"Mine!"
This possessive shout could be heard all around the volley ball court and while many usually found it annoying, something about the aggressiveness thrilled Bliss. She often spent her afternoons here, reading or writing or perhaps even simply staring off into space. These reveries were often plagued by thoughts of her father, and his recent engagement. She had yet to meet the woman her dad had deemed better than her mother, but she could only imagine how horrible she was. Bliss imagined her as a witch - green skin, wonky teeth, crooked nose, the whole shebang. However, this was not what occupied her thoughts on this certain day.
The sunset she currently found herself admiring marked her third day at Bass Academy, and it was safe to say that Bliss loved it here. While most of the kids here didn't understand her, they all accepted her. Wherever she went, there were people that accepted her strange idiosyncrasies with open arms. People talked to her, inquired about her day. These were all so new to her. Perhaps she had experienced them before, when she was younger, but after everyone realized she wasn't like them, these pleasantries seemed to stop. But here at Bass, people wondered about her. They cared about her.
One, a great deal more than the rest.
His name was Carter Evans. The boy was somewhat of an an outcast at the camp - a feat, considering the welcoming and loving nature of the place - and was often left alone during his free time. This is how Bliss met him.
It had been just another evening at the volley ball courts, and Bliss was completely lost in one of the many books she had smuggled into camp with her. Suddenly, she's pulled from the fictional world she had emersed herself in when a voice startles her.
"Whatcha readin princess?"
Bliss stops for a moment and looks up. "A book." She replies, continuing to read, unbothered by the seemingly invisible person.
"Smart." The voice says again and a presence joins her on the bench, "Hi. I'm Carter."
She looks up again, folding her book up on her finger, "I'm Bliss." she says and ignores his outstretched hand.
"Bliss? That's quite a name." Carter says, grinning. He takes his hand back, completely unfazed by her obvious rejection, "what house are you staying in?"
The question is odd, but Bliss had come to expect questions like these and answers without missing a beat. "B."
"B? That's cool." He says, clasping his hands together awkwardly, "I'm in E."
Bliss nods, "Oh."
Carter nods, rubbing his palms against his jeans as Bliss reopen her book and continues reading, assuming the conversation was over. She couldn't have been more wrong. "So..." Evan begins, watchya in here for. You seem normal... Sort of."
Bliss was used to this question.
"Some sort of schizophrenia?" She says, "I'm not really sure, actually. That's what Doctor Halloway told me." Carter nods, and yet another silence descends over the two.
"What about you?" Bliss asks, finally sensing the awkwardness.
Evan laughs, "You make it sound like some sort of jail." He shakes his head.
"Anyways," he continues, "nobody could tell me. I saw all sorts of doctors and therapists, they all said the same thing. There was nothing wrong with me... I was just different."
Bliss nods.
The tense silence begins to settle once again, but soon enough, the lunchtime bell saves them. The two slowly stood up.
"See you later!" Carter says, before darting off to the mess hall.
"Bye.." Bliss mutters to his retreating figure, before going in the same direction.
~
Though the food here paled in comparison to the food her mother made, it was much better than that of her old high school.
Bliss frowns as memories of her previous school year began to resurface - her classmates all staring as she was pulled out of the classroom by the investigators once again. The face of Officer Sherry as he asked question after question, as if she somehow knew anything about her brothers disappearance. She sighs as she picks at the toasted cheese sandwich and chocolate milk that sat on her try. However, her pity party is brief, when a hand taps on her shoulder and a fellow camper politely informs her that she's wanted in the counselors office.
Nobody ever gets called here, Bliss thinks as she makes her way out of the mess hall.
~
Head counselor Josh was a strict, yet nice man. It was obvious he enjoyed his job, but he had a no-tolerance policy when it came to bullying. There were no second chances, if you messed up, you were out. The children knew this, and it was likely the very reason the academy's reputation was as good as it was.
Bliss rubbed her hands together nervously as she approached the counselors office. She couldn't remember ever doing anything wrong, yet something about getting sent home truly frightened her. Bliss loved it here, and honestly valued her experience, so getting thrown out was her worst nightmare - or so she thought.
