The rest of the three hour drive to the campsite in Windsor, New York involved less bickering and more laughing and singing. My mom called to check in every hour which was a little annoying but not that surprising. Of course she was glad to hear only female voices in the background. Once again, I had to reassure her that Nathan wasn't coming along with us on this trip.
It was actually pretty relaxing to get out of the city. We stopped at a few places along the way, mainly to eat lunch and to use the restroom. By the time we got to the campsite, it was around two in the afternoon. It was good that we got there with plenty of time to spare to set everything up before it got dark.
Lakeshore State Park was a large place that was split up with sections for camping, recreation, a kids playground, and birthday parties. There was also access to the lake in the very back of the park. The area where we reserved was big enough for all three of us to set up our separate tents. It included a small stone circle fire pit, a single power outlet with two ports, water access, and a picnic table.
As soon as we arrived, Harper and I got to work with setting up the tents while Lanie went to the entrance where the park ranger sold firewood. She came back with enough to build an entire house, but we weren't complaining. It was better to have too much fire wood rather than not enough. Besides, the nights were still a little chilly this time of year. We were going to need a fire for something other than roasting marshmallows and making s'mores.
Once we got all three tents set up, next was the blankets and sleeping bags. It took a few hours for each of us to get settled and our stuff organized in our tents. Once we were finished, we got to work with starting a fire. It felt good to sit next to the dancing flames and feel the heat coming off of them.
It was right around dinner time now and I was definitely getting hungry. Lanie was taking a nap while Harper took her car to go get us something to eat from one of the restaurants not too far from the park. Even though I was sitting in front of the relaxing fire, I couldn't keep my mind from wandering to thoughts of USF.
I was going to be getting that letter in the mail any day now about whether or not I got in. While I had no plans to go to that school, who knew how my mom was going to react once that letter came in. I kept checking the mail everyday, hoping that I could intercept it. No such luck yet.
The closer it got to graduation, the more I was freaking out. I understood why my parents were pushing me to go to USF. After all, it wasn't that easy to be offered a full ride. But I honestly believed that there were some things that were more important. Even before Nathan and I got together, I still didn't think USF was a good idea. I didn't feel like it was the right fit for me. My whole life was here, and everything and everyone I cared about was here. I grew up with Harper and Lanie. Even if it was in my best interest to go to USF, being away from my two closest friends would only make me miserable.
Suddenly my phone started ringing. Assuming it was either Nathan or my mom, I reached into my purse to grab it and answered without looking at the caller ID.
"Hello?"
"Why so glum, Fitz? I thought this was supposed to be a fun girls trip?"
My mood instantly brightened and I smiled at the sound of Mike's voice. Since he went out of town for winter break, I only saw him the first couple days of school. "For your information, Mike, I'm not glum. I'm sitting but he fire relaxing."
He scoffed into the receiver. "Yeah, only if relaxing means stressing about your college mess. Don't forget, I know you just as much as you know me."
"That may be the case, but I'm really trying to relax. I can't help it when my mind wanders."
"Speaking of, have you heard yet?"
I knew exactly what he was referring to. He knew how stressed I was about that letter coming in the mail. "No, nothing yet. Believe me, Mike, when I find out, you'll find out. When I have to call somebody and scream and cry, you know it's going to be you."
Obviously I couldn't call Nathan and freak out to him because he had no idea I even applied there. Every time he and I were together, I tried to work up the courage to tell him about my parents' plans to send me to USF, but I just couldn't do it. I was so scared he was going to get mad or upset. To be honest, I was also worried that he might be okay with it and encourage me to go. Even though I do believe our relationship was strong and solid, I didn't like the idea of being apart from him. Even this weekend trip away was hard.
"Well, you know what I think about that," Mike said with a knowing tone. "Honesty is the best policy.'
"Yeah, yeah. So, what are you up to? I haven't got to see you much since the break."
Mike sighed into the phone and I could hear his TV on in the background. Most likely it was MTV he was listening to. "It was good. I'm still surprised my parents let Gisel come along on this trip with us. Of course we stayed in separate hotel rooms."
I chuckled into the phone. "Did you actually stay in separate rooms?"
"Karma Fitzgerald, I'm a gentleman. I don't kiss and tell."
"But..." I pressed, knowing he was going to break eventually. Mike and Gisel were just as in love as Nathan and I. It was hard to believe that they weren't just as passionate.
A deep sigh from my friend came through the phone. "Well, let's just say that I happen to know that her bed was a lot more comfortable than mine."
Happy for my friend, I laughed at that. "I could say the same about Nathan's bed."
"Okay, Fitz, I don't need to hear that. You're like my sister." There was a brief pause before Mike's voice turned serious. "By the way, how's he doing after everything?"
Mike had been out of town when the whole New Year's Eve fiasco went down. When I called him, hysterically crying and barely able to speak, he almost got on a plane to come back to New York. Once he found out the details about the masquerade dance, he was almost as mad as Nathan was. I think that was one of the reasons he called his brother at the police station and pretty much demanded he sneak me to the back to see Nathan with my own eyes. I owed both Mike and his brother so much for that.
"He's doing okay," I answered in a soft voice. "As good as can be expected I guess. He's still going to his anger management classes and is almost done with his community service."
"That's good. I hope you know that if I had known what that asshole was going to do to you, I would have been in the same situation as Nate."
My heart squeezed in my chest at his words. "I know, Mike. I love you, too." A pair of headlights came around the corner and shined on our campsite. "Hey, Mike, Harper just pulled up with food for us. Is it cool if I call you tomorrow?"
"Yeah, of course. Say hey to the girls for me and please try to enjoy your trip.".
"I will. Thanks."
I ended the call with Mike before getting out of my chair and meeting Harper at her driver's door. After I helped her set up the food on the table, I went to wake up Lanie. We spent the next hour eating dinner and brainstorming ideas for the following day.
Since we didn't really have anything planned for tonight, and everyone was exhausted from driving up here and setting everything up, we agreed to get some sleep tonight. That way we would have plenty of energy for tomorrow.
I had my CD player by my sleeping bed ready to go with Avril Lavigne's newest album inside. All I needed before going to bed was to change clothes and to text Nathan goodnight. That's when I had a very naughty idea. One that I knew he would love.
So I quickly took off my shorts and tank top. Then my bra and panties. Once I was completely naked, I grabbed my phone and turned on the camera.