The Suprise.
1049 Words
CHESTNUT BEAVER sleepover camp came into view as Joan drove towards its gate. Its black glossy letters luring us to come inside. We parked Her car at the parking lot and headed towards an arrow that read Reception to check-in.
The reception looked like an art gallery, it was so beautiful. They had several pieces of artwork littered on the walls and the ground. I even saw a Michelangelo. Joan started taking selfies at various angles and we took some pictures together. A young man in his twenties had stood all this while waiting for me and Joan. "Welcome to Chestnut Beaver" He smiled at us.
I and my best friend looked at each other excitedly while I wondered if we were really at the right place.
"Uh...Thank you" we said in unison.
"I guess you both applied for counsellors," he said, it wasn't a question.
We nodded swiftly.
"Okay, here are your turns, go to the lounge and sit while you wait for your turns," he said with a smile handing over a tag that read number 24 and 25.
I and Joan settled down on one of the white upholstery and immediately a cute girl walked over us handing us 2 glasses of Cocktails.
"Gir...l" Joan exclaimed as soon as the usher left us "are you sure this is the right place?" she asked again excitement dancing in her eyes.
"Summer camps are not always like this; this looks like a resort, but I am loving it already".
We were chatting normally and taking pictures in between our conversations. Suddenly, people started standing up peaking towards the door. Then I saw her.
The black jean trouser she was putting on had a tear on both knees, accentuating her slim figure. Her tiny waist sat on a pair of rounded hips and legs which seemed to go on forever; they are so long. She had a crop top which showed enough if not all of her flat stomach. Her blond hair fell in curvy waves past her shoulders almost to her waist; she was beautiful. Behind her, were two young men who carried some luggage. When she got to the reception guy, they exchange quick hugs before he ushered her straight to the counter where she was quickly attended to. leaving behind a trail of expensive perfume in the air.
"Do you know who that is?" My best friend whispered at me. I sighed rolling my eyes with a retort on the tip of my tongue only for me to turn and face Joan who was holding up her phone. I saw several pictures of the girl who just left a moment ago on one of the websites she had opened. Her name is Oline Richards and she is a model and a beauty queen. She is Miss Massachusettes. I and Joan stared at each other in disbelief. The fun was just starting.
We watched a lot of people trudging in and out of the reception area until it was our turn to check-in. Since I was number 24 I was called first before Joan.
My steps faltered when I saw a familiar smiling face. It was Archie. Blood slowly drained my face as I made my way towards the counter. A million questions where flying in my mind.
I tried to look and act normal but all I wanted to do was to run into those strong arms and kiss him forever.
"What in Pete's name is Archie doing here?" I wondered silently.
Archie simply stared at me, his face showed no recognition whatsoever as I approached the counter with shaky legs.
“Welcome to Chesnut Beaver camp,” he said with a smile; his number one smile. I felt my knee-weakening. I swallowed severally trying to moisture my already dried throat.
“Thank you” I muttered standing like a zombie.
“can I see your online registration?” he asked. He was wearing a patient smile as though I was a baby.
“Oh,!” heat of embarrassment crawling to my face.
I fumbled at my handbag and produced the form handing it over to him, careful that our hands made no contact.
He collected the registration form from me and hammered away at the computer in front of him. While I waited, I couldn't help but notice that he had a new hairstyle which made him look 10 times younger than his 20 years. His strong jawline was pursed in concentration as he typed rapidly into the computer at my registration slip once in a while. He provided a biometric scan and asked me to scan my Thumb on both hands as well as the index finger after that he went back to the system.
He was putting on a red T-shirt neatly tucked into a blue jean, his biceps were jumping with each movement he made with his hand.
After typing on the keyboard for 5 minutes, He printed out a slip and scanned the slip. After which he stood up and opened a locker that held he rifled through it for a moment producing a “For Counsellors only”. Then he brought out my ID card and scanned it into the computer before producing a tag from a drawer to his left and attached it to my ID card. Perhaps, if I had taken my studies as serious as I was carefully watching Archie I may have graduated as an honour student.
"Okay, you're all done" he muttered to me.
"You'll be the counsellor in Charge of Bear cabin; you and the person who will be sharing your cabin".
My eyebrow shut up in confusion. So I wasn't going to be with Joan and I will be sharing my room.
"Here is all the information you need" he handed the For Counsellors only to me "and this is the key to your cabin and your ID: have a wonderful stay".
His hazel eyes smiled at me, I couldn't believe we dated for 2 years. I shook my head trying to clear of memories from my head.
A small part of me wanted to run back to him and yank his hair, and ask him why he had ruined my life.
Joan was right…this camping was a mistake.
- Writer
