Unlikely Allies by Tiffany King Page B

holding out my hand.
    She looked at my hand disdainfully, like it was a snake.
    Ignoring the snub, I sat on the bed next to her. “Is this your first year here?” I asked, thinking she just felt out of place.
    “You think I’m ten?” she asked disgustedly.
    “Uh, well no. I just…Well, I just thought since you weren’t chatting with anyone you must be new and might need help fitting in.”
    “Really, so if I’m not acting like a total ditz like them, I must need you to swoop in to save me?” she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
    “No, I just figured you might need a little help…” I said, letting my voice trail off before I made matters worse. I looked at the door wistfully, wishing Amy would hurry up.
    “Don’t worry about the poor orphan, okay? I’ve been taking care of myself for years,” she said, dragging a book out of her battered bag. She looked at me pointedly.
    I climbed off her bunk, getting the hint . With one last sarcastic look, she flopped on her side, facing the wall with her book in hand.
    Real smooth , Kim, I thought as I headed back to my bed.
    The other girls seemed oblivious to the loner as they became more vocal. The noise level in the cabin swelled as they tried to outdo each other’s stories. I fought the urge to co ver my ears or try my old fifth- grade teacher's method and declare it quiet time. The beginning of a headache began to pound in my temples.
    “Shut it!” Amy hollered, stepping into the cabin.
    Silence enveloped the cabin like a blanket.
    “You know my rules. We can all have fun chatting, gossiping and talking about boys, but when your voices hit screaming decibels, what does it mean?” she said, dropping the bags she had carried so she could put her hands on her hips.
    “Majorly grumpy counselors,” one of the girls piped in, giggling.
    “That’s right, and do we like majorly grumpy counselors?” she asked, finally cracking a smile.
    “NO,” they all chorused, laughing at the same time.
    “What’s the matter?” Amy asked, plopping on the bed as she took in my stressed look.
    “Um, nothing, if putting my foot in my mouth is what we're supposed to do,” I said, indicating the sullen figure lying on her bunk and facing the wall.
    “Oh, that's Alyssa. I should've warned you about her,” Amy whispered. “This is her third summer comi ng here. She’s what we call a “hard-knock c amper.” She just can’t seem to catch a break. I think she’s been placed a handful of times in the last few years. Her father is a deadbeat fricker, but the judge in her town just doesn’t get it. Her dad will clean up his act, petition the court for custody and then proceed to drink himself into a stupor weeks after he gets her. She’s been bounced around more than a ping pong ball. She’s tough around the edges, but underneath, you can tell she just wants what everyone else wants, to be loved. I came close to getting under her tough shell last year, but it was just as camp was ending,” Amy whispered, sounding frustrated.
    “Well, I’ll leave her to your capable hands. I’ve already alienated myself with her,” I said sighing as I stood up to help one of the girls put her bag on top of the wardrobe.
    “Thanks,” she said shyly, looking at me like she still had something to say.
    “Did you need anything else?” I asked as she nervously twirled one of her long locks of blonde hair around her finger.
    “Um, I uh, was just wondering, is it true Rick’s really your dad?” she stuttered out.
    “Yep, he is,” I answered, noticing the noise in the cabin had evaporated.
    “Lucky,” she said, looking at me with wide blue eyes.
    “Why haven’t you been here before?” one of the older girls asked, looking doubtful.
    I looked around at the eleven pairs of eyes that were now focused on me like I was ready to disclose the location of Katy Perry’s house. I debated sidestepping their question, but instead, answered honestly. “I didn’t find out about him