Stronger Together

Chapter 73

Londyn's POV

Dad surprised me by enrolling me in Lacrosse camp instead of Track camp. It was a pleasant surprise that makes me feel more seen. I'm actually enjoyable camp this year

I'm in a cabin with Raaya, Zoe, and Sophie. There are other girls but they do their own thing so life is actually peaceful.

We're done practicing for the day so we can do whatever we want

"Hey Londyn what are you gonna do today?" Jonah asks

"I don't know. Definitely not swimming because I just took a shower." I answer while pointing at my wet hair

"Wanna walk the trails with me? I get if you don't want to though." he asked nervously

"Sure, I wanna talk to you anyways."

With that Jonah and I embarked on the trails

"Let's chill by the waterfall."

The walk was quiet because Jonah seemed way too nervous to talk. I didn't talk because I knew it would torture him

We got to the gorgeous waterfall and sat on some rocks

"So what did you wanna talk about?"

Before I could answer Tabitha emerged from behind the trees with her posse

"Jonah babe, what are you doing talking to this homophobe? Did you forget what she did?"

"You mean what you did? You lying bitch! I know the truth about everything that happened. If you think what I did to Speedy was bad, wait until you see what I do to you!"

They knew he wasn't playing. Jonah was a scary guy to be at odds with.

"Please I'm sorry. I was just looking out for you. She isn't good for you and I was." She pleaded

"You're so fucking delusional!"

"Let's just move on like nothing happened." Her other friend spoke up

"After we ruined her summer and the start of her high school experience? You won't get off that easy. In fact all of your harassment, racism, and homophobia is being spread through the camp. You saw how nasty they were to Londyn just imagine how they'll treat you. The bitch who has been tormented everyone for years."

"No" she cried

"Let's go call our parents to pick us up." her minion said and they ran off

"You didn't have to do that Marvin." I used his old nickname

"I know but it's the only way I know how to get back at them. They cost me my best friend. That's unforgivable."

"Well I forgive you." I shrugged

"Really?"

"You didn't know. From your perspective, everything you did felt reasonable. I won't forget but I can be your friend again. We can take things slow and maybe you can be my first mate again."

"That's the goal." he smiled

"How has home been since we broke up?" I asked

"Awful. After my dad found out I was indeed a f*gg*t he started verbally abusing me on the daily, Dennis too. My mom found out a month after and they divorced by the end of the summer. However since dad is a jobless alcoholic my mom let them move back in since she felt bad. Dennis hates me even more than before because he thinks I ruined the family."

"I'm sorry that happened. I wish I could've been there for you back then. My place is always open. Even though we had our issues in the past, I still wouldn't turn my back on you." I told him

"Thanks, but it's fine. Lucien's family is letting me stay with them. They're even paying for my college."

"That's awesome. I know college was always a stressful thought for you."

"Everything worked out in the end."

"That it did."

"Londyn, do you think I could ever have you back?"

"As a friend yes. Boyfriend/fuck buddy, I don't think so."

"I miss waking up beside you."

"I miss thinking about you without the trauma."

Hurt flashed across his face

"I'm gonna head back now if that's okay with you." He stood up

"I'm sorry. That was mean."

"It was but I deserve it. It's just hard hanging out with you knowing that we aren't anything special. I don't wanna restart with you. I wish I could just go back to being Marvin the Martian and you could be Speedy Gonzalez"

"I'm still your speedy and you're still my Marvin. We just need to ease back into our friendship. We have all summer."

"You're too nice." he hugged me and it felt so right

This is so bittersweet. I used to love and crave his hugs. I still do but now it's just a reminder of what happened. Neither one of us wanted to let go

"Hey you two! Head back to your cabins before I call your parents!" a counselor yelled

We pulled apart and made our way down the path

"I should've known it was you. I won't let you out of my sight this summer." the counselor spat

He's one of the workers Jonah turned against me

"I wasn't doing anything."

"You were trying to get him to sleep with you. You have no shame."

"That's rich coming from the grown man bullying a 16 year old. Go talk to your husband or something."

"Tabitha and the other girls are crying in the office asking to go home. They said you made everyone believe they did those awful things to Jonah. You're such a liar!"

"Enough Austin! She didn't do anything. I told everyone what happened. It really was them. I have all the proof if you want to see it. Tabitha is a lying bitch." Jonah explained

"Are you sure?"

"Yes you've been bullying me for no reason."

I didn't stay to hear what he had to say. It's so frustrating how these adults would insert themselves in teenage drama.

I got back to the cabin and changed into my pjs before laying down

"We heard what Jonah did. Now everyone knows the truth. You can actually enjoy camp." Raaya yelled

"Yeah that's the plan." I smiled

"What were you doing talking to Jonah?" Sophie asked

"We were just talking. We decided to be friends again but take things slow."

"I don't get you Londyn. How can you be so forgiving to someone who put you through hell?"

"Jonah went through a lot and I couldn't be there for him."

"Everything he went through was his fault. He was alone because he chose to be!"

"It's water under the bridge now. Jonah needs a friend and I'll do just that."

"He has my brother."

"Sophie stop being so harsh everyone deserves second chances."

"I guess"

•_•

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Mwah 🤗