Unknown (The Secret Life of Cassie Martin #1)(21)

About halfway there, Mindy and Jenny step in front of me.

“You aren’t going to get away with this,” Mindy spits at me.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, and I really don’t care.” I try to step around her.

Mindy moves over to block my path, again. “You’re going to bring those boys down. They could have won without you. Now, they’re pathetic and the laughing stock of the entire camp. Just. Like. You.”

“Those boys will run circles around you and your team while carrying me if they have to. You’re just jealous, and you’re wearing it for everyone to see. Grow up.” I move one more time to get away from her, but this time Jenny plants herself in front of me.

“Listen, bitch. Take it from someone that’s been there. Those boys will use you and then dump you.” Jenny’s smug smile and hands on hips remind me of a two-year-old girl from one of the orphanages. I bite my lip to stop from laughing at her. She can talk all she wants about herself, but the boys seem like better people than that.

Besides, their past is none of my business.

Before I can try to move away again, both girls’ eyes shift up slightly. I imagine they see at least one of possibly four people behind me. Knowing I’m not alone gives me extra courage to speak my mind. “Jenny and Mindy, let’s get a few things straight. You can call this your lesson for the week. I don’t care about you or your opinions. I never will. You can say whatever you want because, in the end, you’re the ones that will look bad. I care about the opinions of the people I respect. There are very few people that have earned that distinction. People will always try to tear you down, but in the end, it’s your actions and words that make you who you are. Continue as you will, but don’t try to stop me again.”

I doubt my speech changed their perception of me or the situation, but they storm off. An arm wraps around my shoulders, and I peer up to find Jay watching the girls leave. “Remind me not to get on your bad side. Unfortunately, I don’t think they’ll leave you alone. They just won’t hit you over the head with it next time.”

I smile up at him. “They can do what they want because I’ve been told by reliable sources I’m not alone.”

He escorts me the rest of the way to my cabin but stops at the bottom of the stairs.

I pause at the front door. “Thanks for walking me back.”

Two steps into the room, I’m accosted. Red hair whips into my face as I’m planted onto the nearest bunk. Fallon stares at me wide-eyed. “How did that happen? Do you want me to talk to Kelly? They can’t make you stay on a boys’ team. I mean, I know my brother would never let anything happen to you, but still.”

She stops for a second to catch her breath, and I manage to talk before she can start again. “I spoke with Kelly and team earlier. I like where I’m at. I think we’re a good fit. What about your team? How do you guys get along?”

I hope if I change the subject she’ll drop the questions and it works. “I’ve known all of them for the three years I’ve been coming here.” She puffs out her chest. “We’ll be a tough team to beat, so watch out.”

“I have no doubt we’ll be on the lookout for you and everyone else,” I announce, then regret it because that leaves me open again to talk about the boys.

“There are thirty-two teams. My team and yours are in the top ten. Actually, yours is in the top three in my list of teams to watch. After the first two weeks, things will be pretty even between the teams unless teams take on bonus tasks. Most of the top teams will do this. You’ll see the top ten pull ahead pretty quick. The rest of the teams will struggle with melding and trust.”

I’m surprised she would share this information with me.

“After about a month, the top ten will be close, but you may find the top five pull away. The younger teams will be at the bottom. This is to be expected, though. It’s also the reason we come back for more than one year.”

She really does have all this figured out.

“Should you be telling me all of this?” I ask her.

“This is stuff my brother and I talked about all school year. I’m not telling you anything he wouldn’t. I’m not about to tell you my plans.” She rolls her eyes at me like I should expect to get away with that.

Before I respond, Lily and Lara walk in the door, and Lily bounces over to us. “Did you ask him? Do I have a date tonight?”

Lily’s enthusiasm makes me sad.

“I asked both of them, but as you guessed, they want to be with the team tonight. Maybe you can sit with us,” I whisper, hoping she won’t be mad at me.

She shrugs. “I expected as much. Thanks for trying. I’ll have to find easier prey.” She laughs as she walks into the bathroom.

“How was your day, Lara? Do you like your team?”

Lara stares into the mirror and shrugs at my questions. “They’re okay, I guess. They don’t seem to take any of this seriously. It would’ve been a good team for Lily to join because they only want to talk about the boys at camp.”

Now Lara rolls her eyes. Poor thing, I hope her team gets better.

“Boys are overrated,” I remind her, and she laughs.

“Totally.” Lara tries to agree but laughs too hard to make it recognizable.