The Stars of Summer by Tara Dairman Page A

bounded up onto the stage to take the microphone. Gladys would have gladly stayed seated and skipped the oath, but Charissa elbowed her. “C’mon,” she hissed, “this will make it official! The words are on that paper my mom gave you.”
    Reluctantly, Gladys pushed herself onto one knee and looked at the paper just as Counselor Jamie’s squeaky voice began to lead the new campers through the words.
    We new campers solemnly swear
    to brush our teeth and comb our hair
    each day before we climb the ramp
    to enter this most awesome camp!
    We’ll mind our manners, won’t throw punches,
    won’t complain about our lunches,
    will not fret, or squeal, or bawl,
    and won’t start any fights at all!
    And so we make this oath today
    to fill our summers up with play
    and rise like new-anointed knights
    as fully fledged Camp Bentleyites!
    The entire camp burst into applause yet again—well, everyone except Hamilton Herbertson. Under the awning, he scribbled away as if nothing was happening on the neighboring field.
    Mrs. Bentley retook the microphone. “Counselors,” she said, “please take charge of your groups, and, um . . . Charissa, honey, will you give out the CIT assignments? Happy camping, everyone.” Then, still looking slightly lost, she shuffled offstage toward the camp office.
    â€œI’m sure she’s going to call that idiot’s parents this second,” Charissa said, shooting a death glance over her shoulder at Hamilton. Then, in a much louder voice, she cried, “CITs! Attention, CITs! Please line up here to get your assignments!”
    Out of her bag, Charissa pulled a set of cards. “Rolanda, Marti, you already know yours,” she said, handing them their cards first. “Please report to your supervising staff member or counselor. Next I’ve got Jake Wheeler. Jake! Where’s Jake?”
    â€œHere I am,” the dark-haired boy said, pushing to the front of the line.
    Charissa glanced down at the card. “You’re on music duty. Report to Counselor Linda in the Melody Tent.”
    Jake left whistling.
    â€œOwen Green and Ethan Slezak?” Charissa called.
    Owen strode forward, and Gladys wondered if it was possible that he’d grown another inch since school let out. “Am I helping on the basketball court?” he asked.
    Charissa’s eyes narrowed. “You wish. You’ll be at the front gate with Counselor Dave on security detail. You too, Ethan,” she told the shorter boy.
    â€œSweet!” Owen cried. “Do we get guns?”
    â€œ
No
, you don’t get
guns
,” Charissa snapped. “And now I wonder if I need to switch you with someone else. I’m not sure you’re smart enough to learn security. Anyone have a pen?”
    â€œThat Herbertson jerk does,” Mira Winters said.
    â€œWant me to go steal it from him, Charissa?” Ethan asked, pushing his floppy red hair out of his eyes. “I’ve got the moves!” He karate-chopped the air to demonstrate, coming within millimeters of whacking Charissa on the nose.
    â€œYou’re gonna have janitor duty in a minute,” she snarled.
    â€œOkay, okay, we’ll go,” Owen said, snatching the card out of Charissa’s hand. He and Ethan took off for the front gate, glancing over their shoulders to make sure she wasn’t coming after them.
    Charissa went on handing out assignments and sending kids to the far corners of the camp. Finally, only she and Gladys were left.
    â€œI saved yours for last on purpose,” she said with a grin, “because it’s so awesome. Anticipation is just the best feeling ever, don’t you think?”
    Gladys, who wanted to shake Charissa by her purple-clad shoulders, didn’t think that at all, but she managed just to give her friend a tiny nod.
    â€œOkay, your CIT assignment is . . . kitchen assistant! See, I knew you’d love