Unknown (The Secret Life of Cassie Martin #1)(14)

“Once we’re in teams, the teams tend to eat together. It helps with the bonding. Not everyone sits with their teams all the time, though.” He runs a hand through his hair to push it back from his face. “Some people need a break from their team because they spend too much time together. Others like to spend time with the opposite sex since the teams don’t mix boys and girls.”

That sounds boring. I don’t know if I want to spend every waking minute with the same group of people. “Why wouldn’t they want boys and girls to mix? I’d think that would give each team a more balanced feel since boys and girls think differently.”

I’ll miss talking to the boys I’ve met. I have to be on a different team than Parker since my team’s going to beat his team, but I wouldn’t mind one of the others on my side.

“Some of the activities have you together with your group overnight. There are campers that would be uncomfortable in that situation.” Noah’s arm bumps against mine as we walk toward the tables. “Would it bother you?”

The question throws me a bit. Would it bother me? Even though I’ve avoided most guys, I’ve not spent enough time around anyone to really know.

I shrug. “I don’t think so. I ran away once and hid for three days before I was found. I was only eleven. I spent my time with all sorts of interesting people. I wasn’t uncomfortable, but I was a little scared the first night.” I can’t believe I admitted that to him. That’s going to open up all kinds of questions.

His mouth drops open in surprised awe. “That’s so cool. Other than camp, I’ve never been away from my family.”

He probably has the family I’ve always wanted. I’m about to ask him about it when he stops next to the table where I ate lunch. “Will this work? It has a nice view, and it’s far enough from the kitchen that it isn’t too loud.”

“I ate lunch here earlier. It seemed fine then, so it should be fine now.” If we aren’t going to see each other much after tomorrow, I’m not sure why it matters. I sit down in one of the middle chairs and glance up at him. “I’ll hold our spot while you grab your food. Then we can switch.”

“Okay.” He nods as he heads to the back of the food line.

Alone at last.

I place the water bottle, baggy of ice, and paper towel on the table before dropping my head into my hands and closing my eyes. I’m not sure I’ll able to make it through months of this. Simon’s excitement for this place encourages me to try harder. He seemed sure I could make it, and this would help show me my true potential.

Before I go too far down that path, my seat bounces. A sense of déjà vu comes over me, and I know Parker sat down on my right.

When I turn to him, concerned green eyes stare back at me. “Your head doesn’t hurt, does it? Why were you holding it?”

“What? No, I’m good.” I straighten from my slump. “I was just thinking about how this has been the longest day of my life, and it isn’t over yet.”

His shoulders relax.

When I glance to the left to check Noah’s progress in line, I find Lucca sitting on my other side. He winces as he sees my face. “Does that hurt? It looks red around your left eye.”

“It’s not bad. I put ice on it earlier.” I point to the baggy with just water in it now and notice they both have their meals in front of them. Ham in some sort of glaze.

I must have made a face because Parker laughs at me. “The food here is really good. It’s not like regular cafeteria food.”

“If you say so. That just looks slimy.” I’ll still eat it, but I don’t have to like it.

“Would you like to try a bite?” Stabbing a piece of meat, he holds his fork out to me.

Before I can tell him no, Lucca chimes in. “Eww, don’t eat after him. He has cooties.” Lucca reaches past me to move Parker’s fork back over his plate.

I giggle at Lucca. “You have a good grasp of the English language. Have you lived here long?”

He smiles down at me, pleased with the compliment. “I spend some time here now and then, but I travel a lot with my parents. We’re always going somewhere. I like it here, though.”

Envy fills me at his casual tone, like traveling the globe is no big deal. I dream of traveling and visiting places I’ve only read about.

“You can go get your food,” Jay says as he and Noah sit down across from me.

I glance around for Fallon, but she sits at another table with Micah. She notices me and winks.

Lucca grabs my arm to get my attention. “Mindy isn’t allowed to dinner tonight. She and her father are eating at one of the restaurants in the town.”

He must have assumed I was searching for my nemeses. I pat his hand so he’ll let go. “Thanks, Lucca.”

Pushing back my chair, I stand and make my way to the back of the food line. Since I waited until the others got their food first, the line isn’t long. When I reach the counter, I spot the lady who helped me earlier.

Her eyes light with recognition. “How are you feeling?”

“Much better, thank you. The water and ice were just what I needed.” I take my tray from her. The food does smell delicious. It also looks better sitting in the food compartments because I can tell it was a whole, spiral sliced ham and not some chopped up leftovers.