Chapter Text
Max's POV
Inside a black fabric room, I stared at the corner that is my ceiling. The sound of my friend snoring was the white noise I had gotten used to. For being a bad person, I pride myself on making sure my friends don't get embarrassed or too insecure, of course, it's only because then I look dumb being around them but it still counts, and so I don't mention the monstrous voice he commits to in his sleep.
My blank mind wandered around the day, thinking about the events that took place. I couldn't seem to sleep. Even without technology or a friend to distract me, I still manage to fuck up my sleep schedule.
My mind still wandering, I eventually grasp the edges of a good nights sleep. It was short-lived though, I woke up for breakfast after what seemed like a split second of darkness. Dreams don't occur as often anymore. I can probably shape that to be blamed on David.
I look at my side expecting to see my "roommate" Neil and remembered I always wake up late for breakfast. I walk to the mess hall for the small intake of food I can consume within 6 minutes. I was greeted by a nice fight between Harrison and Neil, as an intellectual, I noticed how it's so fucking obvious how gay their fights are. They scream like a married couple, they scream like my parents.
Neil is back at it, accusing Harrison of things that I cannot comprehend because it's so early. Harrison is backed up by the campers in the argument. Probably some dumb shit about science again. I don't fuck with Harrison, he's a bitch. After the shit he pulled on me, no way am I never going to be seen next to him "performing" again.
After about a minute the noise dies down and Neil annoyingly sits next to me, Nikki following him. Neil started complaining, again.
"Jesus fucking christ Neil this is why you have a shit time making friends. All you do is fucking complain! It's like seven in the morning and the first thing you do is start a fight. I wasn't even there and I can bet my ass it's because you started talking shit and complaining. At least I have the decency to shut up every once in a while!"
I barked at Neil, I kind of felt bad but my headache drowned out my thought processing skills.
"Yeah Neil it's kind of getting old... and annoying"Nikki added to my point.
Neil scoffed.
"Ugh, it's always my fault when I'm just trying to correct the imbalances of this pathetic camp!"
"Find something new, Neil"
I spoke while walking away. Neil mocked me in a high-pitched voice.
"Wow Neil, didn't know your voice could get any higher!"
I mocked him right back with a smirk. Nikki giggled and walked back to talk to Nerris and Ered.
David barged in like a wild animal and went to the front of the wooden room to make an announcement.
"Alright campers"
He said it in such a serious tone.
"Today I and a few select campers will be going to the spooky forest to do an... expedition. Gwen will be in charge while I'm gone. Are we clear?"
We nodded unenthusiastically.
"Good, now who wants to join me to spooky island!"
Space kid raised his hand to the question, blurting out specifically so.
"David, why are we going?"
"Well space kid, recently I have had a sense of nostalgia to go visit. I and my friend Jasper used to have expeditions just like these when I was a camper here at Camp Campbell! I want to give you all the same experience I did! But I can't take all of you because Gwen wants to do arts and crafts today."
Suddenly, the memories of Jasper flushed back in.
'Oh this is gonna be good.'
I shout out, raising my hand all the way in the air.
"Me, Neil, and Nikki wanna come!"
Neil and Nikki both responded in confusion.
"Huh!?"
"Max.. what are you doing. You know we're probably going to run into Jasper and I don't think David will take seeing the ghost of his dead friend very settling."
"Yeah Max... I'm not too sure about this one."
Nikki agreed with Neil.
"Oh come on guys, it will be nice seeing David have some closure over his friend."
"Were backing out of this one."
Nikki protested finally.
"Fine, I guess I'm not going either."
This time I shouted louder than my inner conversation tone.
"Sorry David! Never mind, we want to do crafts instead!"
"That's okay Max! Crafts are fun too!"
David exclaimed in his usual cheery and understanding voice. I hated his putrid voice.
"I guess I'm heading out on my own then! See you all in a few hours!"
David exited the hall with his clipboard and regular waltz out.