I pick up my cup and take a small sip of water, that’s when I almost spit it back up because his arm is reaching across the table and making me chug the glass.
“Drink up!” he cheers as the campers at our table laugh. “If you want to hike, you need to be fully hydrated!”
Kelsey giggles next to me and once I’ve finished my glass of water, Sampson starts filling up everyone else’s glasses too, filling mine up for a second round. He sends Lain to fill up the now empty pitcher. It’s almost like we have our own little college crew, except instead of chugging beer, we’re all chugging water and making a game of it.
What if he’s one of those guys that’s obsessed with partying? I can’t keep up with a lifestyle like that. My idea of the perfect Friday night is staying in and binge watching Gilmore Girls on Netflix. What would Rory do? She has been known to be a homewrecker...
I smile at Sampson and he returns it. Even though we’re surrounded by everyone at camp, I feel like it’s just the two of us. Everything feels and seems so innocent that we might never cross that line. He’s with Viv, and I don’t want to be known as a girl who steals another girl's boyfriend.
Nothing is going to happen. I won’t be that girl.
There’s a ninety percent chance that I was in over my head when I signed up to go hiking during camp instead of hanging back and enjoying the ropes course or arts and crafts. I’ve finished the last drop of my second water bottle that I planned on saving for Kelsey who wasn’t prepared for any strenuous activity at summer camp, and we haven’t reached the falls yet. I’m not sure if I’ve even taken my eyes off the trail since the first half mile. I finally look ahead of myself and notice half the group is already turning the corner. The last one I see is a giggly Kelsey holding the hand of Lain, neither of them looking fatigued at all.
Boy, are they moving fast? Both relationship-wise and on this trail.
“Don’t worry, I’m still here,” says Sampson from behind me without any sign of exhaustion in his voice. Two of the counselors had to hike at the front of the group and the other was supposed to take the back. I almost forgot that he was even near me. All I’ve been concentrating on is my breathing and trying to not make a fool of myself.
“Aren’t you tired?” I ask him, aggravated that he’s not breathing as heavily as me. Maybe I should go get tested for asthma.
“I’ve hiked this trail about ten times in my life. Pretty sure I have calves of steel and lungs of Superman now. And besides, I’m also an Eagle Scout, and we come prepared.”
“Show off,” I mutter, more attitude in my voice than I wanted.
It’s so quiet and peaceful up in the mountains that I just want to stop for a moment to take it all in, even if we’re not to the falls yet, and I’m just too exhausted to go on at the moment. Sampson interprets my pause as a warning sign.
“Do you need to turn back? I can tell Ben over the walkie that you’re not feeling well,” Sampson says. I get butterflies in my stomach from how considerate and protective he’s being.
It’s tempting to turn back and give up, but I don’t want to look like a girly girl, especially when Kelsey is powering through so well. I turn down the offer. “I wanna see the falls, I just need a small break.”
I reach into the side pocket for my water bottle, but remember I’ve been out of water for a long time. Without me even asking, he hands me the rest of his.
“I should have warned you, err, everyone that this was a tough hike and that they need to watch how quickly they drink their water. The worst part is on the way back,” he tells me.
I’m baffled that the worst part is on the way down, because it’s felt mostly uphill to the falls. This clearly isn’t the trail that I remember. “Yeah, I could have used the warning. I’m just surprised Kelsey is pushing through. She’s not outdoorsy. I had to beg her to come today.”
“Then why does she come to camp?” he wonders. He doesn’t ask it in a harsh tone, just curious.
I shrug my shoulders. “She used to love doing this kind of stuff, but I think she’s grown out of it since we were kids. Her parents bribe her with a shopping spree every year. Me on the other hand, I doubt I’ll ever grow out of this place. Seriously, look at me, I’m wearing a camp shirt from two years ago, and my hair is braided into pigtails. My style screams summer camp. I’d give anything to be here year round. I like it here better than at home. It’s relaxing.”
He smiles. “If it makes you feel any better, I love your pig-tails.”
I look around, making sure no one is near enough to hear. Part of me thinks I didn’t hear him correctly, that there’s no way he actually said those words. “I don’t think you’re supposed to say things like that.”
He stands up with a sigh. “I know, I can’t help it, you’re not like the girls that work here, or the girls at college or any girl I’ve ever encountered for that matter. You’re real.”
“You have Viv,” I remind him and he sits back down, not saying a word.
I’m not sure what to say next, so I do what I do best and change the subject. “How much further?”
“I’d say a mile and a half. The group is probably only half a mile ahead of us now.” When he says it, there’s a bit of sadness in his tone.
“What’s up?” I ask.
He shrugs his shoulders but smiles. “This might be the only time I get to have a chance to get to know you without anyone else around. It feels like this summer is flying by.”
The insecure little girl in me panics because when she hears those words, she assumes he doesn’t want to get to know her after camp is over and that breaks her heart, but she refuses to let it show.
“Let’s not worry about any of that. I’m sure there will be plenty of other opportunities. We can always go back to Irene’s one night and hang out.”
He stands up and pulls me up with one of his hands, just like I did when I pulled him up from the dock. We start heading up the trail and for ten seconds he holds my hand and it gives me the boost of energy I need to make it the rest of the way to the falls. Just a small, perfect distraction.
It’s beautiful at the falls, but the water is freezing for June. I’m thankful I wore my bathing suit under my clothes and brought my swim shoes, because I feel like I’m overheated from the hike. Kelsey refuses to get in the water until Lain says he’s going in. Since she doesn’t get her hair wet, I let her borrow one of my pigtail holders. I have to take both of my braids out and my hair is as curly as can be. I try to tame it as best as I can by putting it into a ponytail.
I watch Sampson out of the corner of my eyes as I take off my t-shirt and my shorts. Walking into the water, I panic from the frigid temperature and I’m about to change my mind when I hear Kelsey scream. I turn around and see only her butt and legs. Lain has her hanging over his shoulder and runs right by me, splashing the cold water everywhere. I think I’m safe, but then my feet aren’t touching the moss covered rocks any longer. One of the stronger boys is carrying me fireman style and he tosses me into the water once we’re deep enough.
I scream, getting mountain water in my mouth, but when I come up all I hear are the guys being scolded by Sampson’s booming voice. I’m slightly embarrassed when the rest of our group and some other vacationers turn to look at the scene we’re making.
“They chose to come with the boys, if they can’t handle a little water, they shouldn’t have come hiking,” complains one of the other boys.
Sampson’s face is turning red and I feel slightly embarrassed at his reaction and the attention it’s bringing to us. I never thought I would see him this angry. He seems so reserved most of the time. “Camp is supposed to be a place where everyone feels safe. Both of you bringing the girls into the water isn’t promoting safety.”
I hear Lain mutter under his breath. “We’re not at camp Flower Power,” he says.
Some of the other guys start laughing. I glance at Sampson, who pulls his flower headband off, freeing his hair and his curly bangs fall over his e
yes. This is the first time I’ve seen him not act his age.
I turn to see Kelsey ringing out her hair, but she’s not mad, she’s grinning from ear to ear. Maybe this year will be good for her. It seems like Lain will help her come out of her pretty-girl skin.
Awkwardly, I walk out of the water and cross my arms against my chest. It’s even colder outside of the water. I go in search of my towel and when I get there, Sampson wraps me up in it. He lingers a few seconds too long. He reminds me of when I was younger and at the pool or beach my mom would wrap me up so I’d get warm. A simple, innocent act, but I feel weird that it’s happening.
“You okay?” he asks.
“Just cold,” I say, my teeth chattering together. Thankfully, the sun is already blazing against my skin. I know I’ll be warm in a minute or two.
“Boys will be boys,” says Ben from a rock he’s perched on. “Sorry they don’t have manners. We’re working on that.”
I smile at Ben, remembering him as a counselor from last year and I go sit on a rock next to Sampson as I watch most of our group play in the water. Some of them are taking bets to see who can bare to stand under the waterfall the longest. It’s obvious Kelsey will come in last place.
“How are things with Viv?” Ben asks Sampson, and I feel a little awkward sitting next to them.
“Okay,” he says. “She’s been weird the last few weeks. Her temperament is kind of awful lately.”
“Why’d she even ask for a job here this summer if she was going to be constantly on your case?”
“I don’t know. it’s not even that she’s on my case,” he says. “She’s been pretty secretive. I found her phone the other day with a cryptic text from someone named J and when I asked her about it, she got all defensive.”
“What did the text say?” I ask. Sampson looks down at his hands.
“Something like, ‘can you get away’ or something. She jerked the phone away before I could clearly read it,” he says. “Maybe I misread it.”
J? Josh? Casanova? Did Sampson almost figure it out?
“It’s probably nothing, bro,” Ben says, clapping Sampson on the back. “Remember how crazy she was over you?”
“Was,” Sampson says. “I’m starting to think the ‘honeymoon’ phase wore off a while ago. What do you think, Penelope?”
I shrug my shoulders, wondering if I looked too far into him holding my hand for a few seconds on the trail. “Maybe it’s nothing, maybe it’s something. You should probably just talk to her. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
Sampson nods his head. “Maybe you’re right. The problem is, she won’t talk to me. I don’t know what to do. It feels like everything I do or say is wrong.”
“Women,” Ben says.
“Woah there,” I say, taking offense. “Watch it, I’m a women.”
“Sorry,” he says laughing. “I guess you’re just not like the girls we hang out with.”
“Sounds like you’re just not hanging out with the right girls,” I suggest.
Neither of them say a word, they just exchange a dumbfounded expression.
“That’s what I thought,” I say smugly. “Good luck with that.”
Due to my slow hiking, I end up being the last person on the bus. Ben chose to take the back end of the group on the way down, which made me walk a little faster so I would feel less embarrassed. When you’re only five feet tall with short legs, it’s hard to keep up with everyone else, especially your friend who has legs as long as a supermodel.
There’s only one seat left on the bus when I get inside. Everyone else is sitting two to three campers per seat. Sampson looks up from his clipboard and smiles at me from the front seat. He scoots over to the window and lets me slide in next to him.
“Did you do roll call?” asks Ben, sliding in next to me, sandwiching me between him and Sampson. This would be any teenage girl's dream right now, sitting between two cute college boys. That’s the last thing I want to think about because all three of us are drenched in sweat.
I watch as Sampson finds my name and Ben’s on the list and checks it off. “Yup, you two were the last.”
Ben pats the bus driver’s seat and tells him we’re good to go. We back out of the gravel lot and head back toward the main loop. The ride is bumpy and I try my best to not let my pale, sweaty, sunburnt legs rub against Sampson’s or Ben’s. I spot a group of three tiny hairs on my knee cap, scolding myself for not taking more time to shave with any kind of accuracy.
Ben turns around and starts singing an old camp song that I know by heart. The campers join in at once, and Ben stops, looking proud of himself.
“Hey,” Sampson says, bumping his leg against mine, the three leg hairs feel like they’re standing at attention. My stomach turns in excitement and my cheeks flush. “You okay?”
I look up at him and smile. “Yeah, just thinking.”
“Do you feel like a loser sitting up here with us?” he jokes.
“No! Of course not, who else would I sit with? My best friend is preoccupied,” I nod back toward the end of the bus.
“I can get him to move if you want. I can make up some rule about boys not being allowed to sit with girls.”
But then I can’t sit by you, I want to tell him.
“It’s fine, trust me,” I say to reassure Sampson.
Ben and the rest of the group that came with us are on the third verse of the Goldilocks song when I finally join in, and it finally feels like the camp I have always known and loved. I wish I could enjoy being one of the younger kids again, where I don’t have to worry about having a crush on one of the guys, or my friend choosing different things than me, or even so I just wouldn’t worry about what other people think of me.
Sampson smiles and starts singing the song with the rest of us. We go through song after song and I eventually let my knee fall against his without worrying about the repercussions. Finally, I can relax.
“Rise and shine, girlies. It’s field day,” I say in a sing-song voice. The girls start stretching their arms, some of them rolling over and covering their heads, shielding their eyes from the light. When Kelsey rolls out of bed and looks at me, her eyes practically bug out of her head when she sees I’ve painted my face blue and white like in Braveheart.
Viv starts handing out sealed envelopes to each of the campers, and I bring out the bag of blue and red bandanas, the type that resemble ones on reality shows to indicate what team you’re on. You can wear them either as tops, bandanas, skirts or just around your wrist or neck.
“These are your assignments. We’ve sealed up fifty bandanas for the red team and fifty for the blue team. The teams are selected at random,” Viv tells us. “You can sit with whomever you want to for the meals today, but remember, they might be a good ally or bad enemy. Choose wisely.”
“Open your envelopes up and then come to me for your team color. We have some extra paint if you guys want to wear your team color in warrior paint,” I announce.
“Are we allowed to swap teams?” asks Chelle.
“Yes,” I say as Viv says no. “But once we leave the cabin, you can’t change after that. It’s only fair.”
“What color did you get?” I ask Kelsey when she climbs down the bunk and starts searching through her luggage.
“Red, I don’t even have anything to match this stupid bandana!”
“Here,” I say, reaching into my bag and finding my white and red tank top I was never planning on wearing. “You can borrow this.”
“Don’t you need this?” she asks me, confused.
“Nope, you’re on your own today. I’m on the blue team.”
“Well this day is going to suck,” she says, looking across the room at Viv who’s wearing two vertical stripes of red across her face.
I nudge her on the shoulder. “Come on, let’s go do your makeup, this might be the only time I can actually do it for you instead of you doing mine.”
She smiles and follows me into the bathroom, along with some other girls
that want face paint.
“Soldier, I hope you’re hydrated,” a booming male voice rings out. It’s Sampson, and when I turn around he’s wearing a blue bandana around his head where his normal daisy headband is, and he has two finger swipes of blue paint below his eyes like he’s ready to play a game of football.
I slide over on the bench for him to join me and take a sip of my water. “Thought for sure I would have to feel bad for kicking your butt today,” I tell him.
He smiles and blushes. “You almost did. I had to bribe a kid for his blue bandana. Told him I’d give him an extra granola bar at snack time. By the way, your trash talking is on point.”
“Greedy spawn,” I joke. “Why’d you switch? Viv’s on red.”
“You know why,” he whispers sweetly, like he’s hoping he didn’t bribe the kid for nothing. “Besides, I kind of like keeping Viv on her toes. It’s kind of entertaining.”
I smile and take a gulp of my water.
“Looks like Lain is interacting with the enemy,” he points out, nodding his head toward a table filled with red enemies.
I look over to where he’s sitting next to Kelsey. Boy do they have it bad for each other. She doesn’t look happy at all though, probably because Lain ended up on our team which means she won’t get too much time with him today. Viv is talking her ear off and Kelsey is just picking at the chipped white paint on the table.
“No,” I tell him. “They’ll be on our side, trust me. We’ll just have to bring her to the good side during capture the flag. It’s possible to kidnap other players, right?”
The rest of breakfast flows too easily; Sampson and I eat and talk to the other people at the table. I get to know a few of the new campers and talk to some of the older ones about their own college plans. Sampson allows his knee to occasionally bump into mine and since no one else can see it, I return every knee bump and watch as he smiles. If this is how it’ll be next year when I’m working here, everything will be perfect. It’s like all the drama that’s happened between us is finally over and we can be ourselves.
The Last July: A New Adult Romance Page 11