Chapter 5

The sun peered through our light curtain. It looked like it was late in the afternoon. I managed to open one eye, and seeing that it was just 7:16 am, I fluffed back on my bed trying to get more sleep. But a whistle was blown. I groaned, pulling my pillow over my head.

"Everyone wake up. Get freshened. It's the first day of camp. We need to get started quickly. First and foremost, we need to exercise for 15 minutes. Today I'm reducing the time, but just because it's camp." The loud voice of our P.E. teacher Mr. Cameron was heard.

Abruptly, we all woke up. One thing we knew about him, was that he sure didn't like repeating himself. We brushed our teeth and hurried outside in our exercise clothes just in time for Mr Cameron to begin. After 15 minutes, we went back inside and showered.

"I'm so excited!" Nina told me.

"Yeah me too. Can't wait to begin." I replied.

We went to the main room where a long table was already set with food and drinks. We ate and went to the games area. 

"Mrs Sana, I went to the main gate and didn't see Sir Robert. The bus isn't there too." Drew asked.

"Oh my dear. It's Cameron. He just decided, out of the blue, to bring two exercise equipment. She snapped her fingers, then continued, "he says that we need to keep fit. I think he has forgotten that this is camping. You all need to take a break. And besides, what about the swimming, football, tennis and the other games. Aren't they exercise too?"

"Yes. They are. Even more better than using equipment." Drew answered.

"See? He just won't understand. Anyways, that why Sir Rob isn't here. He went early, in order to come back earlier and not drive in the dark." She explained.

"Oh I just remembered." She turned and clapped her hands, to get all the students' attention, "students, regarding the signal issue, we are still working on it. It might work after all. I know you want to use your phones and call home, but just be patient. By evening, if it still does not work, we will have to be splitting you all with a guide to go to the cliff. There is full signal there. So, for now, just be patient ok?"

"Yes Ma'am." We replied. 

"Good. I will be inside in case you need me. Have fun. See you later."

*********************

She climbed the rock higher, panting. This is so difficult, she thought. But she was determined to get to the top. She lifted her long skirt and tied it to the side. Then she picked up her phone, a selfie stick, a bottle of water and continued her trek up the cliff. "This damned skirt. By the time I reach, my makeup would have been smeared off due to this heat. How can I take pictures then? Ugh I wish I brought my makeup kit," she said out loud even though she was alone. After more than 30 minutes of trying to get on top, she finally succeeded.

"Thank God," she said and sat down taking a sip of water. She then brought out her phone. "Yes! There's signal. Woohoo." She shouted. She quickly began taking photos and logged in to her YouTube page and started a live video. "Ok, so, we're finally at the camp. It's been so hectic. I mean, I'm literally... whew. Plus the sun is scorching hot. I'm at a cliff right now, because this is the only place we can get signal. Its so frustrating---"

She paused and frantically began looking sideways.  "What was that? Oh guys, I'm sorry, I thought I heard a noise. Anyways, as I was saying... Ahh. Uhmmm." A large hand covered her mouth from behind as she dropped her phone and her muffled sounds filled the air. She struggled but her hands were held together firmly and she was dragged from the cliff.

**********************

I went outside when I had finished helping Jane to move her bed. She vehemently refused to sleep on her bed, saying that she prefers it to be on the right side, and so we shifted it.

"Jams, come to the swimming pool. You'll love it." Ryan said.He had always been a good swimmer. 

"Nah. Maybe later. But Nat, on the other hand, would really adore it. Right? You like swimming." I smiled.

"What? Please stop! I don't..." Nat started.

"Yeah. Nat. It's great Besides, I also wanted to show someone my swimming moves. But since everyone is doing their thing, I don't know, maybe I could show you?" Ryan smiled at her.

"Oh well, uhm. I was planning on maybe sitting here and doing nothing but since you asked, I guess it's cool by me. I SWEAR I'm gonna kill you later." She told me in a low voice and kept her head down to hide her blushing cheeks.

"It's party time! Woo-hoo!" Daniel passed by popping open a champagne. We all looked at him shocked.

"Where on earth did you get that? What if you're caught?" Adriana asked.

"Don't worry. I brought it along with me. Or rather, I brought them. And, I checked first. The guides are busy discussing. By the way, they won't even hear us. Their rooms are farther inside." He explained.

"Well then, I think I need a glass too." She said. They all brought each a glass and we continued having fun. That was when I caught sight of him.

"I'm going to the bathroom, I will be back." I said as I ran to the backyard.

"Hey Alessio." I smiled.

"Hey beautiful. I wanted us to talk since yesterday, but well we couldn't. So how are you?"

"I'm tired. Today hasn't even gone, but I'm already feeling tired."

"Well, don't worry. I wanted to show you something. Come with me." He dragged my hand and we went into the dense forest. After 5 minutes of walking, we stopped.

"Why are we here? I can't see anything." I inquired.

"Look, just over there." And he lifted a couple of leaves to reveal a very beautiful and incredible scenery. The place was green and very wide. Various birds of different colors were singing. It looked just like a scene from a movie. When we arrived, we heard birds chirping in the distance. This was probably where it was coming from.

"Wow. It's beautiful. I love it!" I squilled, "look. A canary bird. Aww. I love canaries. They are so cute."

"I knew you would like it mi amor. I discovered here when I came with the workers to set everything up. I just knew it was the perfect place for us."

"Thank you cariño." We hugged and stayed there looking at the scenery.

I sneaked through the backyard and went back to the swimming pool. I hoped no one noticed I wasn't here for long. Well, everyone seems to be playing, or swimming or eating. That's good, I thought.

"Jams, where have you been?"

I jumped from my chair, "huh? Oh Natty, you startled me. Hmm? Oh. Yes. I uhm, just went for a little walk through the backyard after I had used the ba-bathroom. I really needed one. This place is great." I stammered.

"Yeah. It is." She eyed me suspiciously, "anyway, I wanted to ask if you have seen Peyton anywhere? I promised to give her my shades. She wanted to use it today."

"No. I haven't seen her actually." I answered.

"Ok. I will ask the others." She left.

I laid back on my chair and put on my sunglasses. The sun was scorching hot, but we had put up a tent, so the area became cool. I felt so happy. I had everything I wanted. Thinking of the future often brought goosebumps all over my body. My mind drifted to a certain time in my life, when I felt so alone. I thought I was going to die, but I didn't. I quickly shook my head to avoid the scene from replaying in my head. I put on my earplugs and played Selena gomez 'Stars Dance'.

I heard my name being called frantically amidst the song. Groaning, I removed my plugs.

"Jams, Peyton isn't here." Drew ran towards me.

"What? What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well, we searched everywhere.  Ade even went outside the gate. She's just not here. I think she might have gone to the cliff."

I became concerned, "really? Now that I think of it, I haven't seen her since breakfast."

"Yep." He let out an exasperated sigh. "I just hope she comes back before the guides notice."

And he was right. As soon as it was evening, Mr Cameron ordered us all to get inside, for what he called 'tea time'. We didn't want to, but well, he had another valid point. The clouds had turned dark and lightning began striking hard.

"So is that all of you?" Mr Cameron asked when we entered the main room.

"Yes." We answered.

"Hmm. I feel like this is not all the faces I know. Sana, will you come here for a moment please?"

"Yes, Cameron."

"Are these all our students?" She looked at us all and smiled.

"No. I think two are not here. Adriana and Peyton."

"I knew it. I hope they haven't been left in this storm." He gritted his teeth.

Just then, Adriana entered from one of the girls' bedrooms.

Mrs Sana asked, "is Peyton in the room, Adriana?"

"No. She isn't. I haven't seen her since morning." Adriana answered.

"I hope she hasn't been caught up in the storm. Check the rooms and the kitchen." Mr Cameron said again. "Alessio. We have to look for her outside." They both took an umbrella and went outside.

We were all tensed. We didn't want them knowing that she wasn't here. They didn't come back until after the rain had subsided.

"She isn't outside. When did you last see her?" Mr Cameron asked with an angry face.

Joe stammered and told him that since morning, we had not seen her.

"What kind of people are you? Your friend isn't seen since morning and you have not even thought of looking for her? Let alone telling us! You are a disgrace. Really!" Just then, Miss I-Too-Know chirped in.

"I think she went to the cliff."

Mr Cameron was about to leave, when he heard her and turned back, his face red. "What did you say?"

Carrie nudged her, but she still spoke. " Well, yesterday night, she told us that she would be going to the cliff. Since she's obsessed with IG and YouTube."

"And none of you thought of telling us?" Alessio said. Even though the question was directed at all of us, he looked at me.

We were all quiet for a while. At last, Mrs Sana spoke up. "We will have to go there when the rain slows down. But you students should have told us. Don't repeat this ok?"

"Yes, Mrs Sana." We answered. They went to their section leaving us in the main room, looking like some bunch of hypocrites.

I removed my veil and fluffed on the couch. We waited until the rain stopped, and they went in search of Peyton before we talked among ourselves.

"Peyton's gonna kill us if she knows we told where she was." Drew said.

"Anyway, it wasn't us. It was the one who couldn't keep her mouth shut." I glared at Adriana.

"So what? I couldn't be blamed for what wasn't my fault. I'm not stupid like you." She shot back.

"Don't you dare call me stupid, you jerk. If there is any stupid one, it's you. Just because you think you are rich, you can boss people around. Well, news flash you ain't the only rich one here. So stop that arrogant, ill-mannered attitude and come down to the real world." I shouted at her.

She stood up and I also did the same. We looked at each other with hatred and anger.

"Don't talk to me like that. You are not my class." She huffed.

"Yeah. I'm not. Because I'm not some narcissic, foolish, person who orders her minions around so that they obey her and steps on others in order to get what she wants, by hook or by crook." I answered back.

We continued picking words at each other until Miss Anna shouted at us. Apparently, she stayed behind, and heard our bickering from her room. 

We did as we were told and kept quiet. After a long time, Mr Cameron, Mrs Sana and Mr Alessio came back looking puzzled.

"She wasn't there." Alessio announced.

We were surprised, because we were certain they would see her probably hiding behind a tree, with her camera, trying to keep herself from the rain but still adamant on vlogging.

"But how?" Carrie asked.

"We searched everywhere, but couldn't find her." Mr Cameron shook his head, a dreadful look on his face. "Instead, we found this."

He brought out a small pink ribbon with red stripes, which Peyton always pinned on her hair and a flashy light blue phone cover which was definitely Peytons'.