Breaking Free Read Online Free

the forest.  Anything else you’d like to add?”
    A couple people snicker ed.  I was stunned.  I had come to dinner feeling the best I had felt all day.  I was proud of myself for getting the tent up and felt somewhat content after unpacking, but then Chris had to say that in front of everyone.  Then, they laughed at me.  I thought this was our touchy-feely session where we were supposed to open up to each other so we could rid ourselves of the demons that make us insufferable teens.  Chris certainly didn’t make me feel comfortable sharing anything.
    “No,” I replied , crossing my arms over my chest.
    She then informed us that we were free to interact with each other, but everyone had to be in their own tents by ten-thirty.  She also reminded us that we should make at least one entry into our journals each day, describing what we were feeling or what we wanted to accomplish.
    I stay ed at the fire and watched the others.  Chris and Jason talked quietly as they rummaged through the storage bin.  Bling went to his tent.  Neeky and Mia were deep in a discussion.  Juicehead lay back, resting his head on his hands and staring up at the sky. I suddenly felt very cold and very alone.  I scooted closer to the fire, which heated my skin, but didn’t touch the deep-down chill I had in my bones.  I had a feeling that would be with me until I got out of there.
    “Mind if I sit down?”
    I looked up to find Mia smiling at me.
    “No,” I replied glumly.
    “ You hate it here, huh?”
    “ What gave that away?”
    “ Hey, I’m just trying to help, no need to get an attitude with me.”
    I ignored her, so she continued, “I want to be here.  I want to get better, but I know plenty of people are forced to come here.”
    “There’s nothing wrong with me.  I don’t need to get better.”
    With a nod , she said, “I’m sure you’re completely well-adjusted.  I’m sure whoever sent you here is terribly confused.”
    At that point, I had had just about enough of Mia so I stood to leave.  She grabbed my arm and said, “Sorry.  If you really want to leave, I know how you can get kicked out.”
    I pause d and tried to take in what she was telling me.  She knew a way for me to leave?  A way for me to get back to my life in California? It almost sounded too good to be true.
    I lean ed in close so our faces were only inches apart.  “How?”
    “A friend of mine was here last year.  She said that two people from her group got kicked out for having sex.  Maybe one of the guys wants out as badly as you,” she said with a shrug and then scurried back to Neeky.
    I sa t down to fully grasp what Mia had said.  There was a way out.   I could actually be out of here in a matter of days.  I just needed to plan it correctly.  I thought about the three guys and decided that Neeky had probably never had sex, which would require way too much work on my part.  Bling scared the hell out of me so he was out.  That left Juicehead.  But the question was, did Juicehead want out or not?  If so, we could just stage everything to make Chris think we did it.  If not, I’d need to seduce him.
    I look ed across the fire to see his face and then it hit me—Casanova, the condoms—it was almost too easy.  He would totally be a willing, but unknowing accomplice in my farewell debauchery.  It’s not like I wanted to trade my body for a plane ticket home, but with some careful planning, I figured I might not have to.  I could get things started in a conspicuous place and then make sure Chris found us before it was too late.
    I felt euphoric.   I had a plan.  A plan that I would implement the next night.  I looked at the group and smiled, knowing this might be the last evening I spent with them.

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 3:  August 24
     
     
    The scratch of a pencil against paper brings me back to the moment.  Marta is scribbling something on her crossword puzzle.
    I sigh, remembering how angry I was the first