Later that Day…
It was activity time at Camp Fun. Trailing behind with his new friends, Deron admired the Camp's leafy undergrowth and amazingly quiet setting. Even though it was a holiday camp, it still had a peaceful, yet eerie atmosphere. He sighed in contentment as he watched the sunlight dappling through the canopy of the tall Redwood trees onto the boisterous campers trampling through the woodland below, and highlighting the new object of his admiration, Amanda.
He just couldn't describe how beautiful she was. She was like an angel, sent down from Heaven to protect and save the people with influential personalities from going too far. Deron knew for a fact he felt happier with the world every time he looked at Amanda. His heart fluttered happily at the sight of her, and he longed just to be with her.
Yet at the same time, she tortured him inside, by him not knowing how she felt for him, or even if she actually liked him. He'd sell his soul for one moment with her, just so he could know how she felt for him.
He was brought sharply back to this world as a heavy hand clouted him on his shoulder.
Isaac waved his hand in front of Deron's face, much to Deron's discontent. "Hey dude! Wake up, we're here! What world have you been on? Can I join you there?" he said gleefully, hoping some sort of narcotics or drugs were involved.
Deron frowned. "What do ya mean? I have been on this world…" he then paused, and thought for a moment, not actually remembering how they had suddenly got to a forest clearing, with a river bubbling through it. All the other campers were helping to set up the rafting activity. "…Haven't I?" he added feebly.
Isaac chortled. "You most certainly have not been! We've been trying to get your attention for ages!" he exaggerated.
Amanda cleared her throat, correcting Isaac. "Not ages, actually Isaac. Only about a minute really." She sighed dryly, rolling her eyes at the eccentric punk rocker. She turned to Deron, beaming widely. It made his heart skip a beat. "Don't mind him! He always exaggerates! What you been thinking about then?" she asked intently. The other friends wandered off to try and make themselves useful by helping to set up the activity.
Amanda sunk down onto a fallen-down tree trunk for a rest, and patted the space next to her, gesturing for Deron to join her. Deron blushed slightly as he realised he and Amanda were alone, and he sat down hastily next to her. Amanda smiled at him sweetly. "So what were you thinking about?"
Deron smiled back nervously. "Not much really… I was just thinking this Camp is set in such a nice place… But the camp doesn't really live up to the scenery. It's shit compared to its surroundings…" he replied in a hushed tone, embarrassed.
Amanda smiled still. "Wow, that's deep. I know what you mean though…" she trailed off as her eyes fell upon the scars on Deron's arms. She gently took his arm and studied them. Deron, shocked, pulled his arm back in horror, his expression hurt. Amanda looked apologetically into his eyes. "Sorry, I didn't mean to offend." She dropped her head, ashamed.
Deron's expression softened, and he smiled slightly. "That's OK… It's just a sensitive issue I guess," he explained gently. He examined his scars and cuts with deep sorrow. It hurt just to look at them; they were a stark reminder of all the pain he had been through.
Amanda looked sympathetically at Deron. "There's more to you then meets the eye, you know, Deron." Deron looked at her quizzically as he contemplated her remark. "Well, I mean you come across to me as someone who's trying to hide their past, and attempting to cover your insecurities by coming across as confident, when in fact you are far from it."
Deron exhaled in amazement. "Wow, now who's the one being deep?"
Amanda smiled. "I take psychology, sociology and Communication Studies as extra-curricular activities. There's not much that can get past me." She shrugged simply.
Deron went to speak, but was interrupted by the camp leader announcing that the activity was about to start. Deron looked sidelong at Amanda, and caught her eye. "I guess that means we've gotta join in," he said meekly.
Amanda smiled. "I guess so!" She chirped, and got up. She offered her hand to Deron to help him up. "Come on, let's go build some rafts!" Deron took her hand cautiously and got up, and together they walked over to the bustling bank of the river.
