Chapter 2

JAVIER

 After yesterday's fiasco, I still showed up for the dinner. Late of course. It wasn't the first time I spent the night outside the mansion but Lucy was concerned. She didn't say anything because of her daughter, Olivia. My dad was shooting glares at me but I ignored him. Olivia looked just like her mother except her eyes were aqua blue instead of ice blue. Her auburn hair was short while her mother's hair was long extending below her shoulder. She smiled at me acknowledging my presence as I sat down at the table. I returned the greeting with a stiff nod. 

"Olivia this is my son, Javier. Javier this is Lucy's daughter, Olivia" Dad said formally. He always liked formal introductions.

"Olivia will be moving in to live with us over the summer. She will be attending your school and as such, you will help her acquainted with the school." 

"Of course, I'm stuck babysitting" I mumbled. "What was that?" Dad thundered. I knew I was on thin ice but I simply couldn't resist challenging him. Maybe he would slowly understand how I feel about all the sudden changes in our life. Lucy calmed him down as she sensed that Olivia was getting uneasy. The rest of the dinner continued in silence but the tension in the air was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Olivia decided to break the silence.

 "I heard that your school has a girls soccer team. I would love to tryout." 

"Yeah, you do that" I continued eating. 

"That sounds lovely. Javier also plays for his school basketball team, he could give you some pointers" Lucy said. I rolled my eyes at that statement, basketball and soccer are two totally different sports. 

"Javier tell Olivia more about your school" Lucy suggested. I know she was trying to get us to have a conversation but its not possible. 

"There's nothing to tell" I deadpanned. 

"Really? Cause I heard-" 

"There's nothing to tell" I cut her off rudely. 

"Javier, watch your tongue. You will behave or-" "Or what Dad? You will cut me off, disown me. We are not one big happy family and we'll never be. In fact, screw this dinner" I said and stormed away again for the second day in a row. I heard my name but I paid no attention to them as I drove away.

 MARINA

  The week slowly dragged by and finally the day had arrived. I really didn't like the idea of spending summer break as a camp coordinator but I needed a distraction. And helping others proved to be a good distraction to me. I left a sticky note on the fridge so my parents would know where I am, its not like they care at all. I put my bags in the car and drove off. I have my own car, it was a gift for my 17th birthday. My brother got his when he turned fifteen cause he's a boy.  

The drive was not long as I thought it would be because my favorite playlist was on. Music is what keeps me going. I dropped by the admin hut to register.

 The girl at the front desk was so hooked up on her phone, she barely noticed me. I had to tap her desk before she looked up at me. She raised her brow annoyed that I disturbed her from whatever it is she was doing. 

"My name is Marina Scott and I'm here to check in as a camp coordinator" I smiled. She gave me the once-over before looking away. Probably after deciding I wasn't worth her time. She flipped through some folders before settling on one. Her name tag read Scarlet. 

"Okay Marina, you're in the Lily Cabin. Unfortunately your partner can't make it so you're on your own. But if there are any last minute entries, they will be assigned to you" she said in a monotone. Just great now I was stuck with a bunch of kids for the next few weeks all on my own.  

 I turned to leave when the door was thrown open sending a gust of wind inside sending papers fluttering and tangling my hair. I opened my eyes to see the cause of the chaos about to give him a piece of mind but as my eyes met his,the words couldn't get out. Standing in front of me is Javier Anderson. What's he doing here? 

 "Good morning. Welcome to Eastern Springs Summer Camp out Experience. What can I do for you?" Scarlet asked with a dreadful high-pitched voice. A bright smile plastered on her face. Seriously this is discrimination, I got here first and she didn't give me the time of day. Now he appears and she's all over him like there's no tomorrow.

 "I heard that volunteers are needed so I'm here to apply." "We're kind of overbooked at the moment but we can move someone to the Lily Cabin and there will be room for you in the Hibiscus Cabin." Seriously she is so unbelievable. 

 "What's the name of your Cabin?" I didn't know he was talking to me until he said it again. I didn't realize we were so close to each other. The lobby of the admin hut was spacious but somehow he had managed to crowd it. 

"I-I'm in the Lily Cabin"I managed to say. 

"I'll stay in the Lily Cabin then" Javier said to Scarlet without taking his eyes off me. Scarlet didn't like being ignored. 

"No you have to stay in the Hibiscus Cabin. Its the best cabin in Eastern Springs" she said glaring at me. What's her problem I'm not the one arguing with her. 

"What's going on in here?" A man asked as he entered the hut. I recognized him as the Camp Commandant. He looked around and he grinned as he saw Javier. 

"Javier my boy"he said and embraced him. He was shorter than Javier so it was a bit awkward. "What are you doing here?"

 "I'm here for the camp out experience." "Really? I thought you would like to spend your summer holiday at the beach or whatnot" the burly man replied grinning like a Cheshire cat. 

"I'm really here for the camp out experience and I would like to stay in the Lily Cabin." 

"Okay that can be arranged. We do need another coordinator to handle that Cabin." He stroked his chin."Scarlet set Javier up in the Lily Cabin. Welcome to Eastern Springs" he said and went into his office. This new arrangement didn't appeal to Scarlet. I think it just gave her a reason not to like me. I left the hut, I was angry and tired. I just wanted to go to my Cabin and get some rest before the kids arrive. I was about to drive down to my Cabin when the passenger door was opened and Javier entered. 

"What?" I asked.

 "We're going to the same place" he said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. 

"Tell me why you're here Javier" I said. Of course I was not buying his camp out experience bullshit. "Okay. I'm here for the summer camp out experience" he said. 

"Not that crap. Tell me the real reason you're here. You wanted to go for the basketball program instead you're here, so tell me the truth." 

"Okay the truth is I came here for you."

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