Push - Chapter Four
Am just happy to get through this one; didn't think it would happen this quickly. Woot. Word count stands at 11,742 in the final draft and another 16,720 in the 'collect all' draft. Too bad it's not Nano time yet, eh? Just hope you all are enjoying it.
PREVIOUS CHAPTER: http://leftygirl02.livejournal.com/177046.html
“Shane,
Meeting in my cabin at 3:45. Want to discuss timetables and what you’ll be doing this summer.
Good to have you back at camp,
Brown.”
Shane stared at the paper a moment longer. His brain still felt hazy from the nap he had just taken. What on earth was a timetable, anyway?
“Did you see this?” he asked Nate while yawning. His brother was at the other side of the room near his own bed. There was no reply. Shane looked up; Nate was shaking his head while giving him a shrug. He swore the kid gave less vocal answers than anyone he knew. Shane pulled on his shoes, wondering when Brown had slid the note under the door. It hadn’t been there when he’d gotten back from his walk; must have been while he was sleeping.
Scratching his head Shane took a glance at his watch; 4:03. Shit. As quick as he could manage, Shane finished pulling on his shoes and headed for the door. “Damn it, Nate!”
From the corner of his eye he could see Nate turn, a mixed look of confusion and hurt across his face. He probably should have apologized, but he really couldn’t help it. Nate had probably seen the note in time, and hadn’t made any effort to wake him so he wouldn’t be late. Only the sound of thunder from a distance had made him stir.
As he reached the door, Shane reminded his brother to get his butt to the cafeteria already. He also suddenly noticed that the lights were out. Really, Nate? It was bad enough that his baby brother barely took a step outside, but now he didn’t like lights? He decided to say nothing about it and just leave, giving the door a good forceful close as he did.
Once his feet left the front steps, he began in a quickened sprint across the area which separated him from Brown’s cabin. The sky was darkening around him; double shit. Brown better make this meeting short…
“Hi.”
Oh no. As if from thin air a small girl with large doe eyes was looking at him and standing right in his path. Not again. How did they always seem to find him?
“Hey,” he replied roughly, moving to pass her.
She immediately moved to block his path again. It was then he saw the small book she was clutching. “You’re Shane Gray, aren’t you?”
“Um, yeah….” He stepped sideways again, yet she moved with him. “Look, I really have to…”
“I’m Macey,” she continued as if he hadn’t said a thing. “I own all your albums.”
“That so.” Considering there were only two…
“Yeah. I listen to all your songs all the time. Especially ‘Time Away’; I love that song. It’s my abso-“
“Great. Look, I’m late for something, so if you’d excus…” He began to push past her again, until he saw her face. It had fallen and her lip began to quiver. A pang of guilt gripped him; he may not have understood it, but the impact he had on her was strong. And he had just tore her down. Shaking his head, he kneeled so he was at her level. “I’m sorry... um, -“
“Macey,” she managed between sniffs, her tone on the edge of annoyance. Uh oh.
“Right; sorry. That’s a nice…”
“My mom is- is Nicole Anderson. Maybe you’re heard of her.”
It took him a second for the name to fully register. “Oh yeah; she’s pretty cool. Met her at a recording studio once; very nice lady.”
Macey’s face brightened. “Could you sign this?”
“Okay.” He took the small book from her hand and autographed it quickly. He then handed it back to her and offered a hug along with it. “Enjoy the camp.”
“Thank you.” She looked about ready to jump, or maybe faint. He didn’t have time to find out which it would be.
With that he was on his way to the cabin again, this time in a dead run. He found Brown inside chatting on the phone. Shane glanced around a moment, waiting for him to finish. While Brown did virtually live here, the cabin also served as his office. Shane glance at the photos along the wall near Brown’s desk just a moment. One in particular caught his eye, and yet he glanced away again as quickly as he could manage.
Walking around the desk he found an electric guitar being held by a stand. He had just picked it up and sat on Brown’s bed when the phone conversation finished. Shane struck a few chords on the instrument, creating the rather pitiful pinging noises heard when it wasn’t plugged to an amplifier. The chords soon grew into an actual tune, although he honestly didn’t know which.
“Time goes by fast,” he heard Brown say. Shane looked up to find the older man sitting on the edge of his desk, his arms crossed. “Seems like just yesterday you were sitting in one of the practice rooms learning notes.”
Shane shrugged. Nate and Jason were the ones with the real musical gifts; Brown knew that as much as he did. Nate could play three instruments and sing, while Jason had picked up the guitar within a summer. Yet Brown was acting like a few measly notes coming from a guitar was something to win an award for.
“Shane, how have you been? What’s up?”
“The sky.”
Brown only paused a moment. “I meant with you.”
Shane shrugged again. “You know, the same ole stuff; getting dragged to a summer camp, diving into flower beds, avoiding screaming fan girls who want to tear my clothes off me or touch my hair, dragging Nate’s butt out of…”
“Nate’s here? I’ll be dammed.”
Shit; he hadn’t been supposed to mention that to anyone. “Yeah he’s here, staying with me.”
“Well, don’t that beat all. How is he?”
Shane had to cough quickly to keep the jeer from coming. When was the last time Brown had actually given a dam about him or his brothers? “The same,” he uttered. ‘No thanks to you,’ followed in his head.
“Good. And Jason?”
“You said there was some sort of time-thing you wanted to give me.” Shane set the guitar back on the rack and stood. The last thing he wanted to do was make this meeting longer than it had to be for him.
“Yes! I did! Timetables; very important.” Brown’s face fell slightly as he searched the cabin. “I had them some- ah, here we go. I’m sorry about the timings, but they couldn’t be helped.”
Shane groaned as a bad feeling came to him.
“So,” Brown continued in a tone as if presenting a rare treat, “You’re on hip-hop dance duty all summer, as planned. Of course if you’d like you could teach other forms too.”
Shane snatched the timetable from Brown’s hand. There was only one day, one freaking day of the week when he wasn’t expected in class by nine am. On two days he was assigned the eight am spot. Eight; in the morning! As if uttering it was enough to make it all go away he said, “No way!”
“Sorry, but the timetables are all written. They’re set in stone at this point. We’ve sorted all the buildings and they can’t be changed. You’re in practice hut number four, by the way…”
“Then I’ll switch with someone; anyone!” Did Brown really expect him to get up that early? Judging by the look on his face, that was exactly right.
“Like I said; it’s set in stone at this point. Now, if you excuse me, I need to head down to opening jam and dinner.” Brown motioned for Shane to walk outside with him. As they did they found rain falling. Brown grabbed an umbrella from next to the door and opened it. “Want me to walk with you to your cabin? Stay dry?”
Shane shook his head. Brown had began his decent down the front steps when Shane realized something. He grabbed the older man’s arm. “Brown, do me a favor and don’t mention Na- you know who being here.”
Brown just looked at him perplexed. “Some sort of reason behind that?”
“Just don’t do it.”
Brown nodded his head in understanding and headed down the steps. Shane folded the timetable and shoved it into his back pocket. Damm it all; this was a nightmare. From a distance he could see various campers running towards the cafeteria building, many laughing as they dodged the rain drops. Stupid rain and stupid camp. At least everyone was on their way to opening jam, or already there; it would save him having to do any more impromptu autograph sessions.
Looking around again, Shane focused back on the sky which was still spitting. Oh, what the hell. Jumping the two steps, Shane calmly made his way back to his own cabin. He was gonna get wet anyway, so he might as well get himself soaked while he was at it.
#
“Lola, chill. You’ve never gone wrong before; you’ll do fine.” Caitlyn called from her bunk where she had been looking over files on her laptop.
“Thanks, Cait,” her cabin mate said, letting out a deep breath. Lola had been standing next to her bunk going over her song for opening jam the last several minutes as the girls got ready. One of their roommates, a thin girl named Anna, had already left for the cafeteria area, which meant Caitlyn, Michie and Lola were left.
Caitlyn just shrugged. Her eyes then fell on her other cabin mate who was standing by the bathroom mirror. “The same goes to you too, ya know.”
“Oh thanks. But I don’t think I’ll actually sing tonight” Michie patted her hair down again nervously.
“Why not?”
Michie didn’t respond. The truth was that she was still feeling a little unnerved from the incident in one of the music huts earlier. She had been working on her song when she’d noticed someone watching her; actually listening in as she sang. It probably wouldn’t have been that bad had they actually announced their presence or asked to listen; but to have them just standing outside the door eavesdropping seemed… so… well rude, for one thing. And almost violating. She let out a sigh, and then looked back at the mirror. “I guess this may be as good as it gets today.”
“You look fine.” Michie had to giggle at Caitlyn’s words, as she hadn’t even been looking towards her as she spoke. Did the girl ever get off her laptop? “Thank goodness dinner is right after the jam; I’m starving. Any idea what we’re having?”
“Um, I’m not sure.” What had her mom said before? Michie shrugged. “Probably something good.”
“Has to be better than the food last year. Oi.” Caitlyn closed her laptop and shoved it into a case. “We should probably get going.”
It was then that Michie saw the time. “No- we’re so late!”
“Relax; opening jam never begins on time,” Caitlyn assured. “Coming, Lola?”
“One step ahead of you girls.” Lola was already at the door. “Better grab your rain jackets. It looks pretty nasty out there.”
The other two obliged. Finally ready they stepped outside the cabin. They had only taken a few steps when the rain started; a quick storm of giant drops hitting them.
“Run!” Caitlyn yelled before they took off in a sprint towards the cafeteria. Michie fell behind as a hunched-over figure in a familiar blue jacket came their direction. Her companions stopped as well upon noticing her hesitance, both giving her questioning looks.
“Go on ahead; I’ll catch up with you guys,” Michie explained. Caitlyn and Lola let out yelps and they took off again. Michie turned to the figure in the blue jacket that had stopped near her. “Hey, Jake; aren’t you going to the jam?”
“Yeah; well, as much as I can while prepping dinner. I’m just running an errand for Mom.” Jake held up a small white paper bag so Michie could see.
“What’s that?” Jake opened her mouth, but then shut it again. Michie put her hands on her hips. “Jaclyn Alice…”
“Keep your voice down. It’s dinner for you-know-who.” Michie’s eyes went wide. Jake shot her a look before she had the chance to say anything. She hissed, “Not a word to anyone, alright?”
Michie just nodded. Who did Jake think she was, a stupid fan girl? Please. Well actually, maybe she was; at the moment she was fighting the urge to offer her services in delivering the food. “I promise; not a word.”
Jake nodded slowly, as if debating whether to believe her sister. Michie frowned. Jake knew she was good for not sharing a secret. Straightening her shoulders Jake said, “Well, I’d better get going before this stuff gets all soaked or something.”
“Right. Hurry back.”
“Oh, are you going to sing? When?”
“I don’t know,” Michie admitted. Mentally she reminded herself to take time to tell Jake about the practice hut incident.
“Well, I’ll hurry then.” Jake gave her baby sister a reassuring smile, then headed back down the path. Michie ran to join her friends and all the other campers. The music had started inside, and she didn’t want to miss a thing.
#
Nate slowly cracked open the back door of the cabin, the one nearest the wooded area, and looked around. From under the hood of his jacket he could see no one there. He listened; he couldn’t hear anyone, either. Good. He stepped out and shut the door quietly, then stepped away from the cabin as if it were on fire. Last thing he needed was someone seeing him leaving from it; everyone else believed Shane’s cabin housed a single occupant.
The rain picked up as he walked, prompting him to go faster. He kept his head down and the jacket hood tight, hoping to avoid water splashing his face. With each step he felt the sensation of dread and fear rising in him; he was psyching himself out again. How on earth was he supposed to ever perform on stage, in front of people, if the very thought of just walking towards them was causing him panic? Nate trudged along the path. He could just take a peek inside… yeah; just a quick look. Heck, just reaching the place without getting sick or something would be good enough for him.
He had reached the last batch of cabins before the larger building came into view. Nate shoved his hands into the pockets of his jacket as he continued on his way. He needed a distraction to keep him going; he decided to focus on not splashing into various puddles which were forming on the ground. He had just avoided a rather precarious one when his body rammed into something, sending Nate tumbling to the ground.
#
Jake let out a started cry as she fell over, landing right on her butt. One minute she had been zipping up her rain jacket higher and turning the corner where the cabins were lined, and the next she was sitting in mud. Jake brought herself back to her knees and examined the bag of food in her hands. Opening it, she found that while perhaps a little smooched, the contents were still safe. It was then that she realized her fall hadn’t been caused by tripping over something, but rather running into it - or actually, someone.
Oh, God!
“I’m so sorry; I didn’t mean to do that. I was just going so fast…,” she sputtered quickly. Jake turned to face whoever she had run into, and found herself face-to-face with a young man. The first thing she noticed was his hair; a coffee brown mop of now-matted curls. His face looked young even while grimacing, made him look perhaps a few years younger than her; maybe the same age as Michie. His eyes were closed as he rubbed his head.
“Sorry,” she apologized again, holding out her hand for his. He stopped grimacing and looked at her slowly with eyes just about as dark as his hair. For an awkward moment he just stared at her. She tried again. “Are you okay?”
Still nothing, although he did take her hand and heaved himself back up to his feet. The staring unnerved her and she began a rapid firing of words. “I’m so sorry. I was just in such a hurry… my sister really needs me to be somewhere, but my mom wanted me to do something for her beforehand…”
He rubbed the back of his head and seemed to almost be making himself look at her face as she talked. The act made her face fall; obviously he wasn’t into apologies or excuses. No wait; was that fear she saw in his eyes? There was no way he could actually be afraid of her. Pulling the hood of her jacket back on properly, she stammered, “I’d best get going then. I um… I’ll see ya.”
He stood in place a moment longer, giving her a quick nod. Was there something wrong with her? Jake turned to go and took a few steps. There had to be a reason for his behavior, surely. Yet she couldn’t think of anything to prompt such a response. Jake turned her head; to her surprise the young man was gone.
Now that was just weird. Her mind reeled. People didn’t just up and disappeared. Her eyes fell on the giant dining hall; of course, that’s where he had been going. More music came from the cafeteria bringing Jake’s attention back to focus. Right; she needed to get this food delivered so she didn’t miss Michie performing. Well, if she actually performed.
Jake headed towards the cabin her mom had directed her to go to; Shane Gray’s cabin. Pushing open the screen door, she knocked. It seemed to prompt no answer; perhaps she should just leave the food on the top step for him? But then it would get wet; not that it wasn’t already from the delay and spill. Jake bit her lip and tried again, using her whole fist this time. “Hello?”
In a flash the door opened just enough for him to be in view. She recognized him right away, even with his wet-rat look. Had he been outside in this weather without a coat or something?
“Yeah?” he asked. The question came out in almost a miffed tone, one which made her eyes narrow. “Look, I’m all for chatting during activities or whatever, but this is my cabin.”
Jake’s eyes narrowed as she scoffed his direction. The nerve; he actually thought she was one of his admirers. Several comebacks entered her mind, and she may have offered one had he not started to close the door on her. Quickly Jake held out the bag. At least one of them could be pleasant here. “Dinner, for you.”
His hazel eyes burrowed into her for a tense moment. Jake’s confidence wavered only a instant as she continued. “No seriously; my mom’s the cook here. She told me to bring this to you.”
He softened a bit, but not by much. His eyes still held a glare on her. Jake shuddered in spite of herself. Opening the door he reached out to take the bag; Jake let him have it without a fight. Once he had taken the bag, Shane closed the door, leaving Jake standing between it and the screen door. Wow; not even a thank you.
“You’re welcome,” she called sarcastically at the door. She didn’t care if he had heard her annoyed comment; if anything, she was banking on it. Stupid rock stars. She hoped this was the last time she had to associate with one.
.
PREVIOUS CHAPTER: http://leftygirl02.livejournal.com/177046.html
“Shane,
Meeting in my cabin at 3:45. Want to discuss timetables and what you’ll be doing this summer.
Good to have you back at camp,
Brown.”
Shane stared at the paper a moment longer. His brain still felt hazy from the nap he had just taken. What on earth was a timetable, anyway?
“Did you see this?” he asked Nate while yawning. His brother was at the other side of the room near his own bed. There was no reply. Shane looked up; Nate was shaking his head while giving him a shrug. He swore the kid gave less vocal answers than anyone he knew. Shane pulled on his shoes, wondering when Brown had slid the note under the door. It hadn’t been there when he’d gotten back from his walk; must have been while he was sleeping.
Scratching his head Shane took a glance at his watch; 4:03. Shit. As quick as he could manage, Shane finished pulling on his shoes and headed for the door. “Damn it, Nate!”
From the corner of his eye he could see Nate turn, a mixed look of confusion and hurt across his face. He probably should have apologized, but he really couldn’t help it. Nate had probably seen the note in time, and hadn’t made any effort to wake him so he wouldn’t be late. Only the sound of thunder from a distance had made him stir.
As he reached the door, Shane reminded his brother to get his butt to the cafeteria already. He also suddenly noticed that the lights were out. Really, Nate? It was bad enough that his baby brother barely took a step outside, but now he didn’t like lights? He decided to say nothing about it and just leave, giving the door a good forceful close as he did.
Once his feet left the front steps, he began in a quickened sprint across the area which separated him from Brown’s cabin. The sky was darkening around him; double shit. Brown better make this meeting short…
“Hi.”
Oh no. As if from thin air a small girl with large doe eyes was looking at him and standing right in his path. Not again. How did they always seem to find him?
“Hey,” he replied roughly, moving to pass her.
She immediately moved to block his path again. It was then he saw the small book she was clutching. “You’re Shane Gray, aren’t you?”
“Um, yeah….” He stepped sideways again, yet she moved with him. “Look, I really have to…”
“I’m Macey,” she continued as if he hadn’t said a thing. “I own all your albums.”
“That so.” Considering there were only two…
“Yeah. I listen to all your songs all the time. Especially ‘Time Away’; I love that song. It’s my abso-“
“Great. Look, I’m late for something, so if you’d excus…” He began to push past her again, until he saw her face. It had fallen and her lip began to quiver. A pang of guilt gripped him; he may not have understood it, but the impact he had on her was strong. And he had just tore her down. Shaking his head, he kneeled so he was at her level. “I’m sorry... um, -“
“Macey,” she managed between sniffs, her tone on the edge of annoyance. Uh oh.
“Right; sorry. That’s a nice…”
“My mom is- is Nicole Anderson. Maybe you’re heard of her.”
It took him a second for the name to fully register. “Oh yeah; she’s pretty cool. Met her at a recording studio once; very nice lady.”
Macey’s face brightened. “Could you sign this?”
“Okay.” He took the small book from her hand and autographed it quickly. He then handed it back to her and offered a hug along with it. “Enjoy the camp.”
“Thank you.” She looked about ready to jump, or maybe faint. He didn’t have time to find out which it would be.
With that he was on his way to the cabin again, this time in a dead run. He found Brown inside chatting on the phone. Shane glanced around a moment, waiting for him to finish. While Brown did virtually live here, the cabin also served as his office. Shane glance at the photos along the wall near Brown’s desk just a moment. One in particular caught his eye, and yet he glanced away again as quickly as he could manage.
Walking around the desk he found an electric guitar being held by a stand. He had just picked it up and sat on Brown’s bed when the phone conversation finished. Shane struck a few chords on the instrument, creating the rather pitiful pinging noises heard when it wasn’t plugged to an amplifier. The chords soon grew into an actual tune, although he honestly didn’t know which.
“Time goes by fast,” he heard Brown say. Shane looked up to find the older man sitting on the edge of his desk, his arms crossed. “Seems like just yesterday you were sitting in one of the practice rooms learning notes.”
Shane shrugged. Nate and Jason were the ones with the real musical gifts; Brown knew that as much as he did. Nate could play three instruments and sing, while Jason had picked up the guitar within a summer. Yet Brown was acting like a few measly notes coming from a guitar was something to win an award for.
“Shane, how have you been? What’s up?”
“The sky.”
Brown only paused a moment. “I meant with you.”
Shane shrugged again. “You know, the same ole stuff; getting dragged to a summer camp, diving into flower beds, avoiding screaming fan girls who want to tear my clothes off me or touch my hair, dragging Nate’s butt out of…”
“Nate’s here? I’ll be dammed.”
Shit; he hadn’t been supposed to mention that to anyone. “Yeah he’s here, staying with me.”
“Well, don’t that beat all. How is he?”
Shane had to cough quickly to keep the jeer from coming. When was the last time Brown had actually given a dam about him or his brothers? “The same,” he uttered. ‘No thanks to you,’ followed in his head.
“Good. And Jason?”
“You said there was some sort of time-thing you wanted to give me.” Shane set the guitar back on the rack and stood. The last thing he wanted to do was make this meeting longer than it had to be for him.
“Yes! I did! Timetables; very important.” Brown’s face fell slightly as he searched the cabin. “I had them some- ah, here we go. I’m sorry about the timings, but they couldn’t be helped.”
Shane groaned as a bad feeling came to him.
“So,” Brown continued in a tone as if presenting a rare treat, “You’re on hip-hop dance duty all summer, as planned. Of course if you’d like you could teach other forms too.”
Shane snatched the timetable from Brown’s hand. There was only one day, one freaking day of the week when he wasn’t expected in class by nine am. On two days he was assigned the eight am spot. Eight; in the morning! As if uttering it was enough to make it all go away he said, “No way!”
“Sorry, but the timetables are all written. They’re set in stone at this point. We’ve sorted all the buildings and they can’t be changed. You’re in practice hut number four, by the way…”
“Then I’ll switch with someone; anyone!” Did Brown really expect him to get up that early? Judging by the look on his face, that was exactly right.
“Like I said; it’s set in stone at this point. Now, if you excuse me, I need to head down to opening jam and dinner.” Brown motioned for Shane to walk outside with him. As they did they found rain falling. Brown grabbed an umbrella from next to the door and opened it. “Want me to walk with you to your cabin? Stay dry?”
Shane shook his head. Brown had began his decent down the front steps when Shane realized something. He grabbed the older man’s arm. “Brown, do me a favor and don’t mention Na- you know who being here.”
Brown just looked at him perplexed. “Some sort of reason behind that?”
“Just don’t do it.”
Brown nodded his head in understanding and headed down the steps. Shane folded the timetable and shoved it into his back pocket. Damm it all; this was a nightmare. From a distance he could see various campers running towards the cafeteria building, many laughing as they dodged the rain drops. Stupid rain and stupid camp. At least everyone was on their way to opening jam, or already there; it would save him having to do any more impromptu autograph sessions.
Looking around again, Shane focused back on the sky which was still spitting. Oh, what the hell. Jumping the two steps, Shane calmly made his way back to his own cabin. He was gonna get wet anyway, so he might as well get himself soaked while he was at it.
#
“Lola, chill. You’ve never gone wrong before; you’ll do fine.” Caitlyn called from her bunk where she had been looking over files on her laptop.
“Thanks, Cait,” her cabin mate said, letting out a deep breath. Lola had been standing next to her bunk going over her song for opening jam the last several minutes as the girls got ready. One of their roommates, a thin girl named Anna, had already left for the cafeteria area, which meant Caitlyn, Michie and Lola were left.
Caitlyn just shrugged. Her eyes then fell on her other cabin mate who was standing by the bathroom mirror. “The same goes to you too, ya know.”
“Oh thanks. But I don’t think I’ll actually sing tonight” Michie patted her hair down again nervously.
“Why not?”
Michie didn’t respond. The truth was that she was still feeling a little unnerved from the incident in one of the music huts earlier. She had been working on her song when she’d noticed someone watching her; actually listening in as she sang. It probably wouldn’t have been that bad had they actually announced their presence or asked to listen; but to have them just standing outside the door eavesdropping seemed… so… well rude, for one thing. And almost violating. She let out a sigh, and then looked back at the mirror. “I guess this may be as good as it gets today.”
“You look fine.” Michie had to giggle at Caitlyn’s words, as she hadn’t even been looking towards her as she spoke. Did the girl ever get off her laptop? “Thank goodness dinner is right after the jam; I’m starving. Any idea what we’re having?”
“Um, I’m not sure.” What had her mom said before? Michie shrugged. “Probably something good.”
“Has to be better than the food last year. Oi.” Caitlyn closed her laptop and shoved it into a case. “We should probably get going.”
It was then that Michie saw the time. “No- we’re so late!”
“Relax; opening jam never begins on time,” Caitlyn assured. “Coming, Lola?”
“One step ahead of you girls.” Lola was already at the door. “Better grab your rain jackets. It looks pretty nasty out there.”
The other two obliged. Finally ready they stepped outside the cabin. They had only taken a few steps when the rain started; a quick storm of giant drops hitting them.
“Run!” Caitlyn yelled before they took off in a sprint towards the cafeteria. Michie fell behind as a hunched-over figure in a familiar blue jacket came their direction. Her companions stopped as well upon noticing her hesitance, both giving her questioning looks.
“Go on ahead; I’ll catch up with you guys,” Michie explained. Caitlyn and Lola let out yelps and they took off again. Michie turned to the figure in the blue jacket that had stopped near her. “Hey, Jake; aren’t you going to the jam?”
“Yeah; well, as much as I can while prepping dinner. I’m just running an errand for Mom.” Jake held up a small white paper bag so Michie could see.
“What’s that?” Jake opened her mouth, but then shut it again. Michie put her hands on her hips. “Jaclyn Alice…”
“Keep your voice down. It’s dinner for you-know-who.” Michie’s eyes went wide. Jake shot her a look before she had the chance to say anything. She hissed, “Not a word to anyone, alright?”
Michie just nodded. Who did Jake think she was, a stupid fan girl? Please. Well actually, maybe she was; at the moment she was fighting the urge to offer her services in delivering the food. “I promise; not a word.”
Jake nodded slowly, as if debating whether to believe her sister. Michie frowned. Jake knew she was good for not sharing a secret. Straightening her shoulders Jake said, “Well, I’d better get going before this stuff gets all soaked or something.”
“Right. Hurry back.”
“Oh, are you going to sing? When?”
“I don’t know,” Michie admitted. Mentally she reminded herself to take time to tell Jake about the practice hut incident.
“Well, I’ll hurry then.” Jake gave her baby sister a reassuring smile, then headed back down the path. Michie ran to join her friends and all the other campers. The music had started inside, and she didn’t want to miss a thing.
#
Nate slowly cracked open the back door of the cabin, the one nearest the wooded area, and looked around. From under the hood of his jacket he could see no one there. He listened; he couldn’t hear anyone, either. Good. He stepped out and shut the door quietly, then stepped away from the cabin as if it were on fire. Last thing he needed was someone seeing him leaving from it; everyone else believed Shane’s cabin housed a single occupant.
The rain picked up as he walked, prompting him to go faster. He kept his head down and the jacket hood tight, hoping to avoid water splashing his face. With each step he felt the sensation of dread and fear rising in him; he was psyching himself out again. How on earth was he supposed to ever perform on stage, in front of people, if the very thought of just walking towards them was causing him panic? Nate trudged along the path. He could just take a peek inside… yeah; just a quick look. Heck, just reaching the place without getting sick or something would be good enough for him.
He had reached the last batch of cabins before the larger building came into view. Nate shoved his hands into the pockets of his jacket as he continued on his way. He needed a distraction to keep him going; he decided to focus on not splashing into various puddles which were forming on the ground. He had just avoided a rather precarious one when his body rammed into something, sending Nate tumbling to the ground.
#
Jake let out a started cry as she fell over, landing right on her butt. One minute she had been zipping up her rain jacket higher and turning the corner where the cabins were lined, and the next she was sitting in mud. Jake brought herself back to her knees and examined the bag of food in her hands. Opening it, she found that while perhaps a little smooched, the contents were still safe. It was then that she realized her fall hadn’t been caused by tripping over something, but rather running into it - or actually, someone.
Oh, God!
“I’m so sorry; I didn’t mean to do that. I was just going so fast…,” she sputtered quickly. Jake turned to face whoever she had run into, and found herself face-to-face with a young man. The first thing she noticed was his hair; a coffee brown mop of now-matted curls. His face looked young even while grimacing, made him look perhaps a few years younger than her; maybe the same age as Michie. His eyes were closed as he rubbed his head.
“Sorry,” she apologized again, holding out her hand for his. He stopped grimacing and looked at her slowly with eyes just about as dark as his hair. For an awkward moment he just stared at her. She tried again. “Are you okay?”
Still nothing, although he did take her hand and heaved himself back up to his feet. The staring unnerved her and she began a rapid firing of words. “I’m so sorry. I was just in such a hurry… my sister really needs me to be somewhere, but my mom wanted me to do something for her beforehand…”
He rubbed the back of his head and seemed to almost be making himself look at her face as she talked. The act made her face fall; obviously he wasn’t into apologies or excuses. No wait; was that fear she saw in his eyes? There was no way he could actually be afraid of her. Pulling the hood of her jacket back on properly, she stammered, “I’d best get going then. I um… I’ll see ya.”
He stood in place a moment longer, giving her a quick nod. Was there something wrong with her? Jake turned to go and took a few steps. There had to be a reason for his behavior, surely. Yet she couldn’t think of anything to prompt such a response. Jake turned her head; to her surprise the young man was gone.
Now that was just weird. Her mind reeled. People didn’t just up and disappeared. Her eyes fell on the giant dining hall; of course, that’s where he had been going. More music came from the cafeteria bringing Jake’s attention back to focus. Right; she needed to get this food delivered so she didn’t miss Michie performing. Well, if she actually performed.
Jake headed towards the cabin her mom had directed her to go to; Shane Gray’s cabin. Pushing open the screen door, she knocked. It seemed to prompt no answer; perhaps she should just leave the food on the top step for him? But then it would get wet; not that it wasn’t already from the delay and spill. Jake bit her lip and tried again, using her whole fist this time. “Hello?”
In a flash the door opened just enough for him to be in view. She recognized him right away, even with his wet-rat look. Had he been outside in this weather without a coat or something?
“Yeah?” he asked. The question came out in almost a miffed tone, one which made her eyes narrow. “Look, I’m all for chatting during activities or whatever, but this is my cabin.”
Jake’s eyes narrowed as she scoffed his direction. The nerve; he actually thought she was one of his admirers. Several comebacks entered her mind, and she may have offered one had he not started to close the door on her. Quickly Jake held out the bag. At least one of them could be pleasant here. “Dinner, for you.”
His hazel eyes burrowed into her for a tense moment. Jake’s confidence wavered only a instant as she continued. “No seriously; my mom’s the cook here. She told me to bring this to you.”
He softened a bit, but not by much. His eyes still held a glare on her. Jake shuddered in spite of herself. Opening the door he reached out to take the bag; Jake let him have it without a fight. Once he had taken the bag, Shane closed the door, leaving Jake standing between it and the screen door. Wow; not even a thank you.
“You’re welcome,” she called sarcastically at the door. She didn’t care if he had heard her annoyed comment; if anything, she was banking on it. Stupid rock stars. She hoped this was the last time she had to associate with one.
.