Chapter 19

Angelina's Point of View:

Around 8:00p.m, darkness was slowly settling and it was time to start the fire. Nate, Greg, and Jack worked on the fire as I changed into more comfortable clothes.

We had a late lunch so we weren’t really hungry. We just ate two bags of chips and two bags of chocolate chip cookies around the campfire.

I had flashbacks of the previous years when we used to camp here. I remembered us when we were younger, sitting around the fire, chatting about stupid things. I can’t believe how fast time passes. It seems like it was only yesterday we came on our first camp here.

This year, the brothers were with us so it was a bit different from all the other years. I looked around and saw Mia and Lee smiling at each other, Tia and Liam laughing… And that is when I noticed that having the brothers here is a good thing and not a bad one.

Nate wrapped his arm around my shoulder, snapping me out of my thoughts. I tilted my head up to smile at him and he flashed me a smile.

“What are you thinking Shorty?” He asked.

I looked into his bright eyes and smiled slightly.

“Do you remember all the previous years we came here?” I asked. A smile formed on his lips and he nodded.

“I remember them all clearly.” He squeezed me a bit tighter before continuing. “We’ve grown up so much. I never thought we’d make it this far.”

“Me too. The first time we came here, I didn’t even think it was possible for us to come back every single year,” I admitted.

He nodded in agreement.

“Time passes way to fast,” he sighed.

“True. Soon we will all be seniors…” I trailed off.

“And then college,” he said.

Silence surrounded us as we got lost in our own thoughts.

I can’t believe that I’m not a little kid anymore. Next year is senior year and it will be over as fast as the previous year. Then college… I don’t know why but the thought of college scares me and at the same time it gets me excited.

“Can we sing?” Nate asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Can we do that later?” I asked “I want to go watch the stars from the lake.”

Every year, I would go sit next to the lake and watch the stars from there because it is the place where I can see them most clearly and I absolutely love watching the stars.

“Do you want to come?” I asked as I stood up. He opened his mouth to speak but he was cut short when someone else spoke.

“No he can’t come,” Jack’s voice startled me “We need his help with our tent. It needs a bit of fixing.”

“Oh okay,” I nodded.

Nate gave me an apologetic look and I waved him off. I started walking alone to where the lake was. I took my cell phone with me in case I needed some light.

“Where are you going?” I jumped at the sound of Drew’s voice.

“I’m going to watch the stars,” I said.

He surprised me by saying, “Can I join you?”

I blinked at him. “U-um sure.”

He smiled slightly but there was something off.

“Are you okay?” I asked, having a sense of déjà vu.

“Yeah…” he said “I just want to… Um… tell you something.”

He stammered slightly and when I glanced up at him, he looked unsure and a bit uncomfortable.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, softly.

“I think it’s time for me to tell you something about my… Um past.”

I was stunned yet anxious to hear about his past. I desperately wanted to know. I simply nodded and we continued walking in silence.

What was he going to tell me? I thought. Is it about why he’s a player? Or is it about something else? We got to the perfect spot and I suddenly felt ten times more curious.

I sighed as I lied down and stared up at the starry sky. I felt Drew lay down next to me but I didn’t look at him. I just continued staring up at the sky. I could hear the sound of the crickets and the soft swish of the trees as the gentle breeze ruffled their branches.

“It’s a beautiful night,” Drew said in a quiet voice.

“Yeah… It is,” I agreed.

Silence settled upon us and I didn’t bother breaking it. I wanted him to be the one to start talking because he was the one who said that he needs to tell me something.

The silence didn’t last long because Drew spoke again.

“I fell in love with a girl when I was fifteen.” The subject caught my attention and I changed my position so that I was sitting next to him with my legs crossed Indian style. He didn’t sit up though. He stayed in the same position as he continued talking.

“Her name was Alicia. She was beautiful and I was madly in love with her. We used to go to the same school and she was also my neighbor. We had known each other ever since we were in diapers. Pretty much like you and Nate…” I was surprised that he remembered that statement I said. I just nodded without saying any other word because I wanted to know more and I didn’t want to interrupt him. He looked a bit uncomfortable while talking and I knew that it took him a lot of time to be able to talk to me about this sensitive topic.

“She was my best friend for fifteen years and my girlfriend for two years. I thought that we were the perfect couple, ya know? We used to hang out all the time and everything felt perfect when she was around.”

He sat up in front of me just like I was sitting. He had a distant look in his eyes, as if he was remembering his past.

“Then one day, I went over to her house to surprise her because it was our two-year anniversary. I bought her a bouquet of flowers and a very special gift. I climbed up her window like I usually do and when I came in I saw her with my best friend. She had been cheating on me with my best friend for months and I was too blind to see it.”

That was the first time I ever see Drew that hurt. He was actually crying. I was too shocked to say or do anything at that point.

“I was so hurt that day. I felt as if she took all those years of friendship and dating and threw them away like they didn’t mean anything to her. ‘The heart wants what the heart wants.’ She said to me that day and that was when I noticed how much of a bitch she was.”

“After that day, I turned into the person I am today. I was very different before that. Now, I’m some stupid player. I thought I would feel better if I spent my time with other girls I don’t care about, but I was wrong. I was still hurting and I didn’t believe I would find true love again.”

“And that is also the reason why we are here for the summer. My parents couldn’t take any more of my careless and bad behavior. They wanted to send me to some boarding school but my brothers convinced them to give me another chance so we are here now. They believed that the old me was still there somewhere. I guess I disappointed them.”

“I messed up. I made a lot of mistakes. The people that were once my friends started hating me because I was being a jerk. I got suspended several times and I got detention almost every day. Only my brothers believe that I’m still the good guy I was a year ago. All my friends gave up on me and my parents did too. And I’m starting to give up as well.”

He was still crying. The tears just kept on falling down his cheeks. The only light was the moon’s light but I was still able to see the hurt clearly in his eyes. My heart has literally stopped and my mouth went dry when I heard his story. It pained me to see him hurt like that. I definitely didn’t expect that story.

I gently raised my hand to his face and wiped his tears away. He looked a bit stunned but he didn’t say anything. I then wrapped my arms around him tightly. He looked so weak and vulnerable it made my heart squeeze in my chest. He hugged me back and cried even harder it, made tears threaten to spill but after years of practice, I was able to stop them.

I was still holding him tightly when I said, “She’s a bitch and he’s an asshole. They are both not worth your tears. They didn’t even deserve to be your friends.”

“You’re just saying that to make me feel better,” he mumbled.

“Yes I am,” I said and he suddenly pulled away from my grasp and hurt flashed once again in his eyes.

“You’re not supposed to say that while comforting someone,” he muttered and I laughed. He gave me an incredulous look when he heard me giggling.

“Oh I know… And I was lying I didn’t say that to make you feel better, I really meant it.” I looked up into his eyes which were shining in the moonlight with unshed tears and spoke again.

“Under all this new personality, I know the old you is still there.”

“But you don’t even know the old me,” he argued.

“I actually do. The real you is pretty awesome.”

He chuckled. “Thank you for seeing the real me… Even though I tried my best to hide it…”

“You shouldn’t hide it, Drew,” I said “You’re a really great person and if she wasn’t able to see that, someone else will. Don’t give up now and the people who gave up on you never really cared about you. And as for your parents, they didn’t know what to do. They thought that by sending you away, you will change back to the person you were. Of course they didn’t give up on you. Your family will always be there for you.”

I hugged him again as his tears slowly stopped falling.

“You’re a great friend, Angelina. I never thought I would tell this to anyone outside my family so I guess you’re like family to me.”

I didn’t know whether to be happy or sad. I was happy that he trusted me with this but I felt my heart squeeze as he called me ‘family’. I liked him more than just a friend.

I finally smiled at him but it wasn’t a real one. I don’t think he could tell the difference though. Desperately wanting to change my thoughts that were slowly breaking my heart, I spoke again.

 “I’m gonna make sure I kick their asses if I ever meet them.”

He laughed and ruffled my hair, oblivious to my feelings. “You can’t hurt a fly.”

I gasped at him. “You haven’t seen my ninja skills yet.”

He burst out laughing at that and I frowned.

“Why are you laughing?”

No answer. He just laughed harder and at the sound of his laughter, my previous thoughts were slowly fading.

“Stop laughing!” I said as I punched his shoulder.

“I-I’m sorry… You’re just so funny,” He struggled and I smiled when I saw his eyes shining with amusement and happiness.

 “You’re so beautiful when you’re happy,” I blurted out and my eyes widened.

What the hell?! Why did I have to say my thoughts out loud?!

I blushed and buried my face in my hands. He didn’t say anything and his laughter stopped but I felt his gaze on me.

“Er forget I said that,” I squeaked out embarrassedly. Great, now I sound like a chocking mouse.

He didn’t answer and I slowly removed my hands to look at him. He was still looking at me so I quickly covered my face again. I felt like a kid playing peek-a-boo.

The awkward silence remained.

“Dammit say something!” I finally exclaimed and punched his shoulder again.

“Ouch,” He said lamely and I gave him an incredulous look.

“Seriously? Ouch?!” I punched him again.

“Stop punching me!”

I blushed again and lowered my gaze.

“Even in the dark I can see your blush,” he teased me and I blushed a deeper shade of red.

“Stop teasing me!” I ordered him. “I’m going back.”

I stood up hastily and started walking back to where the others were. I embarrassed myself enough tonight.

I heard his footsteps behind me and I quickened my pace even though it was hard because we were in a forest at night. Just as that thought crossed my mind, I tripped on a tree root. As I was falling, Drew was reaching out to hold my arm. When I fell, I pulled him down with me.

I let out a small scream and closed my eyes. I don’t know how it happened but Drew managed to turn us around so that his back landed on the ground and I fell on top of him. My head collided with his chest and I groaned. Maybe his chest is harder that the ground.

I tried to stand up but I ended up falling on top of him again. I huffed in annoyance. Suddenly, I felt a chuckle reverberate in his chest.

“Can you stop laughing at me? It’s not funny!” I pouted.

“Aww,” he cooed and pinched my now red cheeks “Are you mad at me?”

“Yes I am,” I said as I slapped his hand away.

“Why are you so violent today woman?!” he said as he moved his hand away.

I stuck my tongue out at him and finally managed to stand up.

“Why did you stand up so soon? Weren’t you enjoying my beauty up close?” He smirked at me.

“Shut up!” I growled at him as a blush crept over my cheeks again.

He laughed as he stood up. “I just love to see you squirm.”

I ignored him as I started walking again. Did that mean that he found out I like him? I panicked as these thoughts crossed my mind. He called me family a minute ago and I literally mean a minute ago.

He’s probably oblivious to my feelings, I tried to reassure myself. I wasn’t going to worry about that. And besides even if he did, what’s the worst that could happen?

He could walk away from you and leave you heartbroken like your dad, a voice in my head said and I clenched my fists.

Soon, I heard my friends’ chatter and I caught a glimpse of the fire. I immediately shoved all my previous thoughts aside because I wasn’t really a fan of crying in front of others. And my friends don’t know about my parents or my feelings and I wasn’t about to explain these to any of them.

At the sound of my footsteps, my friends turned around. I smiled at them and took a seat next to Nate.

“You’re back,” Mia said.

“Finally,” Tia muttered and I raised an eyebrow at her.

“We want to sing!” Jack explained enthusiastically and I grinned. At that moment, Drew appeared. He frowned when his eyes landed on me but it quickly disappeared. He sat where he was sitting earlier and I stood up to get my guitar which was in our green tent.

I sat back in my place and took the guitar out of its case. I ran my fingers over the brown wood, feeling the same excitement I get every time I hold the guitar or sit on the piano stool.

“What do you guys want to sing?” I asked, after properly tuning the guitar.

“You Will Never Know,” Tia said first and everyone agreed. I smiled as I adjusted the guitar in my lap. I love that song. I held my favorite blue pick and started playing the song. The sound was clear and loud in the middle of the forest.

When the time came, we all started singing.

“It breaks my heart,

Cause I know you’re

The one for me.

Don’t you feel sad,

There never was a story.

Obviously it’ll never be.”

“You will never know,

I will never show,

What I feel,

What I need,

From you,

No.

And you will never know,

I will never show,

What I feel,

What I need,

From you.”

“With every smile,

Comes my reality,

Irony.

You won’t find out,

What has been killing me,

Can’t you see me?

Can’t you see?”

“You will never know,

I will never show,

What I feel,

What I need,

From you,

No.

And you will never know,

I will never show,

What I feel,

What I need,

From you.

No, no,

You will never know,

I will never show,

What I feel,

What I need from you.”

“No, no, no, no,

You’ll never know,

No, no, no, no,

You’ll never know,

No, no, no, no

Love me, love me,

Love me, love me, no.”

“You will never know,

I will never show,

What I feel,

What I need,

From you, no”.

“No, no

You will never know

I will never show,

What I feel,

What I feel,

What I feel,

What I need,

What I need,

From you, no.”

The song ended and all my friends smiled.

“How long have you been playing the guitar?” Lee asked.

I cocked my head to the side as I mentally counted the years.

“Around five,” I finally said.

“Nice,” he grinned and I smiled too.

“Can you teach me?” Liam’s usual cheery voice said.

“Sure,” I replied easily. It would be nice.

“Yay!” He screamed and jumped up and ran towards me. I gave him a confused look and he forcefully took the guitar out of my hands.

“What are you doing?” I asked him as he sat in front of me with his back to me.

He turned his head to the side slightly so he could meet my eyes.

“You said you’ll teach me,” he said with a glint in his eyes.

“Um you meant like right now?” I asked, stunned.

“Yeah, why not?” he said “All you have to do is wrap your arms around me like that.”

He took my arms and pulled me towards him so that I was pressed against him and my arms were wrapped around his.

I tried to move back but he kept on holding me tighter.

I opened my mouth to protest but before I could say anything, Liam was ripped out of my arms. I looked up and saw Drew holding my guitar in one hand and shoving his brother away with the other while glaring at him.

“Grow up William,” he growled and I blinked in confusion.

What just happened?

Drew glared at him for another minute before turning around to face me. His eyes changed from angry to blank as he handed me back my guitar.

“Um thank?” I said uncertainly.

He nodded stiffly and sat back down in his seat. I glanced at Liam who was now sitting next to Tia again and he gave me a wink and a sly smile.

I frowned in confusion at the blonde boy. What did he mean by that? I wondered. But I didn’t have time to analyze that thought because my friends wanted to continue singing.

Drew glanced at me many times throughout the night but I didn’t pay him a lot of attention. Instead, I focused on my guitar as we all sat around the campfire and sang together.

“We should probably go to sleep,” Jack said as I yawned. It was already 1:00a.m and we had an early rise this morning so we were really tired.

I nodded in agreement as I put my guitar back in its case. We put off the fire and I quickly changed into my pajamas before Nate and Drew came into the tent.

“Cute Pjs,” Nate commented when he came in. Drew’s eyes drifted to my body and he smirked.

“Cute duck?” He said his smirk widening as I blushed. I looked down at my white pajama, there were small yellow ducks  printed on the pants and on middle of the shirt there was a huge yellow duck with the words ‘Cute Duck’ written under it.

Both guys laughed at me and I grumbled under my breath, still feeling embarrassed.

“How are we going to sleep?” Nate asked.

“Um…” I looked at the two guys who can’t seem to get along and made my decision. “I’m sleeping in the middle.”

Nate smirked. “Don’t worry I won’t kill him at night.”

“I can’t be so sure,” I muttered under my breath and fixed the sleeping bags as the guys changed their clothes.

I was the first one the slip into my sleeping bag and soon Drew and Nate followed me. I set an alarm on my phone at 10:00a.m in case we didn’t wake up.

“Good night,” I mumbled as I felt my eyelids droop.

“Night,” Drew and Nate chorused and soon I was asleep.

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Oof this is the longest chapter I have ever written! Lol I feel proud! :D And you finally found out why Drew is a player...

Thanks for voting and commenting! :) I love you all :D

Picture of the Olsen twins on the side as Mia and Tia. Thank you for everyone who suggested actors to play the twins xD And I want to thank Sweetone124 for sending me this picture on the side! :)

Next upload: Tuesday or Wednesday.

Aim for this chapter: 380 votes.

Have a wonderful day/night! <3