I felt relaxed as I waited for Eloise to pick me up. Today was the start of the club camping trip and I dressed in the best way possible.

A white short-sleeved t-shirt with a red plaid jacket on top. Complimented with my short black denim shorts and flat brown ankle boots. Sunnies on my head was a nice thing to top it off.

Yellow car parks right in front of my house and I see Eloise in her usual school style, t-shirt and sports shorts.

'Get in loser! You're going camping'

'Ha-ha. Very funny' I say sarcastically.

She smiles as I place my bags at the back of the car before sitting in the front seat.

'I was waiting for a chance to say that, but you went ahead and bought a car before me. How annoying.' Eloise rants seeing my face of interest.

'Of course, you wanted to quote Mean Girls. That's the most Eloise thing.'

We drove off down the highway ranting on about other movies that we believed were iconic and deserve a place in the hall of nostalgia. I noticed a white hoodie on the car ground below my car seat and slightly smile. That hoodie I swear I've seen on someone.

'Hey Eloise, you were with Ava last night, weren't you?' I say teasingly.

'Shut up Brooke.' I noticed how red Eloise's ears were getting and I couldn't help but smirk.

'What were you two doing last night, hmmm?' I mumbled jokingly seeing Eloise's embarrassed face.

'Nothing. We were just hanging out as usual. Ava was helping me study for my biology test.'

'Mhm. What else was she helping with?'

Eloise swerves slightly off-lane before going quickly back into the lane. 'Brooke, you're the worst.'

I giggle as she giggles along with me. We arrive on campus as I see a line of students waiting in the amphitheatre with their individual duffel bags, suitcases or backpacks. In friend groups, exchanging clothes or just chatting. Eloise parks her car and faces towards me. Her face was of excitement and slight worry.

'Are you gonna be, okay? You don't usually go camping or do the extra-curricular type of things.'

I awkwardly smile. 'Yeah, I'll be fine. I'll have Ted with me.'

She smiles and we hug. I instantly smell caffeine and sigh as she puts me on the back.

'You gotta stop drinking black coffee.' I suggest breaking away from the hug and giving her an all-knowing look.

'Aren't you the coffee addict?'

I my smile drops. 'What?'

'Derek calls you coffee addict. Daily.'

'Don't listen to a word Derek says. Plus, there is a difference between lattes and pure black coffee. Have control in how much you drink.'

Eloise smiles guilty and nods her head. 'Yes ma'am.'

I hop out of the car with my duffel bag and backpack and head down to the packed amphitheatre. Once I notice Ted, I head to him and surprise him. He brightly smiles and it slightly fades as he sees the state of my backpack.

'Brooke, did you overpack?'

'No. I did the recommended amount of packing.' Ted doesn't respond but shakes his head as I grin.

'It's going to hurt your back, you know?'

'I'll be fine. Yoga will be keeping me up straight.'

I see one of Ted's other friends appear and take him off to the side for help. It's only then I realise amongst the frenzy, other than Ted, I don't really know anyone else.

***

The trip to Richford Outdoor Education Centre isn't a short one. We first have to take a long bus ride to Melbourne, take a flight to Darwin and then drive out in the outback before we eventually reach Richfords. The only reason why we're going through such a hassle is that one of the teachers grew up in Richfords and believes the place deserves recognition (even willing to pay for the majority of the travel). I knew how long the trip was going to be, so I brought a large amount of adult colouring books along with downloading my whole tablet library. Halfway when driving to Melbourne I get tapped on the shoulder. It was one of the boys in the Astronomy club. His hazel hair highlighted his bangs and slightly tacky shirt.

'Hey, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind helping a poor man out, would ya?'

I feel my neck sweat. 'Y-yeah. What's up?'

'I'm Oliver and you see; I have this ex who is absolutely insane. She's a crazy stalker and honestly, I can't stand her anymore. You wouldn't mind pretending to be my girlfriend?'

I stare at him blankly. There must be some live studio audience nearby or at least some hidden camera footage.

'What is this? Some romance novel?' I snapped.

I felt a little bit harsh, but his response made me feel the opposite.

'No. But it would be helpful if you said yes.'

'Hell no. Deal with your own issues.'

'Ha.... are you actually that clueless? I'm asking you out, dummy.'

The boys in the back started reacting to our conversation as if this was some live show and I was an actor. Acting rowdy and obnoxious that piss me off. However, nothing prepared Oliver for my reaction cause right after he said that I instantly gave him a reaction of disgust.

'What was that look?!' Oliver had to shout out angrily and get the attention of almost everyone.

'Look, I personally don't see you that way and you didn't give off the best first impression. So no, I'm not going out with you.

Oliver was furious. His blood boiling to the point where it could have been a medical condition. I was getting ready for anything, ready to defend myself and bring this guy down myself. Only for someone else to intervene.

'Oi Olly, what do you think you're doing bud?' Derek asked patting Oliver on the back with enough force to knock his teeth out.

I forgot that Derek is also on this trip.

'Trying to ask this chick out.' he snaps still glaring back at me.

Derek without saying a word gets out of his seat and forces Oliver to sit in his whilst he sits in Oliver's seat. Oliver was determined to get his seat back but from what I saw, Derek said a few words and Oliver sat down without complaining and stayed silent.

My conscience was begging me to say thank you to Derek, but my ego was fighting back refusing to let Derek owe me anything.

All that ended up coming out was, 'Thank.'

'What did you say?' Derek responds but I don't.

Derek is persistent and now I have to deal with Derek rather than Oliver. One of them is less annoying than the other.

'Brooke, I think you were trying to say thank you, but your ego stopped you. You're welcome.'

I feel like I've been shot in the leg. I hate how right he is. I hate how he's a decent guy. I hate that he's a decent human being.