CHAPTER 7

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One night down, and too many left to go. The campfire had ended around 11 pm, which I learned was a half hour past village curfew. Everyone was excused because of the ceremony. The night was filled with weird songs, dances, and chants. I won’t lie. I did enjoy some of it. It was amusing to watch the boys let their guard down around each other and be weird and goofy. It was totally different from the fronts that the boys I knew from school put up. And for a second, before I joined reality again, it felt nice to be part of the group.

I grabbed the clothes I had worn yesterday and put them back on. The thought of wearing some guy’s clothing creeped me out. Eventually, I knew I’d have to. It’d look awful strange if I wore the same thing everyday. I snuck out of the cabin and headed to the bathroom to change. Luckily, I was early enough that no one was there. I hoped that meant no one was in the dining hall too.

I must have arrived before the rush of campers because there was practically no one in line for food. I could count the number of kids on my hands. For the first time since arriving at the camp, I felt a little relief. I looked forward to enjoying my breakfast in peace. I grabbed a bowl of cereal and a carton of milk and shuffled over to an empty table.

“Hey short stack!”

I’d know that annoying voice anywhere. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. So much for peace and quiet.

 A body appeared next to me. Baekhyun. I had only met the kid hours ago, and I was already sick of him.

He looked between his plate full of food and my breakfast. “All you’re eating is cereal?” he nagged.

“Who are you, my mother?”

“Yes. Does my wittle baby have a hawd time with gwown up sowid foods?” He teased in a baby voice.

“Those solid foods give this baby, who just so happens to be borrowing your boxers, the runs,” I shot back in a whiny voice.

“Yuck, you’re gross man!” Baekhyun echoed though the empty dinging hall. “Are you really wearing my boxers?”

“No. I’ve got my stuff on from yesterday. I feel weird wearing other people’s clothes.”

Baekhyun finally quieted down once he started eating. Gongchan, Sandeul, and their other roommate showed up shortly after and sat down at the table with us, looking half awake. Apparently they’d been up talking all night. The way that Sandeul cradled his head made me doubt that talking was all that had happened. Some counselor he is!  

Slowly more campers filed into the dining hall. There was a quiet roar that filled the room from everyone trying to talk over one another. There was an air of excitement that accompanied it. It seemed to affect everyone but me. The boys at my table had perked up. Sandeul no longer held his head, Gongchan couldn’t stop smiling, and the still loud Baekhyun couldn’t find enough people to talk to. Even Minseok, Kyungsoo, and Luhan, who had arrived last to breakfast, seemed excited. They all rambled about things and pointed out other campers with whispers. I knew exactly what they were doing. They were gossiping. It was terrifying, and I wanted to run for my life.

As I was about to get up from the table, Mr. Moon walked into the dining hall, and everyone grew quiet. I looked at the guys before glancing around the room. My table wasn’t the only one watching the crazy man walk across the room.

“What’s going on?” I questioned Baekhyun. The one time I wanted him to talk to me, he didn’t.

“Gongchan, why is everyone acting so weird?”

“We have club sign ups today,” he leaned in and whispered, eyes never leaving the director. “Everyone has to be part of two activities. Spots in the good clubs always go fast. Mr. Moon is posting the sign up lists. Once he gives us the okay, people will literally run to that wall,” he explained.

“You should try to join the thespian club with me. It’s really fun. Sandeul helps run the music activities. Baekhyun and Kyungsoo usually do singing, others go for the sports. The choice is up to you though.”

Acting and singing, I could handle that. There were also people in those clubs that I would know, so that was another plus. I felt my eyes following the director, like everyone else. I wondered which lis