bunkmates ▸ joshler

four ▸ the bonfire hazing

◂: josh :▸

When dinner ended, the three boys headed down to the fire pit along with the rest of the kids. The camp held a bonfire every week of the summer and while you only had to come once every two weeks, this first night it was mandatory. They trailed a bit behind, talking about their bunk mates, their schools, and their interests. Josh wasn't too thrilled about attending, though. Brendon swore to him that he heard counselors whispering about an "initiation" of some sort. They all agreed that the bonfire was going to actually be a hazing.

When they had finally trekked to the top of a hill where the said bonfire was taking place, the boys sat one of the logs set around the fire. It was near the back for a quick exit if things went south. If Josh said he wasn't nervous, he'd be blatantly lying, so it did help that Brendon and Tyler sat on either side of him.

Right as the head counselor calm the lids down to start the hazing, Julian slipped onto their log, leaning heavily into Tyler. Tyler shifted himself much closer to Josh in order to get away from their other cabin member. Josh felt his cheeks burn and looked away.

Even though it was dark, he still prayed no one noticed.

The possible hazing started with some generic camp songs, which Brendon belted the words to. Tyler and Josh giggled and joined along, while at the end of the bench Julian muttered something about spraining his lungs.

After the songs, the initiation began with counselors asking for volunteers. None of the boys raised their hands though, the songs did not fool them. Three boys and a girl were pulled up for the demonstration. Josh held his breath.

The kids were instructed to take a sock off. Next they were to trade their socks with each other. Crap, Josh thought. Was I accidentally put in a foot fetish camp?! Do Tyler and Brendon know about this?!

Luckily the next thing they were instructed to do was so odd that Josh forgot about those thoughts. They had to put the sock on a soda can and drink through it. The first one to finish won.

Julian heaved off the side of the log. Tyler cringed into Josh's side. Josh immediately covered his eyes with his hands. Brendon perked up, sitting up straight to get a good view.

Turns out one of the boys won, he was a classic jock, and his boys jumped and hooted when he pumped his fists in the air triumphantly. The girl walked off to her friends quickly, having only taken a half sip from the soda. The other two curly haired boys walked off towards their otter friend where they laughed off the situation.

So it wasn't a hazing. Not yet, Josh added in his mind.

Next, one of the older counselors stepped up. She spoke a greeting into a microphone and then launched right into the list of things to announce.

"Now I know you guys are just getting settled here and are excited to spend your first night with new friends, but I just have some housekeeping things to address before I hand the mic off to Lauren.

"Firstly, lights out is at 10. You do not nerd to go to bed at 10, but you must be in your cabins with the lights out at that time. Secondly, meal times are the same every day and will be posted on the info sheet on the inside side of your cabin doors. If you have any questions, look at that sheet first, and if they are not answered in that sheet, refer to your counselors.

"Each group of 3 cabins will be grouped together in a "clan" and will each have a counselor from each cabin lead it. Since our attendance is so high this year, if you are in a 3 person cabin you will be the fourth cabin in a group, and sadly will not have a counselor specifically for your cabin, but your clan counselors will be responsible for you. The clans are also going to include both boy and girl cabins as well this year because me and the other executive counselors know that the best friend groups are the well rounded and diverse ones, right? Anyway, enough about the clans for now. We will learn more about them later.

"Lastly, there are some mandatory events, like the weekly bonfire, a canoe race, monthly capture the flag, and others. These will both be announced at the weekly bonfires and will be posted on your info sheet mention before which are in your cabins.

"Once again, thanks for coming and bringing a great attitude so we can all have a fantastic summer! Now Lauren, one of our head counselors will give you a little more info on the clans."

Everyone clapped, happy that the older lady was finally finished while she handed the blonde the microphone.

"Hey guys!" She yelled into the mic. The camp yelled a greeting back at her. "My job is simple and quick, so please listen. When I call your cabin numbers please come up to the fire and join your clan leaders to meet everyone who you will be doing activities with all summer. After that, they will dismiss you to your cabins. Please please please go to bed, as today was a long and tiring day for a lot of you. We have such a fun day planned for tomorrow! So please listen up as I call the cabins!

"Cabins 5, 8, and 18... Cabins 4, 9, and 17..."

"Dude I hope I'm with you guys!" Brendon whisper screamed to Josh and Tyler.

"Cabins 3, 10, and 16..."

"Me too!" Tyler whisper screamed back at him while Josh crosses his fingers for luck.

"Cabins 2, 7, and 11..."

Both Tyler and Josh frowned and Josh pushed Brendon towards the fire.

"Oh, sorry this clan has 4 cabins so cabin 15 is with them too!"

Josh's eyes grew wide as Tyler grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the fire and Brendon, Julian following closely behind.

Their three counselors led them to a small pavilion that was just a small walk away from the bonfire. Under the roof, christmas lights cross crossed to cast the space in a soft light.

A curly haired boy with a goofy grin spoke up once they all were seated on the picnic tables.

"Hey, we're you clan leaders, and we'll be buddies this summer. If you have any questions, just come and ask us, we'll be around camp."

"Brae, shouldn't we introduce ourselves?" The girl with the short wavy honey blonde hair with wispy bangs asked somewhat sarcastically.

"Oh yeah, thanks Mar. I'm Braedon, I'm the counselor for cabin 11."

"I'm Marlo, as Brae just said and am counselor of cabin 7."

"And I'm Matt," the last spoke gently, running his hand over his short hair. "I am cabin 2's counselor."

Brendon, Josh, and Tyler all looked at each other while the three counselors were answering questions that the other kids had.

Their summers had gotten even better.

hi. just wanted to pop in and say that idk if i'll be continuing this story anymore. i don't really feel connected to the storyline and don't want to keep doing something i don't at least 80% like. sorry if anyone's disappointed but that's just how it be.