
"Ha, I'll do that as soon as you ask out Xander".
Fran frowned, weighing the pros and cons in her head. Pro - Ravi gets an awesome girlfriend, Con - she gets rejected by her super hot new friend and the rest of summer is awkward. Yeah… she was just going to have to come up with a different plan to get her two friends together.
The two friends sat on the dock and talked a little bit longer before making their way back to their cabins for bed.
Evie's Notes 2: I love hearing from y'all! Let me know what you think of the chapter and the story so far in the comments or my Tumblr Find-y0ur-j0y! - Xo Evie 🌺