Hey, guys! I hope you're enjoying this story so far- as you know it has more words per chapter than my old fanfics, and I also think it's written better than the first chapter of my last fanfic. Please support by reviewing and clicking the follow and fave button! Again, enjoy!


chapter three-tree chairs


Tobias suddenly stopped, flipping the ball up into the air and grasping it again. In front of him and the peoples behind him, was a large wooden structure, with a sloppy sign that read CAMP CHANGING ROOMS.

''We can pick up our camp tees at this changing room. It's my favorite." Gumball pryed the feeling of resentment for Mr. I-Get-To-Take-Charge off his chest vigorously and ambled along with the other boys.

Leslie ogled disdainfully at the mangy shed, his eyes practically screaming his complete opinion on it's crooked steps and broken roof. "This one?" He made eyes at it as if the building was a putrid container of foggy yellow fluid. "Why am I not surprised this is your favorite?"

"No need to be rude, Les,"

"Your room is legit a mess," Joe chided, looking over his nonexistent shoulderblade at Gumball and Darwin. 'Bias shot menacing daggers at him, his eyes slit so close that you could almost see the shine of knives.

Recovering quickly, Tobias stuck his greasy tanned hands into the basket perched on the porch, and pulled a wrinkled short over his head and hair. "What are you waiting for? One size fits all,"

"Are you certain?" Asked scrawny Leslie, who intricately picked at the lining of his new camp wardrobe. The shirt was red and already fading, with a big white tree floating aimlessly in the center. The flower flicked a dead leaf off the cloth.

"These are cool," Darwin mumbled, trying to ignore the fact he had no body to wear the ensemble on, and the fact no one noticed. "Any hats?"

'Bias placed an oversized camp hat on the fishes' head. The cap toppled over his face, leaving only his aggravated frown visible.

"There you go. Now for Gumball," At the ring of his childish name, Gumball's eyes widened slightly, and brightened in shade. Looking down at himself, it hit him that he appeared a tad disheveled and ruddy. His cheeks were tinted pink from the heat, and he could feel sweat swimming down his neck. He knew his hair must have been a mess; he could never keep it looking kept.

Joe plucked the shirt away from his colorful friend and handed it to the muted Gumball. In turn, the taller boy slipped his jersey off (timidly) and tugged the new one over his head. He noticed it smelt of new clothes aroma, a scent his nose hadn't the joy in sniffing in quite some time.

Tobias giggled. Then Joe giggled. And so Leslie giggled.

Darwin was silent. Not because he wasn't one to laugh, but because he didn't know the reason for a chuckle out of any of them.

Blinking, Gumball grasped the right end of the shirt, and stuck it into his jeans pocket.

Joe giggled. Then Leslie giggled. And so Tobias giggled.

"What?" Darwin said briskly, hoping his naivety to the situation wasn't totally obvious.

With no shame, 'Bias did not take Gumball's feelings into perspective. No, instead of deviating from the truth, and covering up for the sake of his classmate and for the sake of just flat out being a sincere, nice person, Tobias clutched Gumball's stomach fiercely.

"Look at this, he's flat. Looks like a girls'," Maintaining his cold, clammy grasp on Gumball's tummy, Tobias didn't stop. "What happened? No muscles for Gummypuss?"

Despising how utterly and agonizingly capricious Tobias' personality was, Gumball slapped Tobias' hand away. In turn, the rainbow boy's eyes seemed to pop up, stunned by the bold move.

''Screw you, man,'' Snapped Gumball hesitantly.

"Sorry, geez. Just pointing it out," Sing-songed Tobias, his tone goading Gumball on. The rainbow boy stuck his tongue out at a bleeding pimple on his right shoulder.

"Yeah, why?" Continued Gumball, now self consciously straightening his clothes out, heart being seized with rage. And humiliation.

Joe was next to criticize, though Gumball found this humorous, as he was skinny and petite, a mere fruit that could be squashed any moment. He tried to push away the wish of that happening soon.

"Heh, still got some of that weight, huh?" The banana twittered, motioning a sleek finger towards Gumball's large-for-a-guy sides.

"You know, it's a hereditary thing!" Darwin interrupted, acting as a much needed savior.

"I can defend myself," Commented Gumball. Darwin recoiled in surprise, and then shrugged indifferently. it wasn't his problem if Gumball didn't accept someone being nice.

"There's nothing wrong with it," Tobias declared, "it's easily fixed. Just don't wear your pants too tight,"

"I'm fine with how I look," The cat hissed. It seemed like more of a statement Gumball was trying to, by force, engrave in his mind.

"Oh, leave him alone," Leslie was attempting to conceal his smirk with a dainty leaf. "He's fine, lets just drop it, alright? The ceremony is going to start soon."

"Ah, calm down," Tobias wrapped and arm around Gumball. "I'm just messing with him!"

Gumball slithered his way out of Tobias uncomfortable embrace. Looking down at his feet as he walked, he began mute again, his thoughts overpowering his voice.

Tobias shifted to the front, ignoring the rejection of peace.

Who the hell said my body was their concern? Honestly, sometimes, I wish I could just totally cuss them all out. Tell them what nitwits they are. How ugly Tobias' hair is. How annoying Leslie's little voice is, how utterly stupid Banana Joe can be. I'm happy with myself and that's all that matters. At least, I thought I was happy. But I guess I'm really not. I wish my tongue wasn't glued so damn hard to my mouth.

As they proceeded to traverse through the forest, the tingling noise of music rung in Gumball's ears. He could hear sound booming from not too far away. He could vividly feel the taste of popcorn, marshmallows and fruit punch prance across his lips, teasing him. He then wondered if Jamie had eaten her bar yet.

Gumball sensed little spurts of heat on his right shoulder. He peered around to see Leslie had been tapping him.

"You know, Gumball, if you're ever feeling...down, you can come with me to FIN. That stands for 'Friends in Need.' It's a group that meets by the Sycamore Church half an hour after mass. I think you need it."

Like Gumball had asked him for any aid. Especially a place that talking was involved. Everyone knew how atrocious he was at communicating his feelings. If only writing was the top form of communication. Everything looked better jotted or in a font.

"Promise you'll think about it?" The flower mused, breaking Gumball's thought. "It's really helpful. There's all types of people there."

"OK." Gumball said.

"Great." Leslie swallowed, feeling a bit awkward being the only one truly steering any conversation. "You'd really be a lot more interesting to talk to if you bothered to speak."

Gumball said nothing after that.

Growing closer to the end of the trail, he could also smell smoke, and so he squeezed his nose, as to not intake the contaminated air. Tobias kicked an empty and filthy and flattened Marlboro pack to the curve of the path, and let his shoulders sag.

"We're getting close, dudes,"

"I know that, I've been here before," Joe joked impishly.

"Dipshit," Scolded his messy haired friend. "I wasn't talking to you. Not everything's about you, Joey,"

"We've been here before too, dude," Darwin mentioned. "But it's been a while. I certainly wouldn't have been able to find this."

Leslie instantly began to wander further ahead, searching for the rest of the Elmore Junior High cheerleading squad. This made Gumball ponder if they would be in the Elmore High squad. He wondered if they'd make it. The only effort they ever put into anything was the effort to stay slim. This kind of darkened his mood.

"I'm going to look for Molly!" Leslie announced, disappearing behind a tall, thick bush. "Bye!" His shrilly voice dinged in Gumball's ears momentarily.

"Ciao!" Joe and 'Bias responded playfully, waving like aristocrats. Gumball tried to ignore 'Bias next movement; a simple roll of his eyes that meant so much.

"I hate to say it, but I'm kinda glad he's gone," Tobias remarked. "He's kind of too sassy for me. Besides. I'd rather hang around real men."

"What's that supposed to mean?" The words that escaped Darwin's plump lips didn't match the soft, plush tone he used. This was because Darwin didn't know what Tobias meant. Gumball kinda hoped it would stay that way, and had been thankful that Darwin didn't question his joke with Joe on the bus. He didn't really want to have to explain sexual attraction to such an ignorant (due to being shaded) companion.

"He's obviously a pansy,"

"Like, a flower?" Darwin's obliviousness was demonstrated so thoroughly Tobias had to chuckle with well intention.

"No, like a gay," Joe added.

"Huh?"

"Darwin. Dude. He's obviously homosexual." Tobias stepped roughly onto a lost candy wrapper laying on the soil.

"What's that mean?" Gumball could see the hesitance on Darwin's face, probably from the word 'sexual' being in it.

"It means he likes men, Darwin," His brother stepped in. If anyone was going to tell Darwin about same sex couples, it was to be someone who was actually A) not a bigot and B) trustworthy. "But don't go asking him about it. It's probably not even true."

With completing this statement, Gumball sneakily and subtly glared at Tobias. Now, he was praying that Darwin wouldn't ask anything more, or worse, inquire Leslie himself if it was true out of curiosity.

"Leslie likes men?" Darwin echoed. "Really?"

"Evidently," 'Bias stated matter of factly, as if he knew everything he could possibly know in the universe. ''Face it- he wants us.''

"We don't know that for sure," Gumball whispered, though a fraction of him probably thought the identical way, except softer. "He hasn't said anything, so what makes us believe it's fact?"

"Leslie is not a real man." Tobias conveyed. Gumball felt like telling him off for being a ignorant little bitch, but was interrupted by the crumpling of dead leaves and the ruthless rhythms of footfalls. ''That's fact, and Leslie will never be a real man.''

"Wilson, can it!" Everyone looked up to find the voice. "You still the little gossiping poof-ball you were last year, huh?"

"Shut up, Cucumber," Tobias placed his hands on this new character's chest and pushed him backward into a patch of flowers.

Gumball rose a brow, grateful for the change of topic. The boy was average height, with his legs making up most of his size. He wore a red Camp Sycamore Tree hoodie, and he appeared to be a lime colored lizard.

"Gumball, Darwin, meet Cucumber. He's going into tenth grade this year," Tobias flung a hand out, motioning towards the red-coated boy. "We call him cucumber because when Joe and I met him two summers ago, he had cucumber bits stuck in his braces."

"You like telling that story, don't you?" Huffed Cucumber.

"Yeah, I rather fancy it." Answered Tobias. He slugged Cucumber in the arm. "Dork."

Gumball hadn't been really paying attention after noticing the new figure's look. No, he'd been distracted with Darwin by the scene before them.

There was a wooden stage set in the middle of what looked like a center of a town. It was draped with felt curtains colored a deep, hot red. The lights were strung sloppily, swinging in the light breeze. The steps were painted various different colors and shades, with names and letters carved or scribbled on it.

There were already a few people, a few girls beginning to select their seats. The chairs were all made of rock, and were resting on a hill. Gumball didn't think it looked very comfortable.

The scents still wafted in the air, welcoming to the duo. A cooler filled with juices was set by a tree, with a sign that read "Take Me!"

Thats when they noticed the tree-chairs.

They were tied by ropes to the branches that hung them. Their seats were cleverly crafted of basket and wood. They blew in and out with the small wind. The ropes had colorful tissue papers tied around their thick braid. Greens and blues and reds and yellow and oranges and beautiful pinks. It looked like someone's fiesta had regurgitated all over it. But it was nice. The tissues fluttered in the air as well.

Taking off, Gumball ignored the pesky grass against his ankles, even it's moisture from morning dew. He zipped to the middle of it all- past the college-aged and middle-aged counselors seated on the right, passed the cooler. Straight to the tree-chairs he went.

''It's amazing!'' He mumbled endearingly. barely touching the rope, as if afraid it would crack and crumble into dust. He stepped onto the seat, heavily coated with dried-from-forever glue, and brought the rest of his adolescent body onto the chair.

The rest of the guys cam crowding in after, Tobias and Joe slipping into the clutches of the tree quickest, from years of experience. Joe even dared to hang upside down as 'Bias whistled.

''Alright, men, see that?'' He pointed an index finger at a branch that held one side of his rope. ''Pull on that, then tie it. Go!''

They all tugged, as the thinnest part of the rope traveled through a hole in the tree branch. All five began to zoom up, tug by tug, into the sky. Gumball used every bit of manliness in him not to look down. He, truthfully, didn't need 'Bias calling him a pansy too.

''Woah!'' Shouted Darwin, who's chair hung near the middle of the tree. ''Is this even legal?''

''WHO CARES!'' Whooped Tobias from a foot higher. ''AH! Every time I come up here is like the first. It's always the morning, and the grass is always coated with droplets. And the girls are always in a circle in their girly corner. And I can smell the strong, somehow good-tasting, juice from up up here.''

Gumball's heart softened. It was just, he'd never heard Tobias say anything so meaningful. So beautiful. And the way his voice sounded while reciting it- it sounded so mature, so handsome- so unlike Tobias, to put it in a more comprehensible manner. He broke out into a small, light grin. He tugged harder, with more force than before, goaded by Tobias' description.

He was at the lowest height of all of them, but it was wonderful. The view was splendid. it reminded Gumball of the hillside he could see each and every morning in Ireland when he opened the hotel window's curtains. It looked so mysterious, so mystical, so mythological. All the greens, deep and light shades absorbing him into a pit of plain joy. His heart turned from soft, squishy and meek to fluid. The sight and view made his heart melt.

I wish Penny could be here to see this, thought Gumball's heart, she'd love it. I wonder if Cole would like it, too. I guess they would like it...together.

''Awesome, as it always is!'' Sang Joe, his voice telling you that he relished it with all of his small body. He was hanging upside down, swinging his arms, legs looped around the rope.

''You guys are such sissies,'' Cucumber said.

''Then I like being a sissy.'' Gumball spoke with confidence, brushing his earlier thought of Penny off.

''If it means getting to see this, then yeah!'' Tobias guffawed wistfully. He stretched his arms out, prompting the others to try the same. ''WOO-HOO!''

Tobias then daringly stood up on the chair, and swung it. Then, he sat down as it swung back and forth like a kiddie's swing set. Holding on tight, he lifted himself up shortly later, and stuck his tongue out.

''Dude, what the heck are you doing?'' Darwin questioned, thinking Tobias looked like a fool.

''Tasting the air.'' 'Bias responded plainly.

''I want to taste it,'' Darwin admitted. He opened his mouth up for the breeze, and swallowed. He didn't feel much, just tingles dancing on his pink tongue. ''I don't taste anything.''

Glumly, he waited for a reply. Tobias laughed, swinging profusely.

''Did you get tingles?''

''Yeah.''

''That's the taste.''

Darwin rose a brow, perplexed, as Tobias merely gazed upon him.

A loud whistle broke the nice, not-awkward silence. The birds that had been laying in the highest locations of the trees soared out, crowing in fear from the ear piercing sound. Gumball clasped his hands over his lobes.

''WELCOME BACK TO CAMP SYCAMORE TREE,'' Hollered a laid-back looking man. The boys hadn't noticed it, but more campers had rolled in behind them, and the youngsters were gawking, stunned, at the tree-chairs. ''WE HOPE TO HAVE A GOOD YEAR THIS YEAR. AS WE DO EVERY YEAR, WE'LL BE GOING OVER THE SCHEDULES FOR EACH AGE GROUP. K THROUGH 5, PLEASE FOLLOW MS. MACDOGUAL TO THE CAMP CHANGING ROOMS ON THE LEFT, WHERE YOUR PROGRAM WILL BE DISCUSSED.''

''That's Chuy,'' Cucumber explained. ''He talks real loud.''

''OK, THE REST OF YOU! WELCOME BACK, IM REAL EXCITED TO SEE HOW THIS SEMESTER TURNS OUT! SOON TO BE SIXTH GRADERS, YOU'LL BE MEETING IN OAK TREE. SOON TO BE SEVENTH GRADERS, YOU'RE IN WILLOW. SOON TO BE EIGHTH GRADERS, YOU'RE IN PINE. SOON TO BE NINTH GRADERS, YOU'RE IN MAPLE-''

''What's he talking about? We meet up with the counselors in trees?'' Darwin didn't appreciate that.

''No, dumbass, those are the little cabins over there. Well, they're way huger when you're on the ground. Anyway, they're all named after trees, and whoever's in them goes by that name. Last year we were Pines. Now we've grown, so we're Maples.'' Joe chortled.

''This Chuy guy must really like trees,'' Darwin started. ''Even the camp's named after a tree.''

''OK, ENOUGHT ABOUT THE LAME STUFF. THIS YEAR WE WILL BE CONTINUING OUR CULTURE WEEK EVENTS. THIS WEEK WE WILL BE CELEBRATING IRELAND, AS WE HAVE A GUEST COMING IN FOR THE SUMMER. YOUR HEAD COUNSELORS WILL TELL YOU THE DETAILS AND WHEN YOUR TURN TO EXPERIENCE IT IS. THE SPORTS PATCH WILL BE OPEN ON TUESDAY. THIS INCLUDES THE POOL AND POOL TABLE. WRITING SESSION WILL OPEN ON SUNDAY. FOR THE NOOBS, THIS IS A TIME WHERE YOU CAN SIT AND WRITE TO YOUR PARENTS. SPEAKING OF PARENTS, THE PARENTS PARTY THAT WE HAVE AT THE END OF EACH SUMMER WILL GO ON AS PLANNED. NOW THAT WE'RE DONE WITH THAT, WE'LL BEGIN THE CEREMONY!''

Kids beneath them applauded and hooted, as Gumball looked in confusion. ''Ceremony for what?''

''The Ceremony of Sprouts. It's like a birthday for everyone over sixth grade in the camp. We get to all come up in a circle and say a confession or something that we improved on that wasn't said last year.'' Eyes widening in excitement, Tobias sat down before he would fall. Dusting off his trousers, he lay back and relaxed.

''And then we get these 99 cents store plastic king and queen crowns with our tree name on it.'' Cucumber finished.

''OK, YOUNG OAKS, PLEASE RISE TO THE STAGE!''

At the command of Head Counselor Chuy, sixth graders swarmed the stage, positioning themselves into a circle. They all looked like little boxes from where the Maple boys could see them. Unfortunately, they could still hear the boxes.

''I'M TOMMY, AND I'VE STOPPED BEING MEAN TO GIRLS.''

''IM ARIANA, AND I'VE STOPPED STUFFING MY BRA!''

''IM MADISON, AND IVE STOPPED TALKING DURING CLASS!''

''IM BRENDAN, AND IVE STARTED TRYING IN MATH.''

''IM ANTONIO, AND IVE STOPPED ANNOYING MY HISTORY TEACHER MR ARTS!''

Well, they've been good.

After around thirty annoying confessions, the seventh graders (Willows) approached the stage with just as much energy.

''IM AMANDA, AND IVE STOPPED BEING MEAN TO CHAIRS!''

''IM DAVID S, AND I HAVENT HIT A CAR WITH A BASEBALL THIS YEAR!''

''IM JOSH, AND I HAVENT HAD A GIRLFRIEND FOR A FEW MONTHS. ANYONE INTERESTED? HERE'S MY NUMBER-''

''IM GABY, AND IVE STOPPED DRAWING DURING SCIENCE!''

''IM JASON, AND IVE STOPPED MAKING FUN OF GIRLS WITH SMALLER BOOBS. WE'RE ALL BEE-U-TEE-FULL!''

They had a few chuckles and chortles and giggles, and so after the Pines went, strutting off the stage with their silver crowns. And so, it was finally time for the Maples.

''Aw man,'' Cucumber heaved a heavy sigh. ''Guess we're going down...''

''Are you kidding?'' Tobias interrogated. ''That's one of the best parts!''

Untying the small yet strong knot, at lightning and dangerous speed, the chair soared down until it was a foot above the surface.

Gumball wanted to get it over with. So, he loosened the knot and closed his blue eyes shut. He could feel the wind shaking him back and forth, his shirt flailing up from the fall, and the rope twisting through the hole.

He emitted a small gasp. Then, opening his eyes fearfully, he saw he was down. Then, his ears popped. Lobes aching, he groaned and thought of the view to make him feel better.

''Let's go,'' Tobias took charge once more. ''We can meet Man Loving Leslie up there. I already know what I'm going to say!'' Gumball tensed up at 'Man Loving Leslie.' He hoped Tobias wouldn't mention it further.

''Oh, yeah? What?'' Joe finished up his waving to Cucumber, who left to reunite with his fellow Bonsais (tenth graders.)

''I forgot.'' Tobias teased, causing the duo to crack up in hysterics. Even Darwin laughed, and Gumball smirked.

''But seriously, man. What?''

Tobias had a concentrated look on his face. ''What about how I quit the fireworks trade?''

''Oh, geez,'' Darwin gulped hard. ''With you and Gumball in the same cabin, within a week we'll have to sleep outside.''

''You buy fireworks?'' Gumball asked, concerned and in disbelief.

''Used to buy fireworks. And yeah, I got them from a Sequoia Tree, an eleventh grader from way back when. But I've stopped now,'' 'Bias placed a hand over his heart. ''I swear. Now zip it, before someone hears ya.''

Gumball did so.

And so the Maples began their confessions.


Well, since this is a coming of age story, I felt I should include some sort of 'secret.' By this I mean illegally purchasing fireworks. Bad 'Bias! Bad!

I hope you guys enjoyed this- gosh, these things keep getting longer! I'd say it'll be shorter next time, but who knows?

Remember to review! Thanks!