Chapter 37 Don't Get Too Upset
“Oh my gosh, that fucker did all of this?” Beth asks, her arm looped around mine as she drags me away from the main building.
“I can’t believe he would take it this far. Doesn’t he know this gets him into more trouble than you? Why is everyone acting like you’re a hoe because of this?” She rattles off as quickly as she walks, ignoring the people who can obviously hear us.
I don’t even know where she’s leading us. But I don’t fight her.
“I’m gonna kick his ass. He’s screwed. I’ll go to Tim and tell him everything. About him harassing you and starting these baseless rumors.”
I can’t believe I let myself get involved with a counselor. I should’ve known something like this would happen. She stops walking, and I realize we’re in a secluded area of the camp.
“Are you okay?” She puts her hands on my shoulders, making me look her in the eyes.
“I’m okay, I just can’t believe this. All because I rejected him?” I ask rhetorically.
She shakes her head. “There is nothing you could’ve done that would’ve made this okay. What is he five? Spreading rumors, really. Like an immature brat. We will fix this.”
“How?” My voice sounds as dejected as I feel.
“We’ll tell the truth. You never hooked up with him, and if anything, he’s the creep that got with a camper younger than him.” She throws her hands up.
I turn away from her, huffing out breaths, trying to calm myself down. She’s giving me a chance to breathe. I knew he was mad, and I knew he was a bit crazy when he threatened Alec, but I never would’ve guessed he would take it this far and be so cruel towards me and spread such a senseless rumor about me. Why?
“Do I look or act like a hoe?”
Beth shakes her head quickly. “No, not at all.”
“Then why does everyone believe him so easily?”
“Because everyone likes him, and unfortunately, you two have been seen alone together, but that doesn’t automatically mean you slept with him. And even if you did, who cares!” She gets angry again, her voice rising.
“You’re right, who cares at this point. I didn’t do it, but who cares what these idiots think?”
“Yes, that’s exactly it, don’t let him see it bother you, just be yourself and fuck ‘em all.”
“Literally,” I joke.
She looks shocked at the joke at first, but then she bursts out laughing so loudly that the area around us is filled with nothing but our laughter. It feels good to laugh, even though my camp experience may be shitting from this point on, I know I have Beth by my side and Alec, of course. Gosh, what I would give to be with him right now. I could really use a hug from him.
“That was good.” She sobers up, taking in deep breaths. “Are you ready?”
“Yeah, who cares anyway?” I shrug it off.
“You’re going to Alec’s tonight?” She kicks a rock off the path into the grass around us. She knows me so well.
“Yeah, probably maybe sooner.”
“Gosh, I really wish I could have a boyfriend right now, too. It’s not fair that you’re the only one experiencing a life-changing love this summer.”
“In my defense, I wouldn’t have expected this either. If you told me my summer was going to be like this, I would’ve never believed you.”
“Whatever, at least I have you.” I can walk into the camp with Beth by my side, and it makes me feel less judged, less exposed. I feel safe with her by my side.
\~~~
I knock on his front door. It’s still light out, so I hope he’s home. I did text him before coming, but he never answered, and I am far too desperate to be with him right now that I figured I’d just take my chances. The door opens, but it’s not who I wanted to see.
“Hey Anna, how’s it going?” Noah greets me with a popsicle in one hand, his other leaning onto the door. It’s obvious he’s been lounging around.
“I’m good, how are you?” I ask as he opens the door all the way, letting me inside. I go to the living room him following behind me.
“Alec’s not here right now. He had some family thing come up, but he should be back in an hour or so.” “Oh. Is it okay if I wait here for him?” “Yeah, of course. Want to join my game?” He jumps onto the couch, grabbing another game controller from the coffee table.
He’s a good guy, and I appreciate him becoming friends with me.
“Sure, let’s play.” I join him on the couch, taking the remote.
“I’ll go easy on you.” He promises loading the game.
“Maybe you shouldn’t. Just a warning, I am like a pro at this stuff.” It might be a partial lie, but I am honestly not bad at games, but it’s been a while.
He laughs, “Okay, let the playing talk for itself.”
So that’s how most of my night was spent. That’s why Alec came into his house with me, yelling at a cheating Noah. And even though Noah had made a hot mess of his living room again.
He had a bright smile on his face that I recognized immediately. It makes him happy to see his best friend and his girlfriend get along so well. I let myself die in the game, tossing the remote on the couch, going to Alec within seconds.
It was a great distraction to be here with Noah, and Beth has helped me keep it together as well, but seeing him made my walls collapse faster than I could stop them. My arms are around him right as the tears well in my eyes. I can practically feel the glare he’s sending to Noah as I try to hold in the tears from falling.
“What’s wrong, baby?” He runs a hand up and down my back.
“Just stupid camp drama.” My voice is muffled in his chest.
I want to tell him everything, but I have been able to gather how Alec truly is to other people. To me, he’s wonderful; he treats me with the utmost respect and love, but to others, he gets angry quickly and can be rude. I don’t want to upset him and make him angry towards Kai when there is nothing either of us can do.
But he doesn’t give up. “Tell me, I want to hear it all, no matter how stupid you think it is.”
I pull away from his chest, wiping my eyes. He looks down at me like it almost hurts him to see me upset.
“Let’s go outside.” He offers a private place for just us to talk.
I know Noah could still listen in on us, but Alec made it clear that they don’t cross the bounds of privacy. We end up outside him, sitting in the chair with me in his lap. I just hope he doesn’t get too upset.