Chapter 16

   Susan and Jenna were waiting for me when I got home. Dad was in his room, already sleeping. The girls jumped up when they saw me come in.
   "You're back early" Jenna commented, glancing at the clock. "Anything interesting happen?"
   "Well, we ran into some kids from school. You know George and Sean and their girls?"
   "You ran into them!?" Susan gasped.
   "Yeah... They accused me of what everyone thinks. And Leo kind of sent the boys home with bloody noses and black eyes" I told them.
   "You mean he... Protected you?" Jenna asked, surprised.
   "Yeah... I thought you guys said he was trouble?" I questioned them.
   "Well he's never protected anyone before. They all disappear. Why do you think there's never any new students?" Jenna said.
   "It's true. In the time I've been here I've seen two new students, you being one of them. The other got involved with Leo too and she disappeared two months later. Not that she had a choice, having his same schedule and all. It was bound to happen" Susan said.
   "I don't believe he's as bad as you guys say he his. I mean, have you ever even talked to him?" I questioned them.
   "Well, no. But I've heard the same thing from every new student when they came. We told them what we've already told you. They had the exact same response that you do. Then they disappeared. A lot of their parents still live here, still hoping to find their baby girls again. Always girls, remember that" Jenna said.
   "But there's the exact issue. You've never actually talked to him. You never got to know him, you only assumed the worst about him from what you thought you saw!" I told them.
   "Hush, hush. Alright, we get it. Remember, your dad is sleeping. Just down the hall. Look, let's not discuss this now. Let's have a girls night. We're going to the lake tomorrow. We'll have a wonderful time, forget this argument. C'mon let's watch some movies" Susan suggested quickly.
   "Alright, yeah. Let's go" I said.
   Susan was the one that always calmed everyone down. She was the glue of our little group. If anyone started fighting, she was the one that brought us back together.
   We had a great night, and Jenna and Susan stayed the night so John and Jake could just make one stop and we could get there all the sooner.

   We left early the next morning. None of us had anything else to do that day or the next, so we decided to go camping on the lake. Jake managed to convince his uncle to lend us his speed boat. We towed it up on a trailer attached to the back of John's truck. Jenna, Susan, and I stayed up the night before, baking cookies, making sandwiches, and we even baked a pie.  We left a big mess but I knew dad wouldn't mind, so long as I cleaned it up when I got home. I didn't have a problem with that. The others would gladly help out, that I knew.
   "What'd you girls make last night?" Jake asked.
   "You'll have to wait to find out until it's time to eat. But there's enough for all three meals today, and breakfast tomorrow. Don't you worry" I laughed.
   "And you're not allowed to touch the basket, mind you. Me, Susan, and Sam will give you food at each time" Jenna informed them.
   "Alright, alright. Hey, Sam, did you bring Orangeheart?" John asked.
   "You don't really think I would leave my baby alone do you? Of course I brought her" I laughed, pulling the kitten out of her carrier. "I brought her food, treats,  and toys too. And I've got my dad's tent for me, Susan, and Jenna" I added.
   "Good. I've got mine for Jake and I" John told me.
   "And as you all can see, I've got my uncle's speedboat" Jake said, smirking.
   "Alright Jake, we get it. You brought the biggest and best thing we could have" Susan chuckled. We all laughed along with her as we drove toward the lake.

Reviews

[Stacey]

Hi Sophia, I really like your book so far. I went back to the beginning to get a better idea of what was going on, and I can't wait to find out what happens next. Soulds like the principal and his son are up to bad tricks. That's what it sounds like. I'm interested to find out what happens.

Cheers,

Staceyanna