Since Forever

Chapter 8

Zac's POV

It's raining when I try to leave the cabin for breakfast. Only Bailey and I are awake so we decide to wait for the others. 

Bailey leans on the edge of his bed. "So...um, are you having fun so far?"

I shrug. "Yeah?

"Cool."

"Are you?" I ask awkwardly.

"Sure," he says casually. "I mean, we're doing fun stuff but..."

"Yeah?"

"It just all feels really sad this year, like it's the end of something. We graduate this year and I don't know if I'll ever see anyone from camp again after that." He shoots a quick glance up at Thomas.

I smile. "You could always become a counsellor."

Bailey chuckles. "I guess I could. Then I could babysit you guys next year."

"We're not babies," I argue.

"Sure you're not. Can you drink? Can you drive after midnight? Can you get tried as an adult?"

I narrow my eyes. "No."

"Then that makes you a baby, or a child at least."

Thomas groans and rolls over to face us, his head almost at eye-level. "Can you keep it down, please?" he mumbles.

Bailey smiles gently. "Sure. Sorry, Tom."

I reach onto Bailey's bed and grab his pillow. I waggled my eyebrows at Bailey and aim the pillow at Thomas. Bailey gives me a disapproving look and I drop the pillow back onto the bed.

"Fine," I say reluctantly.

Thomas opens his eyes again, glaring at the window, signalling that I missed my chance. "Is it raining?"

"Yeah," Bailey answers in a low voice.

"Ugh," Thomas groans. He rolls out of his bed and almost falls on the floor but Bailey catches his shoulder before he goes all the way over the rail, robbing me of a laugh and Thomas of a trip to the hospital.

"Careful, Tom." Bailey directs Thomas to the ladder and watches carefully as he climbs slowly down.

"I'm fine," Thomas assures us.

"Thanks to Bailey."

Thomas turns to Bailey and smiles warmly. "Thanks, man." He reaches over and gives Bailey a hug. 

Bailey stiffens. "Uh...all...good."

He lets go of him and smirks. "You look so uncomfortable."

Bailey takes a moment to answer. "It's, uh, it's your breath."

Thomas gapes at him and turns dramatically towards the bathroom. 

I snicker and Bailey smirks at Thomas's turned back.

"Sorry, Tom," he says quickly, still smirking. "I didn't mean it."

"Sure you didn't." Thomas puts toothpaste on his toothbrush and starts brushing his teeth. "I'm fixing it," he announces around the brush, his voice coming out garbled.

Thomas comes back into our room as other people are starting to wake up. I blame it on his footsteps. He's kind of stomping around because Bailey insulted his oral hygiene. 

"What time is it?" Fred mumbles.

I check the time. "9:37 am."

"Mm-kay." Fred stretches and goes back to sleep.