Read Online Sleepaway Girls by Jen Calonita - Free Book Online Page B

and even the roped-off section of the water was full with other lifeguards teaching lessons.
    “I think you guys are getting pretty good at your breaststroke,” Donovan told the peeps. “I want you guys to remember we’re having a swim test next Friday.” The girls groaned. “I’ll be around during free periods to help anyone interested in practicing for the exam.” This caused Mackenzie to giggle. The girls may have only been ages six to eight, but they could spot a hottie when they saw one. Donovan looked at his watch. “We have ten minutes left. Want to play a game of Marco Polo?” Everyone cheered.
    “Mind if we join you?”
    I turned around and Cole was wading into the water. He was shirtless and wearing navy swim trunks. I tried not to stare, especially since Cole seemed to be staring at me too. At least I thought he was. The thought of that only made me blush more.
    “The more the merrier, mate,” Donovan told him.
    “We’re a little early for free swim,” Cole said as he strode over. “Hunter is on his way down, but it’s just me and the rug-rats right now.” Cole’s peeps were already splashing rowdily behind him.
    “No worries, join in,” Donovan said.
    “Hey,” Cole said to me. There was something about being in a state of undress and standing next to Cole that was making me really nervous. “How’s your day going?”
    “Good,” I managed to say. “Yours?”
    “Better now,” he said with a sly smile. “Have you been over to the arts and crafts shack with the peeps yet?” I shook my head.
    “Warning,” Cole said ominously. “They’re using glue today, and lots of it. Caleb dumped a bottle all over the floor.”
    “I don’t know why they let them do projects with it at this age,” I said. “Last week, Serena glued her hand to the table. I had to find nail polish remover to get her loose.” Cole laughed.
    Once Cole and I started talking about anything other than us, our conversations flowed. That sometimes made me think it would be easier if I just thought of Cole as a friend, but I couldn’t. I was starting to like him. A lot.
    “I’m It first,” Donovan interrupted. “Game starts now!”
    Marco Polo was always fun to play, but it was especially fun now that Cole was in the game. When it was his turn to be It, he tackled me in the water and all I could do was laugh. When I was It, I actually managed to get Donovan. A few of Cole’s peeps were really good too — either that or they were cheating by keeping their eyes half open — while only one of my girls (Serena) managed to avoid being It.
    Afterward, our whole group headed back onto the beach to dry off. Cole’s group had lessons, but Donovan needed a five-minute break to make a phone call and no one was allowed in the water without a lifeguard present.
    The girls ran for their towels, but stopped short when they saw Ashley and her posse sitting nearby.
    Serena pointed at Ashley and stared. “You’re the girl in the video.”
    “That’s me. How are you doing?” Ashley said in her friendliest sugary-sweet tone. It always made her sound like she was campaigning for office.
    “You’re on all the camp stuff my mommy showed me at home too,” Callie said in awe. You’d think they’d just met Hannah Montana the way they were staring at Ashley. All of my girls crowded around her. Ashley started to get up and stuffed her towel in her beach bag. She threw a cranberry-colored terry-cloth dress over her bathing suit.
    “I do the video every year,” she told the girls. “I’m actually an actress/model.”
    “Have we ever seen you on TV?” Serena asked.
    Ashley stuttered for a moment and a giggle escaped my lips. She glared at me.
    “Sam’s been on TV,” Mackenzie piped up and Ashley only turned redder. “She’s been in a commercial and everything. She’s famous. Everyone at camp knows her.” I was trying not to laugh. I glanced at Cole and he winked at me.
    “So I’ve heard,” Ashley snapped and quickly