Inspire (3 page)

“No way!” Travis said and then turned his attention towards me. “Do you know where you’re staying yet?” he asked, giving me the sexiest smile.

“Yeah, my friend Tracey and I got a place off campus, but it’s right across the street.” I hated to admit that my parents bought me a beautiful brownstone to live in, so I kept my answer simple.

“Sweet. Well, I’m going to be in the dorms but at least I got a single.”

Based on his answer, I figured he was coming from a more modest background. Even though his dad was in the same field as mine, it wasn’t safe to assume that they made the same income. I was suddenly nervous that Travis was going to judge me as a spoiled rich kid and I felt self-conscious.

“Nice! I heard it’s tough to get your own dorm, so that’s great,” I said, hoping not to sound demeaning in any way.

“Yeah, my dad clearly gave a hefty donation to make that happen,” he said, rolling his eyes. His comment struck me as funny, and I hoped he wasn’t trying to boast on my account.

“Well, I’m glad that you all will have the summer to get acquainted. It will be nice for you to have a familiar face to turn to next year,” my mom said, looking between the two of us.

I was pretty positive that my mom was reading me like a book noticing that my cheeks were flushed. I just hoped that she wouldn’t say anything to embarrass me.

“Yeah, that will be cool,” Travis agreed, giving me another smile and then turned his attention back to my mom. “So, I heard that you all need firewood. Let me finish up here and I’ll bring it down in five minutes. I can also get you all hooked up if your dad needs a hand?” By his offer, it was obvious that Travis had overheard our entire conversation while we were shopping around.

“Oh, that would be wonderful Travis!” my mom enthusiastically accepted.

“Let me get you squared away here and I’ll be down shortly so that you all can have your dinner or dessert!” he said, giving me a wink.

I smiled in return and then decided to flirt just a little. I figured that even if he had a girlfriend it couldn’t hurt to be friendly. “I do have a love for all things sweet!” I said, returning his wink, and then grabbed the bag of groceries off the counter.

“Thanks Travis! We’ll meet you down there,” my mom said and then we both turned to exit the building.

My mom teased me all the way back to the site about my red cheeks, and the obvious fact that I found Travis attractive. I ignored her attempts to embarrass me and just rolled my eyes.

Travis showed up in a golf cart to deliver the firewood about ten minutes later. He and my dad had already met during check-in, so they greeted each other and spoke casually. Travis offered my dad a hand, which my dad willingly accepted. He proceeded to show Dad how to hook up the RV as they got more acquainted. My dad appreciated the help and so did the rest of us. If it weren’t for Travis, we would not have running water.

My dad then began pulling out the lawn chairs and bags from underneath the RV while my mom went inside to see if everything was working. Travis stacked our wood up for us and began to build us a fire.

“Thanks!” I said, touched by the gesture.

“No problem. I’ll show you how to do it and then you’ll be able to have s’mores every night if you want.” It was apparent that Travis was being a polite host, but his kindness went deeper then just good customer service.

“Fabulous! Does that mean you’ll roast my marshmallows too?” I teased and giggled at my remark. He laughed and I realized that my comment could be misconstrued as being sexual.

“In order to roast a good marshmallow, you need a really big stick.”

I couldn’t help but burst out laughing at his remark. Now that my head was in the gutter, it sounded bad. He looked at me confused by what I found so funny, and I was thankful that our minds were not in the same place.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized, trying to come up with something to play off my embarrassment. “I just had no idea that there was an art to roasting marshmallows,” I finished, thankful for my quick recovery.

“The main art is ensuring that you don’t get burned,” he said and I found myself reading into the comment. Does that mean he thinks I’m some rich little airhead? He knows I’m headed to Columbia, which is Ivy League. Therefore, I’m going to take the advice as him showing concern for our safety and not wanting any accidents to take place on their grounds.

“Well, thanks for the tip,” I said and then went searching for a long stick.

Travis finished helping my dad with a few other things, and then climbed back into the golf cart to head out. He said he needed to get back up to the office because he was the only one on duty, but if we needed anything to let him know. Before he left though, I quickly roasted a marshmallow and handed it to him. “Here! One for the road. Does it meet your standards?” I asked, biting my lower lip while giving him my flirty smile. He didn’t even look at the marshmallow but stayed locked onto my eyes as he spoke.

“It’s beyond my expectations.” Then he turned and took off in the cart. My stomach was fluttering and I instantly liked the fact that I was going to be here for the next two months.

Chapter 3

I woke up late realizing that my parents were already up and I was alone in the camper. Peeking out the curtain of the window I found them outside. Yep, just as I’d expected. Mom was sitting out on her lounge chair thoroughly engrossed in her new novel, and Dad was sitting at the picnic table working on his computer. “Well, so much for family time.” I rolled my eyes seeing that my prediction had been spot on. I decided to go for a run and explore the grounds a little bit. I cleaned up and changed into my pink cotton running shorts and black tank top. I pulled my hair up into a floppy bun, grabbed my phone and headed outside to feel that the warm sun was already beating down. “Seriously, it’s only 9am,” I whined as I stepped out of the RV.

“Hi sweetie, why don’t you grab a book and come read with me? It’s so nice out here in the fresh air,” Mom said as she took in an exaggerated breath of air.

“Thanks mom, but I think I’ll go for a run.” I couldn’t stand the thought of just sitting around for another minute after being cooped up for our eleven-hour drive yesterday, and I really wanted to get some exercise. The last thing I needed was to get out of shape this summer and gain a pre-freshman fifteen before heading off to college.

“Oh, that’s a good idea sweetie. Just be careful, make sure you take your phone and that you stay on the path.” Of course, she was still going to remind me to be safe like I’m twelve; but I loved her for caring.

“Yep, I will. The loop’s not that big, so I’m sure you’ll see me pass every five minutes. Just do me a favor and don’t cheer,” I asked, hoping that she would spare me the humiliation.

“Don’t worry sweetie, I will!” she teased, but twenty bucks says she wasn’t kidding.

I took off down the dirt path and followed it as it wound through the campground. It’s technically the road, but no cars seemed to be using it this morning. I assumed that’s because everyone arrived yesterday, and were getting settled in. Apparently, there would be a barbeque this evening to celebrate the start of the summer season, which I guessed was when we’d get to meet everyone.

As I continued jogging up the loop towards the front office, I noticed a bunch of teenagers that looked to be my age hanging around the side of the basketball court. They must be the group that the owner mentioned to my mom. I tried to pick up my pace just a little so as not to be noticed and continued down the path. From what I saw, there were seven of them, four girls and three boys. I wondered if that was everyone or if some were still asleep.

I started jogging a little faster as the song changed on my playlist and a faster one came on. Just as I got into the groove and came around a corner, I found myself almost barreling into Travis who was crossing the road to a path that led into the woods. We skidded around each other, but luckily didn’t trip up. “I’m so sorry,” I stuttered as I turned to see that he too was jogging.

“No worries,” he called back, giving me a warm smile. During the brief interaction, I couldn’t help but notice how seriously ripped he was. He had on black sweat pants and a black t-shirt that clung to his biceps and abs, giving them full definition. He clearly must work out; he’s in such good shape. The short sleeves exposed his arms and I saw that his left arm was covered in tattoos that extended all the way down to his wrist.
Now, HE is seriously inked
! I giggled at the thought,
and seriously HOT
!

I wondered as I continued on, what path Travis was jogging down? Maybe I’d explore it later, after I see him return. It might be better than this little road loop. I didn’t want to ask him outright or he might think that I wanted to be his jogging partner. If I did discover that it was a better run, then I’d figure out when he goes, and use it during other times. I was sure I’d have plenty of free time to fit in a run whenever.

My mom waved at me every time I circled around, but I just kept going. After the first loop, I didn’t look over to see if the teens were still on the court. I didn’t want to come across as being too curious, so I would just wait and see what happened at the barbeque later. I ran for a good forty-five minutes and then headed back for a shower. It was definitely going to be interesting cramming myself into the two-foot bathroom while trying to hose myself off.

“How was your run, sweetie?” my mom asked upon my return. She was still in the lounge chair reading and my dad was still typing away.

“It was good,” I huffed, trying to catch my breath.

“Did you see anyone else out yet?” I knew she was anxious to meet some others to be entertained by, just as I expected.

“Yep, a few. Most people are grilling up some breakfast, and sitting around like you two,” I said while trying to finish up my workout with some stretching.

“Did you see any other kids?” she pressed further, probably trying to encourage me to go introduce myself, but I wasn’t feeling as eager to socialize.

“A few, but I’m sure everyone will be at the barbeque later. What are we going to do today, anyway?” I asked, wanting to change the subject.

Just as I was lying down for a bridge stretch, I saw the group of girls walk past looking very curious about me. Of course, they would be seeing me in my sweaty post-run state. I rolled my eyes at the thought of the great first impression I was making.

“Well, what do you want to do? Hey hun…” My mom turned toward my dad. “What should we do today?”

My dad quickly finished typing whatever he was in the middle of working on and then looked up. “Well, I’ll be done here in about an hour. Then do you want to go rafting? There is a river that you can go inner tubing on, Barney said it’s fun and relaxing.”

Wow, my dad is seriously suggesting inner tubing. “Sure!” I answered, excited by the idea.

“Great, then tubing it is. Let me just finish up here,” he said, returning his nose to his work.

“I’m going to go get cleaned up a little bit, and eat. Do you want anything mom?” I asked, knowing that she had probably yet to eat breakfast for fear of burning it.

“I’m good. I ate some cereal.” Her answer completely shocked me. Well, what do you know? My dad wants us to go tubing and my mom is eating cereal. Maybe this summer won’t be so bad after all.

After grabbing a bite to eat, I cleaned up a little and then put on my bikini. I had just ordered it online and was excited to have a chance to wear it. The top was a plum color push-up halter, and the bottoms were multi-striped with a fold over band. “Yep, Super Cute!” I admired my reflection and then looked down at my left hip to make sure nothing was showing before slipping on my white romper cover up. “And my tattoo is hidden.”

Although my parents probably wouldn’t mind (well, maybe just a little) I had yet to tell them that I had gotten a tattoo. Tracey and I had gone out on my eighteenth birthday and had little pixies tattooed on our left hips. Mine has brown hair and brown eyes like myself, and is wearing a pink dress. She is holding a wand that has tiny little letters that look like pixie dust sprinkling down to spell out the word
Inspire
. Tracey’s pixie has blond hair and blue eyes like her, but is wearing a purple dress. Her letters sprinkle down to spell out
Hope
.

We had spent so much time thinking up the perfect art and message that we wanted to have with us for the rest of our lives. I decided on “
Inspire
” because no matter who I meet in my life I hope to inspire them in some way for the better. Tracey has always believed that if you just have hope, you can do anything. Together, we decided that our mission for the Pri*Tee Pixies is to “Inspire Hope,” and give people a brighter future. Still, I had kept the tattoo secret from my parents even though there was more to it than just to look like a total badass for having one. Actually, the only person that knew about it was Tracey.

True to his word, dad finished up in an hour and we headed out to the river. My parents were definitely smart to bring the car along, because I couldn’t imagine unhooking the RV and driving it around town every time we wanted to go anywhere.

“Here we are!” Dad exclaimed, pulling into a giant dirt lot. At the end stood a huge shed filled with nothing but black rubber inner tubes. “This must be it,” he muttered as we all exited the car.

“So what are we supposed to do hun?” my mom asked, clueless about all of this outdoorsy stuff.

“I think we go in and pay the guy for some tubes, then float in the water?” my dad said, shrugging his shoulders. He was just as clueless.

“Drnn na na na na na nana,” I teasingly sang the banjo music from Deliverance.

“Quit that,” my mom protested laughingly.

“So hun, how do we get back to the car once we float down the river?” She was still trying to figure out how this was all going to work.

“Come on guys. These places usually drop you off at a start point and then we float back to here. See,” I said, pointing to a beach area that looked to be the pullout point with some rafts already lying out on the grass.