The walk back to cabin two took longer than the walk there.
I was taking my time, not excited to go back.
Ive always felt left out. Even with Sal, Larry, Chug, and Ashley. Its like I was always a second thought to them.
Ive always just assumed that was because of my anxiety. That none of those feelings were real.
Now, though, im physically secluded from them. Im stuck doing activities with a bunch of boys I dont even know... Well, other than Travis.
The cabin door creaked open, there was morning murmurs from some people, careful not to wake the rest up.
Nobody even looked at me. Not a glance. I sighed and climbed the ladder up to my bunk, fiddling with the friendship bracelet on my wrist.
I soon heard the door. In walked Travis, clean and dressed in new clothes. Nobody looked to him either.
Except me. I couldn't help but instinctively glance to where the noise came from. If I knew it was him I wouldn't have looked.
But I did.
Our eyes met.
I felt like I knew something I shouldn't. Like I'm starting to know him a little too well.
He used to play soccer and he doesn't like getting dressed infront of others. He wakes up early and he gets competitive about games.
"What the fuck are you looking at, nerd." He barked.
The other kids have taken notice of Travis- maybe thats why he felt like he needed to insult me.
"I just wanted to see who came in, I-..." There wasn't really any use trying to defend my case. Not with this jury.
"My bad." I sighed.
Thankfully Travis sat on his bottom bunk without another word to me. He was casually dragged into some conversation with another kid- I didn't listen.
Soon enough, the counselor came in to say goodmorning.
"Today we've got something super special planned...!" He said, trying his best to pump us up. "All you boys get ready and go straight to the dining hall, after we all eat you'll find out what we're doing. Sound good!?"
Everybody groaned a yessir.
I made my way down to the dining hall. After waiting in line to get my mystery slop that they call breakfast, I headed down the aisles to find my friends.
I assumed that they'd all be on the floor in a fun circle. I was nothing short of shocked when I saw them sitting at a table, already eating.
The table was filled, I couldn't squeeze in if I tried.
"Toddathy!" Larry called out to me, waving a lanky arm above his head. "Dude I swear I tried to save you a seat."
Ashley nodded, shooting a glare to a group of girls that were sitting besides them. "There's just no stopping these monsters."
Sal had been lifting up the bottom of his mask to slip food in his mouth. He never takes that thing off.
"...We can move to the floor if you want. We don't mind." He offered.
"We really dont, Todd!" Chug added on, mid-sip of his orange juice.
Larry had already started to gather his things, but I intervened.
"-It's really fine. I dont mind, I mean, we'll sit together at lunch. You guys stay here, I dont mind sitting this one out."
I wholeheartedly meant what I said. I didn't mind. Ive sat by myself before, I can do it again.
They all exchanged looks. Communicating in a weird way.
Sal was the first one to break the awkward silence. "If you're sure, Todd."
Ashley didn't seem as convinced. "Are you sure...?" She asked me.
I shrugged and nodded, assuring her I was fine. "Yeah, I promise. I'll see you guys later, okay?"
"...Okay. Bye Todd!" She smiled. Something about her always felt concerned. It made me doubt myself for a second.
I waved to them and left, searching for an open seat.
Table after table was filled with squished cramped seating.
Far in the back of the dining hall I found a table that was only moderately cramped, but just my luck, Travis and two of his friends were seated across the very table.
I placed my plate down and sat quietly, trying my hardest not to start anything.
The food was awful, but I didnt expect anything more from this place.
It seemed that Travis also didn't like the food, as his plate had barely been touched. I couldn't really blame him.
Over the intercom there was a loud sudden ringing. The screech of bad microphone feedback.
Nearly every kid covered their ears or flinched.
I plastered my hands over my ears instantly. Ive never done good with loud noises. Shakily, I brought my hands back down to my utensils.
"Good morning campers!" The peppy girls counselor cheered over the microphone. "Today we're doing a scavenger hunt!"
I couldn't see over everyone to look at the counselors, who I had assumed were gathered in the front of the dining hall. So I sat and listened.
"You'll be given a Polaroid camera and a notebook to log the different types of fauna! The first team to find all of them first gets a super radical special award!" Her voice had a sing-song tune to it. It was way too early for most us.
Some kids had started to talk amongst themselves, the intercoms getting harder and harder to hear.
"So take-... Bracelets-.. Come up-... Fun!" Could be made out as she continued on.
"And remember," she said clearly.
"Teams of two!"
Not a second wasted as everyone jumped to their feet to grab the nearest friend.
Overtook by anxiety and fear of my peers, I stayed seated. I hoped that someone would come get me.
I was sure Ashley would come save me.
A minute had passed of pure chaos. It was still rampid, but the majority of people had found suitable partners. Many of stragglers were swept up in the mob, tossed team to team trying to find another lone soul to pair up with.
Like an angel emerging from a battlefield, I saw Larry.
He pushed past some other kids and made his way to me, I could then see that Sal was following close behind.
My face dropped. "Larry no- c'mon!" I pleaded.
He scratched the back of his head shamefully. "I-... Look, dude. Sal's my brother and shit."
Sal looked between us, fiddling with the rings on his hand. "We wanted to make sure you're okay, though..."
"Ashley...?" I asked.
Larry shook his head, a defeated man.
"C-Chug?" I already knew the answer.
Sal slumped his shoulders more than they already had been. "Im sorry, Todd. Uh... Theres gotta be someone around here somewhere."
"Yeah! C'mon lil dude. Lets go find you a friend." Larry took my hand in his and led me through the wasteland.
The three of us were hopelessly searching for someone standing on their own.
I looked up to Larry, then to our hands. His hand was much larger than mine, dirty and somehow hairy.
My hand was consumed by his. I felt like a kid, being led around by him and Sal.
Was it pity? Or was it that they cared?
"Hey man." Sal said to me, nudging my arm as we walked. "Get out of your own head. It's not good for you."
"How did you-..."
"You've been staring at the floor for like, five minutes." He covered his masks mouth as he chuckled.
I smiled, as I knew that he cared. I looked over to Larry, who seemed to be absolutely defeated.
"I don't wanna keep you guys from having fun." I nervously spoke.
Larry and Sal both were surprised. Larry even let go of my hand to run his fingers through his hair- a thing he often subconsciously did.
"I can fend for myself, I swear." I insisted. "You two get started, ill go look for a partner on my own. There's gotta be someone around here."
"...You don't keep us from having fun." Sal sheepishly told me.
"Thats- no. Thats not what I meant." I waved his hands and stumbled on my words. "I meant that I dont wanna keep you two from starting the activity!"
This eased Sal, thankfully. I could him let out a deep sigh of relief. "Oh... Okay. That makes more sense."
"Yeah? You're gonna be fine all by yourself?" Larry leaned down, shoving his extended pinky figure towards me.
"Swearzies?"
I rolled my eyes and laughed, pinky-swearing with him. "I'll be fine! Now go get into some trouble."
Sal laughed, waving me goodbye. "Be safe...!" He said as they walked off with Larry in heel.
"C'mon Todd. You can do this."