Carlo

Yesterday was hectic.

The cops came and questioned the people involved, meaning Es and Alex had a lot of talking to do. And throughout said day, Es ignored me. I didn't mind. I wanted him to cool off because after thinking it over, I realized that Es was the person wrong.

Not me.

If I saw him today, I was going to tell him I definitely did not have feeling for him. That what I said that day was a force of habit. At least then, he wouldn't be so hesitant to talk to me and I wouldn't feel weird. 

    MK's dad, Mr. King, A.K.A camp manager made an announcement on the stage early this morning and cancelled the volunteer rule which meant no one was allowed to leave the camp at all. He even doubled security around the camp and not just in the girl's dorm.

I was outside eating Lunch with Jacob and Dave who blatantly ignored me and were all lovey-dovey at each other. I didn't mind watching them because they were cute. It was unlike watching any of Es' relationship which was solely based on sex. Popping a fry into my mouth, I wondered if Es and I would ever do something like this...if we ever date....

    My eyes caught a whisk of black hair and I perked up when I saw Es' leather jacket. He was standing by the notice board, probably reading the new strict rule Mr. King had put up. I took it as my chance to tell him so I gulped down the last of my drink and ran up to him before he turned to leave.

The moment he turned, I was in front of him blocking his way. I smiled when I saw him frowning then said, "Hey."

"What do you want?" He asked coldly.

"Apologize." I continued when he shifted on his feet but made no move to push pass me, "I am so sorry for the way I acted when we left the motel. I'm not exactly the best at comforting and I was scared that he might have done something to you. Then I saw you crying and I got really scared."

He gave me a dull look as if he wasn't impressed by my apology and I added, "I know you hate when people see you vulnerable and I know you hate me because I saw you like that. I am sorry."

Es licked his lips and stared at me with blank eyes. I couldn't read them but they were so empty, it scared me. I ran a hand through my hair, exasperated. "If you don't forgive me, it's fine. Please, just talk to me." I was practically begging him with my eyes.

Es sighed and moved his hand from the pocket of his jacket. He caught my hand that was nervously scratching my head and his gaze softened, "You idiota, you are not supposed to be the one apologizing. I am."

"What?"

He let go of me and returned his hand back to his pockets and continued, "I got pissed off that you saw me crying. In fact, I got pissed off I fell for Preston traps and that I actually liked Preston. There were a ton of things I got pissed off over; some concerns you but majority is my fucked up personality. I'm sorry I've been a bitch to you. I'm sorry I didn't listen to you and I'm sorry I yelled at you when you told me your feelings."

"My feelings...?" My eyes widened and I sputtered words that didn't make sense but I managed to say, "No, d-don't get the wrong idea. I only said it because I wanted you to know that I was watching out for you. L-like a brother...yeah, I love you like a brother Es. If anything had happened to you, I would feel responsible."

The minute those word came out of me, I regretted them. I didn't miss the hurt in Es's eyes and he didn't even try to hide them from me. He opened his mouth to say something but it closed back in to a thin line then he smiled.

"Like a brother." He repeated then jeered, patting my back in a brotherly gesture that pained my heart.

"Yeah. I love you bro." I wish my mouth would just listen to my heart right now.

He nodded and said, "I'll see you later. I'm going to quit the swim competition. I only joined it because of Preston."

"So what happened to him?" I asked, trying to change the topic.

"Oh the usual." Es shrugged, "He's being deported back to America, I think. Did you know he was 20?"

"That's real jail time for him."

"Yeah, whatever." He waved it off, "I'm over it. See you later."

I nodded and he walked off in the direction of the activity hall.

A sigh slipped as I walked back to my seat and flopped down on my bench. I sulked, slouching over the table and frowned when Jacob and Dave looked at me. Jacob was first to speak, a smile daring to fall. "Normally, I thought the sad face you were giving yesterday was the result from being Friend-zoned."

"But this," Dave's brows rose, "Dude, you look like you've been family-zoned."

My forehead creased in confusion and I sat up. "How did you know?"

"We caught the brotherly pat on the back dude." Dave continued giving me a sympathetic look and that only made me feel worse. Even the dude tripping over nothing and falling over his food still didn't amuse me or make me feel any better.

    The boys stared worriedly at me making me more interested in the birds than their faces. I watched them swarm around a tree then disappear into the woods. My eyes trailed to the woods that looked enticing. A familiar surge of adrenaline rushed through my body and it made me remember why I initially wanted to come here. It wasn't because of my shyness or whatever. I wanted to go on an adventure and for once, not have a care in the world.

I wanted to have fun.

But all coming here had gotten me was Es' getting almost raped, me being a whore and falling in love with my best friend. Thinking was not helping me get over this at all.

"I know what we should do." Dave perked up when Jacob jumped out of his seat. "You've got to follow me."

"I don't wanna." I whined then placed my head on the table to prove my point.

Jacob already had Dave behind him but I knew he didn't count because he could jump into a fire if Jacob did. He was already in over his head. Jacob's eyes widened with excitement and that caught my attention a little bit. "I swear. You'll love what you see."

"I hope it's not something against the rules because I cannot have more strikes on my list." Dave tried to look serious but I knew it was fake.

Jacob scoffed at him and crossed his arm over his chest, "Like we don't have the same number of strikes." He rolled his eyes at him then turned back to me, "Come on."

I sighed in annoyance when I reluctantly stood up. It wasn't like I had much of a choice; sit and be miserable or follow them and maybe not be reasonable.

    Half way through the journey and I was already frustrated. Jacob and Dave were paying each other so much attention, I felt like a third wheel. If anything, it was way worse than third wheeling in any of Es' date.

"And then he touched his lap after the interview like, 'don't touch my buddy bro.' I'm telling you, that is more than just a bromance." Dave chided.

"You Larry fans read meaning into everything. Harry pats Louis, 'no he didn't just pat Louis, he was cupped a feel of him,' Louis looks at Harry 'Oh, Louis is staring fondly at Harry. I wonder what's he's thinking.' " He gave Dave a droll stare and sighed when he just frowned at him.

"I cannot believe you doubt them."

"I don't doubt them. I just believe they have the best friendship in the world. It's adorable but that doesn't mean they are in a secret relationship. Again, you Larry shippers need to calm the fuck down."

"Oh you are watching proof videos with me this night, Jay."

Jacob glanced at him and rose his brows at him. "Do I have to?"

"Anything to make you believe." Dave bumped shoulders with him and I sighed.

"I also heard Harry was Bisexual." I added so I wouldn't feel too left out but I really shouldn't have because I got a look from the both of them that told me to back off. I acknowledged it and remained quiet until I saw myself in front of the big hall with Nicki Minaj chanting the lyrics to Trini Dem Girls. 

    Dave's eyes widened and he looked just as excited at Jacob. They passed each other a look and I was sure they had forgotten I was there if I hadn't cleared my throat and said, "What's going on?"

"Majority of us aren't gonna return back to the camp because many of us are going to college or... we just feel too old to be in it." Jacob explained, turning to me, "Dave, myself, Val, MK and Alex aren't coming back next year because we are all going to college. I, personally, just feel too old for this. So we planned to do all we wanted to do before we leave. Dave's cooking, MK is playing basketball in the completion, Alex plans on being DJ one last time, I fence and Val, he wants to dance."

"It's been like his dream to dance but he has been too scared to even try." Dave continued as Jacob lead us inside. "But he promised he would do it this year so that's why we are here."

"To chear him on?" I asked just to clarify.

"Yup." Dave answered and Jacob opened the door to the hall.

    The big hall was where we had our first party but damn, I never thought it was that big. It was incredibly spacious with tables, cups and chairs lying around. It didn't even take me a while to find where the music was coming from.

In front of the dancing mirror which was by the side of the building, I saw Val and a couple more people dancing.

The way Val moved, I had to admit, was amazing. Who said he was a novice?

As we moved closer to join the crowd that were seated on the floor, I noticed how sweaty he was, his brown hair clung to his face and his clothes did the same to his body. However, he didn't let that disturb him as he twisted and turned, breaking all the moves that left me mesmerized. The group ended the dance with a slide to their left and someone turned off the music.

An applause went off and I grinned at him when he looked through the crowd and saw me. It shocked me when I saw his cheeks reddened but I didn't dwell on it too long since every other part of his body was just as red.

"That was amazing guys. You did well today." A man in a track suit gave them a solo clap then added, "We'll do this one last time before we call it a day okay. You with me, Valentino?"

Val nodded breathlessly and the man nodded, smiling at him. "Good. 10 minutes break and you are back here. Then we can call it a day."

The dancers nodded then scattered to meet a friend or just relax. Jacob, Dave and I didn't let Val walk up to us because we caught up to him halfway. Dave looked ready to give Val a hug but he was sweating profusely.

"Dude, you can sweat."

"Happens when I'm nervous." He huffed. "Why are the three of you here?"

"We wanted to see if you were going to fulfil your promise." Jacob said, tucking his hands into the pocket of his jeans. "If we had seen you sitting down like someone just watching, I would have kicked your ass to the stage."

Val smiled then made us follow him to a side of the hall where there was a chair that carried a blue duffle bag. He said as he pulled out a towel, "No need for that now."

"I didn't know you could dance." I said, not wanting to feel like the fourth wheel which was just bitter.

"Oh he dances." Dave said, throwing his arm around Val as if he had to touch him to live. "He dances all the time in his-our room. He's amazing, isn't he?"

"People like you are so annoying." Val rolled his eyes and then ruffled Dave's shaggy brown hair. He was a couple inches taller making the gesture look cute.

"How am I annoying?"

"You are praising me when I haven't done anything yet. It's annoying because it is not necessary. When you see me dancing on stage then you can praise me." Val smiled and ruffled Dave's hair again making the boy smile up at him.

The air beside me changed and I felt it when Jacob frowned at them. He crossed his arm over his chest and said, "Your 10 minutes are over. Rock them out there."

"Right." If Val noticed the hostility, he didn't say anything about it and just smiled at Dave before running back to the stage.

I watched as Jacob walked up to Dave and grabbed hold of his hand. Normally, Dave would squeal out of joy when Jacob did this but now, his eyes were all on Val who was taking his position at the front. This made Jacob frown deeper and I looked away before he realized I noticed. 

    We scurried quickly to join the crowd as the Nicki Minaj song came back up and the group started dancing. I watched them with childlike awe because I've always wanted to know how to dance. It was a beautiful thing and I probably would have learnt how if I hadn't fainted at drama camp when I was little.

Long story short; I fainted because everyone was looking at me and was expecting me to do something. When I couldn't think of anything and they all laughed at me, I dropped down.

That's might have been when I got stage fright.

"Oh my god. Val is like sex on a stick when he dances. Jay, just see him whine." Dave squealed and Jacob grunted.

I smiled. Watching Jacob die slowly with jealousy and Val dance his way into Dave's head was definitely more fun that wallowing in self-pity.

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Carlo baby, what have you done? Hehe •^_^•