Camping: Lunch (Stuart)

Lunch is a subdued affair. Everyone is tired from the uphill hike and takes a moment to catch their breath.

They spread out around the tiny clearing marked on the map as the designated rest area. Logan settles on a low boulder, climbing up and perching himself on top, while Derek takes the tree stump next to it. They both pull out their lunches (simple sandwiches) and bottled water. Its only when Logan is through his first triangle when he notices Julian tinkering around with something. The boy is sitting/squatting on a flat rock close to the ground, knees drawn up practically to his cheeks. Between his feet is a tiny metal box that he has unfolded and placed on a clear patch of earth. In his left hand is a square tablet and his right hand a lighter. He lights the tablet and places it in the center of the metal box. A metal cup with water inside goes over the whole contraption.

Derek and Logan watch incredulously as Julian produces a bowl of instant ramen from his backpack, the colourful packaging adding to the surreal scene. Julian removes the plastic shrink wrap and peels back the lid a quarter of the way. Once he's all set up he puts the bowl down, clasps his hands and rubs them together in anticipation.

"Jules, what are you doing?" Derek finally speaks in between chews. Julian who has been blissfully unaware of his surroundings all the while looks up, eyes wide and tongue sticking out the corner of his mouth. The expression sets Logan off and he nearly topples off the boulder laughing.

"Waiting for the water to boil. Duh!" And he doesn't have to wait long. It's soon bubbling and Julian is enjoying his hot meal in minutes, while making happy yummy noises. Logan is reminded of a video he once saw of a hungry kitten going nom!nom!nom!. It was the cutest thing he'd ever seen...- the cat. NOT Julian...maybe.

Thad who's sitting behind Derek notices Julian slurping on his hot ramen pipes up "Hey where did you get the hot water?"

Logan gestures to Julian and his micro-stove with the hand holding his sandwich, "Ask Eagle Scout there."

Thad's eyes go wide when it dawns on him. He quickly pulls out a bottle from his backpack and shakes it. "We brought instant coffee but we don't have hot water..."

EVERYONE is suddenly silent. This time it's Logan's eyes that go wide with the realization,"Julian! Put the fire back on!".