Chapter XIII: Sugar Rush

Ah, the annual camp bake-off. This was her zone. It was her time to shine. Candy had always participated in school bake sales and won the town's bake-off with her famous peach cobbler and for those who didn't like peach cobbler she made apple fritters just in case. Everyone had to be included of course. She sprung out of bed earlier than the other girls just so she could pick the perfect thing to wear today.

After the teams were formed, she felt a little sad she wouldn't be in the same cabin as Jordan. But she would give it time. Good friendships remained firm when they simmered long enough. Like caramel. The camp was still...disgusting. Green and murky and muddy but that did nothing whatsoever to dampen her spirits. She was happy and she was excited to win this bake-off.

"What're you so chirpy about?" Lance asked her during breakfast.

"What's not to be happy about? New day, new competitions, new lessons learned..." she sighed dreamily.

"I swear, sometimes you're too optimistic even for your own good." he chuckled.

"Why shouldn't I be?" she picked at the slice of bread on her plate. Was that...mould? She dropped her fork, her face twisting into a snarl. Ugh!

"There's the real Candy I know." Lance joked. "Not whatever Sugar rush syndrome you have."

"It is not a syndrome!" she yelled. "This is just who I am."

"C'mon Cotton." he put his fork down. "We both know that's not true."

She felt a pit in her stomach as her friends watched the exchange wordlessly. She huffed and got to her feet, moving with her plate and fork to sit next to Emily and Sarah.

The scent of bog mingled with the sweet aroma of baked goods, was off-putting to say the least. But even the most stoic of campers couldn't resist. Candy, with her perpetually cheerful disposition and a heart as warm as melted chocolate, was buzzing with excitement.

Along with her best friends Emily and Sarah, she had spent days brainstorming and perfecting their entry for the baking competition. They called themselves the "Sweet Sensations" of The Happy Hikers and had decided to create a mouthwatering dessert extravaganza that showcased their love for all things sweet and sugary.

As they set up their station, Candy's eyes wandered over to a group of campers a few feet away. Among them was Jordan, the girl with a penchant for solitude and a reputation for being distant. Candy sighed. She'd tried absolutely everything she could think of since the camp started; a basket of fruits at her bedside, she'd made a card and a special breakfast for her, she'd even made her a knitted sweater to add to her inventory since she didn't have as many hoodies to last her all Summer, but her efforts had yielded nothing but cold responses.

"Hey, Candy, focus!" Emily said, snapping her fingers in front of her. "We've got a baking contest to win!"

Candy shook her head, forcing her mind back to the task at hand. Together, the trio began whipping up a storm, each of them contributing their unique skills. Emily, with her steady hands, expertly decorated a batch of cupcakes with intricate designs, while Sarah, with her knack for flavors, prepared a delectable assortment of cookies.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere around the campsite was electric. Other teams were hard at work, and the tantalizing smells wafting from each station made it impossible to resist sneaking a taste here and there. The anticipation grew with every passing minute as the campers vied for the title of "Willow Wind Baking Champion."

Despite her enthusiasm for baking, Candy couldn't help but steal glances at Jordan now and then. She seemed lost in her own world, her white hair covering her face as she focused intently on her own baking project. Candy wished she could break through the walls that Jordan had erected around herself, but every time she tried, she only retreated even further.

As the competition got to its final stage, the judges began making their rounds, sampling each team's creations. The "Sweet Sensations" held their breath as the judges approached their table, their hearts pounding with both excitement and nerves. The judges were renowned chefs from the nearby town, their discerning palates a force to be reckoned with.

With bated breath, Candy watched as the judges took a bite of their dessert extravaganza. Their faces lit up with delight as the flavors danced on their tongues, and they exchanged impressed glances.

"You've outdone yourselves," Miss Dawson complimented, and the other two nodded in agreement.

Ecstatic, the "Sweet Sensations" exchanged joyful glances. But amidst the celebration, Candy couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness as she noticed Jordan's solemn expression from across the field. Despite her success in the contest, she couldn't shake off the disappointment of failing to connect with someone she had wanted to befriend so badly.

As the results were announced, the "Sweet Sensations" were awarded the top prize, much to their delight. But even in her moment of triumph, Candy's heart ached for the missed connection with Jordan.

The baking contest came to a close, and campers dispersed to celebrate. Candy's friends hugged her tightly, and the trio cheered in joy. Yet, she couldn't help but glance back at Jordan, who stood apart from the crowd, seemingly untouched by the excitement around her.

Despite her initial attempts, Candy had learned that friendship couldn't be forced. As she walked towards the campfire celebration with her friends, she held onto a glimmer of hope, knowing that someday, Jordan might open up, and they could share the sweetness of friendship together. For now, she cherished the bonds she had with Emily and Sarah and vowed to be patient with Jordan, just like she was with her delicate, beautifully crafted confections.

"Muffin?"

I looked up at Lance, holding out a chocolate chip muffin. Normally, I'd be a prick and tell him I didn't want anything from him. But right now, I was starving. And I'd skipped breakfast poring over that book. The story wasn't like Glasses told it at all.

It was messing with my head and I wanted to know. Why my name was in that ledger if I had signed up for Willow Wind. And why Lance's name was there too. Did he know what he had even signed up for?

"Sure, thanks." I told him taking the muffin in my hand. "And thanks for the hoodies."

"Don't mention it." he motioned to the empty space behind me. "Mind if I sit down?"

"Knock yourself out."

The weight on the bench shifted. We sat there in silence and we looked on at the camp. same old routine. Camp activity, clear up, campfire, bedtime a 9 sharp. Honestly, it felt like boarding school. Just without the uniforms. Or like prison.

"I...have a weird question." I blurted out.

"Ask away."

"When you signed up for camp, had you been here before?"

"Um...no actually. Honestly, I wanted a bit of an escape so I got this brochure in my mailbox for this camp—" he started.

"Brochure?"

"Yeah. Yeah. Figured it was one of my dad's weird newsletters or something but I thought, 'hey I've never been to camp' and thought it would be better to sign up for it." he sighed. "So far, it's not as bad as I would've hoped."

"And why's that?" I challenged.

"Cause I'm here with a really pretty girl and as far as I'm concerned, I'm doing pretty well if she hasn't walked away yet." he smirked.

"Nice try Cassanova." I rolled my eyes.

"Admit it, your heart fluttered for a second there didn't it?" he chuckled.

"In your dreams." I stood up. "Thanks for the muffin though."

I gave him a short salute and bumped into someone. I looked down and I groaned inwardly.

"J...Jordan!" Candy seemed startled. "Can...can I talk to you? Please?"