New Kids

New kids at Westmont high had it hard. Not only were they moving to a new place, losing all their friends, they had to go through a sort of initiation. The administers and people working for the school said it was a team building trip, to introduce the new kids to others that would be going to the same school. The whole event took place during the summer, in the middle of no where, without any supervision of any kind. Everyone was paired up before leaving the school. A new kids to a student that already attended Westmont high. The pairs were meant to look after each other and keep each other safe. The group was dropped into a remote location and expected to survive for three months.

Chapter 1

Camrie sat silently in the back seat of her mother’s old, red, suburban. Her hazel-green eyes stared out the window with a look of anticipation in their depths. Up ahead, the lush, Westmont campus was visible, its building’s standing tall against the morning sky.

In the front seat of the car, Camrie’s mother and older sister sat silently, peering out the front of the car. Air blew back, from the open windows, into Camrie’s face, sending her chin length, wispy, copper-chestnut hair flying around her head.

The suburban pulled into the parking lot beside the school. Through the window, Camrie could see a group of kids gathering near a bus. “Are you sure you want to do this?” Jamica, Camrie’s older sister, questioned, turning around to face the girl in the back seat. “You know there are other good high schools that don’t require any summer trip.”

“I know, Jamie, but I want to go here. Besides, all the public schools are full,” Camrie answered, smiling at her sister. “It’ll be fine.”

“If you say so,” Jamica said, uncertainty ringing in her voice.

“We’ll see you when you get back, honey,” Camrie’s mother spoke up, turning around to face her. “Have a fun time.”

“M’kay,” Camrie agreed, nodding as she pushed her door open. Carefully, she stepped out of the car and walked around to get her bag out of the back.

The information sheet said to pack light, in as small of a bag as you can, so Camrie swung a large dark blue back pack out of the car, resting the strap on one of her shoulders. She walked back to her sister’s open window and leaned in through it.

“I’ll see you guys when I get back,” Camrie said as she hugged her sister through the window. “Bye Mom.” With that, she turned and made her way toward the gathering group of kids.

Chatter filled the air as Camrie reached the group. Her hazel eyes wandered around taking everyone in. Small groups of two or three stood around talking. Some of the kids were lying on the ground, in the shade of the bus, trying to catch some last minute sleep.

A loud, high voice startled Camrie out of her observations, causing her to jump. “Hi, I’m Samantha, I’m kind of the leader of the group, what’s your name?” The tall blond girl, standing in front of Camrie, wore a large white smile. Camrie could tell by the way that the girl’s dark eye’s twitched that the smile wasn’t genuine.

“Uh, Camrie,” she said, shifting her bag on her shoulder as she watched Samantha take in her beyond skinny figure.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you,” Samantha’s voice seemed to hold a harder tone then it had before. “Well, I’ll see you later, I must go greet the other’s.” Camrie watched as the tall blond girl skipped over to a group of people and began to talk softly, sending glances back in Camrie’s direction.

Camrie turned away, scanning the grounds, when suddenly three boys jumped in front of her, once again startling her. All three of the boys wore big white smiles, all of which, she could tell, were genuine.

“Welcome,” the large boy in the middle said goofily, his hazel eyes dancing. “We are the real, welcoming committee.” His infectious grin grew bigger, causing the corner’s of Camrie’s lips to tug upward. “I’m Valor, this is Leo,” he waved his hand to the boy on his left.

“Hi,” the boy said, sending a little wave in her direction. She could barely see his gray eyes through the brown, curly fringe that hung in his face. Camrie smiled at him said hi back.

“And this is my little cousin Justin,” Valor said, throwing his arm around the redhead on his right. The redhead glared up at his cousin before turning to Camrie with a nice expression.

“Hey,” he greeted her.

“Hi,” Camrie said, trying to keep from laughing at the cousins as they began to play fight for a moment.

“So what’s your name?” Valor asked holding Justin in a headlock as he raised his hazel gaze to meet hers.

“Camrie,” she answered, smiling again.

“Well, Camrie, come on,” Valor let go of Justin and threw his arm around Camrie’s small shoulders. He led her over to a group of girls, standing by the side of the bus. “Guys, this is Camrie,” Valor introduced.

“Guys?” A short girl with rusty-brown hair questioned with attitude as she put her hand on her hip, sticking her chest out a little, a smirk on her lips. Anyone could tell she was playing.

“Sorry,” Valor apologized, nodding his head at the other two girls. “Ladies…and Alicia…” Everyone snickered softly, except the short girl who had spoken. “Sorry Alice, I just had to.” The girl rolled her sand colored eyes.

“It’s fine,” She grinned at him. Camrie wondered how long they’d known each other. “Hi Camrie. I’m Alicia, this is Bethany,” she nodded at a dark haired, shy looking girl. “This is Britt,” she nodded at the other girl who also had dark brown hair. Britt wore a big smile on her chubby face.

“Hi,” Britt chirped.

“Well, it’s almost time to go,” Valor said, glancing down at his watch, his arm dropping from around Camrie’s shoulders. “We should go drag the shrew out of his hiding place.” Leo nodded and followed Valor away from the girls. Justin stayed for a moment, but then, feeling awkward, he turned and followed his cousin as well.

“So where are you from?” Alicia asked.

“Uh… Illinois,” Camrie answered. “Do you all go to Westmont?”

“We will soon,” Britt answered, glancing around the crowd. “I just moved up here from New Mexico.”

“Yeah, I’m from Virginia,” Alicia said.

“I moved from Michigan,” Bethany spoke softly, not sounding very comfortable yet.

“Oh cool, so we’re kinda from the same area,” Camrie said, swiping at a strand of her brown hair that had fallen in her eyes.

“Found them!” Valor called as the three boys came back into view, dragging two others behind them. “Ladies and Alicia,” amusement flickered through his eyes. “This is Ocean and Cary.” He nodded at the boy with short, black/brown hair then to the strawberry blond boy on his other side.

Both of the boys mumbled a hello, as they stared down at the ground. Camrie watched them curiously, wondering why they wouldn’t look up.

“Okay people, gather ‘round,” Samantha called loudly. “The teachers are going to announce the pairings.”

Slowly, everyone gathered around Samantha. A tall, gray haired man came into view from around the bus, carrying a manila envelope in his hands. “Welcome children,” he spoke in a deep voice. “I am Mr. Stalner. I hope you all enjoy the summer trip. I am going to read off the pairings then you guys are going to head out.” Alicia huffed from where she stood beside Camrie.

“A bunch of sexist…” she was cut off the teacher reading off the first pairing.

“Cary Andrews and Britt Dremming, Shane Bennett and Hannah Rainer, Luke Deloncie and Rene Sharp,” Camrie shifted her weight, unable to see the teacher due to the many tall people standing in front of her. “Justin Kale and Samantha Lewiston…” The redhead let out a groan of protest. “Bethany Forger and Leo Sanchez… Ocean Moor and Camrie Smith…” Camrie glanced over at the dark haired boy, standing beside Valor. He had his eyes glued to the ground. “Alicia and Valor Tell…”

“What!” Alicia hissed softly, her sandy eyes darting toward Valor to find him staring at her in disbelief, a grin on his lips none the less. Slowly but surely, a smile formed on Alicia’s face as well. “Come on,” she whispered to Camrie before she took a hold of her arm and forced her way out of the crowd, dragging Camrie with her.

“Hi,” Alicia greeted Valor when they got free of the crammed bodies. He just grinned at her. Camrie glanced from Valor to Alicia and back again before she noticed Ocean standing off to the side. She stepped over to him nervously.

“Hey,” she said softly, looking up at him. Ocean’s sea blue eyes met hers for a moment before he looked down at the ground.

“Hi,” he mumbled.

“Do they know each other?” Camrie asked, surprising him. Ocean glanced at her again before looking at Alicia and Valor, who were now teasing each other playfully.

“Yeah, Valor knew her when he lived in Virginia, but that was awhile ago,” Ocean spoke softly

“Okay everyone,” Samantha’s shrill voice called, causing Ocean to visibly cringe. “On the bus, it’s time to go. Sit with your partner.”

“Come on,” Ocean said with a sigh, picking up the backpack that sat at his feet.

“As you get on the bus please drop all watches and electric devices in the box,” Mr. Stalner ordered. Slowly, Ocean pulled up the sleeve of his shirt and began to take off his watch, grumbling something about how much trouble they’d be in if they lost it.

Camrie got on the bus, preparing for the quietest, most boring ride she’d ever taken.

This is just a story idea I thought up the other night. I hope you like it. I plan to get the next chapter up with in the next few days. Anyways, review and tell me what you think. Happy holidays to everyone, and hope you're having fun!!!