Page 6 of A Twist in Fate
Everyone is sitting around the small fire together, laughing and eating Oreos that, luckily, have not been in James’ pocket for three days. I don’t understand how Ivy believes she could not be herself around everyone because from the moment she sits down, the stress of the day seems to have melted away. She looks free. Despite James, I have never found it so easy to connect with someone on the first day of meeting them. Alec may have been slightly shy at first but now he is completely himself and very easy to talk to as well.
“So, Alec, what brings you to our corner of the state?” Abby asks.
“Well, my moms thought it would be a good idea to branch out a bit. I have always been good at making friends at school, but I never went out or anything,” he says as we all listen, quietly. “I have always been mainly focused on school, and I am about to go into my second year of college so most of the time I do school work. I am pretty sure my moms were worried I was not socialising. Being here all summer is more my thing than partiesanyway. What about you, Ivy? You’re from London, right?”
Ivy shifts uncomfortably in the sand, the tension clearly making its way back into her shoulders as she turns stiff. I don’t think she likes being put on the spot. “Yeah, I am. I am here because of Bailey really. We were partnered for a pen pal programme, and I just wanted a year of fun and experience before I study nursing, so I got a job and saved up to come here this summer.” The smile slowly comes back onto her face as she tells us the story.
“You’re going to nursing school? Wow. That is a lot of work. You must really want to become a nurse. I could never ever do it,” James says, clearly impressed.
I am too. I never would have guessed she wants to be a nurse. I understand though, she is sweet and sensitive. She seems like the type of person who is amazing at helping others.
“I have been doing some studying ahead and it is a lot of work so far,” she says. “I am so excited and so are my parents. My dad is a surgeon, and my mom is a dermatologist, so I think I have always wanted to follow them in some way. Ever since I was born, they have told me I was supposed to be like them and do something greatthat helps people. I guess it has just been my fate since birth.”
It almost sounds like it is not her dream. I understand that if she wants to do this for herself but doing it because her parents have always pushed her in that direction is not fair on her at all.
“It is also her birthday on the eighteenth, so we have to find the best way to celebrate!” Bailey says, enthusiastically. I have always wanted to have my birthday here because the camp always does something like a fun activity along with cake to celebrate. Despite that, I would never give up birthdays back home. The whole family would bake together, watch a movie chosen by the birthday kid, play games and then drag our mattresses into the living room and all have a sleepover together. My favourite part is mom taking photos of us because within a week there would be a new photo displayed around the house.
We decide to leave a little over an hour later as tomorrow is the start of training week. This means that a few hours of the day are spent going out to learn new skills so that by the time the children arrive on Sunday, we would be prepared. As we walk back through the trail surrounded by trees, we talk about the next week ahead ofus. Me and James are behind everyone else and as we come up to our cabins, I am stopped by Bailey, who pulls me to the side.
“Please don’t tell me you like her,” she says pleadingly.
“What? Who?” I reply but I think I know who she is talking about.
“You know who. Ivy,” she says sharply. “Look, she has gone through a lot in her life and this summer she just wants to have a good time to relax before she starts school in two months. She does not want nor need you confusing her or making that way harder than it needs to be.”
“Bailey, I don’t know what you’re talking about. She’s nice but I don’t like her like that,” I say, but the look she gives me suggests I have not convinced her. “I can’t just ignore her. We are partnered together all summer. I’ll be nice. Don’t worry, I won’t ruin any of either of your plans.”
She must accept this answer because she walks away without another word, meeting the two girls as they walk into their cabin.
Whether it is my sister’s words to the way she has talked to me tonight, I cannot get Ivy Banks out of my head. Even when I close my eyes, all I can picture is herlong brunette waves, rich dark eyes, beautifulfreckles and her breathtaking smile.
CHAPTER 3
Ivy
Song 3
Dancing with our hands tied – Taylor Swift
24/06-30/06
That night, I sleep the best I ever have in while. I am not sure if it is because of the long flight, the late night or the memories I have just created. It is extremely peaceful, and I do not think I have ever fallen asleep that fast in London. In London, it is always loud with the traffic on the road outside my house and the parties the neighbours would have constantly. I never have liked the loudness and here, at Camp Sylva, all I can hear are the crickets in the woodland surrounding me. Despite being exhausted that night, as I fall asleep, no matter how hard I try, I cannot remove the image of that stupid boy and his stupid blue eyes from my memory. It’s been the same every night since.
The next six days are filled with training. This includes bonding activities with othercounsellors, learning basic care for the children and a few hours of fun. Since Camp Sylva is not very large and doesn’t have many children, there is only eighteen counsellors and eight other staff within the camp. This means that we can all easily get to know each other, which I do like. I have found it hard to make friends before this and I have enjoyed getting to know a smaller group of people.
Monday is the first day of training and I wake up to the blasting sound of knocking on my door. I force myself out of my bed, shoving my childhood bear under the blanket and walk over to the door, swinging it open.
“Ivy c’mon. You used to wake up at like six back in London.” It is Bailey. She is wearing a small pink top with denim shorts and her hair in two braids.
“What time is it?” I yawn, rubbing my eyes and trying to readjust to the light pouring through the doorway.
“Seven thirty. Breakfast is in fifteen minutes,” she says smiling.
“I will be as quick as I can.” I shut the door quickly before rushing into my bathroom to shower and brush my teeth. Once out of the shower, I run over to the set of drawers. I had already neatly packed my clothes into the drawers last night, so it doesn’t take me long to grab adenim skort and a white shirt which has a pattern on it in pale blue. I decide to run some product through my wet curls and leave them to dry out in the sun. The clock on my dresser reads seven forty-eight, so I quickly put on my shoes and tie up my laces, before darting out of the door.
My original plan was to sprint to the dining hall so I could meet everyone but as soon as I am hit by the summer air and the view of all the trees, I decide to take my time to walk. Furthermore, with the rising heat, I am not sure I could run right now without passing out. My cabin is not very far from the dining hall, and I know it won’t take me that much longer if I walk. The sky is a bright blue with a few white fluffy clouds within it. While the sun is warm, the breeze from the direction of the lake is very relaxing as I walk.
Despite the camp being described to me constantly and Bailey sending me what feels like a thousand photos all year, it doesn’t feel how I expected it to be here. The sun is blazing during the day, but the afternoons and mornings have the perfect temperature. The shade from the trees and the cooler air feel extremely relaxing, but even the scorching sun can’t outdo the happiness this place brings.
