A/N: School's been really tough lately, and I know that's not a excuse so I'm sorry for my tardiness. I really want to write longer chapters so I looked to the songs 'Afraid' and 'Staying Up' by The 1975 for inspiration. Do you think I should split up the "Before Camp, Three Months Ago and Present" into different chapters? If so please say so in the reviews (along with your regular reviews, of course!)

On with the show!

BEFORE CAMP

Noel I met just like any business venture, through mutual friends or clients.

Believe it not, band kids do know how to have fun. Before falling in love with

Em, Noel's cabin was the only house I visited more than my own. Being here after being in my relationship for so long brought back waves of nostalgia throughout my entire body.

Exiting my car I texted both Noel and Paige to let them know I was outside of the cabin. In exchange for Noel's "goods" I would help him set up for his parties. He'd always say I didn't have to but even though Noel supplied me every once and a while he was still a friend.

"Well, if it isn't Maya St. Germain", Noel said chuckling, reaching in for a hug.

"The one and only". I wanted to laugh with him, but I felt a presence behind me-

a cold and uninvited one.

"Fortunately". Paige scoffed and brushed past me. "Can we get this show on the road? I've got swim practice early tomorrow morning and you know I can't miss Em in her swimsuit".

Noel laughed, staring at me, waiting for a response. "You're gonna handle that right?"

"In time, I'm sure". I laughed slightly I looked at the tree reaching high above me.

I wasn't sure. I knew what Paige was doing, she had something against me and that was understandable. If I wasn't dating Emily Fields I'd be mad too but she wasn't mad, not even in the least bit. Instead she smirked a little to often for my liking, almost as if she knew so much more that I did. As if she'd use it against me given the right time and opportunity.

I opened the door for McCullers and Noel, ushering them inside.

Once we were surrounded by wooden walls I could see how confused Noel really was. I was in for a long night and I no longer had enough energy left to deal with it.

Noel pulled me over, "What's up with Paige being here? We both know I'd never invite her to any party. Ever."

I sighed, "I know but she said she had something important to talk to me about. I'll pay you back later."

"Don't even worry about it. You do enough favors for me, I can do one for you". He draped his arm over my shoulder and gave me a head nod.

I smiled and glanced over at the demon that was occupying way to many dreams of mine at the moment. Walking over to Paige I led her outside to the bench. "Alright McCullers, you've got two hours. Tell me what's going on with my girl."

She laughed at me and rolled her eyes. "Oh, it's funny how you think this will only take that long. Your so called 'girl' has gotten herself into much more trouble than what will fit into two hours."

She was testing my nerves, all seven billion of them. I don't know who Paige thinks she is. It's one thing to hate someone, to be jealous. It's a whole other scenario when you're prancing around on unknown territory.

I grit my teeth and mustered up my most calm voice, hating myself when I stuttered. "W-what kind of trouble?"

THREE MONTHS AGO

Apparently True North has some type of curfew especially for newcomers. They must be pretty serious about it considering I'm the only one left walking through the lobby.

Elaine Peterson, one of the newest members of the "True North family", decided to take it upon herself to enlighten me of the different True North polices.

"…No chewing gum, it can lead to serious withdrawals of other substances and lastly, no staying out past ten. I'd let you, because I know what it's like to want to stay out all night, but we do have rules to abide by".

In the two-point-five minutes I'd spent listening to Elaine I'd realized a few things.

She really, really loves working with others.

She thought it was "super swag" that I decided to come to True North to better myself.

She was forty-three, making her the youngest counselor here, which made her think it was okay to say things like, "super swag".

Elaine was definitely going to make my transition harder.

We parted by the dark green stairs, and I'd never been so happy to see someone so cheery walk away in my entire life.

The lights were dimmed and I felt suffocated by the smell of wet wood and mosquito repellent. As I walked through the hallway leading to my room I couldn't help but think of the talk I had with Lyndon. We'd talked for hours nonstop about my life. I told him all about the different scholarships I'd gotten from playing different instruments and made sure to mention that they had nothing on all of the awards Em has from swim meets. Lyndon just listened as I vented about Pam's homophobic vendetta against me. It felt good to get everything I'd been feeling for the past week or so off my chest. I trusted Emily with my feelings but it wasn't like I could exactly tell her that I hated her mother with a burning passion of a thousand suns. The hours I'd spent with Lyndon were absolutely necessary but they came at a price; I've already got my first strike and I haven't even unpacked all of my bags.

Lyndon might be a bad influence, a really bad one actually, but it's what I need to pass the time. I opened the door to my room and fought the urge to laugh when I heard Janie's horrendous snoring. I slipped out of my gym shorts and tank refusing to even bother with my pajamas. Frankly, I was too tired and the humidity made your clothes stick to your skin. I was hoping that I'd be sleepy enough to go to bed but instead I was wide-awake. After a good thirty minutes of contemplating my life decisions and wondering about whether or not Em would still love me three months from now, I decided to film a short video on my first day at boot camp. Pushing the bed sheets away from me, I crept out of my bed, opened the door, and exited into the empty hallway.

I wasn't sure how I wanted to start the video, considering I'd never done anything like this before. I'd never been at a camp like this, or one in general.

" Being at a reformatory camp is a joke. Sure it's only been my first day but I don't think it's going to work, simply because they've yet to figure out my true addiction. Emily Fields."

PRESENT

I made my way down the stairs to the room I'd be occupying for the very last night. I was hungry, tired, and anxious. It was just like Noel to eat all the food and take whatever money he, and I, had left for any type of nourishment. I knew I'd only be staying for one or two days best, but when I first arrived I figured the least I could do was pitch in some grocery money. And now that was gone. With my bag and the corner and my mind a little more relaxed, I thought it'd be best to think of a plan to get out early tomorrow with Em realizing I was still here, Noel noticing I'd left, and him finding me. It wasn't that I was scared of Lyndon, it was more so about what he could do to me. I'd had some jealous boys around me in the past but not to this extent, not this violent. I should've paid attention to all the signs, all the warnings.

Never before had I felt so alone, so lonely. Calling Em definitely wasn't an option despite all of the times she'd tried to reach me. But Janie, she was the next best choice. Quickly dialing her number, a rush of both deep excitement and an eerie feeling ran over me. I hadn't spoken to her in such a long time, saying we didn't leave on best terms was putting it lightly. I missed her. She was my "home away from home". An Emily type figure when Em wasn't around. I think she knew that.

The first time I called it went straight to voicemail. There wasn't really any way I could leave a message, nothing I could say could convince her to call me. She'd have to do it on her own. I called again, secretly hoping she'd answer with some sly remark about how she'd almost forgotten I existed until she saw my name on her phone – I really, really hoped she would. She didn't. She didn't answer at all, and that was worse than any spiteful, scornful, bitter response she could throw my way. I think she knew that too.

Placing my phone on the make shift dresser Noel had as a gift from some girl, I turned it off as well as the dusty lamp it sat behind. Tonight would be rough, and I had a feeling it'd only get worse.

A/N: I really hope you enjoyed this chapter! Also, if any of you watched the show 'Victorious' and ship Jori please say so in your reviews... I was thinking of writing a story for them.

I love you and truly appreciate the support, I'll get better, I promise.