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It had been a year since the events of the Hackett Quarry summer camp. It seemed like time had moved so slowly, which was funny to Abi compared to how long she felt the trials and investigations seemed to drag on. Not to mention the conspiracy theories that never really went away. It would be the first time she’s seen any of the other counselors in over a year. At first she kept in touch with Emma and even a little bit with Nick as well, who profusely apologized to her when given the chance.
Abi’s Uber pulled up to see counselors both old and new, gathered across the front yard of the lodge. Caleb had taken over running the camp, you’d think rumors of werewolves would’ve put the place out of business, but there were more campers than ever meaning more counselors were needed. The extra money being brought in allowed for a few more cabins to be built along with more hires.
She first noticed Emma who seemed to be entertaining two of the new male camp counselors. It didn’t take long to also spot Nick talking to a new girl as well, the site of that raised a lot of conflicting emotions within herself.
“You finally made it babes.” Emma beamed, appearing by her side
“Yeah, well better late than sorry.” Abi awkwardly laughed. Being at Hacketts quarry again sort of unnerved her and she didn’t really know what to do with herself. She quickly made her way to grabbing her bags out the trunk, with Emma following closely behind.
“I’m glad to see that you came back. Glad to see that everyone came back. Even Jacob with his boyish yet charming persona.” Emma sighed
“We promised each other we would.”
“Not a promise everyone expected to be kept. The attention from the News outlets were nice at first, but the questioning and the trials, it all just became exhausting after a while.” Emma continued to rant, “Not to mention, you dropping off the face of the Earth I wasn’t sure I’d see my favorite counselor again.”
“Well, you know me.” Abi shyly smiled. She kept in minimal contact with the other counselors, especially with the investigation into the death of Kaylee and Chris Hackett remaining open. The events of the camp had drawn in attention even Emma had a hard time handling, it seemed best to get away for a while and even do some traveling.
“Either way, I’ll go get the keys to the truck. You’ll have to update me on the way to the cabins.” Emma smiled as she walked away.
Almost immediately she was then being approached by Nick. Nick, with a shy smile and hands stuffed in his pocket, even though she’d forgiven him he still made her uneasy. Was it wrong to still feel that way after everything? Possibly? After all he had apologized so many times, and that unease in Abi’s chest slowly ebbed away into guilt.
“Abi, you look great, I-i’m so glad to see you here again.” There was tension, what kind, even Abi wasn’t so sure of. They stared at each other, long enough for it to become uncomfortable and Abi nervously averted her eyes just to see Emma making her way back. Nick noticed to, “I-I can help you with your bags, if you’d like, you don’t have many, I’d be-“
“Thanks Nick.” She smiled, interrupting him.
Emma eyed the both of them as Nick put away the luggage, but went ahead and hopped in the driver's seat. Abi felt a hand gently wrap around her wrist. “We’ll talk later, yeah.” Nick barely mumbled under his breath. She nodded in agreement and didn’t flinch at the small kiss he left on the side of her head.
He’s done nothing wrong, but it was small gestures like that the old Nick just didn’t do. She didn’t understand why he felt so comfortable with her, when she felt nowhere near as comfortable with him. Especially now that her relationship with physical touch wasn’t in the best shape. His hold was gentle, but it could’ve easily not have been. The kiss was small, but it could’ve been a bite. Yet a part of her could never let go of the sweet and caring Nick she got to know last summer.
Emma didn’t help to ease her feelings, exclaiming that ‘Nick was old news and there was plenty of new blood around.’ She didn’t see Nick again until the end of the day, when he walked into the arts and crafts cabin right as Abi had finished decorations.
“You’re avoiding me, huh.”
The accusation caught her off guard, but not enough for her to not stand her ground. “Nick, I-i’m not avoiding you.” She defended
“Oh yeah,” he laughed, “First you stopped responding to my messages after New Years, and now back at camp you act like you can’t look me in the eye. I haven’t seen you all day.”
“No one heard from me Nick, I had to get away from it all, including you. Everybody processed and dealt with what happened last summer in their own way. And now I’m the bad guy for needing some time to myself?” She could feel the tears that wanted to spill over, but she refused to cry, she was so sick of crying. Nick could also see her change in demeanor and calmed down, only to try to pull her in for a hug. She backed away, while gently avoiding the hands trying to pull her in.
“This is exactly the bullshit I’m talking about!” He pressed on, “I’m trying to get us back to where we were before.”
“And It’s going to take some time for me to get back to that place Nick! Is that so hard to understand?”
He stared at her for a while, before sighing and walking away. “Don’t have time to chase you around all summer, it’s plenty of other counselors.” He grumbled loud enough for her to hear. And it broke her heart, because deep down she knew the old Nick would’ve waited.
After talking to Jacob and Dylan she realized the group consensus on Nick’s behavior was that he’s never really been the same since last summer. Maybe it was the after effects of the curse, maybe Nick was just a different person now, either way Abi was ready to accept it and move on. It didn’t help that Nick seemed to flirt with every new counselor girl there was, his main one being a blonde girl named Sam. He was giving jocks like Jacob and Mike a run for their money, Emma found it pretty hilarious.
“I always told Jacob Nicky boy knew what he was doing. Don’t know why he’s so shocked now.” Emma laughed
“Yeah,” Abi quietly agreed
Emma sighed and playfully pushed the artsy girl. “So what Nick is being an asshole, I’ve seen you getting close to that new counselor, Josh is it.” Abi couldn’t help but laugh at where the conversation was going. “He’s a mysterious one isn’t he, he’s social enough yet I can’t help but feel like the guy’s hiding something or has some kind of wall up. A mask if you will.”
“I forgot how perceptive you can be sometimes, Emma.” Abi giggled
“I’m a socialite babe, what can I say.”
Josh had started working alongside her in the arts cabin. He brought a whole other aspect to camp life as he was very talented at teaching the kids to make their own movie props, while also helping them film and direct some of Emma’s plays. Emma wasn’t wrong in saying the guy was mysterious, but personally to Abi his presence was a sort of comfort. Josh came to camp sort of late, but before his start Nick would always find some way to be in or around the arts building super late. He made a nearby tree a place to make out with some of the new counselors, knowing she’d be able to see. Was he trying to make her jealous? Either way, with Josh there she at least had a distraction and couldn’t be caught alone so easily by Nick.
“He’s great with the kids, interesting to talk to.” Abi explained
“Not to mention how cute he is.” Emma continued, “I won’t kiss this one, but you’ve got to tell me how he is down there.”
“Emma!” Abi gasped
“What? We’re all curious, like I said the boy’s a mystery.”
Mike, Jacob, and Josh came back with some beers for the counselors. The campers were all fast asleep in their cabins and the group decided to celebrate getting passed the first two weeks of camp. Dylan brought in a few speakers and began playing music and the group began to dance along. Abi started dancing with Emma, but it wasn’t long before she made her way over to Mike. She took a small break to go get another drink, lots of liquid courage was always needed for times like this. From her view she could see all the budding couples in camp. Kaitlyn excitedly sat on Matt’s lap ranting about who knows.
Jacob and Jessica seemed to be happily grinding against each other. Their particular coupling was a bit messy, seeing as Jessica was a part of Nick’s rotation of girls at first. Abi speculated that the girl was attracted to Jacob's more endearing playful nature. New girl Emily seemed to be sulking against a tree, Abi was hesitant to even look in her direction as she knew the girl could be quite abrasive. No doubt she was staring at Nick flirting with Sam, she was sure the two girls were close friends before coming here, to have that end over a guy would be unfortunate. Everyone else seemed to be long term couples like Dylan and Ryan or Chris and Ashley. In her speculation, she didn’t notice Josh sneaking up behind her.
“C’mon let’s dance.” He suddenly whispered very close to her ear. She hoped the blush on her face wasn’t as obvious as she felt it was, and allowed herself to be pulled closer to the clearing around the fire pit. Josh smoothly guided her back to his front and they swayed and grinded to the music as Josh kept hold of one of her hands. She had never done anything like this before, but with Josh and some liquid courage she felt comfortable enough to get into it. It wasn’t long before people started disappearing with each other and Josh offered to walk her back to her cabin.
“So Nick’s your ex.” He casually mentioned on the walk back towards the cabins.
“Ex? No, we were never together.” Abi paused, “Our relationship is just a little bit complicated.”
“A little hard to believe you’d be into a guy like him.” He deadpanned
“What kind of guy would that be?”
“Oh, just your typical heartbreaker. Ladies love him, but the only guarantee is that he’ll be gone and on to the next before you can blink.”
Of course Nick’s impression on the newer counselors was that of a womanizing asshole, but the older counselors knew better, had seen differently. “He didn’t always act like that. Even though he hasn’t been the nicest to me lately, I know he may be having some inner turmoil that I could never understand. He may be lost, and I hope he gets the proper help to find himself again.” She lamented
“Is that why he threatened me today?” Josh nonchalantly continued
“He what?!” Abi turned towards Josh, astonished
“Just the typical ‘she’s mine’ scenario, didn’t expect so much possessiveness out the guy, especially towards the girl I see him around the least.” Abi continued to stare at Josh, so shocked at what had happened that she couldn’t form her own apology. They soon arrived to the cabins again and Josh made sure to pull her aside her building.
“Don’t worry too much about me I don’t scare easily. Besides, I doubt his scrawny arms could do much to me.”
Abi laughed and smiled in agreement, although she wasn’t so sure about that last bit, Nick could have some strength behind him, but maybe a more well built guy like Josh could handle him. Josh, who was now staring down at her. It was almost as if she could see the question in his eyes, the intention behind it, and she leaned forward to meet his lips.
It was deeper and less chaste than any other kiss she’s had, and she almost expected Josh to pick her up and take her to her bed halfway through. If that were to happen, would she be ready? She wasn’t so sure, but Josh was pulling away before she could ask herself any more questions. She walked into her cabin giddy, with butterflies in her stomach, she couldn’t wait to tell Emma. She was so excited she didn’t notice the person sitting on her bed in the dark and was in for a rude surprise when she turned on the lights, there Nick sat, waiting on her.
“You’re back so late, wonder what could’ve been holding you up.” He sarcastically observed
Emma was nowhere to be found, she assumed she must be spending the night at Mike’s cabin. “Nick, what do you want?”
“You played me Abi, last summer, and then continued to string me along afterwards.” Nick stood and his voice began to rise. “Hell, you’ve done more with Josh in two weeks then we’ve ever did in a whole summer.”
Abi couldn’t possibly explain why her relationship with Josh was moving a bit faster, as she had no idea herself, but that didn’t negate the real feelings she had for Nick; some feelings she still had. “You don’t get to do that.” She quietly defended, “you don’t get to say that Nick, not after how you’ve been acting the last few weeks.”
“Oh, fuck off” he damn near spatted out, “Abi you’re mine, I don’t care what you’ve made Josh think, the next time I see him on you, it’ll be a problem.”
Abi was in shock, so much so she didn’t realize Nick was leaning down to kiss her, she violently rebuffed him, smacking him across the cheek while pulling away. She could feel that a few tears had escaped her eyes and were now running down her cheek. Nick stood there for a second, head still turned the direction she smacked it into, she wondered if she should run. Not that he wouldn’t catch her if she tried.
After a moment of silence, Nick threw a punch at the wall, blasting a hole through it, and walked away. The cabin had at least two layers of wood, so the hole didn’t completely expose her to the outside, but it was big enough to stick her own head through.
In the morning, Emma questioned what happened to the wall. Abi didn’t have the mental fortitude to explain what had happened, she vaguely alluded to the idea that Nick did the damage. Instead, she focused all her energy into putting on a facade good enough to fool the kids, but apparently not good enough for Josh.
“If I did something wrong last night, feel free to punch me right now.” Josh leaned over and whispered
She had been caught off guard, as most of the thoughts she was having had nothing to do with Josh. “Wha-, Um, N-No, No you’ve been great Josh, my mind is just somewhere else today.”
“Is it Nick?” He suddenly tossed out
She quickly turned back to him, “What?”
“I talked to a few of the other counselors about him. All of them say he’s going through something or in a place where he needs help. Sounds like excuses to me. I know what it's like to need help, to be in a bad place…” Josh paused momentarily, blankly staring at his painting in front of him, “…to feel lost…Either way, it doesn’t mean he gets to treat people like shit. I may not know his specific problem, bu-”
“That’s right you don’t know.” Abi interrupted feeling the need to end his small rant. A part of her felt the need to defend Nick, the only people who truly understood his situation were the old counselors and maybe a few of the living members of the Hackett family. Besides, they knew the real Nick, the Nick they were hoping to see, the Nick that may never be seen again. “No one knows what we went through as a group last summer, it’s brought us all incredibly close in a strange way. Nick deserves to be able to make a mistake or two without being shunned.”
“So take his abuse because you feel bad for him?” Josh sarcastically laughed, “Or better yet, he used to be a better person but now that he’s not, you figure he’s just going through a rough time. Maybe, he was always like this and you just couldn’t see it.”
“That’s not-”
“Wake up and smell the roses Abi. Look at who he is now, some people deserve to be left behind.” He paused, almost as if he regret what was said then scoffed as he threw down his paint brushes and walked away.
Abi knew Josh could be blunt and harsh at times, but the conversation got her thinking. She later found Lauren leading some of the wildlife training out by the lake.
“Do you and Max still experience, I don’t know, mood swings since the transformation?”
“Definitely, I’m a lot less patient than I used to be and I didn’t have much to begin with. Max seems to get stressed more easily, and he’s a pretty laid-back guy, but suppose any trauma could do that to you.” Lauren recalled
Abi continued to gather a little more info from the other counselors. She felt the need for her thoughts and opinions on Nick to be validated, so she could feel less like a fool. She found Dylan in the radio station and questioned him a bit about Ryan’s behavior.
“He’s as by the book as he’s always been. Nothing has really changed with Ryan. We figured it’s because he never transformed.”
Abi nodded in silent agreement, lost in her own thoughts. Dylan turned around to see her contemplation. “Oh honey, is this about Nick?”
“Yeah, yeah I guess it is.”
“Well, he’s certainly changed. I think he’s funnier than ever, if not a tad bit hostile. Although I’m sure that doesn’t fair well for the women in his life.”
Abi gave an awkwardly reassuring smile, “Thanks Dylan, I guess I just wanted another perspective.”
She avoided Nick for the most part, but there were days when he would find her and talk to her anyway. She responded out of politeness, but it’d be hard to forget what he did to her wall. Even though he seemed to have finally calmed down about her, Nick was starting to get into little fights with the other counselors. First, he punched Jacob hard enough to give him a black eye, a fight between the two of them was nothing new, but for it to end so violently. Then he and Sam had a bit of a falling out at lunch one day, and ever since she tends to see Emily by his side nowadays. Within the next few days he got into a small tiff with Max over food preparation. Max seemed to be able to match Nick's aggression and only Lauren and Caleb were able to stop the two. The worst of it hadn’t come until the night of the Final dance.
The night before the dance all the counselors were in the main cabin decorating and getting it ready for tomorrow. As she taped up a few decorations Josh hugged her from behind and left mini kisses on her cheek before running off with Chris. Emma gave her a knowing look and Abi jokingly pushed her away.
“I’m just saying you better hop on that train while you still can, the summer’s coming to an end.” Emma smiled
Abi rolled her eyes in amusement, Josh is going all the way back to Canada after this, he’s great but where could this actually go, ya’ know”
“And Nick was going all the way back to Australia, that wasn’t something you thought of at the time was it.” Abi gave the girl a slightly annoyed stare that she laughed off, “I’m just sayin’, sometimes life is just about an experience.”
Abi couldn’t take Josh seriously, there was so much she didn’t know about him. So much about himself he knowingly and freely admitted to keeping from her. Abi was able to have at least one genuine conversation with Sam after her split with Nick and gained quite a bit of insight.
“If there’s one thing Josh understands it’s broken people,” the blonde girl lamented, “starting to think I can’t help but attract them.”
If he wanted to hide shit from her, fine, but there’s no way she’d be his girlfriend. As for experiences, Abi thinks she’d be down for it. That night she invited him to her cabin, and it wasn’t long before the rocking of her bed was rhythmic, and their breathy moans filled the silence.
Josh had formally invited her to be his date to the final dance and she enjoyed letting Emma doll her up for the night. She didn’t really realize how much she’d actually miss the girl, after all the summer camp would come to an end a few days after the dance.
“Oh please, if you ever want to see me join my Live, I keep my fans well fed.” She remarked
“You’re lucky I’m feeling reminiscent, else I’d teased you for how cocky you are.” Abi laughed
Emma slightly turned the smaller girls head to apply highlight along her cheek. “Mhm-hmm, so how was he?” She asked, making a vague gesture towards Abi’s bed. The girl couldn’t help but blush, and damn near bury her face in her hands.
Mike and Josh walked them to the main cabin, the counselors did a great job decorating as the kids were having lots of fun. The counselors rotated the work and all got a chance to dance among the kids. At some point Abi went to take the trash out, only to find Nick outside drinking from a flask of his own. Not surprising, as she figured some of the counselors snuck alcohol in somehow.
“Hey, you.” He said a bit awkwardly, as he was caught off guard as much as she was
Abi gave a slight nod before throwing the trash into the garbage before attempting to go back inside, only to find that the door wouldn’t budge.
“Should’ve mentioned, the back door locks if you let it close. You’ll have to walk around to the front if you want back in.” He chimed in again
“Great.” She sighed
“I don’t mind the company.” He offered
Abi reluctantly leaned against the building next to him, both staring off at the lake. “Sort of reminds me of when you and Ryan trapped yourselves in the freezer.”
“Luckily, Kaitlyn was nearby to hear all the arguing.” Nick laughed, “Ryan didn’t talk to me for about a week, not to mention him screaming about being frostbitten for the next few days.”
“What, you guys were hardly in there for even five minutes.” Abi giggled
“He thinks Dylan is bad, I’m sure he doesn’t realize how dramatic he can be.” He smiled
And just like that the moment was over. Abi could feel the dark cloud rolling in, nostalgia could be a bitch sometimes. “What happened to us?” He quietly asked
“Nick, what happened to you?” Abi damn near blurted out
He scoffed at the question. “I know, I know about last summer,” She quickly explained, “but, did you really expect me to stick around.”
“I expected you to understand.” He emphasized
“I was understanding,” Abi pleaded, “for longer than I should’ve been.”
“So what, you get a new boyfriend and I’m dog shit to you now.”
“He’s not my boyfriend and believe it or not he taught me a thing or two.”
“Oh give me a break Abi.” Nick argued, pushing off the wall. “That wanker will say any goddamn thing to get in your pants.”
“That’s not it.” Abi calmly defended. There was no point in getting in a screaming match over this. “I’ve realized we can never work out, not like this. I want you to get help, whatever that may mean. I want you to get back to the old you.”
He seemed to calm down at that, a moment of silence passed as he stood in contemplation. “I get it Abi.” He said nodding his head, “I know we haven’t been on the best terms lately, but I'm glad I got to see you again.” And with that he walked away. She didn’t really know what to make of what he said, but she soon found out as she began walking back towards the front of the building, only to hear screaming and fighting.
She ran up to see Nick and Josh rolling around on the ground. Mike and Jacob were trying their best to separate the two, to no avail, whilst other counselors were screaming at them to stop. Nick managed to get on top of Josh but with every punch thrown Josh’s own laughter became more maniacal. Abi wasn’t even sure if he was really trying to fight back, he just kept laughing.
Travis Hackett’s police car quickly pulled up and the Sheriff quickly delegated the two of them. By the time Nick was taken away, Josh’s face was a bloody mess, yet it didn’t stop his laughter. Abi along with Kaitlyn managed to pick him up off the ground and drag him over to the medical station. She threw a glance in Nick's direction as she dragged Josh away, but he seemed to be avoiding her gaze.
Kaitlyn did a good job of cleaning Josh’s face off, he may not have looked the best, but his mood certainly didn’t reflect it. “I’m so sorry about all of this.” Abi apologized
“A few punches are nothing to me, I was waiting for him to swing. Could always tell how pissed off I made him just by being around, it was pretty funny actually.”
“Yeah, you were laughing like a crazy person.” Abi nervously questioned
Josh then turned more towards her, grabbed her hand, kissed it, then hit her with one of the biggest smiles she had ever seen on him. “You don’t know the half of it.”
Nick had spent the next two days in jail. The last day of camp he was allowed to rejoin the counselors. Emily greeted him, but he seemed to blow her off. He didn’t talk to anyone most of the day and was rather unapproachable. Kaitlyn and the others were packing up all the bags, Abi just so happened to be sitting on the stairs of the lodge when Nick came to sit next to her.
“I know our relationship is a mess Abi, but I do hope to be friends.”
She sat and played with what he said for a moment. Was there anything else to say? She turned back towards him, kissed him on cheek and walked away. She wasn’t sure if there’d ever be any closure between the two of them, but for now this would be more than enough.