2. Chapter 2

Chapter two

" H urry up or you'll be late!" Her mother called up the stairs.

Haven rushed out of her room and down the stairs to where her mother stood, arms crossed, keys in hand.

"We never seem to be able to be on time anywhere, can we?" Her mother sighed.

Haven huffed a laugh and rushed out the door, launching herself and bag into the passenger seat with her mother following close behind. Forty-five minutes of driving in silence, save for the radio, had them in the school parking lot where the bus for the senior trip was waiting.

"I'm going to miss you," Her mother hugged her tight as soon as they were out of the car.

"Relax, it's just three days and two nights then I'll be back"

Her mother hugged tighter,

"Alright mom, the bus is going to leave with or without me and I'd rather be on it"

Her mother finally relinquished her hold and Haven stepped towards the bus. She didn't get far before her mother was yanking her backwards for one more hug.

"Okay mom, I'll see you in a few days. I love you."

"I love you too Haven, have a great birthday!" Her mother was tearing up.

Haven loaded herself onto the bus, taking a seat next to her only friend on this trip and contemplating her mother's strange behavior. She had stayed away longer when she was younger for camp and her mother hadn't been that dramatic when saying goodbye.

After everyone was seated, the bus lurched forward, starting their two hour long drive to the mountain camp where she'd be spending her weekend and birthday. Haven leaned her head on Sydney's shoulder and let her eyes close, nerves from her mothers strange behavior and the upcoming weekend tiring her.

***

Haven woke to passing trees on a two-lane road. After she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, Sydney told her they were only fifteen minutes away. The morning light coming through the bus windows was soft and pleasant. Haven was thankful it wouldn't be too hot outside since it was still spring. She was pretty sure the cabins they'd be staying in did not have air conditioning .

Minutes passed and soon they were pulling into what appeared to be a long gravel driveway. Everyone around her began packing their things and preparing to get off the bus. Haven did the same, she had only pulled out her phone so there wasn't much to prepare. Looking around, she found the mountainside mesmerizing. Large, beautiful trees covered the ground and you could see mountain peaks off in the distance. Haven wished she hadn't slept for so much of the trip, she would have loved to see more of the mountainside.

Eventually the bus pulled up to what appeared to be the main house. In the middle of the clearing was a large, old looking log house with a long wrap around porch. A glance to your left or right and you could see several small cabins dotted around the property, likely where the students would be staying. Thanks to the small size of the senior class there would only have to be three or four girls in each cabin. The boys were lucky in that they only had to have two per cabin.

"Alright this is our stop," The bus driver called out.

The two teachers in the front of the bus stood as the driver opened the doors.

I want all of you to be on your best behavior, we have never held the senior trip here and would like to be able to continue it here for years to come. We don't need that screwed up because some of you thought to have a little extra fun." Spoke Ms McElderoy, the female teacher, earning a few snickers from the group.

For years the senior trip had been to a fun amusement park type of place. Everyone had been surprised when they announced that it was now in the middle of the woods. Sure, hiking was fun for some but there definitely were no roller coasters.

Within five minutes everyone was off the bus and gathered in front of the house, watching the bus pull away.

"Oh no, there goes our only way out!" One of the guys joked. The whole group laughed. Although Haven could see a few nervous looking students, Sydney included. Jokes or no, that boy was right. With the bus gone they had no way out of the mountains.

"Silence!" One of the teachers called out as the two older men who ran the camp exited the house. They walked to stand at the top of the stairs connected to the house's porch.

"Welcome" One of the older men called.

"I'm Rodney and this is Sharp, '' The man gestured to himself and then the man standing next to him, "We expect all of you to enjoy your stay and be on your best behavior."

With that, the men walked down the small flight of stairs.

"Boys follow me" Rodney spoke

"And girls follow me" Sharp spoke

All of the girls followed Sharp to where he stopped in front of a small grouping of cabins not far from the main house.

"This is where you'll be staying, three girls in each and one group of four."

Sydney linked her arm through Haven's and nodded to another girl Haven was vaguely familiar with. The girl walked over to where Sydney and Haven were standing. Haven was pretty sure her name was Chelsea.

"If that's everyone" Ms McEdleroy called. She began assigning each group of girls their cabins. There was one group of five girls who didn't want to separate and, in the end, Ms McElderoy solved the problem by tossing up her hands and saying ,

"Well alright, if you don't mind being cramped." Apparently the girls didn't.

Ms McElderoy walked up to Havens group and said, "You girls will be in cabin five"

A quick scan of the cabins revealed the one in the far right corner to be theirs. Once all the cabins were assigned Ms McElderoy told everyone,

"For now, head to your cabins to unpack and relax. I will come and gather all of you for lunch in an hour. After that, we will be getting a tour of the property and going over the plans for this weekend"

With a wave of her hand the girls dispersed and found their cabins. Haven, Sydney and Chelsea found theirs quickly. Opening the door they found four beds, two on each side with a small dresser next to each and a door to the small bathroom on the back wall. Haven walked to the bed in the back right and set her bag down on the dresser. Sydney and Chelsea claimed their beds and began unpacking their things. It only took a few minutes for each of the girls to completely unpack. After they finished there was a pause of awkward silence that hung in the air until Sydney sarcastically said,

"We're going to have so much fun this weekend, with Ms McElderoy peering over our shoulders and those two creepy old dudes milling about" All three girls laughed.

Haven could always count on Sydney to break the tension in a room or lighten the mood, it was one of the things she liked most about her.

"Oh yeah loads" Chelsea responded with a light laugh and roll of her eyes.

Haven laughed again and sat down on her bed, the other girls doing the same. Soon it was talking trash about the boys they had dated, girls as well in Havens case, making bets about which of their classmates was going to be the first to get in trouble and discussing which activity they were most excited about. Hiking in Haven's case, roasting marshmallows in Chelsea's case and stargazing in Sydneys. The hour till Ms McElderoy came to find them for lunch passed quickly. Haven was feeling incredibly light and more relaxed than she had assumed she'd be.

She enjoyed spending time with people even though it could be emotionally taxing and somewhat overwhelming at times. Thankfully, she wasn't currently feeling that way. In fact, ever since she stepped off the bus she'd been feeling lighter, almost tingly. Haven didn't know why but she was glad of it. She hoped the feeling would continue.