Zenon's Game Chapter 18

We arrived at the campsite an hour after everyone else had got there. Zenon immediately went to warn Mr Woodhouse about the bear encounter. I watched Mr Woodhouse freak out. The sun was already setting, and it was too late for us all to walk back.

My bag was gone. The bear had it. Thankfully, most of my stuff was packed in Zenon's bag. It was just my clothes that I had lost.

And my sleeping bag.

Awkward.

With Zenon around, everyone wanted to play basketball. He was really good, as the endless trophies and school articles testified.  

But considering that we were in a campsite in the middle of a forest, there were no basketball hoops and the terrain was grass. Someone had brought basketballs and they practiced throws.

That someone was Mr Woodhouse. He was like Zenon's groupie. I watched him now, running around, catching random balls and chucking them against trees. The man could be a meme.

Meanwhile, Zenon was calmly giving the campers' pointers and helping them with their technique. He demonstrated a couple throws while a large group of girls admired his form.

His form.

You get me ;)

Malik, the 8-year old energetic camper living in our cabin, was the most eager. He was getting bullied by the older boys but still wanted to play. I watched from the food section, where I was helping the staff make sandwiches for the campers.

"Candace, why don't you just give up this fake innocent act?" a girl appeared in front of me, obstructing my line of vision, "Your parents must have bribed Mr Woodhouse into putting you in a cabin with Zenon. Don't think for a second that we don't see through that."

I found myself in front of three girls. They had come up to me from out of nowhere. Maybe they were bored and thought that hurting me would provide some sort of entertainment.

"Yeah," another one said, "I can't believe you were so stupid to expect that ploy would work. He's never going to pay any attention to you. You're an annoying weasel."

A girl laughed, "Weasel! Yeah that's exactlywhat she looks like. Oh my god Stacey, what a good description!"

"Thank you. I just came up with that myself."

"I didn't do anything. We were put in the same cabin by accident," I tried to defend myself, "They thought we were related."

As soon as I said those words I realized I should've just kept my mouth shut.

"Related?!" They laughed, "You are the worst liar! No way a hottie like Zenon is related to a nobody like you! Get over yourself! Seriously!"

"What is that lame apron you're wearing anyway?" Stacey stared at my apron that I put on to help make the sandwiches, "Let's see what my followers have to say about that."

Before I could move, she snapped an awful picture of me in the apron and posted it for her 2k followers to see. How do I know how many followers she has? Because after they left, I immediately checked Instagram to see how bad the photo was.

It was bad.

And she created a poll saying: Liar or Loser.

I wonder how many people voted.

"How in the world do we even have cell service out here?" I muttered angrily to myself as I buttered another sandwich with extra mayo.

Damn cell service.  Getting all that aggression out on the poor mayonnaise. 

I couldn't believe they thought my parents bribed Mr Woodhouse to let me live with Zenon Albert. If anyone knew anything about my family, they would know that I don't exactly have one.

My father bounced out of my life and my mother wishes she never had me. I'm not just saying that. On my 7, 8 and 9th birthdays, she told me that was her wish after I blew out the candles on mine.

After I finished the last of the sandwiches and wrapped the extra food up so that any stray bears wouldn't sniff it out, I looked around. It was evening, and the campers were exchanging ghost stories around a campfire. I saw some of the counselors from my high school hanging around nearby. I took a plate of sandwiches with me, to bring as a gift.

"Can I join?" I asked.

Tamara looked at me and laughed, "Just because I have to see you when I'm with Zenon, doesn't mean I want to. Do my eyes a favor and get out of this space."

I stared around at all the other camp counselors who stared back at me with blank faces. No one said anything.

I didn't argue. I took my sandwiches and went to a secluded part of the campsite, overlooking a creek. I put the plate of sandwiches next to me and sat by myself. I felt stupid for making those extra sandwiches. They didn't want me, and they definitely didn't want my sandwiches.

In the background I heard people calling Zenon's name. People were always calling out for him.

I heard Tamara's voice chime loudly, "That roommate of yours is following you around like a lost puppy, Zenon."

"Except that puppies are cute."

"You don't have better things to talk about?" Zenon answered, "I do."

Wow, Zenon, thanks for defending me. Not.

I stared out over the creek. I didn't expect anything from him. He was an arrogant guy that people praised, despite momentary flashes of kindness. I wasn't betting on his good side anytime soon. I've been around too much disappointment in my life to do that.

No one has ever stood up for me but that's fine. All I need is the strength to stand up for myself.

I put earphones on and played some music. I shuffled a few songs and settled on rap, letting my mind be carried away by a heavy beat.

"You always this antisocial, Candy?"