Camp Confidential 01 - Natalie's Secret by Melissa J. Morgan

to concentrate on what he was saying.

    “All they have to do is get back before the meeting’s over, and Dr. Steve will never know,” he pointed out.

    “Right,” Natalie said. “That makes sense. But it means we have to get going, like, now. If the counselors come back, that means the meeting’s over.”

    “Duh,” Chelsea chimed in. Natalie instantly felt stupid for suggesting something so obvious.

    “Well, she’s right,” Simon countered.

    Natalie couldn’t believe it. Was Simon defending her? “Are you guys okay to clean up by yourselves?” she asked. She felt bad just leaving with everything such a mess.

    Adam laughed. “No worries. It’s too bad, though—usually raids turn into parties. We would have shared some of our junk-food stash with you.”

    “Next time,” Natalie said, smiling.

    “Uh, you guys, there may be a little problem with the plan,” Alex said, breaking into the moment.

    “Such as?” Jenna asked nervously.

    “Such as, where’s Alyssa? Nat, wasn’t she supposed to come in first with you?”

    Natalie glanced around the bunk nervously. Where was Alyssa, anyway? “Oh, no,” she groaned. “I told her not to wear flip-flops! What if she slipped outside or something?”

    In a flash, Natalie and Alex dashed outside, where they immediately found Alyssa kneeled on the porch and clutching her shin.

    “I’m the biggest klutz in the world,” Alyssa said sheepishly. “Look.” She extended her leg. “I really shouldn’t have worn flip-flops, Nat.”

    Natalie gasped. “I won’t even say ‘I told you so,’” she promised. Alyssa had mangled her leg really badly. It was raw and oozing, and the ankle was looking a little bit puffy, as well. Alex and Natalie quickly helped her back into the bunk so that the group could assess the situation together.

    “Oh, jeez. We need to take you to the infirmary and get that cleaned out,” Natalie said. “What if you sprained your ankle?”

    “The infirmary’s closed,” Grace said. “Plan B?”

    Natalie’s stomach turned over. “Uh, I think the only real plan B is to go find the counselors.” The thought was not appealing.

    Jenna’s face went white. “We can’t! Julie will kill me!”

    “Jenna, look at her leg!” Natalie pressed. “What would you rather we do?”

    “I have some Band-Aids in the bunk,” Jenna offered.

    “Jen, I’m sorry, but look at that. It’s, like, dripping, and not even ankle-shaped. I don’t think your Band-Aids are going to do the trick. Can you even walk on that, Alyssa?”

    Alyssa leaned into her leg tentatively. “It’s sore,” she admitted.

    Simon stepped forward. “Why don’t you let Nat and me walk you to find the counselors?” he suggested. “I mean, it was her idea, but you know, if you can’t walk or whatever, I could carry you better than she could.”

    Natalie didn’t know if Alyssa really needed two personal escorts, but she wasn’t about to argue. Besides, how sweet was it of Simon to offer? “Sounds like a plan,” she said, crossing over to where Alyssa stood.

    “That’s ridiculous,” Chelsea cut in. “Simon, I can go with you.”

    Natalie seethed. How low could Chelsea stoop?

    “It’s okay, Chelsea. It looks like Nat’s got this covered,” Simon insisted.

    It was all Natalie could do not to stick out her tongue and do a little victory dance in Chelsea’s face. Be the bigger person, she reminded herself.

    “Whatever,” Chelsea snapped.

    Natalie decided to take charge. After all, Simon seemed to think that she knew what she was talking about. “Okay, um, Alyssa, why don’t you put one arm across my shoulder and one arm across Simon’s?”

    Alyssa maneuvered forward and awkwardly draped one arm over each of them. The three of them hopped toward the front door like losers in a strange three-legged relay, when suddenly the door opened, and the overhead lights flew on. The room was blindingly bright.

    “It’s the mother ship!” Grace