Forever and Always - a zhengkun story (ON HOLD)

6

Camp Day

Zhengting practically leaped off the school bus with Nongnong. Even though he wasn't exactly looking forward to the rooming, he was still really happy that they got to go to sleep away camp. And for three weeks! Zhengting couldn't have been more hyped.

"Yo, Ting, calm down!" laughed Nongnong as Zhengting did an impromptu happy dance for no apparent reason.

"Yeah, but I'm still super excited!" cheered Zhengting.

Just then, they spotted a small group of people huddled some 20 feet away from them. Justin and his parents were talking quickly, and t looked as though Justin was really nervous. Xiao Gui's parents weren't here like Zhengting and Nongnong's, and Xukun's elder brother, Xuhao has one arm slung around his shoulder. When Xukun looked up, Zhengting hurriedly turned away and, dragging a bewildered Nongnong with him, quickly walked away to a different area of the car park that was safely away from Xukun and his friends' line of sight. "What's up? Where you going?" asked Nongnong. 

"Nothing, just needed to exercise my legs a bit before we board the bus for two damn hours," replied Zhengting quickly.

They hung around that area for a while, eventually being joined by Yanjun and his friends. Even Lu Dinghao, Li Xikan and Zuo Ye came over to join them. They were rolling their eyes and snorting at one of Yanjun's lame jokes when they heard a shrill voice ring out. "All sophmore students, please board the bus! We are leaving in 10 minutes! All sophomores get on the bus!" yelled a distinct voice that could only belong to Mrs. Cheung, their year head. Slowly, everyone started to crowd towards the bus. Zhengting could hear numerous kids yelling final goodbyes to their family. Some parents we're giving out final hugs and kisses, and Zhengting could see a lot of others visibly flinching away from their parents' touch, which he found very funny.

Finally, he managed to board he bus and grab a three seater with Nongnong and Yanjun. They excitedly plopped down onto the soft leather seats and chirped to each other in high pitched voices, occasionally letting out a squeal.

"By the way, Yanjun, who's your roomie?" asked Nongnong suddenly.

"Oh, it's Zhou Yanchen," answered Yanjun. "He's pretty nice, and not too noisy so I can still read in peace." At that, he cocked Ip his cheek in a smile. He was obviously very happy he had a semi quiet roomate.

"Oh cool! I have Dinghao and Zhengting has..." he paused and looked to Zhengting for consent. 

"Cai Xukun," finishes Zhengting.

Yanjun's eyes popped wide open. "Wait... as in THE Cai Xukun? The one who came over to our table the other day when Nongnong was sick?"

"The very one," sighed Zhengting, glancing out the window. They had been in the bus for over an hour and his legs were already cramped up. As a dancer, his legs were used to having constant movement, which was why he hated not being able to get up and stretch. 

"Wow, Ting... That's pretty coincidencial!" gasped Yanjun.

"Yeah, well, can't do anything about it now, can I?" said Zhengting with a sigh.

They spent the remainder of the bus ride resting silently, occasionally having soft conversations. It was as though someone had pressed the mute button on the bus, because everyone was really soft all of a sudden.

Zhengting has been drifting of the sleep when he was shook awake eagerly by Nongnong, who's face was flushed with excitement. "OMIGOSH, Ting! That sign we just passed said Cloverwood Campsite, 0.7 miles!"

"Really???" Zhengting jerked up, instantly awake.

"Yeah! It was right there on the right," exclaimed Yanjun. Zhengting has never seen him look more excited, other then when a new good book was coming out.

Sure enough, the bus turned sharply left onto a dusty road with the entrance sign, 'Clovewood Campsite'. The bus rambledninto the open space at the end of the road and pulled to a stop. Zhengting and his friends waited anxiously as the camp staff slowly unloaded all the luggage. Finally, after what seemed like eternity, a camp member finally got on the bus and yelled, "Alright, kiddos, time to head to your bunks!" She then gave out small paper maps to each student on the bus, as well as a tiny card that Zhengting realized was a key card to each person's room. "The lodging is on the map, you can follow it to your housing places with your luggage. I want everyone in the Cloverwood Official Meeting Point -also on your map- at half past 11," yelled the lady. Zhengting quickly check his watch. It was just past 11, meaning they had to hurry up. 

The students began crowding off the bus, and Zhengting's friend and him were caught in the wave pushing them towards the bus door. Soon enough, they managed to find their luggage in the midst of all the people and baggage, and began to make their way to the lodging place.

Zhengting was just about to ask Nongnong a question when he heard a distant shout. 

"Zhengting! Zhengting! Hold up!" someone yelled. Zhengting turned around and saw Xukun and his crew jogging towards them; lugging their bags on the ground behind them. Zhengting tapped his foot impatiently until they managed to reach them. 

"Walk together?" offered Nongnong. Zhengting sighed inwardly and turned away from them; slowly walking towards the brick buildings in the distance. "Come on, Nongnong, we're gonna be late!" he yelled.

Nongnong glances at him; then flashed an apologetic smile at the three boys and jogged off to catch up with Zhengting.

"Hey, Ting-ge, why didn't we wait for them?" he asked.

Zhengting sighed and shook his head. "I just didn't want to be late," he mumbled.

As they reached the area where al the dorms were lined up, Zhengting groaned inwardly. "How was he going to survive rooming with the person he hated for three weeks?