𝘗𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘳 ~ [𝘋𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘥 𝘹 𝘖𝘊]

⇒ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴇʟᴇᴠᴇɴ

"Aw Davey, what did I say about it not being a big deal?!" I rounded on him in playful anger having walked into the Mess Hall. When I'd first woken up and found that campers would be doing normal activities, I hoped maybe he'd forgotten the fact it was my two year anniversary of working here, but apparently he was saving everything for the evening.

A few purple streamers were decorating the walls, including a big hand-drawn banner at the back bearing the words 'happy two years' and then a drawing of me. The tables had been pushed together to form one big dining space, the kids and Gwen seated around looking happy for once. I even caught a vague smile on Max's lips, which never happened.

On the table were a few pizzas, which I knew were probably defrosted from the frozen department of whatever supermarket, but it didn't both me in the slightest. I actually felt a tear or two in the corner of my eye at the sight of it all, not expecting such a kind reaction.

"Thank you." I half-whispered to David, flinging my arms round his neck. He staggered back from the force at first, but regained his footing, patting my back a few times.

"Oi, lovebirds, cut it out, we're hungry here!" And angry voice that only could have belonged to Max called. I broke the embrace first, shooting the camper a playful glare.

"Yeah, all that sappy shit is making some of us lose our appetite." Neil added, miming vomiting.

"Now come on, camperinos, there's nothing wrong with hugging your friend." David said as the two of us sat down in the gap next to Gwen. Friend. I smiled weakly.

We tucked into the food, a conversation beginning to pick up as we ate. I mostly just nodded along, focused on my pizza, but a few of the kids spoke to me directly.

"Avery, do you like ze sign? I drew it myself." Dolf told me, grabbing my attention from across the table.

"I knew it must have been, no one else here can draw so well," I gestured to the picture, "Good job, it's uncanny." He beamed at the praise.

"I should compose a play to celebrate their adventures here!" I overheard Preston proclaim. I laughed and shook my head, there really was no stopping that kid.

"You doing okay?" Gwen inquired from the left side of me. I turned to her with a smile.

"Yeah, this is... This is more that I feel I deserve, actually." I admitted quietly, not wanting David to hear.

"Come on, what would we do without you?" She slung an arm round my shoulders merrily. "You're the perfect bridge between me and David, that's how the three of us have lasted here so long! You're the glue of the camp." The glue, huh? I liked that. It also gave me massive flashbacks to Maze Runner.

"Sure, as long as I don't get infected with a disease and slowly go insane so you have to shoot me." I joked, hoping she'd understand what I was referring to. It seemed, from the way she cocked her head to the side, she didn't. "I was referencing..." I trailed off slowly.

"Oh! Right, Maze Runner, yeah. That Newt guy, he was called the glue or something. Honestly don't know why you made me suffer through those movies, but oh well." She chuckled lightly.

"I'll remember you said that next time you force me to watch the Kardashians." I spoke, slyly.

We finished the food soon after, chatter bursting from every corner of the table. It was weird to see everyone so harmonious, but I guess they all had a common goal right now, which was there was an excuse for a party, and they wanted in. Well, a little incentive never hurt.

* . °•★|•°∵ ∵°•|☆•° . *

"Now come on kids, I think it's time we give Avery their cards." David ushered everyone up.