The crackling fire sound filled my ears. We were all sitting around it, grasping our blankets tight. It was mid October, my family and I took our annual camping trip. It was delayed earlier because of work and other family issues. My therapist, Janie, told me that I should've probably stayed home. That way I could've had better treatment being with her. She wanted me to have the least amount of time with people outside of my family.
The campground was not as busy as I remembered it was last year. 3 cabins full, but not another soul. I hadn't gone to school yet, mostly because my therapy is not even half way completed yet. Most people would say "oh that girl is mental and has to see someone because of it", but that's not the point at all.
I've struggled with depression and low self esteem all of last year, mainly because I wasn't accepted at my school. They didn't like me because I was not as smart as some of the kids, and mainly because of Michael. It wasn't fair to any of us to be judged by who were friends with. Michael was my best friend, there was nothing anyone could do about that.
I told my mom that I didn't want to go to school anymore, so they won't let me go back until I feel ready. I also took a lot of risks by leaving, I had to leave my best friend Michael behind. We had been best friends since the first day of kindergarten. He was like my brother, the one I never had.
<earlier today>
From: Mikey
Hey Alice, it's Mikey. I was wondering if you had any plans for the weekend? Math is a struggle for me and I could use your help.
I wasn't surprised of this text. Michael had been held back in geometry for the past 2 years. It's probably not a good thing, but he finds it quite amusing. When I was still in school, we would meet up at the library with our tutor, Anthony. Mikey would bring leftover pizza from his house, usually a whole box if we were lucky.
We would all chow down while trying to divide fractions, the librarian absolutely hated us but it didn't bother us. We got sent to detention at least twice a week for talking too loudly and eating by the books. It was actually the funniest thing ever. As I was snapping out of my flashback, my phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hey Alice, it's Mikey".
"Oh hey. What's up?"
"Could you help me with something?"
"Oh yeah, sure. With what?"
Mikey had a crush on this girl that was way too far out of his league. I mean, not to be rude but she was the captain of the cheer team. She had long, bleach blonde hair that was to die for, she had the skinniest wait, she had the popularity and the girls that follow in her footsteps, like mini hound dogs.
Mikey? He was barely known at the school. People only knew him as "the guy with colored hair", and this time it was purple. No one accepted that he liked to color his hair because it's "not common" in teenage boys. The people need to take a reality check because they definitely do color their hair whether they're boys or girls.
We were the outcasts of the school, happy in our own placement. No, if you asked half of the people in the school if they knew us, they would probably ask if we went to their school.
Usually during the beginning of school, we don't walk around and socialize and gossip about stupid shit, we just hangout in the corners in the back of the school. Michael and I were inseparable, the two of us. I hang up with Mikey and grab my coat and quietly make my way to the door, trying not to make the wood doors creak.
The campground was just down the street from his house, so I figured I'd just meet him there. It's been a while since we hung out last, probably in the last 2 months. Since I've had to stay at home because my treatment was not completely over, I couldn't have any visitors or friends over for like 6 months.
