Camp Hellfire

1

She fished through her backpack for her phone. She grunted when it indicated that there was no signal. She dumped it back into her bag aggressively.

"Hon, it's gonna be fine." Her mom gave her a reassuring smile and looked back at the road.

"How can you tell?" She slouched on the passenger seat. The greenery dominated her sight as she looked outside the window. The gloomy sky illuminated from above.

"I just knew, sweetheart." Her mom chuckled.

She gave out an aggressive sigh and rolled out the window. The wind came rushing to her face and hair and she relaxed her chin on her elbow as she positioned it on the open car window.

Unfortunately, her mom thought that her summer would be a thrill if she joins a summer camp this year. She had been to a stressful school year during the pandemic and when things started to go back and summer camps were a thing again, her mom decided for her without even asking what she wanted.

"You know, I read on their page online that they've included so many outdoor activities." Her mom stated excitedly.

She rolled her eyes while still looking out of the window. "Aren't camps supposed to be like that? What's new?" She stated, bored.

Her mom gave her a small smile and drove in silence.

It would be nice to know what she wants for herself, but the truth is, she doesn't even know. She doesn't even know what to do this summer, she's mostly apprehensive about things and always wants to stay inside her room.

She promised herself that she'd be doing fun things this summer to make the most of her break outside school, but honestly, she doesn't even know what fun things are there to do.

So when her mom told her about this summer camp, she just shrugged and told herself 'whatever'.

Her mind is bombarded with so many things. Is she ready to meet other people? She's not good at socializing. Specifically, with new people. If only her two friends from high school were there. She's not sure.

Truth be told, she's always having a hard time creating friendships in a new environment. It would be easier if she knew some people there because if she doesn't, she's fucked up.

She can be arrogant at times, but she can be shy as well. Not a good combination but whatever.

They stopped over at a gasoline station in the middle of the deserted road. "Do you wanna eat something? Snacks?" Her mom asked her while filling up their tank, standing outside her window.

She looked at the nearby distance where the convenience store is located. She shrugged. "Sure."

"Okey, just hurry." Her mom gave her a couple of bucks.

She marched to the store. The bell from the door pinged as she opened it and the boy from the cashier raised his head from being slouched on the counter.

She proceeded to the junk food aisle and managed to grab herself potato chips and an apple drink from the fridge.

"That would be eleven and ninety–nine cents." The cashier stated blandly.

She fished in her pockets and placed the money on the counter.

The boy with ginger curly hair looked at her for a second and proceeded to silently pack the items after. She looked around while waiting.

This store is old. She thought.

Yeah.

"Thanks for stopping by. Come again. " She blinked and her eyes immediately found the boy who was now raising the paper bag of the things she had bought.

She gulped and snatched the bag from him and without a second glance went outside of the store and into their car where her mom waited.

***