On the shore

Chloe sat forlornly on a rock by the shore, watching the surface of Silver Lake distort placidly in front of her. She felt so stupid, embarassed by how she'd torn blindly through the woods just because... because what? Gavin and Zack went away for a few hours and being around people without them was too much for her?

"Stupid," she muttered to herself. It hadn't felt good third wheeling for Kurt and Victoria, especially given Zack's infatuation. She'd been like a red-haired ghost, invisible to the happily chatting pair, soaking up the negative energy given off by Ashley and Brandon in front. Nobody had said a word to her all hike, which only served to reinforce the idea that other than Zack and Gavin, no one wanted her around. She sighed and looked back across the water.

Somewhere on that lake, she thought, were her two best friends, without whom she felt entirely alone. It was a situation she could not allow to continue. She would never be as extroverted as someone like Heather - the beautiful cheer captain could seamlessly make herself the centre of attention whatever the circumstance - but she could do better than slumping by Silver Lake feeling sorry for herself.

She was sure she could learn a lot from Heather. Perhaps she'd teach her her ways if she asked. How to be popular, how to drive men crazy, how to be beautiful. Chloe slumped down further as the last thought crossed her mind. She could never be as beautiful as Heather. The cheerleader captain had been born with something else, an enrapturing smirk that hid an enchanting smile. The only thing they shared was a large chest, but even those couldn't be more different. Heather's flawless globes rode proudly on her toned torso. Chloe thought her own looked ridiculous, fat even, stuck haphazardly to a body that was much too muscular from football. It wasn't feminine, nor sexy. She looked like a boy with tits, and boys weren't beautiful. Even Zack and Gavin had never seemed to see her as a girl. She would never drive men crazy, and she would never be popular. It just wasn't her.

It was then that she noticed a boat, drifting aimlessly over the water. Her heart leaped for a moment; it had to be them returning, but before she could confirm a sudden voice from behind startled her, head whirling around at whoever it was.

"Hi," it had said gently. "Chloe?" A pretty older blonde in a ranger uniform stood in the brush, eyeing Chloe tentatively with concerned eyes.

"Yes?" Chloe replied, her voice coming out choked and morose.

"I'm Jennifer," the woman replied kindly. "You shouldn't run off like that, you had your friends worried."

"Oh," Chloe said hollowly. "Yeah, sorry." There was a pause, during which Chloe looked back at the boat. To her alarm it was empty, her head spinning back around to tell the ranger.

"Why did you come down here?" Jennifer asked before she could speak, walking closer towards the lonely girl.

"I..." Chloe began, the question taking her off guard. She swallowed, forming an answer. "My friends... I mean my best friends, went boating with Heather Ravers." She phrased Heather Ravers like a question, Jennifer nodding with familiarity. "I wanted to be near them I guess."

Jennifer nodded again, this time sympathetically. "Why didn't you go?"

She shrugged. "I wasn't really invited. But anyway um, I can see a boat out there right now and they're not on it."

Jennifer's eyes flashed with alarm. "Where?" Chloe pointed and Jennifer followed her indication, whipping out a pair of binoculars to inspect the boat in more detail. Her face as she lowered them was grim.

"The lake was pretty rough earlier," she muttered, almost to herself, but her eyebrows were furrowed in confusion. She shot Chloe a comforting smile. "I'm sure they're okay, a little storm like that shouldn't have given Heather much trouble. Were they just boating or...?"

"No, um... Heather said she wanted to go and explore one of the islands."

"Do you know which one?"

Chloe thought for a second. "Can I borrow your binoculars?"

Jennifer acquiesced, handing them over to the redhead, who had a dim memory of Heather pointing out a specific one from the cabin. There were only a few to choose from, but her first hunch was correct. She scanned the shore, screaming suddenly in surprise at what she saw, Jennifer jumping in shock next to her.