Chapter Text
From the second Michael joined marching band he had been hearing tales of band camp, from the happy camp fire times to the malicious seniors torturing poor rookies.
He never thought about it all that much, but once band camp was a week away and the band was buzzing with a feeling of excitement and dread, it was hard to ignore.
Michael recalled the first day of spring visuals, while waiting for the band director to finish sorting some things out the seniors told stories of previous band camps.
A rookie asked the question "Do we pick our seniors?" and the three seniors responded in unison, as if rehearsed "Seniors pick you!" they shouted punctuating each word.
It's an unspoken marching band rule that rookies don't find out who their seniors are until the first night of band camp.
They're not allowed hints, they can't try to bribe others, it is top secret, but they could guess as much as they wanted.
"Who do you think your senior is?" Michael asked Ray as they sat on the Ray's couch mindlessly playing Halo.
Ray was kicking Michael's ass, but his mind was occupied with other things.
"Ryan obviously, who else would it be."
Michael tossed his controller next to him, stretching as the round ended and a cut scene played.
"He told you? I thought they weren't allowed to do that."
Ray snorted taking a drink of his pop.
"He didn't have to the R&R connection requires no words."
He got up to shut off the xbox. "Got any ideas who yours is?" Ray asked.
Michael shook his head. "Just shots in the dark, Jack, Geoff, Kdin, it could be anyone really."
Ray nodded. "Aren't seniors usually in the same section? That might help you out."
Michael threw his upper bod over the arm of the couch. "Yeah but that's not a gurantee."
Ray shrugged "But it's probably someone you know right? You don't really talk to any seniors other than Geoff, Jack, Kdin, and Ryan. But we already know I have Ryan" Ray added onto the end.
Michael laughed "Sure, Ryan's dick belongs to you and you alone"
Ray winked chuckling "You know it."
Michael felt his phone buzz in his pocket, he pulled it out.
It was his mom, reminding him to pack his bag today and that she wouldn't be home till late.
Michael slapped his forehead, dragging his hand down his face. "I gotta go pack" he moaned.
"Ha, my parents do that for me. They don't trust me to not only pack video games and snacks." Michael let out a breathy "lucky" and the bid his goodbyes and walking home.
He unlocked the door to house saying a quiet "I'm home" despite knowing that no one was there.
He walked into the living room, flopping down on the couch letting his head fall back.
He really should stop packing, but he figured it couldn't hurt to let his mind wander for a minute before he spent a week focusing on nothing but marching band.
He thought about the people in marching band.'
Griffon and Geoff, the way they were some what like parents to him, Jack and Ryan, how intimidating they could be but were his friends and would never hurt him.
Ray and how he's always supported Michael.
He hadn't really noticed but he had become really close to the people in marching band.
He loved being around them and would never let anyone hurt them, and maybe he was being dumb and over dramatic, but he was pretty sure they all felt the same way.
Michael found comfort in the thought. Michael noticed he had also become close with another person, Gavin.
It felt a bit different with Gavin though, more than an amazing friend, Gavin was someone Michael didn't want to be apart from for even a second.
Michael gripped his chest, a slight pain in it. He didn't know if he was ready for feelings like that.
"Shit" he muttered under his breath.
Maybe after a few months of pretending to hate him, Michael had actually started to like Gavin, in a relationship sorta way.
Michael took a deep breath, letting thoughts of Gavin filling his head.
A feeling of excitement and anxiety pooled in Michael's stomach
. On the bright side, if he just noticed it he was sure no one else had, or everyone had.
He prefered the first.
He mentally slapped himself. Ok, this was simple, if Gavin didn't find out there was no problem.
All he has to do is avoid Gavin. This is going to be harder than he thought.
Michael showed up at the camp around 12:45, signed in, told his parents goodbye, and the proceeded to his cabin.
The cabins were divided by gender and year, so while Jack, Ryan, and Geoff were in a different cabin, Michael, Ray, and Gavin would all be in the same cabin.
Michael took a deep breath attempting to calm himself down.
Michael walked in immediately spotting Ray. Michael had showed up a bit later and it looked like they were having a cabin meeting, going over the rules and what not.
Ray glanced at Michael and pointed to the top of the bunk his things were at.
Michael nodded, flashing a thumbs up and tossing his things onto the top of the bunk.
The rules were simple, lights out at 11 (which was about half an hour after practice ended) showers daily, keep your space neat, take your shoes off when you come in, and follow the schedule. Michael could do that.
After the cabin meeting they were shoved off for pictures, which Michael wasn't thrilled about, but it was better than marching.
Michael chatted idly with the other trombones as they waited for their section to be called.
Right now it was the trumpets, Geoff as the section leader and as a senior, was in the middle surrounded by all the other trumpets standing in cool poses.
He saw Gavin with an arm slung around Geoff and a goofy grin plastered on his face.
He felt his own face flush and his stomach clench.
God he was cute.
Gavin looked over, noticing Michael. He smiled, winked at him, and then turned back to the camera.
Michael swore he couldv'e dropped dead right there.
Once section photos were done they did a few photos of the entire band.
Michael could see Gavin, looking around and trying to decide who he should stand by. Michael shoved himself in between Kerry and Lindsay, attempting to stay out of the Brit's sight.
It didn't seem to work however, as a minute later Michael feels a weight on the top of his head and a familiar voice chirping "Mi-cool!" into his ears.
He looks up and sees Gavin looking down at him, face so close that their noses are bumping together. He tries to push Gavin off, but Gavin just maneuvers so boxed Michael in and wrapped his arms around Michael's shoulder.
Michael was about to attempt to push Michael off again but froze upon hearing someone yell "Smile!" at him. Michael ended up standing there, with Gavin way too close for comfort, for the rest of the pictures.
If he was going to avoid Gavin, he was gonna need some help.