Not-So-Straight A's

"With their pale- almost ghoulish- appearance..and screeching cries. Barn Owls were once better known as... Ghost Owls"

Mike was known for the dramatic effects he used in all of his storytelling, he held a candle under his shin and the flame flickered with every punctuating breath-

"Sounds like Louise" ... a voice interrupted out of the dark.

"Nope. None of that."

"But she's soooooo-"...the pesky voice continued, unsatisfied by their already unkind and very publicised remark.

Mike D was one of the few "counselors in training" at Camp Sebago that seemed like he was genuinely getting something out of the experience. I'm not complaining, really. Any information he was assigned to give us was delivered like it was straight out of an old R.L Stine. I mean, none of us got goosebumps, but we were definitely more entertained than the other cabins. As goofy as he was- Mike D made our required science trip interesting, in ways. But most of all, he didn't put up with Maddie Delaney's shit. Not once. Not for a second.

"This is more serious than you seem to understand. As a matter of fact- you are now going to have to write an essay on the Legacy and Endangerment of Barn Owls in order to pass this portion of the camp."

"Now- Barn Owls are actually incredibly sweet, smart, and remarkably romantic creatures- they mate for life when they find their "one", so, to be compared to one is QUITE a compliment"

He winked at me in the dark, which made me giggle, though I hoped no one noticed.

"They're also in an incredible amount of danger. We are lucky enough to be staying on protected land, where the capturing or abuse of any Ghost Owl is illegal, but all over our country they are being SNATCHED up, bred in captivation, and tested on for products you have most likely brought with you in your toiletry kits"

The whole cabin gasped- thinking about the unnecessary harm done, for what? a lip gloss? a scented shampoo?

The candle he had been using for light as he taught the lesson flickered in Mike D's hand and burnt out. In complete darkness now, he went on-

"And THAT is only one example of just how serious we are about the Barn Owl here at Bego-"

The first time I ever heard anyone call Camp Sebago that I became embarrassingly excited because I thought they had said bagel... no such luck.

" We also believe the spirit of the ghost Owl is more powerful than that of our own ancesters. Ing fact, In the 50 years that Bego has been running this program-"

the light of the candle flickered back to light and Mike D let out a sigh that, didn't seem entirely surprised.

"We have witnessed- over an over- a seemingly mystical interference with all of our lessons surrounding the Barn owl- almost as if they're encouraging us to tell their story, and to leave no detail unsaid."

The light in his hand flickered once more- and he cleared his throat and then raised his voice, slightly

"Especially! And ever more consistently, as the climate crisis, has continued to move us toward a world that is- not only despicable- but absolutely inhabitable-"

A gasp could be heard from all of the girls in the cabin- were we old enough to know about this kind of stuff?

"-for most creatures. Humans, still, will survive- for a while"

There was an audible sigh as the room full of middle-school girls relaxed, with the knowledge they weren't at immediate risk of extinction.

Then the light flickered once more, as Mike finished his shpiel in one breath:

"But as we all know- an earth that is inhabitable for one, is ultimately inhabitable for none"

He blew out the candle.

"Anyway ! Goodnight ladies ! Remember to take a buddy if you need to leave the cabin at any point before dawn. Barn owls are nocturnal, and they don't seem to be happy tonight... "

He left the cabin faster than any of us could fathom a response to the story. Why would some silly, naturistic, climate change, woo woo stuff have us all so shaken up? No one said a word until-

"Well that was weird !!!" - it was the same voice as before and despite Mike's scare tactics she seemed to be on one still... "Weird like...Louise" she added. Some of the girls chuckled.

It was amazing to think we had been such close friends before.

I couldn't help but rebut this time "Madeline can't you just shut up for once ?"

"ooooooh" the entire cabin of girls in bed was listening and my cheeks immediately flushed red to be involved in something so dramatic, with someone I once-

"Or WHAT?" she snapped. And I couldn't help myself-

"Or I'll-"

she interrupted as if she'd been waiting to say it since, well, since that day

"or you'll KISS ME?"

I didn't say a word after that, but hoped that, maybe, some of the girls in the cabin would struggle to understand what Madeline had meant. Maybe they were so innocent they wouldn't ever be able to figure out our big secret: The fact that I had kissed her only three nights before and stupidly, had somehow convinced myself that Madeline Delaney, the prettiest girl in class, was really kissing me back.

It was dark, and late, I listened as the once- excited rhythm of breath in the cabin slowed to a sleepy white noise around me.

The screech of a hungry owlet echoed through the forest outside the cabin made the hairs on my arms stand on end and I thought that if I stayed still enough I might hold onto that feeling for just a little longer. The way it felt when her hand grazed mine, just before I leaned in- and she did to.