Camp Revolutionary: Tomorrow They'll Be More Of Us [COMPLETE]

Chapter 12

The next morning, John, Alex, and Aaron were standing nervously next to the lake, waiting for Theo to join them.

"Do you really think she'll talk to me?" Aaron asked, fidgeting with his hands and wiping the sweat from them on his shorts.

"Hopefully," Alex muttered, looking around to see if she was anywhere to be seen.

"There she is!" John said, gesturing in her direction. She was walking and laughing with Eliza. Theo waved bye to Eliza and headed over to where the boys were standing. She smiled at Alex and John, but then caught sight of Aaron. She froze in her place and her gaze turned icy.

"What's he doing here?" Theo asked, turning to John. John took her shoulder and guided her over.

"He fell out of a tree at 2 o'clock in the morning because he wanted to talk to you so bad," Alex said, making sure she knew how dedicated he was. Aaron smiled nervously.

"What do you want?" she asked, crossing her arms and popping her hip out.

"Theo, I know I don't deserve it, but would you please spare me a few minutes just to talk?" Aaron asked. "I, um, I got you some coffee," he continued, holding up a cup.

Theo walked forward and grabbed the cup from him.

"Why should I let you talk?" she asked, glaring at him.

"You don't have any reason to," Aaron said honestly. "But I was just wondering if you'd give me a chance."

Theo looked him up and down.

"Fine," she said. "But only five minutes! And that's only because you got me coffee," she said, plopping herself on the ground. Alex and John smiled at Aaron reassuringly and backed away, seating themselves at a picnic table about 20 feet away.

"First of all, I just wanted to say I'm sorry," Aaron said quickly. "And I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but if I could just explain-"

"First of all, don't start with a pity party saying you don't deserve forgiveness. I know you don't," Theo said. "Start over and just try to explain yourself. But don't expect anything from me, okay?"

Aaron nodded.

"I'm sorry for what I did," he said. "I was scared. And that isn't an excuse at all." Aaron paused and looked down at his hands. "I should've been there. And I should've supported you instead of just running away at the first sign of something I wasn't prepared for." He looked back up to meet Theo's eyes. "My father wasn't around. I should understand more than anyone how difficult that can be growing up. And I should've never even potentially put someone else in that kind of shitty situation."

Theo nodded. "You're right, you shouldn't have."

Aaron continued. "I know. I don't have a real excuse. There isn't a real excuse for any of this." He turned to Theo. "But I want you to know that I recognize that I was wrong. And if we ever actually had a child-" He paused. "If we ever actually had a child, I'd stay. Because that's not right to up and leave without a reason. Or even with a reason," he continued. "I don't expect you to forgive me. Or like me. Or give me a second chance. But I just need you to know that I know I was wrong and I want to do better for you and for us."

Theo looked at him. No longer mad, but disappointed and sad.

"You've missed a lot this summer," she said quietly. "There's a lot of new people here that I think you'd like."

"Yeah," Aaron said. "I've been here for a few days now. I've been staying with this kid named Connor."

Theo looked up quickly.

"Connor's the best, isn't he?" she said, smiling. "You know, he's apparently a really good singer too. He's gonna be in the talent show tonight."

Aaron smiled back.

"There seems to be a lot of great new people here this year," he said. "I wish I knew them."

"You could've," Theo said, with a bit of a chill to her voice.

"I know," Aaron sighed. "I should've. That's my fault."

The two were quiet for a few minutes.

"I can't forgive you yet," Theo said. "But I do want to talk more." She looked him in the eye. "And I want you to stay and camp and I want to spend time with you and see if you meant what you said."

Aaron nodded.

"Absolutely," he agreed. "I'll talk to Washington as soon as I can."

Theo smiled at him.

"See you at the talent show tonight?" she asked.

Aaron smiled in relief and nodded back.

"Of course."

Sorry for the shorter chapter! It'll be longer next time, I promise.
-Eli