The sun was high in the warm summer sky when a taxi passed under the camp banner and drove around the dirt parking lot. With so many cars and people jamming up the area it took a couple of minutes before the car came to a stop under a shady tree.
Inside, a weary taxi driver and a delighted fifteen-year-old passenger were at varying levels of excitement at having reached their destination.
Despite the premature start in the early hours of the morning, the six-hour flight and the solo taxi ride, the boy could barely contain his excitement. His wide, light blue eyes eagerly took in everything he possibly could from behind his rectangular wire-framed glasses. Outside cars were driving in and out in a constant line and circling to find parks. Walking towards the camp were bustling families with excited kids carrying their bags and moving erratically.
The boy's unkempt blond hair bounced and swayed with every movement, including a cowlick that could never be tamed. Even in the warmer months, he was wearing his favourite, slightly too big, bomber pilot jacket. He was sure the taxi driver had thoughts about him wearing the thick garment, but with the air conditioner on full blast, the driver never said anything.
He flung the backseat door open and jumped outside. The summer heat was instantly noticeable and the boisterous noise of the camp was no longer dulled by the confines of the vehicle. He slung his backpack over one shoulder and duffle bag over the other then grabbed the final case. He made sure to thank the taxi driver cheerfully and offer the guy a piece of gum before shutting the door.
The taxi driver gave him a short wave before driving off and joining the convoy of cars rolling out.
Without missing a beat, the boy turned and bolted to the sign-in office, weaving through cars and people alike. Cutting off a slow group of people, he ran up the steps, dumped his luggage by the railing and raced through the door of the sign-in office.
He swerved around a group of campers and adults who were standing around and chatting animatedly amongst themselves. Past them, a woman was holding a clipboard and gave him a bright smile as she saw him approach.
"Good to see you back Alfred!" Elizabeta held out her hand for a high-five as he jumped in front of her.
"Good to be back!" Alfred slapped his hand as hard as he could against her's. The slap resonated around the room and Alfred ignored the stinging pain searing through his palm, instead casually playing it off and slipping his hand into the jacket's pocket. He pressed the cool cardboard of the gum pack against his palm in a pitiful attempt to ease the pain.
Elizabeta, appearing completely unaffected, crossed out 'Alfred Kirkland' on the clipboard and picked up a camp map. "We'll have plenty of time to catch up later, but you need to find your cabin first." She handed the map over and pointed to the circled cabin. "You know the drill. Swim test tomorrow at eight, activities tomorrow, phones collected at nine- any meds?"
Alfred shook his head as he memorised the familiar map and pocketed it.
From the office window, he could see the sun beating down on the smooth water of the lake, reflecting the glints of gold into his eyes. The campsite was willed with distant figures of young kids running around and chaperones catching up with the returning campers.
"Great! Settle in first, then you can wander around the camp for the rest of the day and say hi to everyone else. I'm sure they'll all be glad to see you again."
Alfred nodded and pulled out the pack of gum. "Did everyone come back this year?"
"Yeah, all the staff came back for another year. I don't think any of us could leave." She chuckled and looked over the clipboard. "Most of our returnees have made it back this year, but it's only noon. Who knows, more might show up later."
Alfred popped a piece of gum into his mouth and held the packet out. "Gum? It's strawberry flavoured."
"I better not find this littered around camp," Elizabeta said sternly as she took a piece, "but thank you."
"You won't!" Alfred stuck the box back into his pocket.
Elizabeta put the gum wrapping in her shorts pocket as she chewed the gum. "How can you be wearing that? I feel hot just looking at you."
"What, this? I always wear it." Alfred pulled at the jacket. "And it was cold in the cab. And I can wear it at night when it's cooler. Also, I'm wearing shorts so it's not that bad."
Elizabeta popped a gum bubble with a satisfying snap. "As long as you don't wear it swimming I guess."
Alfred laughed at the suggestion. "I wouldn't want to ruin it."
"Of course not!" Elizabeta agreed. The door behind them opened and the noisy atmosphere from outside entered the room. She looked past him for a moment and waved a group of families over before quickly turning back to Alfred.
"Go on. I'll see you around, alright?" She shooed him away playfully and turned back to the families.
"Okie dokie!" Alfred waved at her exaggeratedly as he left, laughing when she pretended not to see him. Closing the door, he was instantly hit with the heat. He picked up all his bags and made his way into camp.
A light breeze blew past as he strolled through the camp, taking a little edge off the heat. Nearby, he could see a group of returnees talking to some chaperones by the main office. He adjusted his bags and walked over to them.
Moving closes, he was able to recognise the familiar faces. The chaperones, Lukas and Mathias waved. Lukas's was more of a polite acknowledgement whereas Mathias's arm looked like it would go flying off. Alfred smiled cheerily and waved back. Upon seeing him approach, the group of campers waved his way as they dispersed. He recognised some of the familiar faces in the crowd and gave them a cheery wave as they passed by.
Turning back to those left hanging around the office building, Alfred could see Lukas's younger brother Emil beside them and waved at him too. Emil returned his wave with a brief one of his own. The two of them had been going to the camp their entire lives together. They were the face of the returnees. Alfred, known for his energetic and childlike spirit, always seized the attention of the whole room when he walked it. He left an impression on absolutely everyone. Emil on the other hand was known for being Lukas's brother.
The entire world would have to be burning down for them to not go to this camp.
"Alfred!" Mathias cheered and held his hand up, "Good to see you!"
Alfred laughed enthusiastically as he high-fived Mathias, albeit softer than his last high-five.
"Looking forward to the summer?" Mathias asked as he leaned against the railing.
"Uh yeah, always," Alfred scoffed, "you couldn't pay me not to come!"
Mathias chortled and Lukas rolled his eyes at the two of them. "Go put your bags in your cabin first, Alfred. I won't listen to you when you complain about having your bed stolen if you didn't claim it when you had the chance."
Alfred mentally groaned at the memory. He had been the last one to get to his cabin and had to use a quarter of his snacks as bribery. He wouldn't be giving up his snacks again anytime soon.
"Wait, aren't I in the cabins of four?" He tried to recall the setup. Under 15s were in cabins of eight and had a chaperone sleep with them. They also had scheduled activities. 15s+ did not have scheduled activities and had the privilege of a smaller group and no chaperone. Yeah, he was definitely going to stay up late. Hopefully, his cabin group would get in on the fun too.
"Yep," Mathias gave him a thumbs up, "Usually you're here first thing in the morning. Not saying we were worried you wouldn't come! Just saying that most of the older teens cabins are full already soooo..."
Alfred groaned. The chaperones laughed at his plight.
"Get going," Lukas stated passively, then smirked. "We're going to be stuck with you for eight weeks anyways."
Mathias elbowed Alfred. "No, you're the one stuck with us for eight weeks. We'll catch you around later 'kay."
"Yeah yeah, whatever you say." Alfred made sure to elbow him back before taking a step away. He turned to Emil who had been passively observing the situation. "Are we in the same cabin this year?"
Emil shook his head. "Mine's full."
"Ugh, bummer." Even though the two were polar opposites, they were still friends throughout the camp. All the returnees were friends with each other. There was no escaping the bonds they shared.
"You should totally come visit though!" Alfred didn't know if he should say any more lest he is busted for his plans to play games at night. Though with his past history of trying to stay up and have fun, he was sure Emil would know he was planning something.
"Sure," Emil stated with his usual expressionless face. Alfred had no clue if Emil caught what he meant.
"Alright, see ya guys!" He waved extensively as he quickly walked away.
First, he'd dump his bags on the best available bed in the cabin, then he'll make his way around the campsite to catch up and check everything out.
He walked with purpose to the other side of the camp, waving to other campers he knew as he went. In the distance near a group of cabins, he could see chaperones Tino and Berwald chatting to each other. Alfred cupped his hands to his face and called out to them. They turned and seemed to register him for a moment before returning his wave. He kept waving until they were obscured from sight. He'd say hi to them properly later.
Alfred kept walking with his eyes on the lookout. He couldn't see anyone else he knew as he walked between some cottages and cabins. Lots of people were lingering around the path, parents, children and chaperones. All chatting excitedly and running in and out of the buildings as they explored the site. Alfred did his best to sidestep them all and move away from the area.
He jogged over to the base of the hill scanned the area for people he knew. Near the edge of the forest, he saw a few lone figures walking about leisurely. A group of younger kids ran past him, racing each other feverishly. Around a nearby cabin, he saw a couple of returnees his age and made his way over there to quickly say hi.
"I'm just passing through guys," he announced as he approached to catch their attention, "nice to see you all!"
As he grew close he noticed chaperones Heracles and Michelle talking to the group. He gave the both of them a smile and wave.
"I was wondering when I'd get to see you! How are you?" Michelle exclaimed loudly as Heracles just squinted at him and gave him a lazy wave.
"Good," Alfred replied honestly, "I'm kinda hungry though."
There was a mixture of laughter and groans from the group.
"You're always hungry," Feliks replied from his seat on the railing. Alfred shrugged him off and looked at the other members of the group. Behind the blond, he could see returnees Eduard, Raivis, and Toris on the cabin deck taking refuge in the shade. Standing to the side in the full sun were siblings Vash and Lilli. He gave them all a brief wave which Lilli promptly returned.
"It seems like everyone got here before me huh," Alfred's arms were beginning to feel sore as he re-adjusted his bags again and put his case down.
"Hmm not everyone. I think we're still missing a few..." Michelle's eyes drifted off as she got lost in thought. She snapped out of it a moment later. "Oh well, I'm sure they'll show up at some point."
Alfred took a step back and rolled his shoulder as he picked up his case. "Welp, I'll catch up with y'all later. I've gotta get dibs on my bed."
Feliks changed his position on the railing and sighed. "It's going to be so weird not sharing a cabin anymore guys." Everyone collectively agreed. Alfred made a mental note to invite them all over to his cabin later.
"You'll be just fine guys. You're all big boys now," Michelle giggled, "and you'll see each other the whole day every day!" Heracles nodded lethargically in agreement.
"Hey," Toris leaned over the railing and addressed Alfred. "Which one's your cabin?"
"Uhh," Alfred quickly looked around, "that one there I think." He pointed to the cabin farthest away, with no one surrounding it.
"You're with me then. Last I checked there were two free beds. I don't know who the other guy is though."
Alfred nodded as he took in the information. "So the other guy is a newbie you don't know?"
"I don't know, I haven't seen him at all," Toris admitted as he pushed off the railing. "Well, he is probably new or I'd know who it is. I've asked everyone here already where they are..." he trailed off and looked back at his friends. They shrugged in return.
"There are plenty of other returnees we haven't seen," Eduard mused, "Could be one of them?"
"Does it matter?" Vash cut in. "You'll find out soon enough. No point whining about it." Beside him, Lilli nodded in agreement. "I'm sure they'll be nice," she offered.
Michelle leaned on the railing beside them. "Don't ask me, I wouldn't know. I don't think any of us memorised the dorms we weren't assigned to."
Alfred didn't know if this was a case for moping. He truthfully would prefer a returnee camper, but they didn't know for sure who it was yet. He supposed even if it was a newbie or one-timer, he could just befriend them anyways. As long as they were cool with him staying up and didn't snitch if he had a little fun, then he concluded it didn't really matter.
"I'm gonna actually go now," Alfred declared as the weight of his bags was beginning to become unbearable, "I'm going to claim a bed then explore the camp. I'll see you around later guys."
There was a chorus of goodbyes as he turned and left, marching straight to his cabin. The further he walked the more cicada sounds drowned out the conversation behind him. However, the exciting ambience of campers and chaperones alike could still be heard all the way from the shoreline. He stopped and looked out across the lake. Past the waters, past the distant green hills on the other side, he could see crispy towering clouds sitting on the horizon. Alfred had to admit, the view was spectacular.
There was no better way to spend his summer.
With a big dopey grin on his face, Alfred crossed the remaining distance and was standing on the deck of his cabin. Upon opening the door, the first thing he noted was how spacious the room was. He guessed that was due to half the usual amount of beds in the room. He also observed the room was empty, and a quick look in the bathroom proved it was empty too. There were bags on the bed closest to the bathroom which he recognised to be Toris's, and bags sitting on the bed furthest away.
There were two free beds left, one against the front wall of the cabin and one at the back. Making a quick decision, he strode across the room and dumped his bags on the bed. He sighed and stretched his back out. Frankly, this bed was alright. At least he wasn't stuck with the one by the door or bathroom. He glanced around the room again and his eyes fell on the bags on the bed closest to him.
If he had gotten here earlier, that bed would've been his first choice. Not only was it at the back, but it was by against a window with a ledge. Moving closer, Alfred realised he didn't recognise who the bags belonged to. He eyed the luggage for any clues about its owner. At the foot of the bed were two non-descript cases with a couple of stickers on them, the most notable being a red leaf. Alfred wracked his brain for answers about why that shape was familiar.
He stared at the wooden seal of the window as he wracked his brain. It was a maple leaf. He looked at the sticker again and recognised it as a flag. The flag of Canada. Alfred hesitated and breathed out. He didn't know any Canadians.
He sat on the bed and slumped his shoulders. He didn't have anything against the newbies or one-timers, he just hoped it wouldn't be awkward. Plus there was still one empty bed to worry about as well. He still kinda hoped it was for one of the returnees.
He pulled his legs onto the sheets and had a look at the rest of the bed. By the pillow was a backpack with a keychain he recognised as the Canadian flag. On its side was another keychain with a series of little baked sweets attached to it.
Cute, but made him feel hungry.
So the guy was a patriot and had a sweet tooth, Alfred could respect that. He had a patch of the American flag sewn into his beloved jacket, amongst other things.
He glanced to the other side of the pillow and saw a plush of a polar bear pushed almost protectively against the wall. He found it kind of strange that someone would bring a teddy to camp, but he shrugged the judgement off. To each their own right? Clearly, it meant something special if they'd bring it to a camp, possibly in another country. He wouldn't say anything and he doubted Toris would either.
After a moment, Alfred stood up sluggishly and fiddled with his jacket.
Stepping out of the log cabin, he couldn't see anyone who could be the mysterious camper. The area around the cabin was devoid of human life. Whoever it was must've already gone out to explore and meet people. Alfred couldn't blame him. The camp was so big and bright! He was holding back the energetic urge of running around it just for the sake of it.
Alfred shut the cabin door behind him and slumped against it. Staring out at the bustling camp and glistening lake, he decided to forget about it. He'd rather be checking out the camp and catching up with old friends. He had eight weeks ahead of him, he was bound to find out sooner and not later, there was no point dwelling on it.
With that in mind, he pushed off the wooden surface and raced down to the lake.