16 Marshmallows & Marshed Hearts

SUNDAY. 7:20 PM.

"Very funny." She recovers from her laughter. "Oh and since I don't trust you." She begins and I frown. "I put someone in charge of you, to monitor your every move since you really are a hyperactive mushroom."

"Mom!" I yell.

"Hey don't raise your voice at me."

"Why would you do that? Gosh, that's one of the aims of camping. To take us away from parental eyes and you're still watching me when you're like 100km away." I argue.

"After what happened on Friday, I sent Lennon to be my eyes and ears."

I sigh. Of course it'll be Lennon. "Well you might as well just forget about that because he's doing a terrible job," I say, looking left and right for the light brown haired bodyguard. "since he's no where to be found around—" I stop myself when I turn around to see Lennon standing beside me, giving me a decent smile almost amused.

"Well looks like you've found him." my mum says.

I open my mouth to say something to her but she cuts the call and I groan, shove the phone into my back pocket. Turning my gaze back to Lennon, I give him a bored look.

"Don't give me that look." He laughs at me then takes a step to ruffle my hair.

I quickly swat his hands away, "Don't do that, it took me almost an hour to get my hair done."

He only chuckles more, "You're on Campeek! your hair's surely going to look a mess before the week runs out."

I glare at him through slits. I still don't like the fact my mum sent him to keep an eye on me, it makes me look like a kid. Well I am a kid but I understand fully well what I'm saying. Not only is Coach, Jenny's dad watching me, my mum and Lennon are too. Do they think I'm so irresponsible and too wild?

"The first sophomore on Campeek!" He smiles at me with excitement. "You're really something, mushroom."

I hit him on his side and he only laughs, "Stop that."

"What? I like it when your mum calls you that."

I roll my eyes. Lennon Downs, we've been close since we were babies and that's because our mums are best friends and we kind of grew apart later on. Jenny moved into town; Lennon took an interest in Lacrosse and we haven't really hanged out much. When we see each other at school, it's usually a 'hi' and a friendly smile. After all, he's about a year and a half older than me, we don't see each other much. But I'm glad we get to spend time during this week.

"What are you waiting for fat baby? Let's go." I say with a teasing smile.

I hear him groan and I drop my bags for him to carry and run off into the reserve before he gets a hold of me. Yes. Lennon used to be fat, but lost all of it when he was about entering high school.

If he calls me Mushroom, I might as well call him fat baby.

~~~

I rub my arms as the cold air hits me. I continue to stare up, just noticing that this spot I'm currently standing in has the best view of the dark sky. I sigh exhaustedly, lowering my head to look back at all the students laughing, saying ridiculous things and eating marshmallows in groups of 6 or 7.

It has been precisely an hour and a half since we got here. Mr. Sprayberry thought us how to set up our tents and I think he sprained his ankle in doing so but he wasn't joking about the boys' tents being 300 meters away. The reserve's really huge and it's covered with thick trees and green grasses also with enough spaces to be used to set a camp fire.

I chuckle when a junior spits out her marshmallow whilst yelling how hot it is. I watch as she and another girl hurry towards the camping lights, probably to check how hurt she is. I'm still surprised that the school provides electricity for this camping trip then I guess it won't be much of an awful week since my phone will be charged.

I sigh once again, deciding to move from my spot to grab a marshmallow and join Jenny and obviously Benji. I immediately stop when I see Adrian standing by the table with a soda in his hands as he continues to look through the contents on the table but it isn't much of a sight, it's just drinks, bottles of water and marshmallows filling the table. I smile when I realize he's alone.

I walk up to him but make sure I'm at least 3 feet away. I turn to face the table to pretend I'm searching for a marshmallow so it won't be like I intentionally came over but he still doesn't notice my presence.

I turn to face him.

"Hi Adrian."

He brings his soda down from his lips and turns his head to me. He stares blankly at me for a second before recognition shows in his expression and he smiles. Damn, he's smiling and it's directed towards me. I am starting to love this Campeek!

"Oh you came."

"Yes I did," I smile back.

"Figured. Because Scamping is not a thing."

I blink. Shi—

He turns fully to face me. "But I'm glad you changed your mind on coming though." he says then points to the gatherings of students around a camp fire with marshmallows in hands. "It promises to be amazing. The main camping activities start tomorrow, so consider this marshmallow event as a warming up activity and dinner."

My eyes widen. "Marshmallows for dinner. Glad I came."

He chuckles with his eyes slightly shut and it lasts for a couple of seconds. I guess he finds that funny. "Yeah, I thought so too. It was Miss Sharpay's idea to make both the juniors and seniors blend before the main activities."

I smile at him then look at the camp lights around this place shining down yellow lights on us. "They really did much for this camp. I still can not believe the school provided electricity." I say, the smile never leaving my face.

"Oh that's not electricity." He says.

I turn to him and give him a dumb look.

"It's solar." he points to one behind him.

"There is no electricity. If there was then this wouldn't be much of a camping trip."

I mouth an 'oh' and nod in agreement.

"That's why Miss Sharpay didn't even bother collecting our phones."

I nod, understanding everything now. "because they'll be dead before tomorrow." I complete his statement and he nods shooting me a sympathetic smile. "Smart." I remark.

He laughs. "Hey, do you want to sit with me by my camp fire?"

No way. It sounds like he's asking me out. I turn my head to the left to see 6 camp fires with a specific number of students around each and it looks full so nothing can ruin this moment because the seat with Adrian is the only available seat.

I open my mouth to speak but someone runs in between us and hugs Adrian. Now I regret choosing to stand 3 feet from him.

And that person— Madison.

"Adri, I've been looking everywhere for you. I was starting to think you were lost in the forest, I had no idea you were here." Madyson says smiling excitedly at him, still not noticing me and Adrian frowns for a second probably wondering if he should turn to her or still speak with me.

I look down nervously at my white shoes which is slightly covered in dirt. Why did I pick white? I tuck my hair behind my left ear not knowing what to do in this uncomfortable situation.

"Come on what are you waiting for? Let's go roast our marshmallows." She says then frowns, "But there aren't much seats left," Then she smiles big at him again. "But you saved a seat for me, right?"

Adrian gives her an apologetic smile and looks over at me, "About that," He begins but Madison cuts in.

"Oh come on," She whines whilst shaking his arm violently and stumping her foot on the ground, causing Adrian to chuckle lightly at her. "Don't tell me you didn't. Is this because I forgot your birthday? I said I was sorry. I'm feeling all too guilty as it is." She pouts at him and my mouth parts open because I just realize two things.

The first, by the way she speaks to him I can tell that they're really tight with each other, almost like childhood friends. The second, he was right. I was the first to wish him a happy birthday. I almost smile at that thought.

"No it's not that." Adrian speaks up, sets his can of soda down on the table but makes no move to pull Madyson's hands away. He gestures to me. "I'm already sitting with…" He trails.

Of course.

I knew he would forget my name. After all, he still doesn't see anything special in me to have to remember.