Elona’s POV
My father insisted on taking me to school. It was a nice Friday morning with the sun out and shining. My bags were packed for the weekend camp. I was supposed to drive with Tristan and Cris, but my father wanted to take me. I appreciated the time spent with my dad, and also it was a good idea so that Tristan and I would not have any awkward moments in front of Cris.
We entered the school premises, Tristan was standing with Cris behind his car as they spoke. My dad pulled up next to Tristan’s car. My heart fluttered as I got out and so did my father. I walked around the back of the car as my dad took my bags out the back.
“Hey,” I smiled at Tristan and Cris.
“We are waiting to leave, there are just a few more students to wait for,” Cris said.
“These are Elona’s bags,” Dad places them on the ground and stands up straight. “Please take good care of my baby girl,” he pats Tristan on his shoulder. Tristan was standing with his hands folded over his chest. His forest green eyes lingering on me.
“I will do just that. You have nothing to worry about,” Tristan replied.
“Oh, Mr Crane, we need your help with packing the students’ bags intol the bus,” Miss Jennings came rushing over. Ugh, she was like another Maggie, another leech. She was wearing black sports leggings with a cropped top. I must say she is stunning, but she can be too much when it comes to Tristan, she also has a body to die for.
“Ask someone else,” Tristan said, scowling at her. I could see that he didn’t like this one bit.
“We need you, Mr Crane. Oh, and you will be driving with us on the bus,” she said excitedly as she placed her hand on his bicep. That fueled the living hell within me. I looked away at the other students as Cris scoffed.
“I will drive my car, it’s more convenient for me and the girls,” he replied with irritation laced in his voice.
“No, you will be with us. Those are the rules.” Miss Jennings pushed.
“What happens when someone gets sick or injured, and they need to be rushed to the hospital? My car is way faster than a bus,” Tristan argued.
“Stop being boring. Nothing will happen to them. Come on,” she begged as I looked their way, and she pulled him by the arm, dragging him with her. He yanked his arm out of her grasp as they walked in step towards the bus.
“Well, good luck to him on this camp,” my father chuckled.
“He signed up for it after all because of me, so he has to live with it,” Cris replied as she looked their way.
“Where is Spooky, by the way? I thought he would be joining,” my dad inquired.
“He is at home. He didn’t want to be around anyone. He hates camping,” Cris said.
“Well, that explains it. I better get going. All the best with camp.” my father leaned in and placed a kiss on the top of my head.
“Thanks. Dad,” I replied as he pulled away.
“Be safe and come back in one piece. Both of you, or shall I say three of you,” he smiled at us.
“Of course,” Cris rolled her eyes as she smiled.
“I love you,” he said to me.
“I love you too,” I responded as my father went to get into his car and I moved out of the way so that he could leave.
“So, are you excited?” Cris asked.
“I guess I am. I’m not much of a camp fan, but as long as I get to spend time with you,” I said, but in all honesty, it’s for Tristan.
“Everyone, please line up. Girls! Get your bags in here!” Miss Jennings called as it was only Tristan, Cris, and I who needed to get our bags in the bus.
I took my backpack from the ground as Tristan walked towards us. I swung one strap of the backpack over one shoulder and I carried the other two as Tristan took his bags out of the car, while Cris carried hers. Cris and I walked to the bus, and we threw our bags inside, but kept our backpacks on us when we eventually got inside the bus.
Cris and I sat next to each other, with me beside the window. I placed my backpack on my lap. Cris was typing away on her phone. Miss Jennings took a seat two rows in front of us and then Tristan walked down the passage, bending over because he was tall, he saw Cris and I sitting together. “Mr Crane, you will be sitting next to me,” Miss Jennings said, and he rolled his eyes before turning around.
“That is why my car would’ve been better,” he said with irritation, and then he sat down next to her.
Cris chuckled beside me. “He will have a rough time. This will be so funny to witness.”
“He is so hot,” I heard a student say behind me, I have to try everything not to make it known that Tristan is all mine. I let out a sigh as I looked out of the window as the bus started to drive away. My phone chimed in my backpack and I unzipped it, taking it out. It was a text from Tristan. My wallpaper was a selfie that Tristan took of us together.
Crane: I’m sorry about this. Camps are not my thing and Miss Jennings is not my thing either. I wish to sit next to you but as long as Cris is beside you, I know you both are safe. You look beautiful as always.
I looked up from my phone into the back of his head. I smiled before I looked down at my phone again, I was wearing my denim shorts, a little white cropped top, and sneakers. I typed a reply.
Me: You look good yourself. Don’t worry about it.
I added a heart emoji and pressed send. He was wearing a three-quartered cargo pants and a light blue t-shirt with sneakers.
“What made you so happy?” Cris asked.
“Just happy to be going on camp, that’s all,” I shrugged as I lied.
“We will have fun. I just wish that Spooky was with us. It would’ve been epic. Hopefully, there will be some sort of signal at camp because I want to be able to check up on him,” she said as she scrolled through her phone.
“I hope there is too.” I want to at least text Tristan when I can’t see him. We will be in different tents. I will be sharing with Cris.
“We will be playing volleyball too. Are you up for that?” she asked.
“Yeah, as long as I can play the sport,” I chuckled.
“You can play volleyball. Remember when we were younger, we literally played that sport in your backyard? I wish that your father never took that net down.” she sighed.
“Me too. But he had other plans for that,” I replied.
“I’m surprised that he hasn’t settled down either. I do see Maggie hovering by his side. Is there anything going on there?” she asked.
“No, he likes someone else. Apparently, she is going to college next year, so that means… she could be our age. He literally dodged the question when I asked him if I knew her,” I sighed.
“Well, now look at that. Mr Everett being interested in a young woman. Perhaps my dad knows who she is. At least your father knows what he wants in a woman, unlike my father. I’m even more eager to know who your father is interested in. He did drop you off at school. Isn’t that maybe why he could’ve been here? She could be under our noses,” she smiled as if she realized she cracked a code or something.
I chuckled, “I don’t even want to know at this point,” I said.
What will the difference be if my father and Cris find out about me and Tristan? Would it matter to my father seem that he likes someone as young as me?