Ethereal Love

It's Easier to Pretend

"You know, Nini, you've changed a lot." Carol commented breezily as she and Nini made their way to the canteen for breakfast.

"You think so? It's only been five weeks, mom." She sighed, saddened by the reminder that there was only a week left of camp.

"I've seen kids come here, biggest little twerps I've ever met, and within days they've been lovely, caring individuals. It's less to do with the amount of time, and more to do with the people here and your attitude. You've made friends, had fun...I think that was all you needed, all this time. Some real friends and some good, honest fun." Her mother explained. Nini nodded, realizing that she was right.

"I guess you're right. I mean, back home, it was so much easier to pretend to be someone I wasn't. To be a bitch. When I treat people like shit, other people are scared of treating me like shit, so they're nice to me. I guess...I guess I'd managed to fool myself into thinking that those people were my friends. I think I had myself fooled with a lot of things. People I thought I hated...maybe if I gave them a chance, I'd have liked them. Maybe I wouldn't have so many enemies now. And maybe...maybe somebody would care that they hadn't seen me for five weeks." She sighed. Carol wrapped her arms around her daughter.

"Don't worry, Nina, everything will work out fine in the end. You still have a week left of camp, and then you can go home for a while, see your friends, and maybe try to work things out. But in the meantime, just enjoy your last week of camp. I have to go home tonight, I'll be leaving at seven, so I've no doubt there'll be some kind of party tonight. Have fun, but please, stay safe." She smiled. Nini nodded, beaming as her mother as she took a bite of her toast.

"I promise we'll be good." She assured her.

"I know you will, Nini. You're a good girl. You've always been a good girl." She muttered as she tucked into her own food. Nini smiled to herself.

LINE BREAK

"Here you go, Neens." Ej handed her a red plastic cup, half vodka, half cola. She beamed at him, kissing him on the cheek sloppily before taking a big gulp. He laughed and kissed her on the mouth, then told her to go dance with Gina, who was beckoning her over drunkenly. More people were drinking this time, and they were drinking more. Without Carol's presence at camp, even the other staff members loosened up, and there was only one person over the age of 21 at the party.

After dancing with Gina for a few minutes, Nini suddenly felt her stomach twist and knew she was going to throw up.

"Backinaminute." She slurred in Gina's ear.

She stumbled outside, leaning against the railings and taking deep breaths. It didn't help much, however, and a second later she found herself on her knees, emptying her stomach into the grass.

It was like this that Ricky found her, and being the gentleman that he is, he just had to help her.

"Nini, are you okay?" he asked, kneeling down beside her and pulling her hair out of her face. She groaned, looking up at him.

"No, not really." She croaked, voice hoarse. He chuckled dryly.

"Sorry, stupid question really."

"You think?"

He rubbed her back soothingly as she threw up again.

Ten minutes later, she was wiping her mouth and getting to her feet shakily.

"Do you feel okay?" he asked her warily. She nodded, smiling weakly.

"Better. Thanks."

"It's okay. Look, you probably shouldn't go back to the party. Do you want me to go find Ej to take you back to your cabin?" he offered. She shook her head.

"Nah, he's having fun, leave him. I'll go home myself." She muttered, heading in the general direction of her cabin. Ricky debated for a minute or two, and then followed her. He knew he'd hate himself for it, but he couldn't let her go off alone in her state. He'd been drinking himself, but not nearly as much as her.

"Nini, wait up!" he called after her. She turned, frowning.

"What?"

"Nothing. I'm just gonna walk with you. Just in case you hurt yourself or something." He shrugged. She smiled softly, not letting him see.

"Thanks."

"S'okay."

They walked in silence for a while, until he stopped. Confused, she looked at him.

"Are you okay?"

"Nini, why do you feel the need to be such a bitch to me when you're sober?" he blurted. Her eyes widened and she stepped back, surprised.

"...I don't really know. We just...we just don't like each other."

"No, that's not it. I mean, I don't dislike you that much. Not since the last time you got drunk...but you kept being a bitch, so I did the same. And sometimes, you do make me want to slap you. But I still don't hate you, and I don't understand why you can't just apologize, and then I can apologize, and we can be friends!"

"Because we can't be friends." She said softly.

"But why?"

"Because you're a geek, Ricky! You've always been the typical geek, with the glasses and the braces and you even used to have a damn lisp! And then when I got here, and I saw you... no, you don't look like a geek anymore, but you're still smart and when we go back to school, you're still going to be at the bottom of the food chain, because that's just how things work!" she yelled. Her anger and the throwing up had sobered her up, and now she was just a little tipsy and very pissed off. Ricky reddened with anger too.

"So what? Are you really that pathetic? I thought you'd changed, Nini! I mean, you've still been bitchy towards me, but to everyone else...you're like a different person, Nini! But as soon as you talk to me, it's like you're back to your old self! Why is that?"

"You want the truth?" she breathed, shaking. He rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, the truth would be nice."

"Because if I stop being a bitch, and I let myself get close to you, I think I might fall in love with you..."
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Strap in everyone ❤️