Buttercup

Part 1: 2019 - Chapter 1: Buttercup

Part 1: 2019

Chapter 1: Buttercup

'You just want to get rid of me!' shouted Gem angrily, "I'm not leaving you here alone! You can forget it!" his worried heart beat loudly.

'My darling! You don't have to worry about me!' his mum's hand sought the path of tenderness, 'I also need some time for myself. Please let me have my time out!' she stroked the head of her beloved son.

A divorce.

Gem broke the day he learned that his parents wanted to separate for good. He always thought it was normal for parents to fight frequently. But his mum's tears never stopped after the last phase of the argument. Gem didn't know much. But another woman had apparently sparked his father's interest, and at the age of 15, Gem learned that love can be fleeting.

'Please don't send me away! I want to stay with you!' he took his mum in his arms and begged from the bottom of his heart.

'Darling, I'm not sending you away! I just need some time to myself to grieve. That's perfectly normal. I only want to be strong for you. Please give me space to feel weak!' she took Gem's face in her loving hands, 'You'll like this holiday camp. It will take your mind off things and you'll make new friends!' she encouraged her son. "It's only two weeks," she stroked his furrowed brow. "Trust me!" she looked at Gem urgently.

'I'm not interested in friendship!' he shook his mother's hands away from his face, "I don't feel like this shit!" the anger boiled up inside him, "I don't want to see anyone! I don't need anyone!" the pain erupted from his young soul.

When the parents' partnership breaks down, the feeling of secure happiness in the child's soul disintegrates. And the grief shows itself angry and desperate.

Gem's father left his family. Even if he wanted to maintain contact with Gem, he could only endure the quivering contempt of his son. Gem stood firm in front of his mother and could hardly bear her pain. Such a loving, strong woman, who always made everything possible for her son. The most distant trips were always planned for the summer holidays. At the age of 15, Gem could already tell of the exciting beauty of various continents. Money was always freely available.

And now he was supposed to go to a holiday camp in some forests in the north? Sleep in wooden huts? Sing around the campfire and play games with idiots?

Gem was shocked by his mother's suggestion. And he was so worried about leaving her alone.

'You're going there! No arguments!' his mother's serious voice sounded, "Don't be such an egoist! It's not always about you!" Gem knew that this tremor in her voice was a harbinger.

She fought back tears. And nothing could be worse for her. Gem shouldn't see that she still suffered because of the divorce.

'Okay! Sorry!' he hugged his mother, "I'll do anything to make you feel better!" His mum heard the loving words of her son.

Two hurting souls gave each other comfort and Gem embarked on a journey that changed his life.

'Greetings everyone! Welcome to our holiday camp, the Buttercup! You will spend the next two weeks learning about the diversity of nature. Far away from technology and the influences of the big city, you can explore your true abilities and make new friends here,' smiles Satang at the 20 young people who have just been unloaded from the bus. 'I would like to introduce you to the other adventure educators here! Mark, Phuwin and Perth,' he points to the young men at his side, "we are responsible for the daily programme. But we too are subject to the rules of the camp. The host of the 'Buttercup' will appear shortly. He will show you your accommodation and explain the rules here,' Satang nods and looks into the curious eyes of his charges.