Out of the thirty-some-odd of you watching this story, I got like three reviews for the last chapter, and that's really discouraging for me. How do I know that you actually like the story and don't just mark the notification in your inbox as read? A simple 'nice work' is good enough for me, I just need to know that I still have all you guys with me. If you don't like something that's happening, steer me in the right direction. If you do like something, tell me to keep it up! Every writer knows that some kind of feedback is essential in order to help them improve. Hell, every artist, dancer, singer, athlete or any kind of worker knows it. So please, if you care to help me be a better writer, review! /rant over
Also, excitement! I have a clean bill of health! My giant bruise from getting beat up by the ocean is gone, no more sniffles or rashes, and I'm not going to do much except for sit around in bed for the next few weeks! But then I'll have to go back to school, echhh. Wish me luck with junior year!
"…Alfred?" Matt meekly stuck his head into the older boys' cabin. The waterfront was closed that day, so he decided to seek out his brother in case he didn't have an activity to attend to.
"He's not here," Arthur answered for him, sitting on his bunk, legs crossed and a cup of tea in hand. "What do you need?"
"I just wanted to ask him a question," Matt inched in slowly.
"Just come in all the way, will you? Maybe I have the answer," he sniffed, sure he was just as good, if not better.
"Well, um… I don't know. It doesn't really have to do with camp. I mean, it has to do with the people…" Matt shifted awkwardly.
"Ah. That kind of question."
Matt stood quietly.
"So, are you going to ask it or not?"
Why does everyone at this camp have to be a gossip over me? "Well, I was just wondering… have you ever done something, thought it was a mistake, then kind of figured out it wasn't really, but you're not sure how everyone else thinks?" Matt hoped he wasn't too obvious.
"You're talking about Gilbert, aren't you?" Damn it. "Don't look so frustrated, you're only friends with two people besides Alfred, unless you count that bugger that thinks you're his mother. Besides, do you think I'm oblivious to the rumors?" He took a sip of his tea, which Matt was confused why he had.
"So… what do you think I should do?" Matt asked, twiddling his thumbs.
"Pah, beats me. I'm no romantic. Go ask Felicia. She managed to nab his brother, maybe she has some tips," Arthur shrugged.
"Seduce him," Felicia suggested, as if it were the obvious solution.
"Wh-what?" Matt's mind was even more jumbled.
"You know, give him a flirty look, or wear a sexy outfit… I think I have a maid costume from Halloween, you're pretty skinny; you might fit." Felicia eyed him, taking mental measurements, not that they were accurate. She caught his confused look. "How about schoolgirl, is that more to your liking?"
Matt shook his head. "No, no… I can't do that!"
Felicia tilted her head. "Why not? It's easy. You just, you know…" Felicia sidled up to him, putting her hands on his chest. "Go 'Gilbert, I've been thinking…' And then look into his eyes and…" She cupped his face in her hands. "And you're golden! He'll be eating out of your hands!" she stepped back, wearing an enthusiastic expression.
"But- I don't want-" Matt fumbled for words, blushing harshly.
"Ohhh, you want to be taken advantage of, right?" Felicia interpreted. "I guess I should have figured… you looked like you kind of enjoyed Gil spitting on you."
"It wasn't that!" It was having Gilbert on top of him, but he wasn't about to admit it.
"Drat… I was hoping you had some kind of weird fetish." Felicia frowned, disappointed.
"None of you are helping!" Matt looked exasperated.
"By 'none of you', do you mean me and Alfred? Because you don't have many friends…" Felicia pointed out.
Matt slumped over. "I'll just… figure it out somehow." He left the cabin, and walked along the main gravel road of the camp. It wasn't long into his stroll that he felt an arm around his shoulders.
"Matt! Mi amigo!" Antonio flashed a grin. "You look a little under the weather, can I help?"
Matt was going to tell him to go away, or at least politely hint that he wanted to be alone, until he realized that Antonio might know a thing or two about Gilbert. "Well… you're one of Gilbert's best friends, right?"
"Si, si! Troubles with him?" Antonio tilted his head.
"Just one… it's more with me than anything. You… you have to keep it a secret, though. Don't even say anything to Felicia, please?" Matt begged.
"Of course! Now, that problem?" he asked.
"Well… you know what happened with me and Gilbert, right? After I tried to tell him about the rumor that you and Felicia were about to spread?"
"We weren't about to do anything with it! That was Mathias!" Antonio objected. "Anyway, yes, he gave you a little peck, right?"
"And it scared the daylights out of me!" Matt pointed out. "At first, anyway. Now I can't stop thinking about it… I'm not sure if I want to pass it off as a mistake." At this point, he hardly cared who he was spilling to. It was no secret what was going on, as much as he'd like it to be.
"Ah, I see." Antonio nodded. "Hmm… You were so startled by just that little kiss…" A smirk quickly spread across his face. "Was it your first one?" his eyes lit up.
"No!" Matt objected instantly. "I just… haven't had many."
Antonio stopped in his tracks.
"What are you…?" Matt slowed, only to get pinned to a tree. Antonio gave the younger counselor a fierce kiss, meshing his fingers in his hair. Matt stayed frozen at first, but confusedly responded after a moment. They continued slowly until Antonio broke them apart.
"Thank me later." He wiped his mouth with his forearm. "Gil has plenty of experience. He's not going to want to take it slow."
"Um," was all that came out of Matt's mouth. His cheeks burned, and he was pretty sure that he'd done something pretty stupid.
"Catch you later, Mattie! I've got to meet Lovi, and I think you've got somebody of your own to talk to." Antonio jogged off backwards, grinning and jerking a thumb over to the archery range. "He's all hot and sweaty and ready for you~!" he laughed.
With a blank yet embarrassed look, Matt started off toward the field, following Antonio's advice. He sat himself on the wooden 'Danger' signpost, watching Gilbert put everything away. Finally, he cleared his throat. "Gilbert."
Now to reward myself with snacky snacks.
Remember to review or I might die!
