(AN: Another day, another new chapter! I've got nothing new to say, other than thank you for 200+ views! Enjoy the chapter!)
"Jet? What's wrong? Are you OK?"
Jet and Storm were currently in the showers, no one else inside the large room sans the two avians.
It only made the hawk become more nervous.
The albatross stepped closer to Jet, coming closer and closer to his face.
"You can tell me, Jet… There's nothing to be worried about… I'm your friend, aren't I?"
Chest feathers touched as Jet stared into Storm's eyes, which seemed full of bliss despite his black sclera, making it look hollow. Jet tried to back up closer against the shower walls, but found that he was close enough as is. Storm placed his large hand on Jet's shoulder as the green hawk shivered at the warm touch. The albatross smiled as he reached in.
With a gasp, Jet woke up from his dream.
He took a deep breath as he put his hand on his chest.
"It… it was just a dream…" He breathed. Just as he took another deep breath, questions ran through Jet's mind.
For the past two weeks, he found himself having the same dream. Usually, he'd wake up from the dream early on, but today, it seems like he let it play out longer. Jet didn't know why Storm reached in closer to him in the dream, but the hawk knew it wasn't a good sign.
He then shook his head.
"Breakfast… breakfast should take my mind off of things…" Jet said to himself.
Grabbing a clean shirt and pulling it over his head, Jet walked outside of Cabin C and made his way to the Mess Hall. Getting his usual breakfast, he walked towards the table were Storm, Duke, Nezbitt, and Eryx were sitting.
While he joined in on the four's conversation, Jet found himself looking at the albatross constantly, debating whether or not he should tell him about his dreams.
"Perhaps… no, it's best he shouldn't know. Besides, it's enough that I'm probably worrying him by not being how I usually am…"
Jet looked down at the table, and continued to drink his milk. He only hoped he was making the right choice.
After breakfast, the five left the mess hall and were surprised to see the Scoutmaster at the podium. Jet, Storm, Duke, Nezbitt, and Eryx walked up to the lion scout leader.
"Yo, what's going on?" The shark asked.
"I can't tell you yet, so wait for everyone else to finish breakfast." The Scoutmaster replied.
Duke rolled his eyes as he walked back to the four.
"Jerkass…" he muttered to himself.
The five friends continued their conversation from the Mess Hall until everyone else arrived in front of the podium. All the boys listened in for the Scoutmaster's announcement.
"Alright boys, listen up. I'm proud of how everyone's been doing their activities. So, to treat you to something nice, I'm calling today a free day. You are all free to do whatever you please, provided you don't cause any trouble!"
All the younger boys began to cheer as the older ones grinned at each other.
"Eyyy, this is what I'm talkin' 'bout!" Nezbitt said as he and Duke bumped fists.
"You are all now free to do your own things."
The scoutmaster left the podium as all the boys began to scatter about. Duke stood up in front of Jet, Storm, Nezbitt, and Eryx.
"Well guys, since it's a free day, how about we go swimming in the lake?" he asked. Immediately, Nezbitt froze up at the mention of swimming
"Swimming? Hm… you sure they'll let us do that?" asked Eryx.
"He's right, we're not sure if the lake is shallow enough," added Jet.
"Oh, stick a sock in it, Jet! I'm sure it's safe! And of course they would, Eryx! After all, they said we can do anything as long as we're not causing trouble! Now c'mon guys, I'm sure you brought swim wear right?"
"I'm… sure I did," Storm replied.
The hawk sighed. "Same, I guess. Should we check just to be certain?"
Duke had gone ahead with his bag and waited for Jet, Storm, Nezbitt, and Eryx down by the lake where they had skipped stones on their first day. After almost getting lost, the four found Duke sitting by the water. He got up at the sight of his friends.
"There you are! What happened? I was getting impatient you know!"
"Duke, we were only gone for like five minutes," Eryx said flatly.
"Sorry Duke, Nezbitt here almost got us lost because he didn't want to go," Jet explained.
"Didn't want to go? What are you talking about Nezbitt? Swimming's amazing!" Duke sputtered.
The hair on Nezbitt's fur raised at the thought of entering the water. Eryx sighed.
"Don't you remember Nezbitt's a cat, Duke? He doesn't like the water," The blue shelled armadillo explained. Duke scoffed.
"So what? As long as someone helps him, he should be fine. Besides, didn't he cross the water whenever Jet and Storm won Capture the Flag?"
"T-That's because I was adrenaline-fueled! This is different!" Nezbitt said.
"No no no, Nezbitt Nezbitt, Duke's right about that…" Eryx said. "I think I have an extra pair of trunks here, I can help you swim."
As Eryx rummaged through his bag, Jet and Storm looked at each other.
"I say we head in and let them catch up," The albatross said.
"Yeah, let's do that," The hawk replied
The two avians began to take off their shirts as they pulled off their shoes and their normal camp shorts, which had their swimming trunks underneath them. Jet slightly blushed when he saw Storm's trunks were a light purple.
However, he heard Duke chuckle from afar.
"What? What's so funny?" asked the large grey avian.
"Ha ha, out of all the colors you could have gotten, you got purple?!"
"What's wrong with that?" The hawk asked.
"Yeah Duke, I think it looks cool," said Eryx.
"I dunno what's up with you three… purple is not manly…"
Jet shook his head. "Don't worry about him, you look good in that."
"Do I really?"
The green avian slightly jumped back as his blush returned, realizing what he said. "Uh, y-yeah… um… y-you know what I mean… it fits you…" He stuttered. If he could slap himself at any moment, now would be it.
Storm looked at Jet, but then smiled. "Thanks Jet. Yours fits you too," The large grey avian pointed to Jet's black shorts. "Anyway, what do you say? Wanna race to the lake?"
Jet got a grin on his face. "You know how I am about races! You're on!"
The two avians ran towards the lake as fast as they could and cannonballed into the water. Jet and Storm swam up to the surface for air.
"Ha ha, I won that one!" Jet exclaimed.
"Well, alright… I'll give this win to you…" Storm said, admitting defeat (as much as he didn't like to).
Jet laughed as he splashed around. Duke dove down into the water, swam up to Jet and Storm and popped his head up from the water.
"Why hi there. Don't think you two forgot about me. And well, them too," Duke said, looking over at Eryx and Nezbitt. The three watched the armadillo bring the cat into the water.
"Come on, don't be scared. I've got you, hang onto me, don't let go, and you won't get scared," Eryx said in a comforting tone. The cat nodded as he visibly shook hard.
Jet dived down into the water and swam around, looking at the bottom of the lake for anything interesting. While there was mostly moss almost everywhere, a note sticking out from under a rock caught Jet's attention. He swam over to the rock and pulled it up, grabbing the note. His eyes widened when he saw it was a one mobobuck bill.
Jet swam to the surface and held the bill like a trophy.
"Hey, look at what I found!" He exclaimed. Storm, Duke, and Eryx (with Nezbitt clinging onto him) swam towards Jet.
"Oh that's real nice!" Duke said. "I think I deserve that-"
Jet swiped the bill away from him. "Over my dead body!"
"Keep it, that's a lucky buck I guarantee!" said Storm.
"Speaking of lucky, let's see if that luck continues for you," Duke said. "Boys, I challenge you to a race. We're gonna race to the other side of the lake, and back. Obviously, whoever wins gets bragging rights."
"You're on! I live and breathe competition!" said Jet.
"Well, if Jet's joining in, better do the same. This outta be fun. I hope you're ready for this!" said Storm.
"Nezbitt? What do you think?" asked Eryx.
"As long as I'M on the surface, it's fine. But drop me into the water and I'll claw your face off, Eryx!" Nezbitt threatened.
"Ha ha! Alright, alright, you got it."
A minute later, the four (five if you counted Nezbitt) lined up against the edge of the lake. Jet looked at Storm and nodded, the albatross nodding back.
"Alright guys…" Duke said. "Three… two… one…"
"GO!"
The four trailed off and began swimming as hard as they could. Duke easily swam due to him being a shark; however Eryx immediately found himself having trouble. He lagged behind greatly due to the cat on his back.
"Argh… dang, I don't think I can keep going on…" Eryx said.
"C'mon, we need those bragging rights!" Nezbitt exclaimed. "Go, GO!"
Jet and Storm paddled their feet up and down as they swam freestyle, hoping to catch up with Duke. However, it wasn't enough. Duke finished his lap, then Storm, then Jet, and finally Eryx and Nezbitt.
"Awh yeah! Look who's number one!" Duke bragged, raising his fists in the air once Jet, Storm, and Eryx caught up.
"Duh, that's because you're a shark!" Jet complained.
"And you don't have extra weight on you!" The blue shelled armadillo said.
"Complain, nag, and moan, that's all I hear. Alright then, if it's THAT troublesome, then how about a rematch?"
Before Jet could open his mouth, Storm intervened.
"Let me race you in Jet, Eryx, and Nezbitt's favor. I'll show you who's boss!" The albatross said.
"Ooh, cocky aren't we, Storm? OK, then it's settled. Storm, starting position."
Storm got into stance as he put on a serious face.
"You can do it, Storm!" Jet cheered out from where he was, bringing his balled fists up to his chest.
"Three… two… one… GO!"
Storm and Duke immediately swam off, and the albatross beginning to catch up to Duke as he was nearly half way there. Storm looked up from the water and grinned at Duke just as they were about to turn around. The shark huffed as he dashed off.
"YOU GOT THIS, STORM!" Jet's cheering echoed in Storm's mind.
"I won't lose… I made a promise to Jet… he's depending on me."
With confidence from the hawk, Storm dived into the water and kicked up and down, violently swimming to get to the other side. Duke was almost close to finishing up when all of a sudden, a trail of grey feathers looking like a fin poked out of the water was right beside of Duke. The albatross pulled his hand out of the water and placed it on shore.
Storm came up onto land and took a deep breath.
"WHAT?!" Duke yelled, coming out of the water. "HOW'D YOU WIN?!"
"Aha! Nice job, Storm! You won!" Jet exclaimed as he swam over to his friend. The two avians squeezed their hands together hard as they grinned at each other. They could hear Duke audibly groaning.
"Don't worry, Duke, it could be worse. You could be swimming with all of us on your back!" Eryx said.
"Oh go hump a stump, Eryx…" Duke said, annoyed.
After single-heartedly destroying Duke's ego, Jet, Storm, Duke, and Eryx swam until the lunch time hour.
The five got out of the water and walked to their bags, getting out their towels. Jet and Storm dried their feathers as the hawk looked at the albatross. He suddenly remembered the dream he had. Remembering how he failed to tell him during breakfast, Jet wonder if he should mention it to Storm now.
"N-No! It's like I said, it's better to not get him worried… but… maybe he can help me figure out my problem…" Jet thought.
"Hey, Storm?"
"Hm? Yeah Jet?"
Jet looked at the ground, forming the courage to confess to Storm. "Can I… ask you something? Kinda important actually?"
"Hm? What is it, Jet?"
Suddenly, before the green avian could open his mouth, the two heard Duke call out for them.
"C'mon guys! Hurry up! Surely you don't wanna be late for lunch right? I think they have pulled pork today, and I'm not missing that at all!" The shark yelled.
"Alright, we're coming!" Jet replied. He and Storm placed their towels in their bags as they pulled their shirts over their heads.
The five then walked back to the camp grounds.
"Anyway, Jet, you said you wanted to ask me something. What was it?" asked Storm.
A chill ran through Jet's spine as he remembered the question. He knew it was either telling Storm, or keep it secret.
"It's… it's nothing… don't worry too much, it's nothing huge," Jet said, first thing coming to mind.
"Oh. Whatever, I won't pry at you for anything…"
Storm shrugged as just as the five arrived at camp, walking forwards towards the Mess Hall.
"Hey, I'll see you at the Mess Hall, okay? I… need a minute," The hawk said.
"Sure thing, see you then," Storm replied. And with that, the albatross left along with the other boys of Camp Silver Lake.
As he watched the large grey avian enter inside, Jet snarled and stomped his foot on the ground angrily. He then smashed his fist onto the closest surface; a wood stick holding up a sign.
"You are such an IDIOT, Jet! You could have told him and saved yourself pain!" One part of Jet's mind told him.
"No, Jet, you did the right thing. As you said, it's best not to let him worry…" The other part of Jet's mind told him.
"Argh!" Jet groaned, holding his head. "Why can't I do something so simple?!"
The hawk exhaled deeply as he walked to the mess hall.
"Dang mind…"
After lunch, Jet and Storm decided to pass the time by playing go fish. By now, the hawk calmed down from his earlier outburst.
"Let's see… got any… sixes?" asked Storm.
"Go fish," Jet responded.
"Awh, dang it!" Storm was almost a second close from slamming his cards down onto the table. Pouting rather cutely, he took a card from the card pile as it was now Jet's turn.
"Got any two's?"
The albatross sighed as he passed the hawk all the two cards he had in his hand. Jet grinned as he finished his last stack.
"I win!"
Storm rolled his eyes as Jet put all the cards together.
"Hey g-guys…" A voice said behind Jet. The two avians looked and saw Duke and Capricorn with various bruises all over their face.
"Whoa… what happened?" asked Jet, standing up.
"Let's just say, it involved some of the girls, a rock, the lake, and that's all you need to know…" Duke said.
"Shall we get help from the nurse?..." Capricorn said lazily.
"You said it…"
The two lazily walked away as Jet and Storm looked at each other, shrugging before starting another game of go fish.
"You think the guys here would take a hint and stop messing with the girls…" Storm said.
"Tragically, you have a lot of uneducated fools here," Jet responded.
Nightfall finally fell upon Camp Silver Lake and Jet, Duke, Nezbitt, and Eryx were inside Cabin C, having a late night conversation. Duke was sharing one of his experiences from public school.
"And like, when the teacher tells me I can't use the bathroom, guess what? We were talking about the water cycle."
Jet, Nezbitt, and Eryx began to laugh hard as Duke continued his story. Suddenly, Mido slammed the door of Cabin C open,looking very sleepy.
"It… is almost midnight… just because today was a free day doesn't mean you get to stay up. So… GET SOME SLEEP!"
The door slammed hard as everyone in the Cabin C scattered towards their beds, hoping to not make Mido any angrier. Jet leaped onto his bed as the other boys did the same. His eyes then shut at the enjoyment of today's events just as the lights flickered out.
However, not long into his sleep, his mind kept flashing back to his dream from earlier that day.