Chapter 1, The Summer Camp

My name is Brook Sanchez, my mother considers me very well-mannered because I never decline someone's offer. 

Even if I don't like what they say. 

Today, I go to a ten day summer camp, the only person there I know will be my brother, Mark. 

I smile at my mom as I walk out the door, the bus driver is a kind old woman, I give her my orange. She grins at me and reveals a whole row of white teeth, dentures most likely, no way an old woman has those gleaming bones. 

I sit next to Mark, he has cerebral palsy, so usually, his hand will hover a bit. Even though my brother and I are pretty different, we never fight like the siblings I see on TV. 

The third seat is taken by who I assume is a friend of Mark's. She has blonde curly hair and is wearing a palm tree print tube shirt and some pink jeans. Very stylish, I lean more towards Emo or Gothic, but my parents say I look great in pastels. 

They should tell that to this girl instead. 

The girl gives Mark a little side hug and he smiles, then they start a conversation, as much as I love being nosy, I feel nauseous, so I'm going to wait until I reach solid land. 

The bus ride is so long, I hear kids snoring and the driver blows some bubbles with her gum. My eyelids are so heavy, Mark's head droops onto my shoulder, and the girl's head droops onto his. 

A few naps and five hours later, we arrive in a thick, forested area filled with cabins, each with their own numbers and colored flags. 

A storm rumbles overhead, grey clouds crowding the sky. 

Our supervisor, Mrs. Edmund, tells us to go into our bunkers and relax for the night, I get paired with the girl from the bus and another random person named Oliver. 

As I settle into bed, the overlapping chatter of my roommates grows louder, I'm just going to stay up, as I open my book, " The Midnight Star" Oliver yells at me from above on the top bunk, " So, who do you like?" He asks. I tremble, I don't believe in, nor do I like romance, but will I seem mean if I say that? 

Chapter 2, Tongue Ties

" I-" I stutter, " I- I like. . . Adam." I let out a breath of relief as Oliver turns his investigation into the other girl who I was informed by Mrs. Edmund that her name is Rosalina.

As the two chat and scream when I know we're supposed to be quiet, I sink into my bed, unable to focus on my book. 

Besides, I've grown tired of that series, and the people in the room are too loud for me to do anything. 

I would tell them to be silent if I was at home, but this is a shared cabin, they should do what they want. It would be selfish of me to tell them to be quieter. 

I stare up at the bottom of Oliver's bulging bed, it feels unfair that his is so big and I barely have any space.  

Chapter 3, The Beast in the Woods

In the cafeteria, food squirts all over the wooden table and Oliver completely spat all of his milk over my black jacket, 

" Oh, sorry!" Oliver cries, I shake my head, " It's okay." I say, even though inside I feel heat. 

After the bell at the end of breakfast rings, all the kids rush outside to enjoy the sun and some sneak into the woods to kiss. Gross. I spot Oliver and Rosalina talking over on a mushroom stump, even though Mrs. Edmund told us to hang out with our roommates, I sit down near the large well. Then I turn to look at my reflection, my glossy hair slips over my shoulder and my lip piercings glint in the afternoon sun. 

I bite my lip, smearing a bit of purple makeup. 

Before I know it, the sun hides between the hills and a camp fire is already going, I walk over and sit on a log sandwiched next to Rosalina and Oliver. I hear a kid telling a scary story, next, it's Oliver's turn. I tune it out and focus on the crackling fire, smoke puffing off of the flames. 

" Brook, Brook. Brook!" I suddenly am pulled back to reality, it's my turn to tell a story, " Once upon a time-" But Rosalina coughs next to me, she says sorry, but I can tell it was on purpose. I look down at my hands, " You should just let Rosalina go, I can't think of anything." Mrs. Edmund asks " Are you sure?" I feel my face go hot, " Yes, of course I am. Just let her do it!" I bark.