JAVIER Hiking! We were gonna hike to a certain campsite in the woods to camp! Very ironic or what, I'm not really sure what figure of speech to use here. But what I know for sure is that it sucks. The trail we were hiking through was covered in mud and tree branches. We had to walk carefully in two lines, if we were not careful, we would slip and land in the slimy mud. All the while avoiding tree branches whacking you in the face. Trudging through the mud, we marched to the campsite. Some coordinators had been lucky enough to stay behind and watch the kids, Lucky! The mud and tree branches eventually gave way to plain ground and open area. We were so grateful that there was a stream nearby, we were dehydrated from that hike. I would always prefer treadmill, jogging, crunchies to a long, tedious and boring hike. Although the hike wasn't boring, I made good time by talking to Marcus. He was a real fun guy to talk to, although he tells lame jokes. But his stories are hilarious, i
JAVIER We were stuck in an abandoned cabin with little hope of anyone finding us. Even if they realized we were missing, which they would because the two coordinators of Lily cabin are missing, they might not find us. It was a miracle we actually found the cabin but we couldn't leave. Marina's ankle was sprained from the nasty fall and she could barely limp. I found some bandages in one of the cabinets, I didn't pay attention during the first aid lessons on our first day here. My mind was preoccupied with thoughts of my family and the horrible dinner and the basketball program that was basically my future. Marina didn't know what to do, so I tied the bandages round her ankle, and formed a knot. I didn't know the name of the knot, cause I was also absent minded during the rope lessons but I could knot any rope to suit the situation it was called for. "Thanks Javier" Marina said when I was done. She sneezed due to the dusty cabin, but I thought her sneeze was kinda...kinda cu
JAVIER I was so glad we were back to the main camp. Marina was finally getting treatment for her sprained ankle and will be able to walk soon. While we were gone, Tommy had gotten a rash from poison ivy and was also getting treated. I was so happy that the other kids were alright. Nick and I finally get along in a civil way but I still don't like him. On my way to the cabin after checking on Marina in the dispensary, I saw a bunch of people hanging a banner above the doorway of Mess hall. "What's that about?" I asked. "Hey Javier, there's gonna be a dance later tonight. It was announced yesterday but you were not around, so get ready. It starts at 7pm" Julya replied and resumed her work. A dance! The idea sounds kinda lame but so is the idea of the entire camp. Back at the cabin, I was about to take a bath when I heard a beep from my phone, alerting me of a new message. From my........dad. Dad: We are coming to get you. So get ready, you'll be coming home tomorrow. That was
MARINA Gone! Abandoned! Lonely! Disappeared without a trace. I feel so.....empty Urrgh! Words cannot describe how I feel right now. Last night, when Javier and I kissed under the stars, I felt something I've never felt before. I felt a spark,a connection, there was fireworks and explosion. It felt as if we belonged together and together we could conquer the world. He was my first kiss and I enjoyed it. When we kissed, I felt that we could be together. But now reality stares in my face and he's gone. I was disappointed when I went to his room this morning and he was not there. His room looked cleaned out. But I didn't think he was gone. I thought he was avoiding me. I thought he was ashamed or maybe, I was a terrible kisser. I was shocked when Mr Barnaby called me to his office. He told me that I was getting a new roommate. When I asked why, he said it was because Javier was gone. It confirmed what Julya told me. Apparently his dad came to pick him up, very early in the morning
JAVIER First day of school! Annoying statement. First day of last year of high school! Annoying statement. Last year of high school! Less annoying statement. The summer break was over and I was back to school. The summer break was wonderful but the excitement was short-lived. After leaving camp abruptly, I was registered in the basketball program.The training program took about six weeks but I had already missed two weeks, I spent about a month training. It was quite enjoyable as my skills improved. There were numerous parties I was invited to and they proved to be entertaining. Despite the sudden change in plans, I wasn't happy about leaving camp. Even though camp was stressful, I still enjoyed it, I had learnt a lot of survival skills and personal skills. I missed the bugle call that rang every morning. I missed the kids who always made a mess and their noise. I missed the campfire. I missed camp. But most of all, I missed Marina. I couldn't get her out of my mind no matter
I had a replay of the entire day as I lay in bed.Recalling first day of school, I can barely wait for the school year to be over. Everyone was talking about their summer break, what they did, the parties they attended, their many love interests and so on. Their experiences made my summer holiday look lame. While they spent time at the beach, I spent mine hiking muddy trails. While they were getting their hair and nails done, I was getting kids to go to bed. They were having the time of their life while I dewormed dogs at the pet clinic. I enjoyed Eastern Springs Campout but after listening to everyone recount their summer experiences, I really hoped no one would ask me what I did over the summer.Britney was so excited about her delightful summer, partying and training with the cheerleaders. They are finally going to let her perform with them at the games. On one hand, I'm happy for her. On the other, I'm kinda mad she was MIA all summer. She just laughed it off."Marina, I'm really
MARINA Today was such an interesting day or as interesting as my day could get. I met with the Science hub at lunchtime and there was a lot of catching up to do. There were classes the usual school stuff. After school, I watched Olivia at her soccer tryouts which she totally aced. I'm so proud of her. I have zero sporty skills, the genes favored Mason on that note. There were other girls trying out for the girl's soccer team probably for their college application or what not. Olivia was excited about joining their team, she was asst. captain at her last school. She really loves the sport. I thought I saw Javier in the crowd but I doubt that. Why would he be here? His sport is basketball not soccer. My eyes must be playing tricks on me. "Marina, I made the team" Olivia screamed at me. They had dismissed them. "I know, I'm so happy for you" "Their captain and coach, they seem nice" "Did you expect mean bullies?" "No but its hard letting anyone join your team last minute." "I get
JAVIERShe paled in shock as our eyes met. I didn’t bother waiting for her reaction before storming away. I was so blinded by rage, I bumped into someone.“Watch it” I noticed it was Marina, I cringed as I saw her frown.“I’m sorry, I wasn’t looking at where I was headed”“Obviously” she huffed. Despite the frown on her face, she was beautiful. Come to think of it, what was doing here? I had never seen her at a party. I was about to say something when I heard Britney call my name. I remembered I was supposed to be angry.“Later” I breathed and walked out.Britney was hot on my heels as I left the house. I walked to my car, I could hear the sound of gravel crunching under her heels.“Javier, I can explain” “I’m sorry”“Please listen to me”“Baby please answer me”I didn’t glance at her as I got into my car and drove to Troy’s house.MARINAA whole school week had gone by and I hadn’t spoken to Javier. There was a time this wouldn’t bother me but that time is gone. Javie
JAVIERSunday afternoon came with plans to hangout with Mason at one of our spots. A pizza joint to be exact. We had several spots across town where we hung out, this was a personal favorite of Mason. I was about to step out of the front door when my dad’s voice halted my movements.“Where are you going?” I turned to face him.“Out” I deadpanned.“I don’t like the sound of ‘out’.”“So now my movements are restricted?” I fired back.“When your movements become quite as uncertain as disappearing from existence, I think it calls for some restriction.” Seriously, I wasn’t in the mood to argue with him but he just had to bring that up.“I just wanna go out and grab some pizza. It’s not like I’m gonna elope or something.”“We’re having a family dinner by 7pm. Don’t be late” he said, warning evident in his voice.“As if we’re even a family” I mumbled.“What was that?” he thundered.“Dinner as a family, that’s what I said.” That reply seemed to satisfy him so I left the house.I got a text f
MARINA So glad my shift at the café was in the morning. It made the rest of the day free for me. I got out of bed early so I could do my chores quickly and get to work. Breakfast wasn’t even ready when I left home. Shift at the café was brief and uneventful. I got my first pay today as well. I agreed to get paid weekly.“Have a nice weekend” Mrs. Allen smiled as she signed the paybook.“You too, Mrs. Allen” I replied.I thought about what I would do with the rest of my time and homework seemed like a good idea. Homework, study and possibly watch a movie. No plans of going out whatsoever. Breakfast or should I say late brunch was waiting for me when I got home. It was actually weird cos for a long time, breakfasts are no longer a thing in our home. Mom would be recovering from her hangover in the morning and trying to get to work, she didn’t have time to make breakfast.Besides no one ate breakfast anymore. Dad would say ‘’I’m running late. I will grab a bite in the office.’’ Mason di
JAVIERShe paled in shock as our eyes met. I didn’t bother waiting for her reaction before storming away. I was so blinded by rage, I bumped into someone.“Watch it” I noticed it was Marina, I cringed as I saw her frown.“I’m sorry, I wasn’t looking at where I was headed”“Obviously” she huffed. Despite the frown on her face, she was beautiful. Come to think of it, what was doing here? I had never seen her at a party. I was about to say something when I heard Britney call my name. I remembered I was supposed to be angry.“Later” I breathed and walked out.Britney was hot on my heels as I left the house. I walked to my car, I could hear the sound of gravel crunching under her heels.“Javier, I can explain” “I’m sorry”“Please listen to me”“Baby please answer me”I didn’t glance at her as I got into my car and drove to Troy’s house.MARINAA whole school week had gone by and I hadn’t spoken to Javier. There was a time this wouldn’t bother me but that time is gone. Javie
MARINA Today was such an interesting day or as interesting as my day could get. I met with the Science hub at lunchtime and there was a lot of catching up to do. There were classes the usual school stuff. After school, I watched Olivia at her soccer tryouts which she totally aced. I'm so proud of her. I have zero sporty skills, the genes favored Mason on that note. There were other girls trying out for the girl's soccer team probably for their college application or what not. Olivia was excited about joining their team, she was asst. captain at her last school. She really loves the sport. I thought I saw Javier in the crowd but I doubt that. Why would he be here? His sport is basketball not soccer. My eyes must be playing tricks on me. "Marina, I made the team" Olivia screamed at me. They had dismissed them. "I know, I'm so happy for you" "Their captain and coach, they seem nice" "Did you expect mean bullies?" "No but its hard letting anyone join your team last minute." "I get
I had a replay of the entire day as I lay in bed.Recalling first day of school, I can barely wait for the school year to be over. Everyone was talking about their summer break, what they did, the parties they attended, their many love interests and so on. Their experiences made my summer holiday look lame. While they spent time at the beach, I spent mine hiking muddy trails. While they were getting their hair and nails done, I was getting kids to go to bed. They were having the time of their life while I dewormed dogs at the pet clinic. I enjoyed Eastern Springs Campout but after listening to everyone recount their summer experiences, I really hoped no one would ask me what I did over the summer.Britney was so excited about her delightful summer, partying and training with the cheerleaders. They are finally going to let her perform with them at the games. On one hand, I'm happy for her. On the other, I'm kinda mad she was MIA all summer. She just laughed it off."Marina, I'm really
JAVIER First day of school! Annoying statement. First day of last year of high school! Annoying statement. Last year of high school! Less annoying statement. The summer break was over and I was back to school. The summer break was wonderful but the excitement was short-lived. After leaving camp abruptly, I was registered in the basketball program.The training program took about six weeks but I had already missed two weeks, I spent about a month training. It was quite enjoyable as my skills improved. There were numerous parties I was invited to and they proved to be entertaining. Despite the sudden change in plans, I wasn't happy about leaving camp. Even though camp was stressful, I still enjoyed it, I had learnt a lot of survival skills and personal skills. I missed the bugle call that rang every morning. I missed the kids who always made a mess and their noise. I missed the campfire. I missed camp. But most of all, I missed Marina. I couldn't get her out of my mind no matter
MARINA Gone! Abandoned! Lonely! Disappeared without a trace. I feel so.....empty Urrgh! Words cannot describe how I feel right now. Last night, when Javier and I kissed under the stars, I felt something I've never felt before. I felt a spark,a connection, there was fireworks and explosion. It felt as if we belonged together and together we could conquer the world. He was my first kiss and I enjoyed it. When we kissed, I felt that we could be together. But now reality stares in my face and he's gone. I was disappointed when I went to his room this morning and he was not there. His room looked cleaned out. But I didn't think he was gone. I thought he was avoiding me. I thought he was ashamed or maybe, I was a terrible kisser. I was shocked when Mr Barnaby called me to his office. He told me that I was getting a new roommate. When I asked why, he said it was because Javier was gone. It confirmed what Julya told me. Apparently his dad came to pick him up, very early in the morning
JAVIER I was so glad we were back to the main camp. Marina was finally getting treatment for her sprained ankle and will be able to walk soon. While we were gone, Tommy had gotten a rash from poison ivy and was also getting treated. I was so happy that the other kids were alright. Nick and I finally get along in a civil way but I still don't like him. On my way to the cabin after checking on Marina in the dispensary, I saw a bunch of people hanging a banner above the doorway of Mess hall. "What's that about?" I asked. "Hey Javier, there's gonna be a dance later tonight. It was announced yesterday but you were not around, so get ready. It starts at 7pm" Julya replied and resumed her work. A dance! The idea sounds kinda lame but so is the idea of the entire camp. Back at the cabin, I was about to take a bath when I heard a beep from my phone, alerting me of a new message. From my........dad. Dad: We are coming to get you. So get ready, you'll be coming home tomorrow. That was
JAVIER We were stuck in an abandoned cabin with little hope of anyone finding us. Even if they realized we were missing, which they would because the two coordinators of Lily cabin are missing, they might not find us. It was a miracle we actually found the cabin but we couldn't leave. Marina's ankle was sprained from the nasty fall and she could barely limp. I found some bandages in one of the cabinets, I didn't pay attention during the first aid lessons on our first day here. My mind was preoccupied with thoughts of my family and the horrible dinner and the basketball program that was basically my future. Marina didn't know what to do, so I tied the bandages round her ankle, and formed a knot. I didn't know the name of the knot, cause I was also absent minded during the rope lessons but I could knot any rope to suit the situation it was called for. "Thanks Javier" Marina said when I was done. She sneezed due to the dusty cabin, but I thought her sneeze was kinda...kinda cu