The floor creaked under the weight of everyone, the anticipation in everyone’s breath blowing through the air.
“Okay, Jane,” Matt whispered. “All you gotta do is plug this cord into the PA system box and we’re set to go.” Velvet focused on Jane’s hair that poked out from her loose ponytail. The hairs were like crazy pig curly-cues.
“Remember, all you have to do is get her distracted,” Yori added.
“And the reason you left with us was because you were trying to chase us down, but lost us on the way. You have always been on Katie’s side,” Brody commented, giving Jane an excuse for leaving her boss. Jane sucked in a huge breath of air, her little extra tummy trembling on the exhale. She gripped her clipboard and pen.
“Wait a minute,” Yori stopped Jane. Yori pulled Jane’s old notes on the originally blank piece of paper from her clipboard and folded them up. “Now you can go.” Jane grabbed the black cord, held it close to her side, and knocked on Katie’s door.
“Come in,” a tense voice called from the inside. Quickly, Jane entered, sweeping the cord under the crack in the door. She glanced quickly at the others before shutting the door.
“You think she can do this, right?” Yori asked, worried.
“Of course,” Velvet replied. “Let’s go out and see if we can hear anything.” Matt pushed the red robot his campers and him had been working on off to the side out of plain view. He pressed a button and then Yori, Velvet, Brody, Matt, and all their campers trekked out of the office and down to the main field, standing close to the nearest PA speaker. Moments went by and soon minutes. Nervousness crept onto everyone’s waiting shoulders, prodding and poking at their minds.
Then, a click and a crackle echoed throughout the field and all the campers and counselors halted to listen to the announcement.
“Have you gotten the balloon arcs or what?” that was Katie’s voice. A shift went through the listening ears.
“I have,” Jane lied. “Have you told Yori yet?”
“I did, but like you, I lost her and the others on the run. That brat needs to get out of here quick. The faster, the better. She can’t be here when the press comes.” Velvet felt her heart and mind ease up as the truth started spewing out.
“You’re telling me,” a shaky Jane responded. Jane just needed to keep her cool for a little longer.
“All those other counselors think it’s so unfair…Yori didn’t do anything wrong…blah, blah, blah! It doesn’t matter if Yori did something wrong or not, she’s in my way and if everything isn’t perfect for tomorrow, I’m suing someone and asking for a raise. This review could get me one more digit in my salary. Five zeros isn’t enough right now.” Katie was sharing more than Velvet knew. And Velvet liked it. Brody tapped Velvet and pointed out to all the listening counselors and campers. Looking, Velvet liked what she saw. Everyone was gaping and snickering. They gave each other questioning looks, but most of all people looked stunned and offended.
“We should start spreading the word,” Velvet said, nudging Yori.
“I know—“ Yori began, but suddenly a loud voice overcame the speaker, causing a little distortion.
“You know what, I’m finding those idiot teenagers! You know why? ‘Cause I’m in charge and what I say, damn well goes!” Katie hollered. Footsteps sounded and a slamming door was heard in the distance.
Suddenly, Jane’s voice was heard over the PA, “Create insane havoc tomorrow when the press comes so we can get rid of Katie! Any chaos you can think of, please do, so we can make this camp more than what it is! Thank you!” Hundreds of campers (those who were old enough to understand) and hundreds of counselors cheered and nodded their heads in agreement.
“Jane was smart,” Velvet said. “The only part in the camp where you can’t hear the PA is in the waiting room of the office. Jane spoke about creating havoc tomorrow right when Katie was in that prime spot.”
“Perfect, absolutely perfect,” Yori bragged, smiling.
“Havoc, any kind! Get Katie gone! We need more fun and fairness!” Matt started yelling to all the counselors. “Anything you can think of!” Velvet noticed Yori smiling a little at Matt’s helpfulness.
“Havoc! Havoc!” the counselors started cheering.
“Hey, look at that! We did it, we got the word out,” Brody stated, elbowing Velvet. Out of nowhere, Brody pulled Velvet into a warm hug. Velvet cherished every nanosecond of the loving embrace. If they were boyfriend and girlfriend, she guessed that was what they would do and Velvet had no problem with that.
“Enough, you lovebirds!” Yori teased. Pulling out of the hug, Velvet and Brody giggled nervously, turning a bit red. Yori poked Velvet and smiled. “Congrats,” Yori whispered. Velvet could have cried. She even felt that bulbous lump forming in her throat. Yori had said something nice to Velvet with a true sincerity to it. What was going on in the world that had changed Velvet’s life so quickly?
“Okay, I see Katie coming. I’ll go find Martin’s number and call him up,” Brody announced.
“I’ll take the kids to the dock,” Matt said.
“I’ll stay here,” Velvet offered.
“Me too,” Yori added.
“Okay, good luck with Katie!” Brody called and made a bee line for the main office, avoiding Katie very nearly. However, Katie found and confronted Yori and Velvet very easily and angrily. Only Yori and Velvet noticed the snickering and glaring counselors as they passed by the double-chinned and up tight Katie.
“Yori! Out. Of. My. Camp. Velvet, you’ve been one of my favorite counselors all these years, but I can’t let anyone get in the way of this good review. If there’s a good review, there’s a good chance I get a sixth zero added to my salary and you aren’t going to ruin it,” Katie hissed. Velvet, even knowing that the plan might get Katie out before she could actually be suspended, still felt her heart drop a mile. Camp Sing-Song was Velvet’s summer life. It was such a surprise hearing those words directed at her.
“But Katie—“
“Velvet, give up. Let’s just go pack. You win, Katie. You win,” Yori gave in, her face slacking and drooping. Katie’s lips pursed and drew into an annoyingly smug smile.
“Thank you. Have a good rest of the year,” Katie chirped, almost mocking them.
“But Yori—“ Velvet protested, gaping at Yori.
“C’mon, let’s go,” Yori said and led Velvet away from the taunting Katie, up the pavement to cabin 2A.
“Nice job, Yori!” Velvet praised, once they were both in their cabin.
“Not too bad yourself,” Yori replied, smiling. They were standing opposite each other and smiling for a moment, which finally led to their first embrace. It was just as warm as Brody’s. Velvet felt her heart swell and her smile widen.
“We need to make sure Katie doesn’t get a chance to send the paperwork to Martin about our suspension because then our plans will totally fall through. Let’s get on that,” Yori said after they had departed from their hug.
“Definitely. But before we do…can we talk?” Velvet asked, sitting down on one of the bunk beds.
“About…?”
“A lot…but mostly your dad.”
Thanks for reading!! Sorry it's so late!
And remember guys: Font and type size has nothing to do with your plot or characters. I use to get really caught up in what font I would use for my next story. If you're doing that, you might need to rethink your plot because obviously you are stalling to get started. Try a new approach to your idea maybe!
ABC 123,
Maddie
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