"Wake up sleepy head! Man, your habits sure die hard!" exclaims May as she rips the blanket off of Kassandra. "Kassie, if you don't wake up soon, I'm going to drag you to the dining hall in your pajamas. I'm not kidding this time!"

Kassandra lets out a groan. "May, why do you always have to be the morning person? Can't you just pretend to sleep in until a decent hour? You beat the animals to waking up in the morning!"

"Kassie, it's 6:50. You know how it is with camp food. Either you get there just a little before 7AM or you get nothing at all. Come on!"

With a roll of her eyes, Kassandra finally gets out of bed and staggers to her suitcase where all her clothes are, grabs something she sees as comfortable, and walks into the bathroom mumbling about May.

"I heard that!" May yells, smiling as she hears more grumbling from the bathroom. 'I can't help it if I'm naturally a morning person!'

Before May could call to Kassandra to hurry up, Kassandra walks out of the bathroom looking nice and fresh in shorts and a t-shirt that's tucked in. "Ready?" she asks, giggling a little over the surprised look on May's face.

May nods her head and the two head to the dining hall, grabbing a tray and loading up their plates with fruit, pancakes, bacon and eggs, and a glass of orange juice. The two girls head over to their usual table and start eating as the rest of the camp counselors trickle in.

"So, are you excited about today?" May asks.

"What's so exciting about today?" Kassandra returns. "It's just another meeting to go into more detail about Wild Woods this summer and then probably team exercises. We've gone through this a couple of times already."

"True but there are new people to meet! There's actually some guys that haven't even been to this camp before that are here. Aren't you even curious about them or are you too fixated on one of the twins?"

"You are terrible! You know that's not true. I guess I just don't care to fall into that death trap."

"What death trap?" Jason asks, sitting down next to Kassandra. "There's a death trap here at The Wild Woods?"

May laughs at Kassandra's expression. "We were just talking about all the new…"

"…improvements," Kassandra interrupts quickly. "They made a lot of changes to the cabins. A lot more comfortable. To start, actual beds in the counselor's room and new bathroom fixtures."

"Hmm, I did notice that too," Jason agrees. "Now what were you really talking about?"

"Nothing! Geez, why is everyone picking on me this morning?"

"Because you are so easy to tease short stuff."

Kassandra sticks out her tongue to that statement and continues to eat, watching as all the other counselors formed into their usual cliques or began to make new friends. Her gaze stops when she sees a table completely filled with a bunch of girls and one guy. "Wow Jason. I think your brother has stolen all the girls in camp away from you in one sweep. How did that happen?"

Jason looks over to where Joey is seated and chuckles. "What can I say? He's becoming quite the ladies' man but I wouldn't trust him with someone as innocent as you Kassie."

"What?" she manages to sputter, trying not to spit out her juice. "What are you trying to infer buster?"

"Nothing," he returns. "Just an observation. Besides, he and I, as you should know by now, are so different that the girls he captures are no loss to me. You know, he's the athletic, macho, suave type and I'm the quiet, musician."

Kassandra rolls her eyes. "Jason, quit it! You know you are just as athletic as he is. I give you the macho one though."

"Mind if we join you?" asks a female voice.

May looks up and smiles at the two girls and two guys that are standing there with trays. "Of course not," she says. "We'd love it if you joined us."

"Great," one of the guys replies. "I'm Seth by the way. He's Tyler, the black haired girl is Allison, and the brunette is Vicky."

"Hi," they all say together.

"Well I'm May, the other girl here is Kassandra but we call her Kassie, and he is Jason," May replies as Jason and Kassandra wave hello.

"I thought his name was Joey," Allison replies with a confused look.

Jason laughs. "You must have already met my twin. He's sitting right over there. We get confused all the time so don't be embarrassed. So it's your first year here, right?"

"Yes," Vicky replies. "The four of us are definitely the new ones. We got lost just trying to find our way to breakfast this morning!"

"Don't worry, you'll find your way around here pretty fast."

"So how long have you guys been here?" Tyler asks, directing his attention to May.

"Well, I've been coming here since I was eleven and those two have been coming since they were seven," she replies. "You'll really like being a counselor here. The kids are pretty good for the most part and there are so many things to do when you aren't teaching. There's the hills to climb, the lake to swim in, and even the beach on the ocean side to just unwind on. You'll never be bored, I promise."

"I think I'll keep you to it," he says, getting back to his breakfast.

'Wow, that was major flirting,' Kassandra thinks, smiling as she sees some chemistry between her best friend and one of the new guys. 'I'm glad for her.'

"Want to make a bet what this year's theme is going to be?" Jason asks, breaking her thoughts. "We kind of have to actually. It's our last time to do this tradition!"

"New bets?" Kassandra asks, mischief in her eyes.

"Of course it will be our usual 'anything I want you to do you have to do' bet. So what do you say?"

"I'm in. I say it's going to be sports. We haven't had a camp-wide sport theme for a few years."

"Final answer?"

"Yes. And your guess?"

"Health. I think that Kathy was telling us about it last summer how she was very disturbed that with all the camp romances that she would end up having a pregnant girl or a spreading disease on campgrounds. It could also border on sports because I know she wants this camp to be education, fun, and beneficial for the mind and body too, but I say mostly health."

Kassandra shakes her head. "You are on buster."

Jason smiles as they shake hands. "Prepare to lose."

After getting to know each other better, the seven counselors walk over to the auditorium still chatting as they take seats in the second row. "So you've been here the entire time possible huh?" the guy name Seth asks from the seat next to her. "That's really nice."

"It is. It's interesting how different the camp is on each side of the perspectives actually," Kassandra replies. "Enjoy your days here. It's like a piece of paradise added with drama here and there."

Seth chuckles. "Drama? What would any camp or school be without drama? Absolute boring."

"That is true. Where are you from?"

"I'm actually from New York. Going on to my senior year next year and am pretty psyched."

"That's great. I'm almost done too."

Before Seth could ask her another question, Kathy clears her throat and begins speaking. "I trust that all of you had a restful sleep in the new cabins. It's not exactly a luxurious place but I believe that The Wild Woods is a beautiful place both outside and indoors and hope the renovations have reflected that. Some of you who have been here before know that there is always a theme to camp. Well, this summer, I have decided it would be most beneficial if we did the theme on health and relationships. It is a new topic for The Wild Woods but one that I believe is more crucial in these times than before."

Kassandra looks over at Jason two seats away and rolls her eyes as she sees him smirking at her. 'Great, what do I have to do now?'

"There will be seminars in the afternoons after classes and between free-time on how to eat properly, workout, health disorders, independent living, family living, and maybe some cooking. There will be a camp wide event that everyone, including all of you, will be participating in but I am going to keep that a surprise. Now, since it is a beautiful morning, I thought it would be nice to go on a little hike so all the new counselors can get to know the grounds better and everyone can get some fresh air. I hope you all heeded my advice and wore great hiking shoes," she says, walking towards the exit and out the door in order to lead the group on the hike.

Kassandra exits with the group and finds herself between Seth and Jason with May, Tyler, Allison, and Vicky behind them. "Gee, just like old times," Jason comments with a smile.

Kassandra laughs. "This is true. Seth, I'm sure you'll enjoy this hike. It's not too strenuous but it is a workout with a well-worth it reward."

"You just convinced me of it," Seth says, giving her a smile. "You must really know The Wild Woods inside and out after all these years."

"Not completely. I always get surprised one way or the other at times," Kassandra admits. "For example, the theme of this year's camp." She hears Jason chuckle and smiles.

"It's a pity I didn't discover this place earlier. I'm already twenty-one so I know I can't come back."

"Well if they are really in need of counselors you may get the chance to come back next summer. I'm twenty-two and they asked me back because there was a shortage of qualified male counselors. Kathy can get pretty picky at times," Jason supplies.

"I feel honored to be here then," Seth returns. "What do you guys do on your off times and days off?"

"It depends. Some people go into town where there are some little hangouts like a coffeeshop, movie theater, and bar or people stay on grounds. There's a lot to do with the beach being on one side, the lake on the other, the staff lounge and all the other activities around. It all depends on what you're into I guess."

"Hmm," Seth says, thinking about his new surrounds for the next eight weeks. By this time, the group was hiking up the hillside. Kassandra was now walking slightly ahead of the two guys due to the path but was chatting with Allison, who had caught up with her. Out of nowhere, a flying figure soars through the air and tackles Kassandra to the ground.

"Kassie!" Jason calls out as he runs over to her where she is lying under the figure. When he gets there, he sees himself and rolls his eyes. "Joey, you really need to grow up. You could have hurt her."

Joey stares down into Kassie's eyes, which are filled with laughter. "I don't think she's hurt. I believe she found the amusement out of this escapade that I intended."

"Well maybe you should get off her so she can breathe then."

"Yes sir," Joey returns, getting up and giving Kassandra a helping hand to stand up. "Sorry about that Kassie. I couldn't resist running through the woods and jumping out at you."

Kassandra laughs. "I figured. You're still up to your tricks Joey."

"Always," he says, never letting go of her hand.

She stares down at their interlocked hand and looks back up to his face. "Joey?"

He snaps out of staring at her. "Sorry Kassie," he says, bringing her hand to his lips to kiss. "I suppose I should stop teasing you so much now huh?"

"It's okay," she replies. "Just not too much."

"Understandable." He drops her hand and starts walking, allowing Kassandra to watch as he joins two guys he met from last summer.

"Earth to Kassie!" May exclaims, waving a hand in front of her friend's face. "Chica, you have to come back down to Earth eventually!"

"Huh?" Kassie asks, finally noticing her friend. "Sorry. I got distracted."

"Evidently. That was pretty electric you know."

"You noticed?"

"I think everyone here did. That was way intense Kassie."

Kassandra looks around. "Where's Jason?"

"He left. I don't know why but he did."

Vicky comes over. "I think he has the hots for you," she says. "Do you like him?"

"Time to catch up with the group!" yells Kathy from the top of the path. "Get going!"

"We better go," Kassandra says, glad that the group was now focused on catching up.

The rest of the hike goes without event until they reach the top where Sally and Bob had laid out blankets and picnic baskets of food and drinks for the counselors. "Everyone, please dig in," Kathy says. "This is our treat for you today. Thank you to Sally and Bob who lugged all of this up here."

Everyone applauds and sits down on the different blankets to eat. Kassandra is sitting down with May, Allison, Vicky, and another girl Maya. "So, what's the deal with you and those twins?" Vicky asks. "You seem really close yet there's some definite tension and chemistry going on."

Kassandra laughs. "Man, you are definitely bold aren't you?"

Vicky smiles. "I pride myself in that. So, spill!"

"We grew up here at the camp during the summers together. We're just close friends, nothing more. I don't know why everyone is making a fuss over this."

"Because Joey tackling you to the ground is the talk of the counselors' gossip. There isn't anything else to talk about," Maya supplies in between bites of her sandwich.

"Well that's great," Kassandra remarks. "Really, we're just friends. That's it."

"Cool. Then I can make a move on him, right?"

"You can do whatever you want."

Noting how tense the conversation was getting, May says, "So, what do you guys think of The Wild Woods so far?"

"It seems like there is a lot of fun to be had over the next few weeks," Allison says, silently agreeing to change the topic. "I'm in charge of the seven years olds so I think it should be an interesting time. What about the rest of you?"

"Well I'm in charge of the eighteen year olds and I believe Kassie has the seventeen year olds."

"I am in charge of the nine year old girls in the Blue Jay cabin," Vicky supplies. "Where is that cabin anyway?"

"It's actually next to mine, the Rabbit cabin. Definitely located in the middle of all the cabins," May says. "What about you Maya?"

"I am in the Skunk cabin. What type of name is that? I am in charge of the eight year olds," Maya answers.

"Despite the name, it is a nice cabin."

"Sure, sure," she says.

'Man, what's her problem?' May wonders as she continues to nibble on the crackers with cheese she was eating. She looks over at Kassandra who has been more quiet than usual and sees she is staring at the view of the camp, a look on her face that May cannot find words to express.

'What am I going to do?' Kassandra wonders, staring over the edge of the cliff and towards the camp. 'So much gossip already about something that doesn't even exist! Joey would never be interested in me. He just lives to terrorize me at times. And Jason? He's always been a brother to me. The one that I thought they would be whispering about is Seth. He seems like someone who truly is interested in me.' Kassandra shifts her gaze over to the blanket where Seth, Jason, Joey, Vince, and Tyler are eating. She returns her gaze back to the camp when she sees Seth staring at her. 'Man, what is this summer going to be like? Much more complicated than usual that's for sure.'

"Kassie, are you already done eating?" May asks concerned that her friend wasn't eating.

"Yes Mom," Kassandra returns. "I ate a sandwich and that was enough for me. Not too hungry this afternoon."

"Okay." May turns her attention to the other girls there and starts talking about the latest bands that all of them are into.

"What do you think they're talking about?" Joey asks, eying the different groups of girls. "Do you think they are talking about us?"

"Probably," Vince says. "I think that Asian chick is into you Joey."

"Kassandra? Yeah right!" Jason exclaims quickly. "She's grown up with us. I don't think she sees either Joey or myself as anything more than a brother type of friend."

"Hey man, feelings do change."

"So none of you are actually attached to her?" Seth asks, earning Jason's attention.

"No, neither of us are dating her if that is what you are asking. Why? Interested?"

"Sort of. I would never step on your toes though if you are into her."

"I think the closest either of us got to her on that physical side is Jason," Joey says thoughtfully. "Didn't you kiss her once Jason?"

Jason nods his head, thinking back on the moment. "Yes, we did share a kiss but it was all part of the game. If I remember correctly, that game was your idea as well Joey. You and your idea of playing Spin the Bottle on a rainy day when we were fourteen."

"Jason, Kassie, come join us!" Joey calls to the two as they were going to walk to the couches to just talk.

"What are you doing?" Jason asks, instantly suspicious.

"Just a game."

"Are you up to it?" Jason asks Kassandra.

"Sure," she answers, unaware of what she was getting herself into.

The two join the already assembled group of ten other kids and sit down. Jason chuckled as he heard Kassandra groan as she realizes what she got herself into. After a few rounds, it was Kassandra's turn. She hesitantly places her hand on the bottle and gives it a spin. Jason watches as it spins around and around and feels his throat tighten up as it lands on him. He looks over at Kassie as she looks back at him.

"You may as well already kiss!" Joey says. "There are other people here who want to continue the game."

Jason ignores his twin and inches a little bit closer to Kassandra so she could have an easier time kissing him. She leans in and after a gulp, places her lips on his as softly as a feather and kisses him, which he returns just as softly.

"That's it?" Joey asks. "That's not a kiss."

"Shut up Joey!" Jason responds after breaking the kiss at Joey's words. He turns back to Kassandra and sees the tears in her eyes before she gets up and runs out of the room. "You really need to learn how to shut up."

Jason leaves the room as well, trying to find Kassandra but failing. 'Where did she run off to? I just want to make sure she is okay,' he thinks. 'Stupid game.'

"You know, I don't think she was the same for a few days after that," Jason remarks, thinking on how he never did find her that night.

"Well, what can I say? She was a bit sensitive about that teasing."

"Well I think a young girl would be sensitive about an older guy indirectly telling her she sucked at kissing."

Joey shrugs. "That was then. Who knows what her kissing is like now."

"Hey, do you guys know anything about May?" Tyler asks, changing the topic. "I think she really digs me."

"May? She's a sweet girl. Very artsy."

"Hmm…"

"Guys, why are we even talking about those two? There are plenty of girls here and at least seven weeks ahead of us," Vince says. "Sure they are cute but I have to say, there are plenty of other good looking girls here for the entire summer that we are allowed to touch if you get my drift."

"Yeah man, I get your drift," Joey says. "It's hard to choose which one to start with."

Jason groans when he hears that comment. "You really live up to your reputation brother."

"Of course. Would you rather I live up to yours?"

"Maybe," Jason says. "Perhaps if you did, I wouldn't be so embarrassed when we get mistaken for each other."

"Ouch," Joey mocks, faking hurt.

"All right everyone. It's getting to be about that time that we need to make our way back down to camp. We'll have training sessions immediately for the rest of the night. Guys, Bob will meet with you in the dining hall. Girls, Sally and I will be running our session in the auditorium. I hope you all enjoyed your lunches and snacks. Let's get going," Kathy says, getting up and helping Sally and Bob clean up.

The group begins its trek down to the camp with the guys grouped together behind the girls. 'Man, this is going to be a great summer,' Joey thinks as he watches his favorite girl of the group hike down. 'Definitely a great summer.'

Next Day
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