CHAPTER 5

Author’s POV

MAXINE’S camp day has come. Since COM is composed of four courses, one bus per course was used to go to the location, one of the most prestigious mountains in St. Monica where the camp will be held.

“Wow..!” Maxine was amazed when she saw the scene from inside the bus. They travel along the road on the side of the mountain to the location area.

“Do you see that, Maxine?” Meghan also asked, referring to the palace that was perched on the top of the hill. The two are side by side. “It looks like a palace.”

“We are close to the location area. Get ready guys. I think it’s only ten minutes,” said Miss Gillany.

“Excuse me, ma’am!” Meghan interjected, raising her left hand.

“Yes, Miss Bodegas?”

“What is it out there..? It looks like a palace.”

All the students looked at the direction Meghan pointed.

“That belongs to the Harrison family, the richest clan here in St. Monica.”

The students nodded in amazement at what they saw.

“It seems scary to live there,” Maxine whispered.

“Those are rare to see. Actually, no one has seen them in person yet. Because they rarely come down,” the Instructor added.

“They’re ugly I guess, because they’re afraid to socialize,” Meghan countered. Everyone agreed with what she said.

“I’ve seen them once in a magazine, and you wouldn’t think there’s such a beautiful and handsome creature hiding here in our town,” the Instructor contradicted.

“Then they’re just photogenic,” Meghan still hissed. Once again, laughter roared inside the bus.

“Silence please,” reprimanded the Instructor who looked at the ticking watch. “I think we’re here.”

A few moments later, the bus they were riding in stopped, as did the other buses following them, as well as the private vehicles carrying some Instructors.

___

Maxine’s POV

THE view from here on the mountain is really amazing, it’s a relief. Fortunately, we will be staying here for three days. This was also very far from the town, almost an hour before we arrived.

I couldn’t help but look at the hill where I couldn’t tell if it was a house or a palace. It is surrounded by high walls. It used to be lifeless and full of sadness.

“Oh freaking frog!” I suddenly shouted when a hand landed on my shoulder.

“Easy,” said the familiar voice. “It’s me. Hevo.”

I was shocked to see him. “You scared me.”

“Nah, you just think so deep. What are you looking at?” He looked in the direction I looked earlier. “Oh, that’s it. I also noticed that earlier while still on the ride.”

“Do you think you can live there for long?”

He laughed at my question.

“No way! Only insane can last there. Look at it, like a haunted palace.”

After all, the atmosphere surrounding such a house is scary.

“Participants find your partner, by course!” we heard announced by Miss Calupe, one of the COM Instructors.

“Oops! Sorry, she’s my partner!” Pull me by someone.

Meghan.

I also saw Hevo being pulled by a guy who was probably his classmate.

“Does everyone have a partner yet?”

“Yes ma’am!” We all responded at the same time.

“Before anything else, welcome to management camp 2016-20017.”

Silence

“To start with, let’s begin the program with a very very easy challenge. It will warm you up.” Ma’am smiled, and because of her smile, I was nervous. “Okay participants, within ten minutes, you have to build your own tent!”

Tsk, I knew it.

“What?!” Meghan exclaimed, although the Instructors at the front did not hear, each participant was far away from where they were. “Is she f*cking serious?! My God, I don’t even know how to attach those!”

“Those who cannot complain within the time given will be punished,” Miss Calupe added. “You may start now!”

Everyone started to set up the tent.

“Ugh, I hate this!” Meghan still grumbled.

“Calm down first, how can we do this if you’re irritated?” I calmly said.

“Shut your mouth and do it!”

“I’m used to hardship, so I’m not afraid of any punishment. I just don’t know you.”

She looked stunned by what I said.

“Fine!”

And after a while.

“In five.. four.. three.. two.. one. Everyone, hands up!”

Many finished, and many did not.

And unfortunately, we are among those who didn’t finish!

“Everyone who didn’t finish come here to the front,” Miss Calupe announced again.

Meghan and I followed silently and so did the others. I also saw Miss Beatriz participating in the punishment. I smirked. We are equal now, no one is poor, no one is rich.

“The activity you did is to test how cooperative you are to each other since you are partners,” Miss Calupe began. “But since you guys failed, Miss Gillany will give you the punishment.”

Ma’am Gillany stood up. Fortunately, she is the one that will give the punishment, at least it’s gonna be easy.

“Uhm, since I’m kind, I won’t make you suffer," said Ma’am with a smile. “Since you didn’t pass the initial test. You can’t join us for lunch today.”

OMG, No way!

What Ma’am said garnered different reactions; some complained, were annoyed, and even cried.

This is too much!

“It’s not over yet. Since I’m kind, I’ll give you one hour to look for your own food.”

“Excuse me?!” It was Miss Beatriz’s voice. “And where are we going to look for food?”

Tsk, really rude. I’m pretty sure, she failed her GMRC in grade school.

Ma’am Gillany smiled and spoke again. “That would be the challenge. Let see how resourceful each one of you is.”

No one spoke. I can see in everyone’s face that they still want to protest but for what? This is a camp, and it is part of school activities.

“As what I have told you guys, we will not just have fun here. If you don’t do your punishment, you won’t have lunch. It’s your choice anyway. The time starts now.”

“DON’T let go of me Maxine, please,” Meghan said fearfully while holding my arm.

“We’re not friends, aren’t we? As far as I’m concerned, you hate me.” I snorted her. I want to tease her. She’s tame as sheep now.

“Tsk, I’m not serious about that. That’s just who I am,” she reasoned.

I hesitated.

“You’re just afraid you won’t be able to have lunch.”

She suddenly grinned which pissed me off. “You’re going to give me some, aren’t you?”

Tsk.

“Find yours,” I joked.

“Maxine..”

I shook my head and decided to walk. We are in the middle of the forest, My goodness!

“It’s so itchy,” I heard Meghan complain. “Aren’t you itchy?”

“No.”

“I think your skin is already immuned. Look at it, seems you’re not even wearing lotion. It’s dry.”

This girl is absolutely despicable.

We just kept walking for a while. Until we came to a stream.

I was amazed. But my surprise turned into a frown when my eyes caught the familiar figure of a guy. The arrogant guy!? What is he doing in this place?!

I don’t know but my eyes were fixed on him. I couldn’t help it. From his very handsome face, to the---sh*t! My face suddenly got hot when he took off his top. I feel my throat dry.

Gosh!

“Meghan, do you see what I see?” I asked while still looking at the guy.

I got no response.

“Meghan. Meghan---?”

Meghan is gone?! Where is that girl?

I looked back at the stream again, the guy disappeared as well. He probably jumped into the water because of the noise I heard.

But a few moments later he still did not appear. I frantically approached the mouth of the stream where he jumped.

“W-wait! Arrogant, are you okay?!” I shouted. “H-hey, don’t joke like that! Are you still there!?"

I felt worried when he still didn’t show. I think he’s dead. That arrogant guy will become a cargo of my conscience if it happens. I didn’t hesitate to jump. No matter who is in this situation, I would do the same.

I dived down to find him but I was disappointed. Where did he go? He didn’t go up.

I decided to go up when I still couldn’t find him. I gasped and caught my breath.

“Looking for me?”

I turned in surprise at the voice. The Arrogant guy, he was sitting on a big rock and looking at me seriously.

“W-wait, how did you..,” I couldn’t continue what I was going to say. How did he end up on the big rock, I didn’t see him go up. “Do you know your joke is not funny?!” I’m just annoyed.

The Arrogant guy just grinned and got back into the water.

“Who told you to jump?” He asked teasingly approaching my direction. “Liking what you’ve seen?”

What?!

“Excuse me?!”

“Don’t try to deny it. My senses are sharp, and my sense of smell is strong. So even though you’re hiding, I know you’ve been lusting after me for a while."

I feel like my jaw dropped in the water. Seriously, I have nothing to say about this guy’s arrogance.

“I just passed by, okay? And who knows you will bathe in the middle of the forest. Why, does this belong to you?!” I almost shouted at him. “And FYI, your abs are crooked.”

He laughed at what I said, his narrow eyes narrowed.

“What you said is like admitting that I was right. You’re right. Everything you step on and everything you see belongs to me.”

I backed away a little, because he was coming closer to me.

“You have a beautiful collarbone,” He commented while looking at my neck.

I swallowed.

“What do you want?” I asked sternly without being able to avoid the rise of a little fear in my chest.

“You smell so thirsty.”

I swallowed again. This guy might a drug addict. My God, this is what I got from being nosy.

As I stepped back, I didn’t realize that the part I was stepping on was deep. Suddenly someone pulled me causing me to sink under.