Page 21 of Wildfire
If I remember how fucking unbelievable she felt maybe it’ll dull the feeling of disappointment that I didn’t get to ask her out.
THE STONES CRUNCH UNDER MYtires as I turn into the large dirt track adjacent to the huge Welcome to Honey Acres sign. Anticipation drowns all the other feelings in my body and it hits me that I’m finally here after so much waiting. I didn’t go to sleepaway camp when I was younger because my family couldn’t afford it. Mom was reluctant to commit to anything so far in the future, never knowing whether Dad’s paycheck was going toward the bills or a bet.
She wouldn’t look at places for kids in families with financial insecuritybecause she was too busy pretending things were fine. I didn’t get it when I was younger, which I’m thankful for in many ways, because for a long time I just thought she liked having me and my brother home.
But like everything else, I’ve gotten myself here. I might not be a kid anymore, but I’ll get to see what I was missing all those years and, even better, I’ll get paid for it.
In the distance, a huge log cabin appears, and as I get closer, parked cars and a bus decorated in Honey Acres branding come into view. Pulling into an empty space, I take a deep breath and give myself a minute to adjust. It looks exactly like the brochure, even down to the people wandering around with their bags looking excited.
Grabbing my things from the backseat, I head toward the people lining up to register their arrival. Pulling out my phone, I see a string of messages in the group chat Stassie set up last week.
PRETTY BEST FRIENDS
STASSIE
Let us know when you get there safely, muffin Drinking before a big drive wasn’t the best idea
KRIS
He’ll be fine. He had an early night ;)
MATTIE
I’m not fine in case anyone cares
BOBBY
How early?
KRIS
According to the UCMH gossip page he took Aurora Roberts up to his room and they did not reappear
LOLA
I can’t believe you read that shit. They posted that I might be pregnant two weeks ago because someone told them I was crying in Kenny’s. I literally had hot sauce in my eye
MATTIE
Nobody cares then? Okay cool cool cool
BOBBY
Why does Aurora Roberts sound familiar?
STASSIE
She’s friends with Ryan
ROBBIE
You watched her give Russ a lap dance last night, genius
BOBBY
No I know that but her name sounds familiar
MATTIE
