Make The Most of It

by Dexter1995

Coming back for her final summer at Acorn Flats, 17-year-old Patsy Smiles is ready to get in, get out, and move on with her life. But, when a familiar face reappears after a 4 years absence, Patsy has a change of heart to make the most of every second she has left. I own nothing. All rights go to Cartoon Network and Joe Murray.

8. Confession

And we're back! :D This chapter opens back up on where we left off with Nina, Lazlo, and Patsy discovering Clam and Gretchen's secret 'thing' they have going on. And we'll get into it with Lazlo's POV again here. I hope you are enjoying how I'm portraying the older versions of the characters so far. Especially when it comes to Lazlo, I wanted to make a slightly more mature teen Lazlo who is still adventurous, fun-loving, endearing, yet also a bit naive and oblivious at times. But, that's why I love this character even now! Haha. :) Anyway, we're about to get into levels of strange this chapter that "Camp Lazlo" usually always is capable to displaying, so… Hold onto your hats! Lol. Enjoy!

(Lazlo's POV)

Okay… well, I don't really know exactly what's going on now?

I guess, kinda in two different ways.

One was what was going on between me and Patsy. Two… I don't know?

Me, Nina, and Patsy were all standing here staring at Clam and Gretchen and Clam and Gretchen were staring right back at us.

I mean, I know even before Clam came down with Love Sickness back when we were 11, he always had a little bit of a crush on Gretchen, but… I didn't know anything about 'this'.

We all just kept standing there, or at least until Patsy and Nina both took a step forward as Gretchen looked at them wide-eyed and gritted her teeth to the point I thought they were going to shatter to pieces. Which I've seen her almost do before whenever she was really mad or embarrassed so that wasn't anything new to me even though I haven't seen her in 4 years.

I still get a little freaked out when I think back to when Gretchen was gonna 'get me' back when we were kids if I'm being honest.

Finally, Gretchen shoved Clam away, making him grunt and go wide-eyed, before she pointed toward us and accused (her face going red in either anger or embarrassment… or both?), "What?! I didn't even want to be out here! So, what the hell are you all doing out here anyway?! Ya know, besides sticking your noses into my damn business?!"

But, Patsy just took another step forward from next to me and put her hands on her hips before saying, sounding pretty put out, "Seriously? You don't own the outside, Gretchen. And if you're going to make out behind the dining hall and don't want anyone to see you, then maybe don't do it 'out in the open' behind the dining hall then. But, whatever, that doesn't matter! Just, ugh! Seriously?! What the heck is wrong with you lately?! You've been in a pissy mood since the start of camp and hardly even talk to anyone anymore and then this is apparently a 'thing' and you didn't even tell us?! Seriously, what is going on?!"

Then I was even more shocked when Nina stepped up and added, "Yeah, how come you didn't tell us? Either of you! Especially you, Clam. Why didn't you tell me anything? You were the first person I told about when I went out on my first date and my first kiss with Henry Freshman year. You're like a brother to me and you know I wouldn't have said anything if you didn't want anyone to know. Are we even… friends?"

Immediately I saw Clam's face go red as he bit his lip, looking guilty and also frustrated as he glanced toward Gretchen for a second before he looked back at Nina and started, "Nina…"

"Now just what are all of you doing out here?!"

We heard what was for sure Den Mother Doe say behind us, making all of us turn our heads back around so fast we all almost got whiplash.

Den Mother Doe was standing there smiling and giving us a slight teasing look as she put her hands on her hips before continuing, "Now what are half of our Senior Squirrels and Bean Counselors doing outside right now? I know you all have new 'privileges' now as junior scout leaders, but you all should be inside for the party! We're just about to do the raffle and you all were about to miss out on the fun! Now c'mon! We have all sorts of fun prizes to give away inside!"

We all looked at each other, knowing we weren't going to get out of it and had to go back inside.

Even though… I still had no idea what to even think right now.

All I kept doing was looking at Clam and trying to figure out what was going on.

But, eventually, I just followed everyone else in until Den Mother Doe stopped me and said, putting her hands on my shoulders in the same my grandmother did or my mom usually does now with me still, "Oh, wait! I remember you! You were the one that my Algonquin always talked about. Lazlo, wasn't it? I haven't seen you in years! Oh, and look at what a tall, handsome, and grown-up young man you are now! How are you?"

Even though I had no idea how to respond since I felt like I was still 'processing' everything from everything that happened with me and Patsy tonight so far to the Clam and Gretchen thing, I decided to just smile and be calm about it as I responded, "Oh, I'm good, thank you. Nice to see you too, Mrs. Doe-Lumpus."

Even though I was still confused, I did still want to try to act as nice as possible. Den Mother Doe was always really nice to me and I was even surprised she still recognized me since I was a whole foot shorter from the last time she saw me.

She kept smiling at me as she said enthusiastically, "Well, let's get back inside! Oh, you kids are gonna love it! We have so many fun prizes for the raffle tonight."

I smiled a little as I followed her back in, but… yeah, I don't know?

15 minutes later

The raffle ended and Pasty was reading off winners for the prizes with Almondine and even though she was technically 'smiling' the whole time, she kept on looking like her head was somewhere else.

Even when I went up to get a prize when my ticket got picked she smiled at me, but… it was like she just seemed like she was looking past me or something.

But, it's okay!

I actually got something really cool in the raffle.

It's a wristband compass!

I remembered seeing a lot of scouts wearing these at the Bean Scout jamborees and conventions I went to for the past couple of years to test out and earn my remaining merit badges since I couldn't go to summer camp here.

I mean, I really like my old compass! But every time I need it I feel like I can't find it in my backpack when I'm out hiking. Well, unless I put it in my pocket, I guess?

But, this will help make hikes WAY easier. And hopefully, it'll make something else easier when I tell Scout Master Lumpus and Mr. Slinkman about it tomorrow after breakfast.

I kept standing there looking at my wrist compass until I felt my other hand get grabbed gently and heard next to my ear over the music, "Hey Lazlo."

I whipped my head over and saw Patsy smiling at me.

Even though I couldn't stop myself from looking down at our hands, still trying to get used to it. I mean, I like it!... really like it. But, I also feel like at any moment Commander Hoo-Ha is going to jump out and rip off my arms if he saw us holding hands right now.

I tried to ignore it as I looked up at her and smiled before saying, "Oh, hey Patsy!... uh, hey, you okay?"

She was looking back across the room, before she looked back at me and said, "Oh, sorry, it's just… ugh, I'm so sorry, Lazlo. I really want to stay here and enjoy the party, but… I think Nina and I really need to 'talk' to Gretchen. She keeps avoiding us and I'm going to get to the bottom of whatever is going on with her whether she wants us to or not. We just saw her sneak out again, so I say it's time for an impromptu 'Buckeye Cabin Meeting'. But, I'll try to come back. Maybe we can ask Raj to play another stroll line before the party's over?"

I was trying to think over everything I just heard her say as I responded without even thinking twice about it, "Uh, okay, sure Patsy, but… is there anything I can do to help?"

I saw her face go red a little bit and looked at me surprised for a second before she just gave me an appreciative smile and said, "No, I think this is something strictly 'Squirrel Scout only'. Besides, I think it'll probably be better if Nina and I handle this alone. But, thanks, Lazlo. That's very sweet of you to want to help."

Right as I was about to smile back and say 'No problem', my throat went dryer than a desert and my heart felt like it stopped when she leaned up a little bit and kissed me on the cheek before walking away.

My eyes went wide as I looked over my shoulder at her, seeing her stop and give me a smile and wave before looking like she was meeting Nina at a side door of the dining hall.

They both snuck out, but I was still just… staring, but now for an entirely different reason.

Slowly, I couldn't stop myself from reaching up and touching my cheek where Patsy kissed me, still thinking about how soft and nice her lips felt on my cheek.

And even though I was smiling… I could also feel my gut almost squeezing so hard that I thought my stomach was gonna explode.

Yeah, I'm definitely dead meat if her dad finds out about this, but… only if he finds out right?

Right?...

I tried to shake my head and snap out of it a little and look around to try to find Clam.

I thought he'd be back at the desert table eating most of the cake again like he was when we got back inside, but…

Wait… where is Clam?

All I saw was Raj still lining up records to play and Amber hanging around up there next to him and pointing out more records for him to throw on, but I couldn't see Clam anywhere.

Eh, maybe he just went to the bathroom or something?

(Gretchen's POV)

Dammit…

Dammit!...

AGH, DAMMIT?!

What even is this stupid night?! And why is everyone getting all up in my butt about everything?!

Agh, dammit Clam!

If he didn't ask me to come outside and talk to him, even though I was trying to avoid him on purpose, then there'd be none of this crap going on right now!

All I had to do was try to get a grip for another month and then I'd be home free for the rest of the summer and…

"Gretchen?"

I looked over and saw Patsy and Nina. But, just like behind the dining hall, both of them were just standing there and narrowing their eyes at me and crossing their arms.

"Buckeye Cabin Meeting, now." Patsy said, making direct eye contact with me.

Crap…

I glanced at the window next to Nina's bed, thinking I could find a way out of this since they were blocking the door.

Well, worth a shot?

I glanced at them before glancing back at the window and tried to make a break for it, until I felt my stomach sink when Nina and Pasty grabbed me by the arms and threw me on Nina's bed, pining me there as Patsy said through her teeth in annoyance, "Oh no, you don't!"

"Not until you talk to us!" Nina added in, sounding beyond frustrated which is not like her.

I kept trying to break free, but I was shocked and getting frustrated that they were somehow able to hold me down as I grunted and growled in frustration, "AGH! FIRST CLAM, NOW YOU GUYS?! WHY WON'T YOU ALL JUST BUTT OUT AND LEAVE ME ALONE ALREADY?!"

Barely a second later Patsy pretty much blew up on me with, "BECAUSE YOU'RE OUR FRIEND AND WE CARE ABOUT YOU, OKAY?!"

Right then they both turned me over so I was looking at them (even though they were still holding me down). I looked up at them with wide eyes as Nina added, "Yeah, Gretchen. I mean, I'm still shocked by Clam not saying anything to me more than you and I know we don't always get along. But, seriously! Like Patsy said, we still care about you and we just want to help!"

"Well, I don't want any stupid help already! I just want you all to butt out and leave me ALONE! UGH! I don't need any of this crap right now!" I finally exploded, making Nina and Patsy back off a bit.

But, as I got up, I felt like I just kept going off as I ranted totally unfiltered, "Seriously?! Why does everyone keep thinking something is wrong?! Nothing's wrong, OKAY?! I just have a lot of crap going on right now that I just need to get over. Which WOULD have been no problem if it wasn't for everyone including my stupid boyfriend and my two idiot friends making me talk to them about 'what's going on' when I don't want to because it's embarrassing and stupid and I hate it and just want everyone to SHUT UP ABOUT IT ALREADY?! Just… AGH, DAMMIT!"

Almost to punctuate that, I punched one of the walls in the cabin and was close to punching through it. Sure I was regretting it now since my hand hurt like hell after I did it, but I don't think I broke anything so… whatever.

I was rubbing my hand until I saw them both just staring at me wide-eyed and dead silent as their jaws almost fell to the floor.

I immediately gave them a defensive glare before saying in an annoyed tone that matched, "What? What the hell are you staring at me for now?!"

It was quiet until Nina said, still staring at me in confused shock, "Wait, so you and Clam are actually… together? Since when?!"

I could feel all my insides converge to the point that I thought my brain and my stomach were turning inside out.

Dammit…

And THIS is why I didn't want to talk about jack squat!

But, I knew they weren't going to leave me alone now that they saw us making out behind the dining hall just now since he just had to be so damn stubborn and make me talk to him even though I was trying to avoid him for a reason.

And a good one too with what's going on with me right now.

Ugh, honestly, I was surprised I didn't do anything stupidly embarrassing beyond kissing him back there with what's going on right now.

Besides, he kept making it about 'him' even though it's not really a choice for my own sanity right now! And he acts like I don't want to kiss him or anything?

Cuz that's wrong… dead wrong.

Even though younger me, would probably beat the crap out of me for admitting that, but… it's true.

But, whatever?!

All of this would have been even more 'fine' had he just taken my word for it that everything's FINE and just given me some space like I WANT right now! But, guess my boyfriend and my friends can't even let me have that either.

Agh… dammit.

But, I knew Patsy and Nina weren't going to 'let it slide' either since they were giving me that look and not allowing me to go anywhere until I spill something to them.

Finally, I just crossed my arms and looked away before shrugging and answering, "Look, it's no big deal or anything. We've been dating since the middle of last summer."

I glanced over at them only for my face to feel like it was on fire when I saw them look at me in even more shock.

Immediately, I gave them a frustrated look before snapping in defense, "What?"

Right then, Patsy shook her head (almost like she was trying to clear it) as she put her hands up before questioning, sounding totally confused, "Wait, back it up. You have been dating Clam for almost a whole year? Just… how?"

I was getting SO agitated and annoyed (with what's going on with me also not helping out much either) as I practically ground out through my teeth in defensive frustration, "What's that supposed to mean?"

I had no idea what kind of crap she was implying to me. What? Like I'm 'undatable'? Or I can't have a boyfriend? Or why the hell it's so stupidly hard for my two idiot cabin mate friends to understand this?!

But, I think Patsy could tell what was going through my head since I saw her roll her eyes and scoff before crossing her arms and saying, "Look, Gretchen, it's not that part of it. What I want to know is how you and Clam are even together. You literally smashed a pie over his head at the end of summer picnic last year AND you THREW HIM DOWN A HOLE at the start of camp this year! Why would you do any of that if you're dating him?! Or even at all! I mean, why? Clam's a nice guy and…" "And you think I don't already know any of that crap about him?!" I cut in, pretty much exploding and my blood felt like it was going to a rolling boil.

It was silent as I gripped my hands into my hair, trying to get it together, as I let out a deep ragged breath before continuing, "Look, I know, okay? But, that's the whole friggin' point! We decided to still act like we usually do out in public."

Then without seeming like she was even thinking about it, Nina questioned in total confusion, "But… why?"

I felt like the Volcano on Mt. Blackhead about to erupt at this point as I yelled right in her face, "BECAUSE WE DIDN'T WANT ANYONE TO KNOW, OKAY?!"

It was dead silent again except for my ragged breathing.

Well, until I just groaned and pretty much threw myself on my bed and let out, "Or I didn't want anyone to know anyway… Besides, who do you think carved that stupid heart into the tree outside our cabin last year? The friggin' tooth fairy?! He did that after he asked me to go out with him and I caught him scraping it into the tree with his horn when I was walking back from the showers that same night and wanted to throw his butt back across the lake so fast before anyone saw him or the heart. Ugh, why do you think I wanted you all to shut up about it later that week on the beach?!"

I put the pillow over my face just to try to shut it all out.

Even though I was hoping they'd just get lost and leave me alone since I felt so embarrassed that it made me want to rip my face off.

But, yeah, that was wishful thinking since I felt the weight shift on both sides at the foot of my bed, knowing they were both sitting there.

Ugh, why won't they just take a hint and lay off?!

(Patsy's POV)

Nina and I were both exchanging confused and shocked looks until we both looked back at Gretchen from where we were sitting on the bed.

I mean, look, the fact that we just found out now that she's been dating Clam for the past year?

Yeah, that's something new that I also wasn't expecting Gretchen to admit to us honestly. But, the 'heart in the tree thing' from last year when Gretchen yelled at us?… It was all really starting to make so much sense that it was almost making my brain feel like it was gonna explode.

I wasn't about to lose traction though now that I had it to finally figure out what her problem has been lately.

Even though I was still frustrated about why she wasn't just telling us what her deal's been, I tried to remain calm as I questioned, "But, why didn't you want anyone to know? Or even just us?"

It was quiet until she slowly looked back at me, pretty much glaring before retorting through a scoff, "Seriously? Are you really asking me that? You and everyone else have been teasing me about him since we were 12. Hey Gretchen, looks like you and your 'boyfriend' are in the arm wrestling final. Hey Gretchen, you probably just want to win Tug of War to 'get closer' to him. All of you have been annoying me with that teasing crap about me and him since then just to get under my skin! And you wonder why I didn't want to tell you jack squat?!"

After her calling us out, she went face down into the pillow and let out a long and annoyed groaning grunt as Nina and I exchanged looks. Well, until I fired back, "Well, okay, not that I don't get that, but… why are you acting like the only one who's ever been 'teased' here? You and everyone teased me WAY more over Lazlo! Even when he wasn't even around for YEARS! And need I remind you of all the times you taunted me with a 'kissy face' and laughed at me every time I even just talked about Lazlo? You're not some 'special case' here, Gretchen. We're friends! That's what we do! We mess with each other about dumb stuff like this but that doesn't mean that we mean anything by it or that you should even listen! If you want to date Clam, then do it! What do you or any of us care?!"

Okay, maybe I went a bit too personal there, but… that doesn't mean that I didn't just tell it like it is either. Because it's true!

If I had a dollar for every time Gretchen especially teased me about my crush on Lazlo, I would have a stupid amount of money.

Well, that and the fact that both her and Clam kinda interrupted and killed the mood when Lazlo and I were talking and holding hands out on the dining terrace earlier 'having a moment' and finally seemed like there was something mutual there between us.

But, ugh, whatever. I mean, I guess it wasn't a total loss and I still can't believe I actually kissed him earlier. Sure, it was just on the cheek, but still!

I could feel myself getting distracted and got myself back into the situation in time as Gretchen took the pillow away and looked right at me before almost snapping, "Okay! Fine! Whatever! Sorry that I mocked you over your insufferably happy Spider Monkey loverboy. But, look, that really doesn't matter right now! Because up until now, I was handling it! I was keeping my distance from Clam until you just had to come up with this stupid dance with the Bean Scouts and then he just had to talk to me and make me lose it because he's too damn stubborn to not just let stuff slide even though I was trying to avoid him for his own good after I managed to get him away from me in the woods by tossing him in that hole I dug!"

All of a sudden, and as much as it all made zero sense to me right now, something in my brain just clicked as I remembered Gretchen almost saying something like that to Clam too when Lazlo and I heard them talking behind the dining hall.

Well, before they started making out which only made me even more confused as I kept hearing more and more about it. Finally, Nina seemed to just echo my thoughts as she got out, totally confused, "But, I don't get it? If you like Clam and you've been dating him this whole time, then why are you trying to avoid him now? And what do you mean by 'for his own good'? Look maybe it's just me, but as someone who's had a boyfriend for almost 4 years… you should probably talk to him if something's going on! Clam's a nice guy. I'm sure he'd…" "And how the hell would you know, Neckerly?! You don't know Jacksquat about what's going on with me right now! And I don't want him to know either because… UGH!" She pretty much slammed herself face down on the bed again and started raggedly breathing into the pillow.

It was dead silent until Gretchen finally groaned out into the pillow, sounding just done with everything, "It's just… embarrassing, okay?"

Embarrassing… what?

Nina and I both exchanged totally confused looks since nothing about anything was making any sense still the more and more we talked about whatever was going on with Gretchen right now.

Finally, I just looked at Gretchen and said, "Look Gretchen, embarrassing or not… can't you at least just tell us what's happening? Ever since we ran into Lazlo and Clam on the first day of camp, you've been acting more on edge than my dad after a bad game of golf with his higher-ups. And that's saying something! Besides, and like Nina and I keep saying, we're friends and we just want to know what's going on with you because we care about you. And we know that as tough as you are that you care about us too. Even Almondine, Amber, and Toodie. Or need I remind you of the Squirrel Scout Pledge we had to memorize when we all started Squirrel Scouts as kids? It is the duty of every Squirrel Scout to always be prepared. Whether family, stranger, or friend, a Squirrel Scout should always be ready to stand up and lend a hand. And that is all Nina and I are trying to do right now. Besides, it can't possibly be more embarrassing than that time Amber got her first 'time of the month' when we were 10."

Right as I mentioned that, everything stopped. Even Gretchen stopped breathing for a second as all of us thought back to that time when we were 10 and having our usual 'Buddy Olympics' where we partnered up with a friend and do dumb yet fun games together.

And right in the middle of the 3 legged race when Toodie and Amber were crossing the finish line, Amber got her period at some point and didn't even know it, and, well… yeah, it was gross and horrifying for all of us since Amber was the first one of us to get her period and we were all still stupid kids that didn't know what was exactly going on at the time since all we saw was blood on both Amber and Toodie's legs by the end of the race.

Long story short, Den Mother Doe managed to calm us all down, have Amber and Toodie wash up in the showers, and then the next morning we all got a painfully embarrassing 'talk' on Puberty from Den Mother Doe.

And I could tell by the silence in the room right now that we were still scared from that awkward as-all-get-out experience. Look, we've gotten talks from our parents, school, and stuff like that… but getting a 'talk' like that from Den Mother Doe was so awkward. Especially since she was having us do this 'exercise' where we tossed around a ball to each other and whoever was holding it had to say how they felt.

Yeah, definitely weird.

It seemed like all of us were still thinking back to it until we heard Gretchen mumble something into her pillow that she put back over her face.

Both of us immediately looked at Gretchen before looking back at each other in both shock and confusion before looking right back at Gretchen as I questioned, "Huh?"

A second later I heard her grumble, a little louder, "It's mehteh… measing." Or that's what I thought I heard her say anyway even though I don't think I even heard her say actual words.

"What?" I questioned again, still having no idea what she said. She grumbled even louder as we heard her say into her pillow, "Mmfpfrg season." Finally, Nina jumped in and asked, "What? A 'season'? What season?"

I think Gretchen finally snapped in frustration as she turned over and pretty much exploded at us, "DO I NEED A FRIGGIN' MEGAPHONE TO SCREAM IT INTO YOUR EARS?! I SAID IT'S MATING SEASON, YOU DIPSTICKS!"

It was dead silent and my eyes felt like they were going to fall out of my head as I processed… that.

And I guess I was probably showing 'exactly what I was thinking' on my face at her saying 'mating season' and probably Nina too since I saw Gretchen's face go red before she smacked herself in the face as she let out what I can only describe as a groaning grunt before snapping in embarrassed annoyance, "Ugh! No! Gross! It's not like that."

Luckily Nina seemed to snap out of it before I did as she questioned in total confusion but also still sounding like she was trying to 'talk through this', "Uh, Gretchen, just to clarify and to be fair, 'mating season' is usually something pertaining to wildlife defined by a timing that contributes a drive to continue survival via mating so, really are we technically wrong for assuming you meant…" "Do I look like 'wildlife' or whatever to you two idiots?! Just… UGH! It's not like that, okay?! It's just a way to explain an Alligator… thing." Gretchen snapped, crossing her arms.

"Which is?" I finally chimed in, getting more and more frustrated and confused by whatever the heck was happening.

Gretchen let out a long and tense exhale out her nostrils and gripped her hands into her hair before grunting and finally spat, sounding completely at her limit as she got up and started almost pacing and stomping around the room, "Look, like I said, I'm fine. It's just this stupid thing that starts happening usually in late spring and early summer for Alligators and started happening to me a little bit when I was about 15. Weird stuff just starts going on that heightens my senses and makes my hormones go all over the place. And before it was like dealing with a stupidly long period and usually I'd just exercise more to work stuff off. But, as my stupid mom just had to tell me before left, it usually starts to get worse and worse the older you get. And guess what? Yup! This year was the friggin' year that it decided to get worse! And it's just gonna keep getting 'worse' every year! I thought I could handle it, but right when I saw Clam on the first day of camp… I knew I was screwed. Even just being around him just makes it come out and makes me feel desperate, pathetic, and like I want to die from embarrassment over how I feel! Well, at least until I'm like 25 or something and then I guess it'll not be as bad. But, whatever?! Cuz right now, I'm on edge ALL the time, my body is doing weird stuff that I hate, my hormones are going insane, I'm constantly thinking about trying not to let this control me and do weird things around my boyfriend to make him think I'm weird, AND I'm also on my period right now! So, ya know… FANTASTIC! I'm just screwed! Because what else can possibly happen to me right now?! Just… AGH?! DAMMIT!"

After all that, Gretchen pretty much smashed her forehead into the same wall she punched earlier out of frustration, making both me and Nina wince for a second.

But… then it all really started making sense.

Nina and I thinking she even acted a little off at the beginning of last summer too, her going WAY out of line with getting Clam away from her on day one this year by throwing him down that pit, and that weird 'growling vibration' I felt and heard from her when I put my hand on her shoulder that one time… it was starting to all make sense in some very weird way now.

Finally, Nina got up and I was surprised when she put and hand on Gretchen's shoulder. I got a little nervous when Gretchen tensed up until Nina just kept her place and started, "Look Gretchen, I may not know everything about what's happening with you right now, but you need to talk to Clam about what's going on. It's not fair to keep this kind of thing from him."

I got up too and felt motivated as I added, fully agreeing with Nina, "Yeah, I have to go with Nina on this one too, Gretchen. Or are you just going to ignore him whenever this happens for the next 8 years if you're still dating him?"

Finally, Gretchen turned around and glared at us before retorting, "Uh, have you guys seen who my boyfriend is? I'm dating a rhino who headbutts trees and throws around boulders for fun. There's no way he'll understand this weird crap that's going on with me right now and it'll probably just freak him out or something."

Immediately Nina stepped forward and countered, "Gretchen, I'm telling you right now. That's not true. Clam's a really smart and nice guy. I'm sure if you just told him what was going on, he'd understand and…" "I said NO, okay?! So back OFF!" Gretchen snapped, sounding very defensive, hostile, and agitated as she bared her teeth at us.

Nina and I immediately 'backed off' a little with our hands up to give her space, not knowing what she was going to do.

Well, until she scrunched her eyes and put one of her hands over her eyes, looking like she was trying to calm down. It was silent again except for Gretchen's ragged breathing. After a couple of moments, she let out a very heavy sigh before saying, "Look, this stays here, okay? And I don't want Clam to know about any of this weird crap. I'll be fine by July and all I want is for everyone to butt out of my business and leave me alone. Starting now."

After that, Gretchen strutted out of the cabin and went back to the dining hall where the dance was still going on.

After the door shut to our cabin, Nina and I just stood in silence until we eventually looked at each other. We didn't say anything, but I could tell by both of us biting our lips that we both thought the same thing.

We didn't think Gretchen was right… far from it.

Told you it was going to get a little strange, but I hope you enjoyed it all the same! Now I think we all can agree that in true Joe Murray animated fashion… the worlds he builds are both incredibly creative yet INSANELY confusing with his use of anthropomorphic animals in place of fully human characters. Especially since in both "Rocko's Modern Life" and "Camp Lazlo", there is a very confusing situation of human-like animals and then actual animal-animals also existing in the same world that makes me think way too hard about the logic of it all and where certain lines are drawn. For example, both Honey and Gordon are technically 'bears' that are technically seen as humans in Lazlo's universe and yet there are also wild animal bears that exist as well. Like… I think my brain just exploded just composing that sentence. Lol. XD I'll elaborate more on this later on, but for now and in the cannon and logic of my fanfic, I'm just going to think of the characters from a human perspective where they're 'technically' human, but their animal representation is more of a personality and nationality representation of their characters. Like in this instance with Gretchen, she may technically be an American Alligator but she also isn't a full reptile since she's seen to have the ability to blush in the show when gets embarrassed and angry, but she yet she is aggressive like real alligators in our world tend to be, especially during mating season (I have family in Florida that knows all about this. Lol.). So… I thought I'd have a bit of a fun twist with this concept as a sub-plot for Clam and Gretchen. Basically, Gretchen is going through a type of seasonal hormonal change now that she's in her mid to late teens that results in her being more 'on edge' in more ways than one during late spring to early summer (which is our world's American Alligator mating season in real life). And basically, she's feeling things she's never fully felt before and her being in a relationship with Clam, liking him, and also feeling attracted to him is driving her even more up the wall than she normally would be and she's basically scared that she'll do something out of impulsive alligator instinct to scare the only guy off who's ever liked her the same way she eventually liked him back. Which for Gretchen… is actually very sweet in concept. But, as Patsy and Nina have observed, is not the best decision for her to keep this a secret from Clam, and that she should just talk to him. But, looks like Gretchen's digging in her heels on this one by wanting to repress everything she's feeling instead of trying to talk about it with the people that care about her. And that's just a good lesson all of us can take there ya'll! Open and honest communication is very important :) Anyway, thank you all so much for reading, and constructive feedback is always very much appreciated!

Stay Classy!

Dexter1995