Of Radiant Summer Skys

Chapter 16

After lunch, Jaxx found a map of the camp. Well, stole was a better word for it, but he was sure Levi wouldn't miss it anyway, he was too busy hiding from Candi. Besides, he was going to give it back, so it was more like borrowing than stealing.

With his borrowed map, Jaxx was able to find a spot where he could finally think. A library. Unlike a lot of the kids he'd met, Jaxx actually enjoyed reading. It had always disappointed him that he couldn't bond with other kids over it, but it meant that a library was always a good spot to think.

He found it, with the help of the map of course. It was a large cabin a bit behind the art room. It looked like nobody had been inside of it for a while. Jaxx smirked, he bet Chester wasn't the type to read anything.

When he opened the door, he realized the inside of the library didn't seem as decrepit as the outside. Inside there were rows and rows of books, as well as some bean bags and rocking chairs where you could read there. It was littered with candles and lanterns that Jaxx knew were lit with lightbulbs and not actual fire. At the small desk at the front, there was a single camp counselor. She looked tired and was half asleep.

Jaxx took the opportunity to grab a beanbag and quietly drag it to a corner of the library. It seemed to be a place nobody kept track of, not even the camp counselors. The books were all old and yellowed and were in no specific order. This, he decided, would make a perfect thinking spot, he just had to make it his own. After all, there was no way it could get more disorganized than this.

Working on a farm for most of his childhood came with its advantages, one of them being he was quite strong for his age. He pulled bookshelves around as quietly as he possibly could, though they still made a terrible scraping noise. It didn't seem to matter to the camp counselor, who Jaxx assumed was meant to be acting as some sort of librarian, in fact, he was sure she had fallen asleep on him.

Pretty soon Jaxx had made a small nook in the corner, rearranging the shelves so it was mostly out of sight. He didn't think it would matter, the librarian didn't seem to care much about organization, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

Jaxx shoved a beanbag chair into the reading nook, which he realized was quite small. It would be enough for him to think and that was all that mattered.

He settled inside, absently scanning the titles of the books that were on the shelves around him. They were mostly romance novels. He looked through a few of them, not actually reading any. Maybe they'd come in handy down the line.

Setting them down, Jaxx began to ponder what he'd been wanting to think about all day. What exactly did he feel for Luca?

He'd known he was omnisexual for a while now, but it was hard to tell when he had a crush. Maybe the romance novels on the shelf could help him. People who wrote romance were sure to know more about it than he did.

He wasn't a very fast reader, so he decided to read a graphic novel. He flipped through until he found what he was looking for. Mentally, he made a checklist.

Constant thoughts about him? Yes, most of his thoughts since he arrived at camp have been about Luca.

Feeling safe and comfortable around him? Jaxx felt pretty safe anywhere, but Luca was comforting to him in a way he couldn't explain.

Warm fuzzy feeling in his chest? Feeling flustered? Luca brought out many feelings in him. Pure bliss seemed to be the most common, but the flustered warm fuzzy feelings were never far behind.

Wanting to spend more time together? Yes, he wanted to spend eternity with them, no matter what eternity brought.

Jaxx's verdict: He was 100% in love with Luca.

The realization hit him like a stone, if the stone was made of silly putty and covered in glitter and cotton candy that is. It was nice that he knew now but what was he going to do with this information? He couldn't just flat out tell Luca he loved them! That would be awkward and they'd only known each other for a week!

He decided to consult the book again, but he'd do that later. His head was reeling from the realization. How did almost everyone else figure it out first?

Grabbing his book, he decided to check it out. He doubted anyone else would want it, but this way he could read it anywhere. Exiting his little reading nook, he spotted the librarian, who was fast asleep. He'd just take the book with him without checking it up. She looked like she could use some sleep and he wasn't going to take it home or anything. Besides, he doubted she'd check.

Jaxx entered the Fox Den, glad nobody was there, and put his book into his bag, being sure to bury it deep beneath his stuff so nobody could see it as easily.

He wondered what to do with the rest of his day and decided to talk to someone about it. Definitely not Luca, but someone else, like Alex or Levi. Deciding Alex was his best bet, he exited the cabin.

He regretted doing so immediately as Chester was walking around nearby. He briefly considered just walking back into his cabin and hiding until he disappeared, but decided that finding Alex was more important. Maybe Chester wouldn't see him.

Chester noticed him immediately and waved him over. Jaxx wanted to pretend not to see him, but that would be rude so instead he walked over to Chester.

"It's been a while since we've talked," Chester said.

"We spoke yesterday," he pointed out.

Chester waved him off dismissively, "Details, Jaxx, details. Anyway, anything new?"

"Since yesterday?" he asked, "Not really?"

"Really? Not even regarding a certain someone?" he asked.

"Who, Luca?" Jaxx suddenly regretted saying anything.

Chester lit up like a christmas tree, "So you found out his name! That's a good start."

Jaxx wasn't going to tell him that he'd already known his name, nor was he going to tell him what he'd actually learned about Luca.

"Well, it's only been a day," he pointed out, "these things take time."

"Are you sure?" Chester asked in a tone that sent a shiver down his spine, "Because I've been watching you two all morning, and I have a hunch."

"A hunch you say?" Jaxx asked, nervous about what Chester could possibly have known.

He nodded, "I have a hunch you know more about this kid than you're letting on, and I'm going to figure it out."

"Why does it matter? I told you to stay out of it anyway!"

"Come on Jaxx," he said, his words reminding Jaxx of a snake, "Like it or not, we're a team. Don't you want to beat him next time?"

I probably could've beat him the first time! He thought desperately, but he got the feeling this wasn't about the soccer game anymore.

He nodded, a sick feeling forming in his gut.

"You aren't holding information from me then?" he asked, "Not that it matters, I'll find it myself if I need to."

"Why would I hide things from you," Jaxx lied, "I knew you'd be stubborn enough to help me either way."

"As I've said, I have a hunch," he said, "Not that it matters, he likes Charli anyway."

Jaxx felt his heart shatter into a million pieces.

Well I kept my promise.

Fun Fact: Chester is a lot more observant than he looks, and he's pretty smart too.