Love Scouts

Chapter 4

**USE OF HOMOPHOBIC SLURS**

**Lennon's POV**

Clay, Porter, and I stayed in our seats as the other scouts headed over to their parents or to their friends.

After a minute or so of none of us talking, Clay decided to speak up, "I'm definitely not excited for this trip."

"I know!" Porter agreed, "for two whole weeks!? You've got to be kidding me. Like, can you imagine how much worse it's going to be, considering most of us already hate our normal camping trips!"

"Yea, I'm mostly just hoping that I get to at least share a tent with one of you guys. Lord knows what I'll do if I'm not." I shuddered at the thought of being paired with someone other than one of my friends.

Clay slowly nodded his head in realization, "You're right... I didn't think about that-" 

"Clay! Let's head out bud!" Tom interrupted his son from across the room next to where the parents were conversing with one another.

Clay stood up from his seat and waved us goodbye before he strolled over to where his dad was.  A few seconds later I heard my mom call my name. I sighed and turned to Porter, "Welp, I guess it's my turn to head out. See ya later dude." 

"See you"

I noticed my pants had fallen down a bit when I stood up, so I grabbed my waistband and pulled up. My eyes wandered around the room looking for my mom- as I adjusted my bottoms.  I dropped my gaze to the floor when I noticed Dax had been staring at me the whole time.

I felt my cheeks heat up under Dax's gaze as I scurried over to my mom.  

"You have the paper right, Len?" My mom questioned as we headed over to the exit after saying our farewells to the others. I nodded my head and took out the folded piece of paper from my front pocket. I scanned over the paper, which included a list of what to bring.  I let out a sigh of relief when I read that everyone was going to have to bring their own tent. Meaning I wouldn't have to share a tent with anyone. 

Thank goodness. 

While quickly skimming over the rest of the paper, my mother and I made our way to her car. I climbed in after my mother. "Are you excited about the trip?" She asked with little interest in her tone. 

"Kind of." I lied. I was not excited at all. 

** 

My mom pulled into the driveway of our house and parked her car. I hopped out of the black car and headed for the front door, unlocking it with the key I always carried with me. Entering the house I heard my mom yell to start packing. I didn't understand her logic since the trip won't be till' Sunday, which is two days from now, but I did as told. 

The first thing on the list was the tent, so I headed to our hall closet where we kept miscellaneous objects, which included things for camping. 

I pulled out my tent from the closet. As I pulled it out, I noticed there was a huge rip in the bag, so I took out the tent to make sure it was still okay to use. To no surprise, there was a huge rip in the tent as well. I sighed, knowing that I now had to go get a new one. 

"Mom! Can I take the car to the store? I need a new tent!" I yelled out to my mom. 

From someplace in the house, my mother called back in annoyance, "I guess Len. Take Claire with you though! I believe she needed a new softball glove." Claire is my 13-year-old sister who plays softball, and -not to be rude- is a bitch. She's always in a sour mood like my mother and loves to be everything but kind to people. And by people, I mean me.