Now that the confusion was over, Sarah felt that she had no choice but to accept her fate. She walked with Michael on a dusty path and felt the sun beat down on her head. Soon, they reached a forested area and through the trees, she could see several wooden bunks.
“So was that a practical joke that got out of hand?” Michael asked.
“Unintentionally, yes.” Sarah admitted as she and Michael arrived at her new home for the next month.
The bunk was a wooden structure with a small veranda. It was divided in two sections by a wall. On one side there were four beds and the other side there were five beds. There were eight girls in the bunk and one counselor. At the far end of the bunk was a sink and bathroom.
Sarah found the one unoccupied bed and put down her bag. The bed was against the wall and closest to the door. “How appropriate,” she thought. Sarah surveyed her new surroundings and looked at the other girls. Most were unpacking and happily chattering away. Karen wasn’t one of them. Sarah was grateful for small miracles.
Sarah’s counselor hadn’t even noticed that she had a new camper. What Sarah would learn soon enough was that Chelsea was completely and totally obsessed with her hair. Chelsea had hung up a small mirror on the wall and was busy coiffing her long curly light brown hair. She finally looked up when Michael cleared his throat.
“Chelsea. This is Sarah, camper number eight.”
Chelsea put down her brush. “Hi Sarah. I’m so happy you could join our bunk. We’re trying to find a good group name for ourselves. Maybe you have a suggestion?”
“How about The Runaways?”
Chelsea forced a smile. “Well that is something to think about. Let me introduce you to the group.” She banged on the door loudly. “Girls, this is Sarah, your new bunkmate. I know you will make her feel very welcome here. I do believe this is her first year.” Chelsea walked authoritatively over to a tall girl with long brown hair. “This is Natasha. Over there is Marnie, Melanie is by the mirror, Cara is the one with the blonde hair, Lisa is standing next to her. Now who else?”
“Me!” yelled a girl with short brown hair.
“Of course. This is Alex and where is Debbie?”
“In the bathroom,” answered Alex.
Stolen novel; please report.
Michael put his hand on Sarah’s shoulder. “Well, I’ll be off then. Bye girls.”
“Bye,” they all answered together.
Sarah sat down on the bed. Lisa sat down next to her. “So, who do you like?”
“What?”
“Which guy do you like?”
“Oh how can she know, she just got here?” Natasha rolled her eyes.
“Well,” Lisa continued, “we have all taken an oath to get a boyfriend by the end of the summer. Are you in?”
“What happens if I don’t get a boyfriend?”
Lisa thought for a second. “Nothing really, but trust me, it is definitely more fun having a boyfriend.”
Natasha joined Lisa. “We’ll show you Tristan.”
Sarah asked. “Who’s that?”
All the girls laughed. Natasha continued. “Tristan is the most gorgeous man you will ever have the pleasure of setting your eyes on.”
“Is he a camper?”
“No. He’s a senior counselor,” answered Marnie, “and he’s mine.” She paused for a second, “When I get these horrible braces off he’ll be mine.”
“You wish!!” squealed Natasha, “he’s mine and will be mine this summer!”
“None of us have a chance for at least another 5 or 6 years. Who knows, he may be married by then.” Lisa said seriously.
“Don’t say that!” Natasha screamed. “You’re killing me!”
“Oh stop being so dramatic.” Cara shook her head in disbelief and continued preening herself.
Natasha turned to the new bunkmate. ‘It’s obvious this is your first summer here. Tristan is an icon, he’s been here for years, first as a camper, then a counsellor. All the girls love him, even the Saplings, who are too young to even think of boys.”
“Last year he kissed me.” Alex smiled.
“He did not!” Screamed Marnie.
“He did! Remember I tripped and hurt my elbow? He kissed my elbow afterwards. I didn’t wash it for days.”
“That’s not real kissing.” Marnie retorted.
“Like you know about real kissing metal mouth.”
Marnie scrunched up her face and looked like she was about to cry. Sarah thought a fight might break out, and where the hell was Chelsea? Suddenly Alex hugged Marnie. “Don’t worry, when the braces come off the boys will be lining up to kiss you.” Immediately Marnie’s face relaxed and she calmed down.
Sarah didn’t like most boys, they seemed so infantile. As for kissing, she wasn’t interested at least, not yet. Getting a boyfriend was not on her list of priorities but Sarah’s curiosity was piqued. Who was this Tristan and why did he have such an effect on all the girls?