by Rock, J. K.
“I saw Seth and Lauren together that night on the canoe trip and thought she would have mentioned it to Trinity. I thought, if it was in the diary, I could show Matt that Lauren was still into Seth.”
“But it wasn’t in the diary,” Brittany practically shouted. “I thought you were going to sew it shut or put more itching powder on it or…I don’t know. How could you do that to those girls?”
It made me feel slightly better to know at least that Brittany hadn’t wanted to out Trinity’s secrets to the world.
Still, Hannah’s giggle made my fingers tighten on the handle of my suitcase.
“Either way it worked. Now Matt knows Lauren’s been chasing Seth behind his back and Seth thinks Lauren stole the diary from their clique. It’s a win – win,” she crowed. “Now Matt will stop caring about the phony and be with me.”
Kayla’s horrified eyes met mine. She shook her head, and I understood what she was trying to say, that she had had no part of Hannah’s plan. Kayla might be nice, but how could I share a cabin with someone like Hannah? I’d probably end up with a venomous snake in my bed.
“At least with Lauren staying here, Matt will be around more.” Rachel’s voice sounded muffled, like she was brushing her teeth.
“True.” High-heeled sandals clicked across the cabin floor.
“Do you want to go back?” Kayla whispered in my ear. I shook my head. There was nowhere else to go.
The bush beside me shook again. I froze when a skunk waddled out and stopped before us. Kayla gripped my arm and squealed. Didn’t she know we had to stay still in case the skunk got spooked and….
Foul oil skirted from behind his tail, coating us in its deep stench.
…sprayed.
I gagged as Kayla ran to the side of the cabin and retched.
“Fine,” Hannah harrumphed. “I guess Lauren will have her uses so… Hey, what’s that smell?”
My temper rose along with my stench. Grabbing my suitcase, I stormed up the porch steps and banged open the front door to their cabin.
“It’s your new roommate, Lauren,” I charged inside, dragging in the evil odor with me.
The girls dove for their sleeping bags, choking sounds erupting from beneath their pillows.
I smiled despite the throat-convulsing odor. At least Hannah wouldn’t be the only rotten egg in here.
Chapter Sixteen
Cold water pelted my back the next morning, the hot water long gone.
“Lauren,” Kayla yelled from the shower stall next to mine. A hand holding a tomato juice can appeared over the wall. “You want more?”
I grabbed the container and poured the thick red liquid over my head. Spaghetti and meatballs would never taste the same again. My scalp burned as I scrubbed it for the fourth time.
“Any luck?” Kayla called. Her shower turned off and the curtain rustled open.
I took a cautious inhale and gagged.
Yup. I stilled smelled like that old time Looney Tunes skunk, Pepé le Pew. Except Pepé always got the girl. As for me, I’d be lucky if either Matt or Seth was even speaking to me. Smell or no, they both thought I was rotten—Seth for believing I’d given Hannah the diary, and Matt for thinking I’d been after Seth while dating him.
What a ginormous mess.
I turned off the water and shivered at the icy flow running down my calves. Where did they pipe this water from, the Arctic?
Wrapping a towel around my body, I stepped into my flip-flops, then pushed aside the shower curtain. Kayla waited in the changing area, bedraggled hair hanging in her face. She sniffed as I approached.
“You reek.”
I grinned. My first smile in—geez, I honestly couldn’t remember. “And you’re one to talk? Who do you think got us into this mess?”
Kayla giggled, pulling her underwear up under her towel, then fastening her bra over it before pulling the terrycloth away. I followed suit.
The door banged open. A group of pre-teens stared at us, sniffed, and bolted back down the path.
That got us laughing. By the time we were fully dressed, me in a blue and green tie-dye tank top and cut-off shorts and Kayla in a white polo and navy shorts, I was feeling a little more human.
Last night, we’d slept in our sleeping bags on the porch, Hannah waking us with complaints of our smell every time we managed to drift off.
“You want breakfast?” Light glinted off of Kayla’s blond highlights as we stepped out in the dewy morning.
I shook my head. “Ugh. I smell so bad I’m making myself sick.”
“Well, I didn’t want to say anything…” Kayla slanted her blue eyes at me. I picked a pinecone off the path and threw it at her.
“Hey!” she laughed and chucked one back. In seconds we were in a full-on cone war, needles flying, hands filled with sap. I tugged a sticky missile out of my hair just as my former Munchies’ Manor friends appeared on the path, heading for breakfast.
They held their noses as they passed. Piper looked me up and down. “Looks like someone pissed off Mother Earth.”
Jackie peered over her shoulder. “Now she smells on the outside the way she is on the inside.” The group turned and marched away, their heads close and whispers audible.
Kayla looked at me in sympathy. “Those are some mean girls.”
I opened my mouth to protest, then closed it. She was right. They had their moments of mean just like the Divas had their moments of nice. Nothing was as black and white as it seemed.
“Wanna head down to the nurse? See if she has anything?”
“Are you kidding? The most she can give us is, like, baby aspirin. Let’s go see my boy.” Kayla jumped over a boulder in the path that led toward the boys’ section.
“Cameron, right?” I scurried after her. He was a Warrior known for sneaking in camp contraband. An illicit thrill shot through me. I was now officially a rule breaker.
We sprinted up the path, following the long shadows that stretched before us. I pulled up short at Warriors’ Warden, suddenly remembering Matt. Would I see him? My heart began to race.
Kayla cupped her hands and raised her voice. “Morning, Cam. Can you come outside?”
A moment later, Cameron appeared at the screen door, his arms gripping the overhead casing. A large hand loomed from behind and tousled his already-spiked hair. A second later, Matt’s grinning face showed beside Cameron’s. His smile faded when he saw me, his nose curling. I studied my chipped blue toenails.
“What the hell happened to you guys?” The door hinges creaked. I peeked up to see Cameron and Matt spill out onto the porch. Matt’s shirtless physique drew my eye, muscles rippling in a way that made me sigh.
“We went to a spa. What do you think happened to us?” Kayla’s hands fisted on her tiny hips.
Cameron narrowed his dark brown eyes and sniffed. “I don’t know if I can fix this in time.”
“In time for what?”
He motioned for us to come closer. It was a brave thing to do, considering our smell could strip paint. He lowered his voice.
“A bunch of us are sneaking out to the D&O tonight.”
Kayla squealed. “Ohmigod. The Down and Out. Love, love that place. You are so not going without us.” Kayla stamped her feet hard enough to lose a sandal. “Cam. You have to fix this.”
“Alright. But it’ll cost you. How much have you got? I could use a new shirt for tonight.” Cameron plucked at his faded, olive-green tee.
“Excuse me?” Kayla picked her sparkly daisy sandal up from the bottom step and shook it at him. “You’re my boyfriend. I shouldn’t have to pay.”
He backed into the cabin. “Business is business, babe. When you’ve got the cash, I’ll see what I can do.”
“But we didn’t bring any,” Kayla pleaded.
The screen door clicked shut in answer.
“Scrooge!” she yelled, then turned to me. “Wait here. I’ll go get the money.” With that she took off, leaving Matt and me alone. Awkward.
“So�
��” Matt stuffed his hands in his low-slung tan cargo shorts and leaned against a birch post. I tried to ignore the sun glistening on his six-pack abs and failed. God, he was gorgeous.
I met his emerald eyes. “So…” I trailed off. Super awkward.
“Are you hanging with us tonight, or with Seth?” He hopped off the porch, made a face, then jogged back up the stairs. “Wow. That is strong.” He coughed, eyes watering.
“Thanks. I think I’ll bottle it as a boy repellant.”
I watched a pair of birds snipe at each other, flitting from branch to branch, fighting for territory.
Matt gave me a rueful smile. “Well. It’s not exactly working on me.”
I tried to fight the wave of pleasure rushing through me and failed.
“Matt. You know we’re only friends, right?”
Matt’s face darkened. “According to Trinity’s diary, I guess we’ve been ‘only friends’ longer than I thought.” He turned as if to leave.
“Matt,” my soft plea stopped him. “It’s complicated. But trust me. Everything I said, everything we did, I meant.”
He turned, his long brown bangs falling in front of his expressive eyes. “Problem is that you meant it with Seth too.”
I opened my mouth and closed it. He was right. I’d come to camp thinking I wanted Seth but was obligated to Matt. Now my feelings had grown for both.
“I also meant it when I said I needed time to work things out. I didn’t appreciate the pressure you put on me last night.”
Matt shrugged, broad shoulders bunching. “I’m only human. How long am I supposed to wait?”
“No one asked you to wait. Do what you want,” I stormed off. It was wrong to expect him to put his life on hold while I figured out mine. But I couldn’t help wishing he would.
Matt gripped the porch rail and leaned over. “Fine. I will. Starting tonight at the D&O.”
A vision of Hannah and Matt snuggled in the corner of the backwoods bar gripped me.
“Fine. I’ll see you there,” I spat.
Matt’s hair slid across his cut cheekbones as he tilted his head and studied me, a knowing grin playing on his full lips. My breath rushed out. I’d fallen neatly into his little trap.
Matt turned. “Yo! Cam. You got something for Lauren or what? She’s going with us tonight.”
“Relax, Bro!” Cameron came through the door. He held up a spray bottle that read “Skunk-Off.” “It’s my last one, so it’s going to cost you.”
“I’ve got it.” Matt grabbed the can and tossed it to me.
“Matt. No. Kayla will be back in a minutes and—” I made as if to throw it back, but he and Cameron ducked inside the cabin.
“Are you going to be at the volleyball game?” Matt’s eyes weren’t any less green through the screen door. I nodded before I could think. Wait. Was today the day they played Seth’s cabin? Crap.
“Good. Cheer me on.” With a wink he disappeared in the darkened interior.
I turned at the sound of Kayla panting up the path. She jogged to a halt, her eyebrows knitting when she looked at my face.
“What’s wrong? Did you get what we needed?”
I held up the bottle. “And then some.”
* * *
Since our odorous condition meant we were excused from regular activities, Kayla and I spent the day at the beach. Between the fresh air, sun, swimming and spraying each other with Skunk-Off, we were finally odor-free. By the time the afternoon shadows had chased us halfway down the sand, the players arrived at the volleyball net on the beach.
Rob and his Warriors jogged onto the court. All were shirtless and had painted giant blue “W”s on their backs. Behind them sauntered Hannah, wearing little more than wedge heels, a sheer cover-up and a scarlet bikini. The rest of Divas’ Den set up beach chairs. My heart lifted to see the two extra seats Rachel had set up beside her and Brittany. I’d forgotten how good it felt to be included.
When we reached Brittany, her face nearly matched her violet one-piece swimsuit. “What’s up with her?” Kayla flopped in one of the chairs and took the Diet Coke Rachel passed her under the chair.
Rachel lowered her dark sunglasses and leaned forward. “Smell’s gone, Brit.”
Brittany’s chest heaved as she sucked in air. “Ohmigod. Was that smell disgusting or what?” She passed another soda to me, hidden in a towel. I nodded thanks to Rachel and snuck a peek to see if Rob or any counselors were looking. Campers were only allowed juice, milk, and water. I took a quick sip and sighed, loving the icy feel of the fizzy drink running down the back of my throat.
A soft hand landed on my elbow. I glanced up and met Brittany’s eyes through her star-shaped sunglasses. “So sorry about the diary, Lauren. I never thought—I mean, I didn’t think that—well, Hannah promised and I owed her a favor and—oh God. I’m so sorry.” She spoke fast, her embarrassment palpable. She hadn’t meant any harm.
I tried to smile, but failed. That prank had really, really hurt my friends.
“Maybe it all worked out for the best,” I murmured as Seth’s team wandered onto the court, Breyanna tagging along. Behind them were Alex, Jackie, Piper and Trinity. I supposed Siobhan must have stayed behind to do some paper on Shakespeare or work out the mathematical variations of calculus—something I would have helped her finish in time for the match, I thought with a pang.
“Go Seth,” cheered Breyanna. Her polka-dot headband flashed as she twirled, arms wide. Seth ducked his head in that boyish way that made my heart leap and smiled at her. Emptiness gutted my heart. That smile belonged to someone else now.
“Are you cold? You’re shaking.” Brittany draped her towel across my shoulders.
My lips curled in gratitude. “Thanks. Have you guys heard what happened to Madison?”
Brittany leaned close. “They found her in a Motel 6 with some guy whose ID said he was thirty. So gross. And I know he told Madison he was only twenty-one.”
I pulled the towel edges closed and shivered. “Glad they found her.”
“I bet she’s even happier.” Brittany nodded solemnly. “Except now she’s got to go home to her step-monster. Oh look. The game’s starting.”
“Let’s go, ladies,” Rob boomed. His team lined up, Matt in the front.
Bam-Bam jerked his thumb at the court. “Move ‘em out, grunts.” The Wander Inn gang took their places. My heart stopped as Seth stopped in front of Matt across the net. Matt leaned forward at the waist, his knees slightly bent. Seth stood with his legs wide apart, arms across his chest, death in his eyes. I couldn’t see Matt’s expression, but I was sure it wasn’t any better. They looked ready for pistols at dawn rather than a volleyball match.
Emily sprang from a piece of driftwood and wrapped her legs around Bam-Bam’s waist. “Kill ‘em!” she shouted, then kissed him long and hard.
Gollum’s whistle blast startled Rob, who’d stared at the spectacle with the rest of us.
“Yuck. Like, what does she see in him? Rob is way hotter.” Brittany’s gold bangles slid along her forearms as she lathered on tanning lotion.
“Totally. And Bam-Bam’s worn the same shirt since we got here. Like, get a wardrobe.” Hannah pulled her cover-up over her head, immediately gaining lots of male attention. Matt, I noticed with some satisfaction, kept his focus on his competition instead.
“I think that’s his army gear. You know, from Iraq,” I murmured, my focus still on Seth and Matt. If looks could kill… I couldn’t finish the thought.
“Hello, the war is over. Read a paper once in a while. No offense,” Hannah shot back.
“Sorry, I don’t subscribe to Popstar! magazine. What does Justin Bieber have to say about world affairs?” I enjoyed the telltale red blossoming in her cheeks. Guess I hadn’t ditched my inner bitch after all.
Kayla, Rachel, and Brittany’s heads swiveled back and forth between Hannah and me. I sank back in my seat and took another sip of soda. Point, game, match. Lauren. Why was it easier to fit in with the queen bees than
my former quirky friends? The possible answer frightened me.
A sharp whistle started the action. The Wander Inn, winners of the coin toss, served first. Vijay’s overhand hit landed in the far left corner with a sand spray and a loud whoop from Alex. But his second serve initiated an intense, minute-long volley. It ended when Devon, a world-class flirt from the Warriors’ Warden, got distracted by Emily’s thong-baring sneaker tie. He completely lost track of the ball. When the guys in his cabin chided him, he shrugged it off and winked at Emily, earning a growl from Bam-Bam.
The next three points went to the Warriors and then another to the Wander Inn guys when Seth ate sand for a diving save. He set up an over-sized teammate for a hard spike that sent the Warriors scrambling.
After that, things seemed to settle in with both sides scoring in equal amounts. Before we knew it, the dinner bell rang and we were down to match point. Seth and Matt were facing off once more at the net, with Eli serving.
He smacked the ball to the far right where Garrett locked his forearms and crouched for a deep dig that sent the ball spinning into the stratosphere. When it finally remembered the laws of gravity and returned to earth, the ball came down toward the net, right between Seth and Matt. Both leaped at the net, Seth for the spike, Matt for the block. I half-rose out of my chair as their bodies collided. The ball fell between them, though it happened so fast I couldn’t tell which team won the point and game.
“Yes!” Matt punched the air, lowered his arm, and pointed at Seth’s red face. “Win!”
“No freaking way!” Seth hollered back. “The ball was over the net.”
My knuckles grew tight around the arms of my beach chair.
Matt’s jaw jutted. “It was on your side.”
Seth crossed his arms, biceps tensing. “Then why’s the ball over there?” He nodded to Matt’s side of the court.
“’Cause that’s where it landed after it hit your foot,” Matt growled, his fist clutching the net and lifting it.
“That’s bullsh—”
The whistle screeched.
“Enough!” Gollum’s square body waded into the fray. “As the official, I make the calls.”