Just Sh*t: A New York City Story

Chapter 25: Survival of the Chillest

The boys had been talking about this camping trip for weeks. They were eager to get away from the city, away from their routines, and embrace the wild. For most of them, that meant fun things like kayaking, fishing, and eating way too many s'mores. But for Jamie, it came with one major concern: where the hell was he supposed to use the bathroom?

As they arrived at the campsite and set up their tents, Jamie's anxiety started to grow. He kept sneaking glances into the woods, as if some magical toilet was going to appear between the trees.

"So... where's the, um, restroom situation?" Jamie finally asked, trying to sound casual but failing miserably.

Alex, always ready with a smart-ass answer, laughed. "Restroom? Dude, this is the wilderness. There's no toilet. You just, you know, find a spot, squat, and pray."

"Squat and pray?" Jamie repeated, horrified. "What am I praying for?"

"That you don't fall over," Alex deadpanned, earning a laugh from Judah.

"But seriously, man," Alex continued, "if you can hold it, hold it. Taking a shit in the woods is the worst. Trust me. But if you have to go, just embrace nature. It's all part of the camping experience."

Jamie groaned, clearly not thrilled with the "squat and pray" method. He was more used to clean, indoor restrooms—not the unpredictable wild. But as the day wore on, he tried his best to focus on the other activities instead of his mounting bathroom anxiety.

The boys had been talking about this camping trip for weeks. They were eager to get away from the city, away from their routines, and embrace the wild. For most of them, that meant fun things like kayaking, fishing, and eating way too many s'mores. But for Jamie, it came with one major concern: where the hell was he supposed to use the bathroom?

As they arrived at the campsite and set up their tents, Jamie's anxiety started to grow. He kept sneaking glances into the woods, as if some magical toilet was going to appear between the trees.

"So... where's the, um, restroom situation?" Jamie finally asked, trying to sound casual but failing miserably.

Alex, always ready with a smart-ass answer, laughed. "Restroom? Dude, this is the wilderness. There's no toilet. You just, you know, find a spot, squat, and pray."

"Squat and pray?" Jamie repeated, horrified. "What am I praying for?"

"That you don't fall over," Alex deadpanned, earning a laugh from Judah.

"But seriously, man," Alex continued, "if you can hold it, hold it. Taking a shit in the woods is the worst. Trust me. But if you have to go, just embrace nature. It's all part of the camping experience."

Jamie groaned, clearly not thrilled with the "squat and pray" method. He was more used to clean, indoor restrooms—not the unpredictable wild. But as the day wore on, he tried his best to focus on the other activities instead of his mounting bathroom anxiety.

The next morning, the boys split off for their respective adventures. Jamie, Alex, and Judah grabbed some kayaks and hit the nearby lake. Paddling through the calm waters, they soaked up the serenity around them, with the sun shining bright overhead.

"This is nice, huh?" Judah said, dipping his paddle lazily in the water. "I feel like I'm one with nature."

"I feel like I'm one bad paddle stroke away from tipping over," Jamie muttered, glancing nervously at the water.

Alex smirked. "Relax, man. You'll be fine. Just keep paddling and don't think about it."

Meanwhile, Jackson and Ryan had gone off in the other direction, choosing to spend their morning fishing quietly along the river. Jackson, the most experienced camper by far, was in his element. He tied knots effortlessly, cast his line with precision, and settled in with a look of total peace on his face.

Ryan, on the other hand, felt out of his depth. He'd fished a few times, but he mostly enjoyed it for the quiet. As they sat there, lines in the water, they didn't say much, but Ryan appreciated that Jackson seemed unusually calm and open. He even caught Jackson muttering something about the "zen of nature," which for Jackson, was practically a full confession.

"Camping suits you," Ryan said after a while, breaking the silence.

Jackson shrugged, his gaze fixed on the river. "It's quiet. Peaceful. Doesn't ask much of you."

Ryan nodded, respecting the rare glimpse into Jackson's thoughts. He didn't push further. That wasn't their style. But he quietly appreciated the effort Jackson made to open up, even if only a little.

As the sun began to set, everyone regrouped around the campfire. The glow of the fire flickered against the trees, casting warm light on their tired faces. Jamie, who had survived the day without needing to face his worst nightmare in the woods, seemed to relax for the first time.

"That fire's looking pretty solid," Alex noted, admiring the flames.

Jackson gave a small, almost imperceptible smile. "I've got a knack for it."

"'Knack' is an understatement," Judah said, eyes wide. "You lit that thing up in, like, three minutes. You're like a fire-making wizard."

Jackson shrugged modestly, but the boys were genuinely impressed. He'd built the fire with such ease and skill that they all felt a bit inadequate in comparison.

"Alright, fire master," Ryan said, grabbing a bag of marshmallows. "Let's see if your fire-making skills translate into perfect s'mores toasting."

As they all roasted their marshmallows over Jackson's expertly made fire, there was a feeling of camaraderie that settled over the group. Even Jamie, who had been dreading the whole "wilderness experience," found himself laughing and joking as the night went on.

Jackson remained quietly content, watching the flames dance as the others chatted around him. He didn't need to say much. In this space, with the fire crackling and the stars overhead, he felt at home.