Chapter Text
“So, do you know why you’re in here, Nova?” She said, questioning
“No?” The child, who was in the chair, seemed to be playing on an ipad, ignoring what the adults were saying.
The Principal- Mr. Olive, sighed. “You’re in here because you let a bunch of snakes loose in the school.”
Outside the Principal’s office, were a few children running and screaming, snakes biting their hair.
Nova’s sight shifted to the window of the door, to the man currently speaking to them. “So what? I just wanted to play a game of snake chase.”
The other adult in the room, Camila Noceda, quickly went up to her child to lean down to their height. “Mijo, I love your creativity but it’s gotten out of hand. Do you know why you were in the Principal’s office the last three times?”
“…Because I was playing ‘Dangerous’ games?”
“Yes.”
“So what? It’s fun!” The child whined, crossing his arms.
“I’m sorry, but if you can’t learn to be wary of other’s people safety when playing these… games, you may need to spend the summer here.” She handed Nova a flyer. It seemed to be a flyer for a ‘Reality Check Summer Camp!’.
Nova grabbed it, and glared at the flyer. They then groaned. “Fiiinnnee… but it better be fun!”
Right as Nova said that, one of the snakes from their backpack got out and bit the Principal.
“Oh, He likes you!”
Nova was outside his house, arms crossed furiously. Two people come out of the house, Nova’s mom and his older adopted brother. “Oh, Oh my baby…” The former said, hugging her 12 year old child. “Don’t worry, summer camp is only going to be three months! You’ll be so busy balancing checkbooks and learning to appreciate public radio, the time will fly by!”
“But I don’t LIKE any of that stuff! I like playing intense games like snake chase, and using the ipad!” He ranted.
Camila sighed. “I know, but the former is holding you back from interacting with other people. Do you have any friends? Real ones, not imagined or drawn or reptilian…” She responds, worried.
Nova’s brother, Hunter, just stayed silent. He knew not to interrupt anyone, that’s what his mom taught him growing up.
Nova’s head shifted downward, his arms no longer in the crossed gesture and his eyes refusing to look up. “No.”
“Summer camp is a chance to make some friends, but you have to try. Can you do that for me?” She asked them.
“…Yeah.”
Right as Camila was about to respond, her phone buzzed in her pursed. “Oh, I gotta go to work.” She kissed her child’s forehead a goodbye. “Your bus is coming soon. Text me when you get there. Cuídate mucho, mija. ¡Qué te vaya bien!” She waved goodbye as she walked away.
“Bye, Mom.” They responded.
Hunter stared at Nova, before inhaling deeply, his hands up to his nose. “To be fully honest, I thought Mom was going to homeschool you instead.” His hands gestured forwards.
“Yeah, me too! But she took the stupid way out.” Nova complained, his arms crossed again.
“Hey! Don’t call our Mom stupid-“
“I wasn’t.’
Hunter continued to stare. “…Riggghhht. Well whatever, I think you’ll do great in summer camp.” He taunted, being snarky once again.
Nova quickly noticed which voice this was. Oh no. It was The voice. “Hey, stop it with the snarkiness! It’s annoying!”
Hunter only laughed, not noticing the book in his backpack, Rulers Reach was being stolen by an owl.
Nova did notice, unfortunately. Their angry frown quickly turned into a mischievous grin. “Hey! That bird stole your book!” He pointed.
“Wha- HEY!” Hunter turned around, to see an owl with a bag, his book in it.
“Little TRASH BRAT!” He yelled, chasing the owl as it ran away. Nova followed.
He paused once he saw the bird thing was walking into an abandoned house. Nova stopped as well. “Hey, why are we stopping?” They asked.
Hunter turns around to yell. “YOU FOLLOWED ME?!”
“I thought it would be funny to see the look of frustration on your face!” They teased.
“Well I’m gonna… go get my book!” He responds, running into the house.
Nova quickly followed. “Hey, wait for me!”
As soon as they entered the house, everything flashed yellow from the outside of it.