"For our final act, we have a number from Ashley Hitchens and Samantha Montgomery," Hitch told the crowd enthusiastically. He was the only one who had seen our tape -- which was kind of mortifying for me, having to sit in front of him as he watched it -- but he wouldn't let us air it without making sure it was safe for the peeps. I just prayed he didn't tell my mother about it. Ashley and I caught him on the phone with her when we dropped by the office to show him our reel and I think both of us wanted to gag when we overheard him say how much he was looking forward to seeing her again. It was just two weekends earlier that Hitch had driven down to New York on his day off to meet Mom in the city to see Mamma Mia on Broadway. Mom had gushed to me what a great time they'd had.
"Let's give them a warm welcome!" Hitch said to the crowd as Ashley and I took the stage and people cheered. The auditorium was buzzing. I looked around for Cole and spotted him sitting with his peeps. Hunter was sitting on the opposite end of the row. It was the first time I'd seen him since our infamous kiss and his black eye was faded, but still purple.
"Ashley, you're hot!" someone yelled.
"Go, Sam!" My friends screamed in unison, drowning out the whistles. They were in the back of the auditorium, still in costume, standing by Meg.
Hitch handed us each a microphone and smiled. Ashley and I thought it was a good idea to introduce the video before it aired. I took my mic. I was afraid it was going to fall out of my hands they were sweating so badly. Ashley was the first to speak.
"Hi. I'm Ashley," she said confidently. "I guess there's not a person here who doesn't know what happened to me and Sam last week." She looked at me expectantly. A few people laughed.
I took a deep breath and tried not to think about how badly I was shaking. "And so it's no surprise to any of you that Ashley and I don't like each other." I heard a few more chuckles. When Ashley and I had to come up with an opening, we thought it was best if we played to our strengths. After all, I'd learned the hard way that honesty is the best policy.
"We can barely tolerate being in the same room," Ashley agreed on cue, eliciting more laughter. "Let alone have to perform in the talent show together."
I looked out at the audience and saw a lot of smiles. It was working. "That's why we came up with this idea instead," I said as the video projector screen lowered behind me. "A video we like to call: The Real Lives of Pines Campers." More laughter. "This, of course, includes the real deal on my mess-hall meltdown." Now they were roaring.
"Sit back and enjoy," Ashley said giddily. "Sam and I -- or should I say just I since I'm the star, will be available for autographs after the show, before MTV swoops us up and you can't get near our entourage again."
The two of us exited the stage and stood on the side as the ten-minute video began to play. I felt really jumpy and kept shifting my feet uneasily. There was no turning back and I was only eight minutes away from hearing my video self reveal one of the hardest things I'd ever had to say in public.
The first few seconds were of Ashley, dressed in a suit, reporting from the lakefront where she introduced the segment and announced that she'd be doing an exposé on camp life at the Pines. Ashley wanted to make sure she interviewed her crush, Patrick, on the day-to-day life of being a counselor. She also managed to interview every hot male on campus and did a segment on Donovan and Gavin talking about the safety of knowing how to swim. She drew laughs when she interviewed Mrs. Morberry about who on campus got the most mail (apparently it was Dylan, Em's crush, whose large family inundated him with twice-weekly care packages plus cards), and had the audience cracking up at her interview with Beaver, who showed the camp the ingredients to his famous mac and cheese (it turned out it was just Kraft with some breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese sprinkled on top).
"The audience is eating it up." Ashley elbowed me as the segment on the camp love triangles began. It was a who's who of all the known crushes on campus (those that no one minded if we revealed). The funniest part was when Ashley showed Hunter's picture, and said, "And this guy is crushed on by everyone in this room -- including Mrs. Morberry!" I glanced at Hunter. Even he laughed.
It was at that moment in the video that I zoomed in on Ashley's almost angelic face. "And now the moment you've all been waiting for. The answers to the Ashley/Sam saga that unfolded in the mess hall. To get to the bottom of what happened, I thought it was best to have a sit-down with Sam herself."
I glanced nervously at Cole. He was watching the screen with interest. My heart was pounding harder than it did when I was near him. If Mal were here, and she knew what I was about to say, she would have been floored at my brief burst of courage.
The crowd grew quiet as an image of me, taking a seat on Ashley's bed, came on screen. It was the first time I'd actually been seen in the ten-minute video. For this part, we put the video camera on a stack of books. Ashley's back was to the camera and she was the one asking all the questions.
"So, Sam," the video Ashley said, reading from her notes, "tell us what led you to going postal in the mess hall." The crowd laughed.
I let Ashley get away with posing the question that way because I knew it would be funnier. I also knew it was going to be one of the few things Ashley would get to say in the next two minutes. This was my time now. "I was mad at you," I said, "because you told the guy I liked that you saw me kissing someone else." Somewhere in the audience, you could hear someone whistle.
"Why did that bother you if it was true?" Ashley prodded.
Deep breaths. Deep breaths. Here it came. "Because it wasn't the truth," I explained. "Yes, you saw me kissing another guy, but he actually kissed me."
I looked over at Cole, whose head was down, and I couldn't see his face. Hunter had dropped lower in his seat and I couldn't see him either.
"I had gone to the boathouse to find the guy I liked and tell him I liked him, but it was during the Guess the Counselor game and I got his costume confused. I wound up spilling my guts to someone else -- the guy who kissed me. Afterward I felt so guilty. I should have pushed the guy away, but I was in shock. I didn't see it coming and didn't know how to react."
One or two guys were still whistling immaturely, but the rest of the room had grown quiet. Either that or I couldn't hear anyone over the loud whooshing sound in my ears. I looked over at Hunter nervously. He was watching the screen again, but his face was sort of blank.
"If you could tell the guy you liked one thing, what would it be?" Ashley asked, trying to sound like a serious journalist.
Video me sighed. "I would tell the guy I liked how sorry I was for what happened and how I never meant to hurt him. I was hoping to kiss him that night. Not the other guy."
My face was reddening by the second. I wanted to look over at Cole and see his expression, but now I was afraid of his reaction.
"I was going to tell the guy I like the truth the next day, but then I got in trouble for something and had to wait a whole other day. By that time, you had already told him and he wouldn't listen to my side of the story," I added.
"And that's when you went psycho," Ashley filled in the gaps.
"And that's when I got mad," I clarified. "You were mad at me, for reasons we won't disclose here, and to get me back, you told the guy I like your version of what happened. I was so mad, I confronted you."
"You threw bug juice at me and ruined my new shirt," Ashley accused.
"I did," I agreed. "I was so mad that I grabbed the first thing I could and threw it at you. And it snowballed from there."
"And you ruined breakfast," Ashley added.
"I want to apologize for the damage I caused," video me said directly to the camera. "I shouldn't have acted so immaturely. That's not how a CIT should behave and I really hate the fact that I let my senior counselor and peeps down. The Pines has been one of the best summers of my life and I've made some great friends here. I also fell for a really great guy," I added, and even on camera you could see me blush, "and I feel awful that he got hurt because of what happened."
/> Ashley turned and faced the camera, flashing it a bright smile. "Well, there you have it. A story of love, betrayal, and downright stupidity. All in a day's work for Sam Montgomery," she said brightly. "For The Real Lives of Pines Campers, I'm Ashley Hitchens. You can check out more of my work at my MySpace page."
The clip ended, the screen went blank, and the house lights went up. We didn't have to wait long for a reaction. Campers were applauding wildly. I looked over at Ashley, who was beaming. She hurried off the stage to greet her well-wishers.
Seconds later, I was tackled by Court. "I can't believe you told the whole camp you liked Cole," she screamed in my ear. "Well, you didn't say his name, but everyone knows that's who you meant. I'm so proud of you. How do you feel? Are you okay?"
"I'm freaked out," I admitted, "but I'm glad I did it."
Em, Grace, and Meg were the next to congratulate me. Alexis hugged me for a job well done, telling me she was proud that I was her CIT. Even a girl from 8A complimented me on being one of the few people true to my soul at camp, whatever that meant. So many people stopped to talk to me about the tape, my head was spinning. When the crowd started to die down, I headed backstage to get the tape back from Hitch. The area was all but deserted.
"Sam?"
I turned around. Cole was standing just a few feet away.
"Hi," I said awkwardly.
Saying you liked a boy on video was a lot easier than facing him in the flesh.
He moved a few inches closer. "Hi," Cole said back, and I noticed he was smiling. Smiling at me. "I wanted to compliment you on your video genius. I think you might be the next Scorsese."
"Thanks," I managed to squeak out. Cole was looking at me intently and I was finding it hard to focus on actual words. I didn't remember feeling this nervous in front of him. But then again, this was the first time I'd talked to him since... well, since everything happened.
Cole moved a step closer. If I reached with my hand, I could touch him. But I didn't. I kept my eyes on his to steady myself. But it didn't work. I was shaking like a leaf on a tree on a windy day. Cole's eyes were so clear; I could dive in and stay there. "That took guts to do what you did," he said.
"I needed to prove to you that I was telling the truth," I explained, "and I had to wait till you were a captive audience." I sighed. "I'm telling the truth when I say it was you I wanted to kiss."
"I wish it was me too," he said with a grin. "That's why I hit Hunter. I immediately felt bad afterward, but Hunter was cool. He said he had it coming. He and I have smoothed things over, but I don't think he'll be coming anywhere near you again this summer." Cole smiled. "He did bring your name up to me once since then -- he told me that you liked me, not him, and that if I was a smart guy, I'd realize that and forgive you. I was actually planning to talk to you after tonight's show."
"So are you telling me I confessed my true feelings for you to the entire camp and I didn't have to?" I freaked.
"Pretty much," Cole said with a grin so cute I could have reached out right then and kissed him. I wanted to. I really wanted to, but I couldn't move my feet. They were welded to the scuffed-up, sticky floor.
Cole moved even closer. This time we were so close that I could feel his breath on me. "So you're sorry, and I'm sorry for not giving you the chance to explain. And I've admitted I like you and you've admitted you like me. I guess there's only one thing left to fix."
I held my breath. "What's that?" I asked hoarsely.
"I think it's time you kissed the right guy," he said and he reached out and took my chin in his hands.
When Cole's lips hit mine, I felt the difference immediately. His mouth was soft and fit mine like my favorite pair of Dolce & Gabbana leather gloves that I scored at TJ Maxx. The sensation in my mouth was the same way I felt when I ate too many Sour Patch Kids at the same time -- tingly, fired up, and left wanting more. Thankfully the wanting more part wasn't a problem.
When we finally came up for air, Cole said, "Well, what do you think?"
"I think I could get used to this," I admitted.
"Good." Cole grinned. And then he got back to granting my wish.
21 So Long... for Now
"Guys, stop laughing or we'll never finish this!" I said, even though I couldn't stop laughing myself.
Court, Grace, Em, and I were huddled at the lakefront filming our last sleepaway girls testament of the camp season (Meg had kindly given us back the recorder this afternoon along with my backpack full of our tapes). The final campfire had just ended and we were supposed to be gathering our sleeping bags and heading to the great lawn for the sleepover party. Ashley and Gabby ran ahead to ensure they got a prime location near Patrick and Gavin. But for the rest of my bunk, there was something more important than boys that we had to take care of first.
I placed the palmcorder gently on the window ledge of the boathouse and made sure you could see everyone in the viewfinder. Then I ran back to the girls to begin taping. The four of us linked arms. I pressed record on my remote.
"This is our final sleepaway girls entry for the summer," Court narrated. "I'm pretty sad. But even though I live farther away than any of you, I know this won't be our last tape of the year."
"You said you're going to ask your parents to come to New York for Christmas," Em reminded her. "Or the Thanksgiving Day parade."
"And we're going to beg our parents to let us visit over spring break," I added.
"I'm definitely not missing the chance to climb Squaw Peak." Grace was obsessed with this mountain in Phoenix loads of people liked to hike. I didn't want to burst her bubble by telling her hiking and physical activity weren't going to be on my vacation agenda.
"I'm going to really miss you guys," Court added, and for a second she sounded choked up, which was pretty rare for Court. She never showed emotion about anything other than describing Donovan's abs.
Em sniffled. "We'll call and e-mail all the time." Her eyes were misty too.
"I know," Court squeaked. "And who knows? Maybe my parents will let me use their video camera and we can tape each other messages."
Em and Grace squealed while I, on the other hand, moaned. "I thought I was done with the lengthy video monologues," I jokingly complained. "Remember? I have a life now. I'm trying not to be a people pleaser anymore. This school year is all about the new, assertive, in-control me." Court nudged me. "But I guess I could do a few, time permitting, if you all sent tapes as well."
"Do you think we should say something important?" Em asked. "Like sum up our summer?"
"Grace could be here all night doing that," Court kidded. Grace gave her a stern look that reminded me of my mother.
"Why don't we just tell the truth?" Grace asked. "This summer was ten times better than summers past because Sam was here."
I blushed. "You guys are just saying that."
"I'm serious!" Grace said, and coming from her, I know she must have meant it. "We've always gotten along, but we've never been as close as we are this year, and that's because of you and this video madness."
"Next year we're going to rule this place," Court said gleefully. "I can't wait to be an official counselor. Well, a junior counselor at least. If Donovan comes back, then we can actually date!" Donovan had told Court at the dance last night that he thought she was really cute, and that next year he might be able to say more than that if she was a junior counselor. Court practically did backflips around the hamburger line.
"You're definitely coming back, right, Sam?" Grace asked worriedly.
"You're stuck with me." I grinned. "And so is Ashley."
Em was teary. "I don't want to go home!" she complained. "I-I-I don't want to face the school year without you guys."
Grace shushed her. Court actually hiccupped. I thought I might cry too.
That first day, I didn't even think I'd last a week. Now I didn't want to leave the girls or Cole. The last few days with him had been amazing. We'd gone on early morning jogs (me jogging!), taken walks around the lake at du
sk, and spent every possible moment we had together. Just when we were finally getting to really hang out, I had to go home and, unlike Grace and Em, who only lived about an hour from me in New Jersey, Cole lived up here, only a half hour from the Pines; a whole two and a half hours from me. I was trying not to think about what that meant for our chances.
"Grace and I are going to see you next Saturday to go school clothes shopping in Manhattan," I reminded Em. That seemed to calm her down a little bit.
"Why don't we forget about our goodbyes and go get our sleeping bags?" Court suggested. "There'll be time for crying tomorrow. Right now I want to score a sleeping location with a view of Donovan." The three of us glared at her. "As long as it's near you guys, of course."
We all burst out laughing. Again. I almost forgot the camera was running, but I looked over and saw the little green light blinking. "Guys, we're still taping! Any last words?"
"I'm thankful that I have friends who could pull me away from my books," Em said.
"I'm thankful for friends who put up with my type-A personality and competitive sportsmanship," Grace said.
"I'm thankful for people who put up with my boy craziness!" Court laughed.