Camp Lifeseries (Life series AU)

Chapter Five - We need to talk

Well, this is going to be interesting.

The group made their way over to the lake, seeing nine small rowing boats lined up at the dock.

"Alright everyone, listen up!" The leader shouted. "You and your partner will need to row these boats over the lake to one of the little islands!" He pointed out across the lake, gesturing to five or six small islands scattered across the lake. "And find one of these!" He held up a ribbon. "These ribbons will each have a name on them, and you will need to find both of your team's ribbons and make it back to this spot with them to complete the challenge! Now, I want to see a fair game here, no fighting or any of that stuff I'm legally obligated to tell you not to do!" He chuckled a little at the last part.

"Find your partner, and off you go!!"

"Scott."
"Pearl."
The two looked at each other, a wild mix of emotions consuming both of them.
"Let's just get this over with. We'd better win." Pearl turned to claim one of the boats, sitting in it and waiting for Scott to follow.
"Shouldn't we really talk about this..?" The blue haired boy asked timidly.
"Nope, no time. Just get in the boat." The Australian replied sharply, getting ready to row away.

"I can row you know, I'm not useless," Martyn muttered as Cleo grabbed the boat's oars. "Fine then, YOU can row, since you're so special." Cleo moved around to the back of the boat, rolling her eyes. After a few minutes, they were still moving painfully slowly with Martyn rowing.

"Oh my god, you're rubbish. Just let me do it." Cleo grabbed the oars from Martyn and beginning to move the boat faster. Martyn huffed, leaning against the side of the boat. It wasn't fair that Cleo was always better than him. She was always taller, stronger, everything. It didn't help that most of the people at camp were taller than him anyway. It was childish to be mad about it, he knew, but it just got to him in a way that was hard to explain. He brought his arms up to fold over his chest and watched Cleo expertly steer them to the nearest island.

"This is nice! We haven't really hung out in ages," Tango smiled, looking back at Jimmy on the other side of the boat.
"Yeah, it is!" Jimmy smiled back "You're right, we haven't hung out since... oh." Jimmy whispered the last part, remembering why exactly the two of them hadn't really talked. "Hey, it's okay. That's in the past now, yeah?" Tango replied kindly, the shorter blonde feeling more relaxed.
"Oh, look! I can already see a ribbon!" Tango climbed out of the boat, offering his hand to Jimmy so he could climb onto the island with him. The two ran up to the orange ribbon tied around a tree branch, Tango's tail flicking excitedly as he reached up and read his name on it.
"YES, already?" The shorter blonde jumped excitedly, taking the ribbon and tying it loosely around the nether demon's tail.
"Oh, that's cute, thanks!!" Tango smiled brightly, sitting back in the boat with Jimmy to go to the next island.

Martyn jumped out of the boat, immediately going to the opposite side of the island as Cleo to look for a ribbon. Eventually he spotted a dark green bow sat on the top of a huge boulder, he couldn't quite make out the name on it but the blonde was sure it was his.

He tightened his headband, stepping back a bit to get a run up to the massive boulder. Then he jumped. His front slammed against the hard surface, his hands gripping the ledge as he desperately tried to grab the ribbon. He felt his hand close around it, his grip on the ledge loosening and not being able to hold himself up with only one arm, he dropped from the boulder with a loud thud, doing his best to try and land on his feet.

Cleo came running over at the sound, seeing Martyn sat on the floor next to the boulder with a small bit of blood trickling down his cheek. "My god, what happened? Are you okay?" She crouched next to the boy, wiping the blood from his face.
"I got the ribbon for you." He opened his hand, showing Cleo the green ribbon with her name written on it.
"Martyn, you should've just let me do it.." She trailed off, still crouching next to him and checking the small wound on his cheek. "Does anything else hurt?" The zombie asked.
"Honestly, my chest hurts like hell," He laughed, immediately regretting it as a sharp wave of pain hit him.
"Can you take this off so I can check there's no serious damage, or anything?" Cleo spoke kindly, putting her hand on the edge of Martyn's shirt.

"No!!" He shouted a little louder than he'd intended, shuffling back from Cleo. "No, don't do that. I'm fine." He stood up with a little difficulty. The zombie girl still looked concerned but didn't press further as Martyn was clearly uncomfortable. They walked back to the boat, Cleo trying to match the blonde's now slower pace.

Pearl and Scott had gotten their first ribbon without much difficulty, but the second one was proving to be a little more of a challenge. All the while Scott has been trying, and failing, to talk to Pearl. Eventually the two took a break, sitting under a big tree on one of the islands.
"Go on then. You wanted to talk to me?" Pearl spoke without looking at Scott, but she could hear the surprise in his voice.
"I know we didn't exactly end things off on a good note but-" Scott began
"Yeah, you can say that again" Pearl chuckled. Her tone wasn't mocking though, she seemed almost sad.
"It wasn't what you thought it was. Me and Cleo were never together. We kissed for a dare." He explained. "It was stupid, I know, and I tried to tell you-"

"I'm sorry Scott." Pearl cut him off, tears gathering in the corners of her eyes and threatening to spill over. "I wasn't a good girlfriend, was I?" They sat in silence for a minute, Scott trying to figure out what to say.
"It was a different time, Pearl. I forgive you." He put his hand on her shoulder in what he hoped would be a comforting gesture. She turned to him with tears in her eyes, and pulled the blue haired boy into a hug, Scott being careful not to touch her delicate wings.
"And.. I'm sorry too." Scott said into her shoulder as they hugged.
"What for?" Pearl asked, confused.
"I wasn't completely honest with you. The real reason I decided to break it off with you.." He turned to look away from Pearl again, bracing himself for whatever potential reaction she would have.

"I realised that I don't like girls. I'm gay."

There were a few seconds of silence before Pearl replied.
"You don't have to feel bad for not telling me. I know how hard it can be, trying to figure out who you are. I only figured out a few months ago that I'm asexual. I support you," The shorter girl turned to Scott with a smile. No more words really needed to be shared between the two as they silently got up and rowed away to the last remaining island to look for Scott's ribbon.
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1321 words above the line

My longest chapter so far!!

I will write about the rest of the pairs but that's a job for future me

Some Scott and Pearl angst because why not also YES asexual Pearl

Also not-so-subtly hinting at stuff for Martyn :0

Have a good day/night you beautiful humans
- Volpe