Hey everyone! I hope you guys are enjoying this so far! Please continue to review to support! Thanks again!
Also, to those of you who reviewed on Tobias: Yes, he is quite the chaotic bigot, isn't he? Just wait, you'll see more of his misdoings later. Then you'll really hate him.
Some things to keep in mind:
*Jessie's Girl- song by Rick Springfield
*Pancake ass vs bubble butt- one looks like two bubbles, the other looks like two pancakes from someone's breakfast.
*Rae Gilbert is Hot is written in one of the stalls in the girl's bathroom at my school.
*At the part where gumball was scratching his neck, I was scratching my neck!
This chapter is dedicated to my mom, who thinks butts are funny, and my cousin, who thinks she's weird. I also dedicate it to Rae Gilbert. Go you, man!
chapter four-maples
The soon to be ninth graders gathered in a circle- Gumball behind Joe and Tobias, Darwin close by his side as they ascended the stairs. Whilst glancing around at his surroundings, familiar faces and new faces, Gumball noticed sad, dull looks, as if energy had been sucked out of them. This made his head ache from the pain of his mind analyzing why they could be so forlorn in appearance. He thought normal kids relished being outside, scraping their knees and chatting away.
They all began to simmer down and sit, Chuy and the new nurse, Cynthia, remained standing. Flicking one of her curls back into her hair, the attractive woman seemed to be analyzing something as well, but unfortunately this was not the bitter frowns and forced half smiles. Her eyes were scanning the boys' bodies, eyes gleaming brighter at the sight of one with either muscles, or pretty twinkling eyes. Tobias noticed this, and his shoulders sagged. Gumball wished to step in and tell Tobias he'd be much taller and much more desirable if he didn't slouch, but his tongue lay glued as always. Besides, Tobias didn't quite deserve the movement of Gumball's tongue, or the effort of his words.
"Mr. Wilson, would you like to go first?" Chuy asked, tapping his clipboard and sliding an arm around Cynthia's waist. She seized his hand spitefully and twisted it off her sides. Ouch.
"Sure," Shrugged Tobias nonchantly. "Hey, guys, I'm Tobias. And this year, I'm going to go from a *pancake ass to a bubble butt!"
A bunch of people cheered at this and laughed aloud. With chagrin, Chuy moved on to the next person.
"Hi, I'm Jesse. And over the school semester, I dumped my girlfriend because she didn't appreciate me," A horse clarified, smiling softly. This was awarded with an applause of congrats.
"*JESSIE'S GIRL. DU DU DU DUH! I WISH THAT I HAD JESSIE'S GIRL! WHERE CAN I FIND A WOMAN LIKE THAT~" Someone sang the tune abnormally loudly, hitting the chords correctly and overall sounding fine despite yelling.
"I play along with the charades. There doesn't seem to be a reason to change," Gumball continued softly.
"Do you care to go?" Chuy questioned sarcastically to the mysterious voice.
"OK. Hey, wasup, my name is Clayton, and this year...'' He paused, and then let a wide smirk spread across his lips. ''I forgot.''
The males in the circle broke out into chuckles, the ones closest to the ball of clay punching him jokingly in the shoulderblade.
"Very nice, very nice. Now, who would like to go?"
The wealthy cloud girl sitting beside Molly Collins lifted into mid-air from where she hovered. She slipped a golden bracelet off her poofy right arm and placed it in the direction of the sun, letting it glow.
"I'm Masami Yoshida, as you know, duh, cause who doesn't? Anyway, this year I've lost ten pounds." To show this, she posed like a magazine model.
"That's fantastic, home-slice!" Banana Joe said in a goofy, gruff voice, facing backwards so no one could see it was him mocking the clearly misguided and vain young woman.
"Very funny, Joseph!" Snapped Masami ruefully. She shot him the finger and then proceeded to sit back down next to her friend, as the audience erupted into "she got him good!" and "Oh snap, mother-fudger!"
"Ay, play nice!" Chuy scolded the disrespectful behavior. Gumball had to admit, that for a non offensive joke such as the fruit's, scorning with such manner seemed exaggerated.
"I'm Leslie, and I've learned to play a new instrument-"
"I'm Leslie Fitzgerald," Spoke a raspy, high pitched voice. It was mocking, and cruel in a way that made Gumball jolt. "And this year, I'm going to kiss the coo-u-tist boy in camp! Mwah!"
Leslie's face flushed, legs looking wobbly from where Gumball could view. Everyone had heard the little comment. The sequoia, the elm, the maple, the bonsai. Chuy especially heard it, and it made his eyeballs bulge. Gumball wondered exactly why he had this reaction.
"Ay, what did I say? Whoever that was, you better stop. And I mean it." He raged, causing silence to fall over the camp. Even the older kids who were seated below the stage were quiet and hush hush. It was as if they too had disappointed their beloved director.
"Yeah. I, um, I've started the clarinet. It's been...OK." Leslie faltered, and then slumped his shoulders. Crouching down to his spot, he nestled into Molly and Teri's welcoming arms. Tears began to slip out of his eyelids, flooding without any sound.
Darwin's muscles tensed. Darwin always got this way with things like these- horrid pranks, jokes and teases. Comments like these made the twelve year old worry deeply, lips pressed together tightly, hands clamming into balls.
Gumball really did wish to stick up for Leslie. He truly did. But, as always, his tongue lay glued to his mouth. It was so hard, to stand up for what you believed, at least for Gumball. Ever since the day at the airport, where Penny had given him their last lip lock, Gumball had thought harder then ever. He'd never felt so seriously about anything before. But maybe that's what occurs when you lose something so significant. Especially when you lose that significant something to a handsome European dream boat.
Jolting again from thinking about his daydream on the bus, trying not to think of Cole, he began fabricating comebacks to say, despite Chuy's orders to remain quiet. He tuned out whoever was going currently, mesmerized by all the things he could say. Once he realized who it was, of course.
Mentally hitting himself across the cheekbones, he realized how excruciatingly evident th identity of the culprit was. Ol' Wilson. Suddenly, Gumball recalled Tobias' plan.
"Pancake Ass, oh Prince Pancake Ass!" He cried in a feminine voice, making audibly profane noises. "Mwah! Mwah!"
Gumball had totally skipped his usual procedure of thinking through the consequences. He just spoke the words so quickly he knew he'd never be able to take them back, or erase them from his mind. Even so, the ringing of young laughs that he was granted were tangy and welcomed by his conscience.
"Oh, oh! Ah!" He continued. ''Oh, Prince Pancake Ass! You're just the best kisser!''
Chuy stood up taller, crossing his arms to appear pompous and strict. "Maples! Quit it! Who's next?"
"How about that one," Cynthia pointed a gel coated nail at Gumball, who inwardly gasped. Tilting her head, she turned to face Chuy."He looks quiet."
"Yeah," Chuy nodded enthusiastically. "Looks like a new one. Introduce yourself, kid,"
Gumball crawled out of his place between Darwin and a deep, burgundy curtain. He crossed his arms behind his back, pretended to be engrossed in his feet.
"Hey." He said, his body shifting back and forth in nervousness. "I'm Gumball Watterson and I...I..."
Racking his brain for something to say (how could he not have bothered to prepare something within the last few minutes?), he shrugged.
"I guess this year I want to improve myself overall. Fortunately for me, a pancake ass is not on my list of fixer uppers."
The boys and girl chortled momentarily. Gumball shrugged once more and then sat back down.
Chuy nodded in admiration of the concept. It did seem mature, and Gumball seemed to be well rounded. From the long list of his records Nicole had given him, he certainly wouldn't have expected it. And as for the last joke- it looked as if Leslie wiped a tear himself this time, instead of Teri doing it for him.
Tobias didn't show any reaction to either of the previous acts.
And so, the rest of the confessions continued to be shared, until the last maple, a pink pig named Maia Margolis, had gone.
Another counselor whom Gumball didn't know brought out a ripped and ramshackle cardboard box, containing the Maple crowns. Sitting up straighter to get a peek, he saw the crowns, alight in the sun.
''Now for your gifts,'' Chuy announced, grinning brightly. He slipped his hand into the box, and pulled out what looked like a replica of a Miss Universe tiara, shiny and pristine.
One by one, Chuy called the children by name in alphabetical order. Each one took a bow on the stage, and received somewhat indifferent claps and whistles from the older campers.
''Darwin Watterson!''
''Gumball Watterson!''
''Tobias Wilson!''
''Masami Yoshida!'' She blew kisses to the audience, igniting laughs.
Touching a nail to his crooked and flimsy crown, he fixed it's posture and strode off the stage, Tobias and Masami trudging behind him.
''That was so inappropriate.'' Declared the prosperous female haughtily, toying with her tiara beside Tobias. ''You know, what that person said? Leslie's a darling.''
''Yoshida, that's exactly why they said it.'' Explained Tobias. ''Because he's a darling. Boys aren't supposed to be ''darlll-lingsss.''
Masami stared intently at him with a surly look on her face. ''Tobias. It's not really our place to say anything, though I agree with you. I don't agree with same sex marriage, but what could I do about how some people chose to live their lives? ''
''They don't choose to be that way.'' Darwin stopped admiring the vegetation and the fields. He stopped cold, aiming his attention on the two children, who had obtained great opulence and typically maintained good fortune their entire lives.
''How do you know?'' 'Bias demanded, determined to make a point. ''Let me guess, you're the boyfriend?''
The younger boy stiffened at this accusation, attempting not to showcase his revolt at the idea. ''No. And I know because any sensible human being would know.''
''You calling me a dumbass?'' Hissed 'Bias, snatching Darwin's fin and pulling him closer so he could look him dead in the eye, histrionically, as if they were two life long adversaries. ''What the hell do you know? What are you now, eleven?''
''Twelve,'' Corrected Darwin. ''And I know plenty, thanks.''
As Tobias tightened his grip, Gumball blew out the ignited flame, as if blowing out a candle on a alabaster, vanilla birthday cake.
''Darwin. People are entitled to their opinion.'' He held Darwin's hand, lightly pulling him along towards the rest of the maple boys. ''Let's go, man.''
Darwin threw Gumball off his wrist and walked ahead of him, not being able to bear looking at anyone. After he recoiled in shock from the rejection, Gumball nodded at Tobias.
Tobias loosened his body, breathing pattern returning to normal. He gazed at Gumball questioningly, wondering what the nod could possibly mean. Did he want to fight him? Did he think Tobias was right? 'Bias couldn't tell.
The maples stood there, resuming to talk and chatter in a flock, waiting for further direction. Then, with a wave of her hand, Cynthia motioned to the homely looking cabin on the right of the hill. And with that wave, they all silenced.
"That's Maple Cabin, as I'm sure you know. In there you can meet with other maples to discuss things, like what you want to do for the cabin decorating contest. You'll be given paint, stickers, and other supplies." She explained, then placing her hands on her shapely hips. She did a little wave and walked down the hill, nearly tripping in her huge heels. Even with the little screw up, she was like a pretty blonde angel sent as a underserved gift to the boys and LGBT girls of Camp Sycamore Tree. Gumball had to admire her figure with the other boys, gawking intensely at her as she walked down the hill. All the boys were in a trance, except for Leslie, who was too concerned over the earlier events.
"Who could have said something so judgemental?" Leslie babbled, sniffling and adjusting his light pink petals. "Why would someone think I was gay? I godamn hate when people say I'm gay. I'm not effing gay!''
"Only a mean person, who probably feels really bad about themself, would say such things." Darwin clasped a hand around Leslie's leaf, and guided him down the hill as he cried for a few more minutes.
Gumball didn't want to look like a loner, so as Darwin comforted the group's victim, he headed straight towards Tobias. Neither of the two uttered a word to each other, whilst the other boys continued to parry and catch up.
They walked side to side, separated by a cold barrier. Gumball chewed his lip, as if all the things he were thinking might spew out. Usually if they did, they came out as a pitiful and pathetic meow. But today was a lucky one.
"I know it was you," Gumball whispered. Even though Tobias was at fault, and deserved to be impaled with stones, he didn't want to cause a fuss between him and Leslie. No, being the tattle tale he was in kindergarten would not solve anything at all. "I know it was you who did that impression. You basically outed him back there, 'Bias. And with Darwin and Masami..."
Tobias stood up taller, Gumball estimating the moody cabin companion was around two to three inches taller than he was.
''Hey, who are you to go accusing me of that?'' Tobias was dumbfounded. He certainly wouldn't have expected Gumball to say anything. ''And even if I did, so what? I was just messing him. He's just crying to get attention- dramatic, geez.''
Gumball didn't let go, and with valiance, he pointed an index finger at him. ''You hurt his feelings. And embarrassed him in front of a bunch of kids, kids we don't even know.''
Rolling his eyes, Tobias kicked a rock out of his path. ''Jesus, why's everyone so touchy these days? No one can take a joke.''
''That was a bad joke, man. A really bad joke.'' Divulged Gumball. ''That...that wasn't right.''
"Did you ever do anything when I called the sixth graders fags last year? No, so why defend anyone now? Keep your mouth shut. You're good at it." Tobias shot. ''Besides, it was funny. And don't act like you're Mr. Wonderful. Prince Pancake Ass?''
Then, he humored himself by patting Gumball on his rear. Appalled by the action and Tobias figuring him out, he bumped his shoulder into his arm and paced forward, leaving the truth-speaking and sadistic bigot in the dust as Pancake Ass cackled to himself.
What Tobias said was true. He never said anything when they were in middle school, and Tobias called someone a harsh name fifty times a day, especially at recess or after lessons. He never did. He just let him and other bullies get away with it. And the teachers never heard the fairly audible noise of aplomb being diminished. And it wasn't like one of the students was going to do anything, for it was putting themselves on the line.
That was what hurt the most. No, it wasn't the fact that people judged. No, it wasn't that fiendish Tobias had touched him. No, it was strongly the fact that Tobias was indeed correct. Gumball was as good as any other brainless bystander. And that was what hurt the most.
Hugging himself firmly, he stomped to the cabin in front of the other boys, nibbling his lip thoughtfully in the crisp air.
Once they had arrived at the cabin, they gathered at the wooden table set in the middle of the room, pushing the folders and pens aside. Pulling out a crinkled map, Clayton rolled it up and stuck it into his messenger bag. The girls circled around the boys, continuing to gossip and giggle excitedly.
Gumball first took note of the mesmerizing details in the room. There were garlands dangling gracefully from the walls, and little carvings on the ceiling. Tugging lightly at one of the green garlands, he noticed a whole dome of carvings and graffiti and inscriptions on the wall.
Little doodles of stick figures and profanity danced across the wall, a part of it. All different colors, though black was dominant. Some read forever a maple at heart or *Rae Gilbert is Hot. Gumball laughed to himself good naturedly, but not a sound was audible.
''OK then, here's our schedule. First we have breakfast, and then we have arts and crafts first.'' Joe read aloud, tapping the paper nailed to the desk. He clapped his hands to ensure he had everyone's attention, though Gumball was sure at least half of the maples had attention spans at a typical number of seconds standard to a hot dog's.
''Well, anyone hungry?'' Darwin asked, smiling warmly at the people that surrounded him.
''Starved to death, man,'' Whined Tobias, cheek pressed against the table, resting his head. ''I'm in the mood for pancakes.''
''Not really,'' Masami sighed, sounding as if dreading the event of a meal.
''I am.'' Teri shrugged, earning sharp daggers from her cloud friend. At this, Teri returned to her a look of ''what?''
''Yes, hungry as a horse,'' Maia oinked at Jesse, who huffed at the lame attempt at a pun..
''Very funny.'' He said sarcastically.
Joe rose up, and brought his hands together. ''Alrighty then, let's go to the cafe.''
''Is it far?'' Moaned Darwin, shoulders drooping.
''Depends on your definition of far. It's a little ways back.'' Jesse affirmed, rolling his shoulder up to reveal muscles. He held his arm up, showcasing it like an Egyptian artifact. Muscles bulging as he strained slightly, Tobias held his chin up high, ready to start trouble, Gumball guessed arm wrestling or a muscle-gaining contest.
''Tobias! Come on! I want to get our table from last year!'' Joe hollered, hauling Tobias out the door before he could say a syllable.
The maples' resident twelve year old rose a brow as he followed one of the girls out the opening. ''They really like reserving spots, don't they?''
''They're a very territorial species.'' Maia voiced, beginning to walk with Darwin. ''No one really knows why.''
When Joe and 'Bias saw the pig and fish strolling together, they cupped their hands over their mouths to hide their guffaws. Gumball skipped after them, trying not to look like the only maple without any friends. Of course, the quality of these friends wasn't that good, but good enough for a few minutes.
''What's so funny, guys?'' Gumball asked, *scratching his neck.
At the question, Tobias and Joe guffawed aloud, finding Gumball's obliviousness purely hysterical. Slapping 'Bias on the back, Joe swallowed before he let loose again.
''Oh my God, this is too good! This is legit too good! '' Joe wiped tears out of his eyes, laughing so hard, holding his stomach.
''Holy crap!'' Tobias shook his head in , and then resumed his laughter. ''Maia Margolis! MAIA!''
''What is it?'' Gumball asked again, impatiently.
Tobias heaved a sigh, beginning to calm down. ''Bruh. Maia Margolis is the weirdest girl at camp. She's obsessed with boys. Obsessed.''
''Obsessed?'' Repeated the cat.
''Obsessed. She's probably making a move on your brother right now.'' At this, Gumball couldn't help but peer behind him to see if it was true. It looked like the two were having a normal conversation that you would see any day in the city.
''I don't see her as a yandere.'' he admitted frankly.
''Dude, you don't know her! I know her, we know her. She's obsessed. I've seen her cabin.''
''Yeah!'' Joe sided with his friend. ''It's full of posters of male models and we heard that she has a photo of every guy at camp. No one knows how.''
''That's freaky.''
''We know! How does she do it?'' Joe exclaimed, eyes bugging out in bewilderment. He stretched his arm out, then rubbed his shoulder after it brushed past a tall bush.
''Guys, be quiet, she'll hear us!'' Their rainbow friend warned, and then gave Gumball a look who it is face. Gumball gave him a face that said touch me again and heads will roll.
''Are we there yet?'' Called Darwin from behind them, hopping over a lengthy branch.
''Almost, maples.'' Jesse called back from the front.
''I don't like that Jesse guy.'' 'Bias stated plainly. ''He thinks he's hot and all the chicks have been checking him out since they first saw him at the ceremony. Where'd he come from?''
Gumball knew Tobias was telling his friends he was envious of the horse, but seemed to be hiding it in a clever way by trying to make everyone hate Jesse.
''Ya just met him, Wilson,'' Joe reasoned. ''You barely know him.''
''I get vibes, alright dude?'' Tobias described defensively. ''I just feel like he's an unlikeable guy.''
''Fair.''
''If that's how ya feel.''
They arrived at the Camp Sycamore Tree Café at around 11:37 AM.
It was made of beige painted brick, and had an air conditioner. The tables were long and wooden, and had their own personal little trash cans. The small house was big, and there were two floors of seats and there were even booths. This camp café was like a restaurant! It was already crowded with younger kids, who'd gotten a head start. They'd already swarmed the first floor almost completely, and so Jesse lead the maples up the stair case.
How much was this? thought Gumball. Is this real? I feel like teen royalty. This is so AWESOME!
''Look at him. Mista Leader.'' Tobias deadpanned, following a dazed Gumball up the creaky steps. ''Hasn't even been here before.''
''Tobias!'' Groaned Joe in aggravation, hands floating over the handrail. ''The place is packed. Now let's go before the older kids come, alright?''
''Yeah, yeah. I know.'' 'Bias stubbornly trailed up the steps after his cabin members, the last of the maples just beginning to crawl in.
Today's chapter was shorter, and I apologize. It's just that I thought this was a good place to leave off, and now that I've come back to Fanfiction with this story (I usually didn't go a week without doing something, but I stopped for a few weeks) I've been wanting to create bigger, betters stories for you guys. The archive really needs it, as you can tell from the first page that there's been a lot of crap going on, such as short meaningless posts that people STILL say is good. ARE A GOOD PORTION OF YOU ZOMBIES?
Anyway, sorry about that.
Sorry if this chapter wasn't as good as the last. I've been re-editing it and re-typing it all week.
I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments! Remember to review!
ONE MORE HUGE NOTE: I'm kinda not into the title (Reunion Camp) because I think it's kind of lame and there's a lot more to the story then just reuniting with old classmates who you barely like (that's how I got the title) so I'd REALLY appreciate it if you guys would help me come up with new titles for the story!
Things to keep in mind for title crafting:
1) Story about a camp and drama
2) Teen coming of age story (self acceptance, don't do bad things, fall in love, etc.)
3) LGBT+ story
4) Friendship and Romance story
When I/we come up with a title, I'll remember to e-mail the story's followers to let them know it's the same story. Thanks again!
P.S. If I/we have multiple ideas that I like, we can have a vote.
Again, thanks a mil!
