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May opens her eyes and blinks rapidly, realizing her alarm was going off. 'Man, this is way too early,' she thinks, flipping over and turning it off, looking at the time. 'I only got three hours of sleep? Man this is not going to be a fun day. I just hope Kassandra is all right.'
Kassandra rolls over and tries to bury her head under her pillow, blocking out the sun coming through her window. After a few minutes, she finally manages to sit up and shuts off her alarm. 'One hour of sleep. Man, this is going to make for a tough day,' she thinks, swinging her legs over the side of her bed.
"Kassie, you okay?" Caitlin asks, knocking on the door that separated the counselor's room from the main cabin.
"Come in," Kassandra says, wiping her eyes. "I'm fine as can be I guess. I feel horrible though. I don't know if I will be able to make it through this day alive."
"You will and I'll be here to help you as the girls come in, don't worry."
"Thank you," Kassandra says, hugging her junior counselor and friend. "You're really a lifesaver."
"Don't even think about it. You did so much for me these past years," Caitlin responds. "Well, if you are okay, we should head to breakfast."
"Breakfast, right. I put your shirt on your bed for today. Did you find it?"
"Yup. I think it's funny how it has our cabin printed on it. Some of those cabins are horrible names to wear around grounds."
Kassandra laughs a little. "Like Skunk? Poor Maya."
"That's a good example. I'm glad to see you smiling again. Don't worry about Seth. He's just one big creep for saying that to you last night."
"Seth… He, well, I feel pretty mixed up right now."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I feel like I led him on to believe that I would actually have sex with him. When I refused when he tried to slip his hand under my skirt, he got so upset. I'm sure he didn't mean what he said."
Caitlin could only stare at her friend. "Please tell me you're joking. Kassandra, he tried to persuade you to do something you told him you weren't ready to. What do you have to feel bad for?"
"Because I must have led him on."
"No, you didn't. You told him no and he should have accepted it. He had no real right to go after you and call you a prude and a tease! After all, it's not like you run around here in mini-skirts and nonexistent tops."
Kassandra lets out a sigh. "I guess you're right."
"You bet I am. Don't waste anymore time on him. He's not worth it."
Kassandra nods her head. "Hey, we better get going. We'll be late to breakfast otherwise."
"Oh, Jason and Joey came by last night. I told them that you weren't feeling well and that May was staying in to help me take care of you. I thought I'd let you know," Caitlin says, walking out of the room.
'The last night before the campers come tradition. They must be so upset with me. I totally forgot,' she thinks, opening a drawer to pull out her t-shirt. 'Man, how am I going to explain this one?'
"Feeling better?" Joey asks, sitting down next to Kassandra, wearing his Trout t-shirt. "Jason and I got worried when we came over and Caitlin said you weren't up to par."
"Oh, I'm fine," she responds as Jason and a worried looking May sit down across the table.
"Flu?" Jason asks.
"Oh yea. It was one of those twenty-four hour ones I think."
May doesn't say anything, not wanting to add to the lie. She gasps as she sees Seth actually walking over to the table though, wearing his Wolf t-shirt. "Kassandra?" she hears him say, making her best friend turn white before she looked up at him.
"Yes Seth?" she asks.
"I'm sorry, really I am," Seth says, getting down on his knees besides her chair. "I totally understand where you were coming from and want you to know that I fully respect you and your beliefs. I'm sorry I said what I did last night or tried what I did. I don't know what came over me. Please take these flowers as a token of my apology." Seth pulls out a bunch of daisies from the woods out from behind his back and gives it to her. "I don't expect you to take me back but please believe that I am sorry."
With that, Seth got up and walked away to get breakfast, not able to see the sorrow in Kassandra's eyes that he knew he caused during one night of giving in to his hormones.
"Kassie, what really happened last night?" Jason asks, breaking the concentrated look Kassandra had on her face. "Something tells me you didn't blow us off because you were physically ill."
Kassandra lets out a sigh. "You're right. I wasn't physically ill. I got into a fight with Seth last night."
"I'm going to kill him!" Joey roars, starting to get up before Kassandra places a hand on his shoulder to push him back down in his seat. "He doesn't deserve to be near you if he has hurt you!"
"Relax Joey, he didn't hurt me. Tried to persuade and guilt me but he didn't physically hurt me in the way you think he did, I promise. I don't need you to go beating up another guy for me. Remember last time?"
Joey chuckles and relaxes. "Well that Fred guy deserved it."
"I think that's when I knew you would be a good friend to me over the years, even though you loved torturing and teasing me. Perhaps that's why Fred never returned," Kassandra says, looking at Jason.
"I forgot about that," Jason replies. "But back to the original topic. What happened last night?"
Kassandra looks at him, ready to tell him to mind his own business but sees the genuine concern he has for her reflect in his eyes. "All right, I'll tell you. Basically, he and I had a romantic night in his room. He had dinner all setup for me in Wolf and we dined together, danced a little to some soft music, and started making out on his bed. However, before I knew it, he had me under him as his hands started going under my clothes and I told him to stop. He didn't at first, but when I forced him back, he stopped, got right off me, and started raving at me at about what a prude and tease I was. He kind of hinted at the fact that since I played the part that I should fulfill his needs. I felt bad but at the same time realized that if I didn't get out of there then that I would probably live to regret it. So I ran out."
"That's when I found her," May puts in, trying to get the twins' attention so they would not see how upset Kassandra was becoming again. "Don't worry; I took good care of her last night. We're both just sorry that we missed out last night."
Jason replies, "It's okay. It's totally understandable why you two weren't exactly up for it. We can do it another time, when all four of us have the night or day off together." He turns his head around to look at Kassandra again and finds her staring down at the daisies. "Please tell me that you aren't thinking of spending more alone time with Seth." When she doesn't reply, he lets out a groan. "Kassie, please. Sweetheart, you are so much better than he deserves. Don't go back to him. He really doesn't deserve you."
"I don't know," she replies, looking up at him. Both Jason and Joey could see the confusion in her eyes and felt their protective sides come out.
"Kassie, he's no good," Joey responds.
"They're right Kassie. Let him go," May says.
Just then, there are sounds of cars parking in the parking lot, alerting all those inside the dining hall that breakfast was over and registration was about to begin.
'Saved by the cars,' Kassandra thinks, getting up and cleaning up her plate and tray. She says a quick good-bye to the other three as she searches out Caitlin. Together, the two head out into the light, ready to meet their campers.
"All right girls, quiet down. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Kassandra. I believe I have been a counselor to most of you or have been a fellow camper with you so I expect that this will be a great cabin. I know you're all seventeen and quite independent but I want to properly get this summer going. If you have any problems at all, please don't hesitate to come to me, whether it is that you feel sick, are missing home, guy troubles, or any mischievous plans gone awry. I know what it's like to be your age and here at The Wild Woods. I hope you all have a wonderful summer. Any questions?" Kassandra asks.
"What's your stance on guys in the cabin?" a red haired girl named Tara asks.
"During the day they are fine, but as soon as lights off are called, I better not find them. I will try to turn a blind eye to the innocent mistakes that probably will be made, but I cannot be the nice counselor when you do not so innocent things. Also, please remember that you are in an open room with seven other girls who probably won't be too happy having boys over all the time, not to mention that the boys' counselors will probably notice if they are gone."
"So you'll make exceptions to the rule?"
"Not per say make exceptions but I'm willing to be looser with all of you because I know I can trust you all and I think being seventeen means that you can make decisions for yourself knowing the full consequences. If however, some other counselor catches you, I will not be there to save you. Is that fair enough?" She smiles as eight smiling heads nod at her. "Good. Now, Caitlin over here is just a little bit older than all of you but she is to be respected as your junior counselor."
There were some murmurs but no one says anything. "Kassandra, do you know what his planned for the rest of tonight or any special events for the summer?" a long, brown haired girl asks.
"Samantha, right? Well after dinner, we're going to have a big camp bonfire to bond the whole camp together. The Wild Woods has always been like a big family. The rest of the summer entails a few dances, hiking through the woods and hills, classes in your favorite subjects, and a few other special events. I think it will be a great summer."
"So any questions?" Jason asks, looking around the room. He had just finished his introductory speech and his ground rules, expecting that one question to come up.
"So Jason, can we have chicks in here?" Mike asks, brushing one of his dyed red bangs back from his eyes.
'There it is,' he notes with a smile. "Chicks? If you want, you can have chickens in a little pen outside. I'm sure Kathy won't mind."
"Dude, you know that's not what I'm saying," the seventeen year old boy says. "Girls!"
"Oh, ladies. Well, let me remind you that The Wild Woods frowns upon coed sleeping arrangements. I will say though that I've been through your shoes and I'm willing to be looser with you boys if you promise not to take it overboard. When I say to get her out if I catch you here with someone, she better be gone before I know it. I won't pull power over you guys unless you make me, okay? I've had most of you as campers before so you should all know I'm pretty laid back and always here to talk, but I am not here to be taken advantage of."
"Sounds like a good set up," Steve comments, shifting his tall form to fit better on the bed he was sitting on. "Besides, it's not like you can do a lot with seven other guys in the room."
"This is true. Just remember, always think of the consequences before you do anything here, okay? I've seen so many romances blossom and cripple so fast here, leaving people pretty hurt and well, depressed. I would hate to see any of my guys end up like that. If there aren't any more questions, you are all free to roam the camp grounds until dinner, which will be in forty minutes."
Jason looks around and is satisfied with his seven charges. He leaves the room and heads into his own, looking out his window and towards Fawn. 'I wonder if she's all right.'
"Hey Vicky, wait up!" Allison calls out, speeding up her walk to catch up with her friend. "How was your first meeting with your girls?"
"Great! They seem like perfect angels. Then again, it is only the first day," Vicky responds. "What about you?"
"It went well. I just heard about Seth and Kassandra though. The story is of course gossip right now but it's kind of hard to believe that the two are splitsville now. They seemed so into each other just a few days ago. I'm really worried about her. Do you think she's okay?"
"I'm sure she is. She seems pretty tough to me. As for it happening fast, it's what happens here at camp to my understanding."
"What do you mean?" Allison asks. "What happens?"
"Relationships are created and fall apart. It's like a summer long cycle with a lot of people. May was telling me that she had a camper last summer that must have gone through two cabins of boys within only five weeks. It's pretty incredible. She also explained to me that things move faster in the Wild Woods. Perhaps that's why it is named the way it is!"
Allison laughs. "Maybe it is! Still, I do want to have a chat with Kassandra to make sure she is okay and to make sure I really heard the real story. I don't believe rumors for real until I hear them from the person themselves."
Vicky nods her head. "That's a good idea. I'm sure we can find her in the dining hall and corner her, just as long as we keep our kids in our sights!"
"Sounds like a plan!"
The two head off in the direction of the dining hall, unaware of the girl that was lurking in the shadows of the woods.
'Well, well, well. If I do believe my ears a certain hottie was released from his little thing with Kassandra last night,' Maya thinks to herself, walking to dinner. 'Perhaps I'll actually make a stupid joke a reality. Mmm… Seth's body… Makes a girl drool. That settles it. Project Seth is now in motion!'
Kassandra sits down at a smaller table then usual, trying to fix it so she had to talk to the least amount of people as possible. 'All day I've been getting stares and looks from everyone. Why can't they all just leave me alone? It's bad enough I'm confused enough about this whole thing with Seth,' she thinks, staring down at the hamburger and fries in front of her.
"This seat taken?" May asks, placing her tray down.
Kassandra shakes her head. "Of course not. Take a seat. Where are Allison and Vicky?"
"They are on their way. There they are now!" she says, pointing at the two approaching girls. "Hey you two. How has your first day with your campers been?"
Vicky places her tray down and smiles. "It has gone well. Of course, they are bundles of energy but I hope to diffuse that situation fast tonight. I need my sleep!"
"No kidding. I definitely could use twelve hours or so," Kassandra says, regretting it as she sees looks of worry crossover all of her friends' faces. "Girls, don't worry. I'm fine. I assume you two heard about Seth and me."
Vicky and Allison nod their heads. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," Allison replies.
Kassandra lets out a sigh. "Well I've heard rumors spinning around the counselors and I'd rather you hear it from me. Basically, Seth wanted more than I was ready to offer him last night. He didn't do anything like rape, but he tried other methods of persuasion, leading to one upset guy. I managed to get out of there and here I am."
"Wow. I didn't think he was the type to do that," Vicky comments. "I guess that shows that guys can be pretty deceptive creatures."
"This is true," May replies. "You still aren't thinking about him are you?"
"I don't know," Kassandra says. "I mean, he knows he did something wrong, he apologized, what's there to hold against him? I'm not God here, making judgments. That wouldn't be right at all. I'm just saying that I forgive him and before you say anything, no, I am not planning on jumping into his bed because of this."
May throws her arms up in surrender. "I didn't say anything!"
"Just saying it so you don't have to."
"Are you sure you're okay?" Vicky asks. "I know we don't know each other that well yet but as a friend and fellow counselor, I just want to make sure."
"Yea, don't worry about me. I'll be okay," she replies with a smile. "It's not like it's my first heartbreak or anything." May was silent. "Okay, well maybe it is my first real heartbreak but its okay. I had to learn a lesson eventually, and I've gone quite long without tampering with that romance stuff."
"This is true. Hey, we have that big camp wide bonfire after dinner right?"
"Right," Allison confirms.
"More time to get to know the other guys here. Yeah!"
The three girls laugh. "Like Vince?" Kassandra asks.
"Hey! How did you know about that?"
Kassandra chuckles. "I have eyes you know. I could tell rather easily that you had the hots for the boy. Give him time and he may actually grow to be worthy of your attention."
"Perhaps. We'll see. I always like a challenge."
"One wild summer, here we come!" May says with a laugh.
"Hey Seth, can I talk to you?"
Seth turns his head and stops walking as he sees one of the twins in red shorts and a tank top approaches him. "Joey?"
The twin shakes his head. "No, it's Jason."
"What's up Jason?" Seth asks nervously.
"Stay away from Kassandra, all right? She doesn't need you in her life."
Seth stares at him. "Are you serious? Are you actually telling me who I can and cannot see?"
"I'm merely suggesting you stay away from her. You don't need to be asking for trouble. It'll find you sooner or later."
"What does that mean?"
"It means you better watch your back if you insist on continuing down this path. I've known Kassie since I was eight. There is no way in hell I am going to let you ruin her last summer here at camp."
Seth scoffs. "I know what this is really about. You want her all to yourself, don't you Jason? I've seen the way you look at her."
"This isn't about me," he says. "This is about what will happen to you if you ever hurt her again."
"You know, you really aren't the lady killer all the girls make you out to be, are you? Just so reserved and poetic for appearance sake but when you get down to it, all you're after is what I am."
"On that point, you're wrong. I would never force myself on a girl, ever. She said no last night. Thank God you had enough common sense not to take it further, otherwise this would be a very different story."
"What are you going to do to me Jason? Beat me up?"
"I'll do whatever it takes to keep her happy and safe."
"You know what? You can just shove it, all right? I don't need you hassling me. Kassandra will see whoever she wants. You don't own her, no matter how long you have grown up together. Besides, I wonder how she would feel having you standing here telling me all this. I bet she wouldn't be all that pleased with you."
"You've been warned," he says, turning around and walking back into the woods.
'Warned my butt! If Jason wants a fight, he's found one all right,' Seth thinks, stalking into the woods, towards the bonfire.
"Hey Kassandra. Have you forgiven me yet? I know I don't deserve it, but I just wanted to know if it was possible, in that big heart of yours, to forgive me of my sin," Seth says, appearing next to her.
"Hey Seth. Look, I just want to put everything behind me, okay? I've forgiven you because I can never hold onto anger for long but I haven't forgotten about it," she replies.
"Will you take me back? Kassandra, my day has been hell without you by my side."
Kassandra turns her head and looks over at him. "Seth, I don't know what to tell you. I really don't know if I can forget what happened. How do I know that something like that won't happen again with you?"
"Because I give you my word. I don't know where my head was last night. I absolutely would never do something to jeopardize what we have going if I am in my right mind, I swear."
"I don't know. Just give me time, okay?" she asks.
Seth nods. "All right. If its time you want, it's time you got."
He leans in and places a soft kiss on her forehead before walking off to find his campers. Kassandra stares after him, unsure of what to do. 'I know last night was horrible but he seems so sorry. Maybe he really does mean it. Time will tell Kassie, time will tell,' she thinks, staring into the bonfire that is slowly beginning to grow.
"Please do not tell me you just allowed that creep to kiss you," Jason says, making Kassandra jump.
"Jason! What are you doing here? I thought you were going to your cabin to grab your jacket," she replies.
"I did. See?" he asks, indicating the jacket in his arms.
Kassandra runs her eyes over his khaki shorts and long sleeved t-shirt that said The Wild Woods on the front and sleeve before seeing the jacket. "That was fast."
"It's not that far. So what's going on Kassie? You aren't letting him win you over again are you?"
"No, I'm not. I just, I'm confused, all right? I'm not exactly a pro at handling heartbreak here."
Jason nods his head. "I can understand. Your first?"
"Yup. It seems like this camp is full of first time things."
He chuckles lightly. "I guess so."
"Kassandra!" Caitlin calls, coming over. "All the girls are waiting on the other side of the bonfire for you. They want to do some bonding thing. Don't ask me."
Kassandra laughs. "All right, I'll be right there."
Caitlin nods and heads off in the direction she came from.
"I guess your presence is requested elsewhere," Jason says.
"I guess so," she replies. "Who knew they'd really want to get to know their older, stinky counselor."
"Of course they would want to get to know you. You're going to spend six wonderful weeks with you and you aren't at all old or stinky. You're actually rather beautiful and talented."
Kassandra smiles at him. "Thanks. That was complete BS but thank you the same."
"Hey! That so wasn't BS. It was the truth I tell you!" Jason exclaims. "Anyway, just take good care of yourself and that heart of yours. See you later tonight?"
"I'm sure. With us having the seventeen year olds between the two of us, I am sure that we'll be seeing each other a lot. I've heard murmurs from some of my girls about some of your boys. Christian and you both better watch out."
"Because we'll have girls in our cabin or will our boys be in yours?" he asks with a raised eyebrow.
"To be honest, the girls were mostly talking about you two so watch your back unless you want more girls stalking the Eagle cabin."
"Oh, is this so? Hmm, sounds like an invitation more than a threat," Jason says in a low and seductive voice.
Kassandra laughs. "Right, like you need anymore girls following you around! You've got practically the whole female counselor population following your every move, as well as Joey's. I don't know what it is about you two but something about you definitely catches their attention."
"What can I say? I'm just studly like that," he says, flexing his right arm to show his muscle.
"Right, whatever you say," she comments, rolling her eyes. "All right, I better go. Thanks for everything Jason." Kassandra steps closer and hugs him tightly. "It means a lot."
She lets go and steps back, turning around and heading to her girls, leaving Jason to watch her go. 'Thank God she seems better,' he thinks, turning around and trying to find Christian in the crowd of teenagers and kids.
"Hey Joey!" Vince says, coming up to the twin. "What's up man?"
"Umm, I think you have me confused. I'm Jason."
"Oh, sorry man! I keep getting you two confused."
"Don't worry about it Vince. It happens to everyone. Only Kassandra can tell us apart at all times. We're used to it. I think that Joey is over there with Maya and her friends," he says, pointing to the right.
"Thanks Jason. Again, I'm really sorry."
"Not a problem."
Jason continues to walk through the woods and smiles as he sees two of the eighteen year old girls hanging onto Christian all ready. 'Man, he works fast all right,' he thinks, walking towards the group.
"You've got chocolate chip ice cream on your nose," he says, smiling down at her.
Kassandra flushes with embarrassment as the blue eyes stare into hers. She tries to wipe it off only to have him bring his hand up to hold hers in his grasp.
"Let me," he says, taking a napkin and cleaning it off. He smiles again before leaning down and kissing the tip of her nose. "All better."
She just stares back at him, not being able to do anything else. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"So that was your most embarrassing moment here at camp? With one of those cute twins? I'd say that was a slice of heaven!" Samantha says. "My God, to have been able to grow up with them for so long. I'd give anything to be that close to them!"
Kassandra laughs. "It's not all it's cracked up to be, trust me. They were terrors when they were younger, right May?"
May nods her head. She, Vicky, and Allison and found the group and joined in with some of their girls. "They did love to cause trouble for poor little Kassandra as I remember it."
"But they were also my saviors for certain things," she admits. "Let's just say they made my life at The Wild Woods that much more interesting."
Tara chuckles. "So you and they haven't lived up the camp's name huh?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Like, you never hooked up with them?"
"No, definitely not," Kassandra replies.
"Are you sure? You seemed pretty cozy with the one wearing that Wild Woods t-shirt just a little while ago," Caitlin points out.
"Hey now, don't you start on me too! We're just friends, I promise."
"Good! Less competition!" Tara exclaims with a big smile.
"Oh God, here we go again," May mutters under her breath, making Kassandra laugh a little.
"Anyone else want to roast marshmallows?" Caitlin asks, taking the initiative to change the subject.
"Sure, let's go," Samantha replies.
The campers all go to roast marshmallows with the boys, leaving the four girls by themselves. "Man, their hormones are certainly in overdrive," May says with a laugh.
"I'm sure yours were too at their age," Allison says. "I think it's sweet."
"Sure it's sweet now. Wait until they bring Kassandra nothing but trouble," Vicky says. "That's one reason why I'm glad I have the younger ones."
"Trust me, they get camp crushes too," Kassandra says. "They just handle them differently."
"You sound like you're speaking from experience."
"Sort of. Let's just say that I wished the reason one of the twins was terrorizing me so much was because he liked me and had no other way to express it."
"Kassandra! You so just lied to them! Which one has your heart?"
Kassandra shakes her head. "Neither right now. Mine's a bit broken at the moment but many years ago there was one that just stole my breath away whenever he was around."
"Hmm, which one was it?" Allison asks, looking curiously at her friend.
"I'm not telling. It's in the past and I think I would like it to stay that way."
Vicky lets out a sigh. "You're no fun!"
"Perhaps, but that's just the way it's going to be!"
"Fine, fine. So tell me all you know about Vince…"
The girls get closer together so they could talk without anyone else hearing them and begin laughing as stories are exchanged, oblivious to the group of guys watching them.