Camp Hope

chapter 4

okay y'all sorry this took forever to write; procrastination was at its finest and i just wasn't in the mood to write but here is your chapter enjoy- the author  ❤️❤️

I finally calm down enough to see who was hugging me. I looked up and I saw Archer with his arms wrapped tightly around me "A-Archer?" I ask, confused, about why he is hugging me. I pull back to get a good look at him. "Are you okay?" he asks me and I just nod. He lets out a breath and lets go of me.

"Wh-..why?" I ask a little shakily. He knew exactly how to calm me down. When most people would have just stared at me. He runs a hand down his arm and looks down uncomfortably. "I, uh.. have anxiety too." He states, looking anywhere but my eyes. "Oh..." I reply, not knowing what to say.

After we both stood up, to my luck, everyone pretends that didn't just happen or I would have called my mom to come get me and never make me leave the house again. We continue our walk to the "Sharing Circle". While I'm still internally panicking, we get there and I see about 25 children sitting in a circle and the counselor's motion for us to come over with them as well.

I fidget with the hem of my shirt as I walk over, my bunkmates walking in front of me already finding a seat. When I glance around, I finally see an open spot and I beeline my way towards it so I can finally sit down and escape the gazes of curious campers.

"Okay everyone. We're going to go around and tell each other why we are here," a councilor states calmly, trying not to trigger any of the more anxious kids. I feel my heart leap to my throat. "I'm going to need to talk?" I think. I look over to see Archer in a similar state, both of us sweating and rubbing our palms on our jeans.

"Okay, since a few of you are new we will start with you. First up is Oliver Banks. If you would, please raise your hand and then state why you were sent here." I freeze up, my blood running cold. I dig my nails into my palm before raising my hand. "Im here be-because i-"

I just stand up and run back to the cabin, not being able to finish my broken sentence. Slowly beginning to panic, I dig my nails into my palm as hard as I can while running so I can keep it together until I get into my cabin. "Why the heck do they make children with mental issues and anxiety tell the whole dang world their business?" I say aloud in the empty cabin on the verge of tears.

The door suddenly bursts open and my bunkmates rush in and run up to me. I flinch harshly and hide away from them, trying not to let them see me panic for what feels like the 80th time today. "You okay?" I hear one of them ask me. "Uhm.. I don't know to be honest," I respond truthfully, surprised I didn't stutter

They all sit down on my bed with me, offering silent reassurance. "Want to talk about it?" Nico asks quietly. "W-well t-the reason i'm here i-is uh.. triggering for me a-and that lady wanted me to tell everyone about it and I freaked out," I ramble, scratching my arm roughly without realizing until Jasper pulls my hand away from my now red and bleeding arm.

"Don't do that Oliver, you're going to hurt yourself!" Jasper said to me, still holding my hand. My eyes get a little teary and I respond with, "What if that's the point!" I regret the words as soon as they leave my mouth and I look up slightly with tears in my waterline, threatening to spill. While three of them look sympathetic, Jasper just looks mad.

I flinch when I see Jasper's angry expression and rip my arm from him. "Did you just-" Jasper pauses to look at me. "What did you just say?" he asked. "I- uhm- well i s-said that w-what if thats the p-point.." I whisper nervously, worried about his reaction. He doesnt say anything, he just stands up and walks out. After a while, I was starting to think he got lost or something and my other bunkmates looked seemingly unbothered and went to their respective beds.

After a few more moments, Jasper barges back in with a woman in a white jacket that looks a lot like a doctor or therapist and I shrink away from them. I curl in on myself wanting to just evaporate or have the floor swallow me whole to save me from the upcoming conversation.

"Hello Oliver. My name is Dr. Cleo. Jasper here has informed me of something a little bit concerning. Do you mind if we have a chat?" the woman asks, looking at me kindly.

I'm sorry that this chapter took 8000 years to upload i just wasn't feeling it but please feel free to comment your thoughts and feelings about it I'm always up for feedback - the author