The bus was full of chatter from all of the kids. Nikki sat next to Max in the second last row. Her small legs swinging to and fro, as she turned her head to look at the boy next to her . His head was resting in his palm as he gazed at the trees speeding by. "Are you excited to go home?" Nikki started the conversation.
"Meh." That was all she got. In response. The boy didn't even look up.
"Well. I am." She answered her own question. Hoping to pry something out of the boy.
"That's great Nikki."
"Jeez. Temper, temper. How about we start some chaos one last time?" She tried again, tapping Neil who was sitting in front of the two.
"Nah. You two can knock yourselves out." He answered, still not looking away from the trees.
"Is everything okay Max?" Nikki asked in a concerned tone.
"Yeah, just not feeling it." That sort of eased her worries. Neil shrugged before turning back around and continuing his conversation with Nerris.
"C'mon Max. Please tell me what's up. We're friends! I wanna help." At this point, Nikki was desperate to help her friend.
"Nikki just drop it okay." That tore Max's gaze aaway from the window. She was getting somewhere.
"But Max, something's wrong. I know it. Please, just tell me. It can't be too bad." Nikki tried to rationalise with him.
"Nikki, seriously. Drop it." Max said a bit more seriously this time. Nikki still refused to budge.
"Max. You can trust me!"
"I DON'T WANT TO GO HOME OKAY!"
Max had snapped. He screamed out loud the entire bus once full of chatter was now silent. Max turned his head back towards the window again, acting as if nothing had ever happened.
All the other campers had slowly begun their conversations again other than Neil and Nerris. Max didn't dare to look at either of his friends nor anyone else. He completely ignored Nikki and Neil's attempt to restart a conversation.
"Max, why not. Is something wrong? You have to tell us so we can help." Nikki shook him, getting shrugged off by the boy. She was now practically begging Max for answers, Neil too was curious and concerned.
"Maaaaaax." Nikki drew out in a sing-song tone leaning into him slightly.
"How Nikki? Nobody is going to listen to a bunch of kids. Because that's all we are! A bunch of kids! You don't understand! Nobody does!" Max began to rant as he finally faced his friends.
"Max…" Nikki began before being cut off by David.
"Okay, Nikki! This is your stop! Off you hop! Can't wait to see you next year!" Max turned back once again to the window staring blankly.
"Bye Nikki." He said flatly as she began gathering her stuff.
"Bye Max…" she responded softly as she stood up and walked to the door of the bus. She gave Neil a weak smile and a small wave as she continued her walk. Before she could say goodbye to everyone David grabbed her arm gently.
"Don't you worry Nikki! Everything's gonna be alright." He told her before giving her a smile.
"Bye, everyone." She said before almost immediately leaving the bus. She heard a chorus of 'BYE NIKKI!' behind her as the bus sped off, she didn't bother to turn around. She only had one thought in her head.
Will everything be alright?