It Had to be You

Chapter Ten: Tents

After dinner was over, the campers started to head back to their tents to get ready for bed. Technically, they had another hour of free time to roam camp as they pleased but most people just wanted to set up their beds and get ready for bed. Today had been pretty emotionally exhausting for everyone involved.

Max stepped out of the dining hall and out onto the steps out front. He began to walk towards the tents, the packed dirt hard beneath his feet. Before he could make it to the path that would bring him to the campsite, he felt a hand lightly touch his shoulder.

Flinching hard, he pulled himself away and turned to see an startled Nurf trying to get his attention.

"I'm sorry." Nurf bit out, the words short but sincere. "That was a really fucked up way to make you look at me. You weren't listening so I wanted to grab your attention, but obviously that was a shitty way to do so.,

Max stayed silent, choosing to instead focus on calming the rising panic that had appeared the moment he felt Nurf's hand on his shoulder. Back at home, a hand on his shoulder only meant one thing. The scar along his cheek burned as he remembered the last time his saw his dad. Max still doesn't know where he got that bottle, or how he got free long enough to throw its broken pieces at his face. But he remembered the pain as it tore through his skin.

The sound of Nurf's voice tore him back to reality. "Oh fuck, I did it again, didn't I? I can't get anything right. Listen, I'm sorry. I know what it's like to be from a fucked up home. If you ever want someone to rant to, I'm here or whatever."

Before Max could work up the mental strength to respond to Nurf's offer, he walked off and into his tent, closing the flaps behind him.

Max didn't know what to think about that exchange. He could barely remember what happened at the beach, it all was a blur of panic in his mind. Had Nurf been the one who ripped of his hoodie? Honestly, Max wasn't upset with him, even if he had.
It wasn't like Nurf had known, and besides, Max didn't really have the energy to feel upset. Maybe he'd be upset tomorrow, but now he just wanted to sleep.

Thinking of sleeping, did Max know who he was bunking with? He shook his head, dark, unruly hair flying in his face. David hadn't told him. He would've remembered that.

Pacing quickly toward his tent, he wondered who it would be. Honestly, it would be nice to have Neil again. Neil-Neil though, not space kid. Rooming with him had been nice last year. Neil kept his science shit out of the tent and Max kept most of his smart-ass comments to himself. Knowing David though, he probably shook things up. Always one for new friends and bonding that man.

Max hopped up on the wooden platform the large canvas tent was built on. Pushing through the flaps he looked to see which camper he would be rooming with.

Ah shit.

The overly dramatic face of one Preston Goodplay stared back at him, and the moron was holding Max's fucking teddy bear. This would not do. No this would not do at ALL.

"Hello Max," Preston drawled in his theater voice. "I was delighted to see that we were to be rooming together for this fine summer. I saw your delightful bear and just had to get a better look, he is absolutely adorable. I noticed he was a little torn in a few places, would you like me to sew him up for you? I learned how to make clothes for my elementary schools production of The Wizard of OZ. Parents were supposed to make costumes you see, and my grandma can't see very well anymore, so I had to make my own. Of course, it took a few tries but I think it turned out okay. I want star wizard you know. Very important role. Can't look raggedy if you're the wizard."

Before Preston could continue on his monologue about his boring play, Max reached out and snatched his precious bear out of Preston's nasty bear thieving arms.

"Don't touch my stuff, Preston!" Max snapped.

Preston looked taken aback and for just a moment dropped his theatrical nonsense. "Jeez, just wanted to help." Sulking, he turned around and pretended to make his bend, even though it was already fully made. He looked ridiculous, clutching at tightly tucked sheets, pulling at nothing at all.

Max deflated. This day was just a serious of disasters, and all Max wanted was for it to end. But he couldn't just leave Preston like that, looking almost pathetic, clawing at blankets.

"Maybe you can sew him up tomorrow."

Preston turned around, eyes shining. "Really?" He asked.

"Really. Now leave me alone."

Preston grinned. "Kay." He stated simply, before crawling under his covers. "Night Max!"

"Goodnight to you too, I fucking guess."

Climbing into bed himself, Max rested his head on the cool pillow, and fell asleep.

An: Oh boy, I'm really sorry about this. It's been like 3 months or something ridiculous? Yeah. I started high school and just haven't had a lot of time to write. But It Had To Be You is not canceled. It may be longer between updates, but I swear I won't disappear for another 3 months. Shoutout to @pumkincoffi  and @LyricAura for inspiring me to get this chapter out! It turns out not wanting to abandon an old reader and gaining a new one can inspire you. Thanks so much for reading my garbage fic <3