Chapter 28

As I watched Tiny disappear into the darkness, Dean stepped onto the mini stage.

"Hey, campers! I hope y'all have had lots of fun. I'd like to congratulate the Puma Cabin for their victory!"

The whole camp erupted into cheers, even Riley, who I saw take a quick glance at Isreal.

"Tomorrow, I and a selective few campers have been invited to an interview with Barbara Moore. They'll be on national TV and get to answer a few questions and talk about our camp. Then, we'll stay one more day and leave that night."

Barbara Moore is like the lesser, white version of Oprah Winfrey. I don't really watch her but she's still a common household name. I know multiple people who don't like her but they never really explain why. What could be so bad about her? Even Oprah has haters.

"The campers going with me to Hollywood are... Asmaa Almasi, Devin Chase, Tiffany Johnson, Mia Noels, Tyler Shaw, Keisha Wars, and Andy Smith. Let's all give them a round of applause."

The whole area erupted in applause and cheers.

Once the clapping subsided he continued. "I know this is short notice but we leave tomorrow in the morning. I expect you all to be by the bus by 8 o'clock sharp. Oh, and you're allowed to pick ONE friend to a company you. Now advise you to go to your cabin and start packing.

I stood up and hurried towards Quinn's table, she was talking with her friends about a Marvel movie or something like that.

"Hey, babe!" I hugged her from behind. "How would you like to go to Hollywood with me?"

"I don't know, I think I'd prefer to go to the bedroom with you."

Her friends her around oohed and awed, making me blush.

"I mean, we'd be sharing a hotel room, but if you don't wanna I guess I could ask..."

"Babe, I'm kidding, I'd love to go to Hollywood with you." She turned her head to peck me on the lips.

"Okay, great! I'm gonna go pack, see you in the morning!" I kissed her one last time and ran off to my cabin.

I packed 5 outfits, we're only going to be there for two days but you never know. What if one of my pants or shirts gets dirty? What if one of my shirts catches on fire? Better safe than sorry.

While I was packing, Tiny was downstairs in the kitchen eating ice cream, I didn't even acknowledge her. I was mostly upstairs packing with Asmaa, Natalie, Eva, and Mia. I think it's good that I'm going on this trip, I'll get time apart from Tiny. There won't be awkwardness. And things should be normal by the time I come back.

By the time Tiffany and the rest of the girls got back we were already in bed ready to sleep.

The next morning I actually woke up early. Airports are usually cold for me so I put on some black leggings and a hoodie that  I bought from the camp gift shop. I tied my hair up in a messy bun and put on my black and white Adidas tennis shoes.

Eva put on some blue jeans and a pan pride It was dark out as I blinked my eyes open. Quinn was spooning me with her arm around my waist.

It was dark outside... shit, it was dark outside!

"Quinn, wake up!"

"Huh?" A groggy Quinn yawned, rubbing her eyes.

"We slept through the whole day! What time is it?"

"Eight, fifty... four." a half asleep Quinn squinted at her phone.

"Dinner started ten minutes ago! C'mon!" I tugged at her.

We rushed out of the woods towards camp, hopefully they didn't call the police, or think we ran away. That would be very bad. Very,very bad. Two run away campers in the same month, this camp would get shut down for sure.

Despite my worries, when we got to camp everything was normal. Nobody seemed to notice we were gone. Which kinda hurt, but on the bright side, the camp isn't in more trouble that it's already in.

"DEVIN! WHERE. THE. FUCK. WERE. YOU?" Riley screeched angrily, marching towards me.

On the contrary, I am in trouble.

"We LOST! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? WE lost THE VOLLEYBALL GAME!" Riley ranted loudly making other tables turn their heads to look at us.

Not caring Riley continued, "And guess to who? THE FREAKING PUMAS! Those... those cute... but bratty jerks that lured us into a cave and scared us!"

"Did she call us cute? She knows most of us are gay right?" I heard a guy from the Puma table comment. It was Xander, I think.

"We were this close to beating them! We would've had them but, NOOOO. DEVIN DECIDED NOT TO SHOW UP! BECAUSE SHE WANTED TO HAVE PRIVATE TIME WITH QUINN. QUINN'S NOT EVEN THAT CUTE!"

"Yes, the fuck I am." Quinn protested.

"Not compared to food! Devin, if you had to choose between food and Quinn for the rest of your life which would you pick?"

"Um, food."

"EXACTLY!"

"I'm sorry, we fell asleep," I tried, fitting in between her rants.

"You know what? It's fine." Riley, seemingly out of nowhere, calmed down. "Sleep is good, sleep is very good. ESPECIALLY WHEN FOOD IS AT STAKE." Never mind ,she's not calm. "Devin, I NEEDED THAT FOOD! Poor little Eva needed that food," she gestured at Eva who made an unamused face, raising her eyebrow at Riley, "Look at her poor, hungry, cute, little face." She pinched Eva's cheek.

"Devin. You've created a monster, we'll never hear the end of this." Tiffany disapprovingly shook her head at me.

"Um... uh Riley?" A soft voice spoke out. I turned around to the transgender boy, , from the Puma cabin.

We all looked at him expectantly. "Um, well," he blushed, now that all our eyes were on him.

"You can take all my seconds, Riley." He blushed at saying her name. "Just tell me and I'll get the seconds for you." He offered a smile at Riley.

Riley's face was as red as her hair, and her smile was huge. "Really?"

He nodded, blushing even more. This is too cute.

"Aw, thank you, that's so sweet." Riley got off her chair and approached Isreal. "Thank you!" She hugged him tightly.

A bunch of awes erupted throughout the camp, making them both blush even harder.

"Isreal saved us all!" Eva jeered.

"Shut up, Eva," Riley blushed, remembering how ridiculous she was acting previously.

"I'm gonna go sit at my table, see you later, babe." Quinn kissed my forehead.

"Awww. You two are so cute! When's the wedding?" Tiffany teased.

Tiny shifted uncomfortably next to her.

The only empty seat left was the one next to Tiny. I mentally sighed, hopefully Quinn won't mind.

She turned to me shyly smiling, "We missed you today."

"Thanks, how badly did we lose?"

"10 to 25, Brittney took your place."

"Oh, so that's why we lost," I smirked, glancing at Brittney.

"She wasn't bad, we just preferred you. I prefer you," she softened her voice, resting her hand on mine.

I uncomfortably took mine away, "Tiny, I love you and... you're great. And I know we haven't talked about what happened that night... It was an impulse, it didn't mean anything. I just see you as a friend. And that's all we're ever going to be. I'm not attracted to you, I mean... I... You and I, it...it isn't going to happen. I'm sorry. I'm with Quinn, and I... love her..."

"Oh... uh...OK..." She stared down at her hands frowning.

The fire's light reflected of her, giving her skin a golden complexion. Her flawless short, pink hair sat right on her shoulders drawing attention to her face. Her lips. Her eyes...She was beautiful.

I didn't really mean what I said. That kiss meant something to both of us. I didn't just see her as a friend. We could be more. I am attracted to her. And I don't love Quinn... I don't think I do. I'm attracted to her but... Love? I don't know.

I'm just so confused right now.

"Tiny..." She was still staring at her hands, but her eyes were watering.

"Tiny... " I began again.

"Excuse me." She stood up. "I'm going to the cabin. I'm won't run away this time, I promise. I won't ruin anything. I've already done enough, haven't I?"

"Tiny, I'm sorry, I didn't m-"

"Just leave me alone!" She rose her voice, making heads turn, "I just... I just need to be alone right now," She whispered.

Her voice was small, it's the kind of voice you use when you're about to cry, the voice you use when you're trying to hold it together on the outside. But on the inside your heart is breaking.

. That says, "More Pan than Peter, and Twice as Magical."

After Asmaa saw both of us she said, "Guys, let's all wear pride gear! Tiffany, can you text the others?"

"Yeah," she yawned, still in bed, turning on her phone.

Asmaa slipped on a long sleeve shirt  that said, "Of course I'm pro-gay, I didn't practice this much to stay an amateur."

Mía slipped on a NASA based hoodie, that said: "trans" in the front and "girl" in the back.

While Natalie put on a zzip-up Skoliosexual hoodie..

"Tiffany, sweetheart, it's 7:45 we have fifteen minutes until we have to go," Asmaa called as she checked herself in the mirror.

"WHAT!?! Why didn't you guys tell me?"

"We thought you knew... You know what? Never mind we'll meet you at the bus."

Despite it being summer, it was a chilly morning and I was grateful for my hoodie.

When we go to the bus stop everyone was already there except Tiffany if course who was still getting ready.

It seems everyone got the memo.

Tyler from the Puma cabin was wearing a sweatshirt that read, "Hella gay and ready to slay."

His boyfriend, Cameron, who was also from the Puma Cabin wore a t-shirt  under a unzipped hoodie that read, "Gay Agenda: Sungay, Mongay, Tuesgay, Wednesgay, Thursgay, Frigay, and Saturgay."

Andy wore a long sleeve  that read, "Too Cute For a Gender Identity." I'm guessing they're Non-Binary, not only because of their shirt but also because Natalie is holding hands with them. She's skoliosexual meaning she's attracted to Non-Binary people.

Speaking of couples, the person Mia chose to be her partner was Jonah, who is also from the Puma Cabin. He was wearing a shirt that said, "My anaconda might want some after we've established an intimate emotional connection. Hun."

A girl named Kennedy whose in my Apologetics class was wearing a long sleeve  that said, "Gender Fluid, Drink up Haters."

And her best friend, Keisha Wars had on a form fitting tank top that read, "The Bible said Adam AND Eve, so I did both." Her shirt made me smile, my parents would freak if they ever read that. But I know she must be freezing to death because I have a jacket on and even I'm cold.

Quinn's  shirt was simple and to the point, "I LIKE GIRLS."

Good to know.

Head Counselor Dean and his husband wore matching shirts that read, "Human." Each letter looked like a certain lgbtq flag.

"Sorry, we're late!" Tiffany called 10 feet away still running, she was wearing a gray t-shirt  that said, "Sorry, I don't swing that way or any way for that matter." I smiled all these shirts make me happy.

But when I looked to the person behind her my smile disappeared. There was nothing wrong with their hoodie, it said, "Marriage is about love, not gender."

My problem was the person, Aurora Ross.

So much for a peaceful, non-awkward, and non-dramatic break.