Camp Camp GC Fic

Neil

Dude, she's here. I swear.

That's what Max said, and that was why Neil was making the long drive up to camp from the city. Max was having a mental breakdown. He was going insane, and Neil was going to be the one to help him through it. Or drag him to a mental hospital.

He listened to Eric Clapton on the way up to camp and thoroughly enjoyed his time. 

Then, Preston called him.

"Where are you?" Preston asked, not so calmly.

"I'm heading up to camp," Neil said. "Max is... Max is not doing so well."

"Oh," Preston said. "Is he gonna be okay?"

"Don't know, if I'm being honest," Neil answered. "Seems pretty manic."

"I'm sure he's okay, Gwen and David are there, aren't they?"

"Yeah, I just... I worry, y'know?"

"No, I know."

"I'll probably be back tonight or tomorrow morning but I'll text you updates if you want."

"If you have time."

"Yeah."

"Are you okay?"

"No."

"Oh." Preston sighed audibly. "You could've had me come with you."

"Didn't want to bother you. You're working on that show and all that."

"Tech doesn't start for another week."

"I know, I just..."

"Sorry, Neil."

"No, I'm sorry," Neil said. "Fucking hate upstate."

"Me too. I'll let you go now."

"No, stay on the phone please," Neil begged calmly.

"Oh, okay."

They didn't really talk, but Neil listened to the washer and dryer buzz and wash and listened to Preston hum some song from... Frozen?! Cute. Neil focused on the road and tried not to think of Max, and how he could possibly be killing himself or something. Nah, he wouldn't.

"Pres, I'm here," Neil said. "I'll talk to you later, okay?"

"Okay," Preston said. "I love you."

"Love you."

Neil pulled his car in and he fucking saw her.

Fucking Nikki.

"What the fuck?" He didn't know if he was speaking aloud. He didn't care. He was in shock.

Then, the blue-haired girl who was... not Nikki. No way. Turned her head and looked at Neil.

"Neil!" Neil heard Max's voice calling his name, and he got out of his car reluctantly.

He and Nikki made eye contact. It was weird. It was gross. It made Neil want to...

Neil hunched over and vomited all over the ground. 

"Fuck."

"Neil? Buddy? You okay?" Max approached.

"That's not Nikki."

"Pretty sure I'm Nikki," Nikki smiled.

Neil looked up, and threw up again.

"Dude!" Max said, picking his foot off the ground and shaking off the vomit. "Gross. And didn't I tell you?"

"I thought you were having a manic episode or... or... is there something in the air here? Am I hallucinating?"

"You're not hallucinating," Max promised, "Let's get you some water."

Neil let himself be led into the dining hall, where campers were doing arts and crafts and the QM was starting lunch.

"How?" Neil asked, finally.

"Drink your water," Max ordered and Neil obeyed. "She just kinda... showed up."

"Bullshit," Neil rolled his eyes. "I saw the Quartermaster. Where's fucking Harrison?"

Max's eyes widened. "Um... he's in his cabin I think."

"That's amazing," Neil said, resolving himself to look at Nikki and bear the pain. "Are you... how do you feel?"

"I don't know," Nikki shrugged. "It's weird, to have a body."

"Do you remember being dead?!" Neil asked.

Nikki shook her head. "I just kinda remember... feeling like I was floating, I guess."

"Interesting," Neil said. "I..."

"You..." Nikki teased, and they laughed together, which struck Neil deeply.

"Sorry," he chuckled, trying not to cry. "I missed you."

"I could've guessed it," Nikki winked. "How's your boyfriend?"

Neil blushed and stammered. She always caught him off guard. "He's good. Working on a show. I'm at college. How's your boyfriend?"

"We're not really... we're taking it slow," said Nikki. Max nodded, though Neil could say that Nikki was the one who came up with this deal.

"Oh," was all Neil had to say.

"Just while I get used to being alive," Nikki said.

"Where is Preston? Couldn't get him to come with you?" Max asked.

"He just... He was still sleeping when I left, and I thought you were going insane. So I thought it'd be best to just come alone."

"Can't believe you two ended up together," Max smirked.

Neil smiled awkwardly. Didn't know what to say.

"This is awkward," Nikki observed, and Neil broke into chuckles.

"It's weird to be three again," Neil said.

Nikki shrugged. "Wouldn't remember."

"Max, who do you think this one was hanging out with in the afterlife?"

"Hmm..." Max stroked his chin. "Tupac, probably."

Nikki thought hard. "I faintly remember Princess Diana. Oh, and James Dean."

"Two people you found very attractive in life? Great," Max said sarcastically.

"Shut it," Nikki chuckled. "I'm messing with you. I can't remember shit."

"Do you want to be alive again?" Neil asked, studying her.

Nikki stared at him, then shrugged, for what he thought was the hundredth time. 

This was going to be hard.