This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

This is a work of fiction, any resemblance to real people or places is purely coincidence.

Friday:

I had slept harder than ever, and not even the offer of more bacon could get me up, Lily did manage to get me drug out of bed before breakfast though, barely, we kind of had to rush to get changed and to the dining hall in time for the window, there wasn’t any line left, and some kids were already clearing their plates and heading out to get ready for today’s activities.

Just as we walked up, the window started to shut

Lily said wait! loudly before it shut completely

Marie threw the window back open and laughed, about time you two showed up, we already kept the counter open longer hoping you would

I was having better sleep than I’ve had in a long time

I bet, you were out like a light when I came over to set up, well here’s a plate for each of you, and you will note, a bit extra for both of you she said laughing

But we didn’t help this morning? Lily asked

You were just trying to get her awake, and she helped herself last night by telling her parents

I laughed, thank’s Marie

You betcha, now run along and eat!

We sat down at an already empty table

So whats on the schedule today? I asked

Well theres only the beach party this afternoon and evening, but this morning most things are around

Want to try archery again? I asked

I think I would like that she said, we didn’t get a lot of time at it on Monday

I laughed, sorry all those fears of mine seem so silly now, not that they are gone entirely, but monday seems like it was a year ago

It’s been a busy week! Lily said

A great week I laughed, lets go I said as we headed out of the dining hall

We arrived to find the Archery range empty of kids, Tag was over shooting some targets and Liz and Bob were sitting at the table chatting

Oh hey! Welcome back! Liz called when she saw us

Permission to enter? I asked

Granted! Come on in

We swung the gate open and walked in and joined her and bob at the picnic table under the awning

Is it weird theres no one else here? We ate breakfast kind of late, figured there would be others

Friday morning is kind of dead at most areas, a lot of kids just go start the beach party unofficially a bit early

but its ok, we can be here and practice archery some?

Yup! More than ok Tag said putting his bow on the stand and stepping away from the line. I know it was hard on Monday and Im glad to see you in better spirits, and you were amazing last night in the play!

I blushed, thanks

Lily and I picked out our bows and a quiver and practiced for the next couple hours, a few other kids showed up but not even enough to fill the line. Tag was watching all of us and Liz and Bob floated between people giving tips and by the end of the day at the close targets I got a couple arrows intentionally in the center ring, and even Lily had managed once, although neither of us could manage a bullseye, we were pretty happy about it.

I cheered when I saw Lily’s arrow sink in to the center ring.

Yay I did it! She hung her bow up and jumped and down cheering

I set my bow down and clapped, congrats!

Liz and Tag cheered

Ok I think I’m done now Lily said and grinned

I quickly shot my last arrow and managed just outside the center ring.

Shortly the other campers finished and we watched and clapped when they hit center rings, and then Tag raised the caution flag, ok campers, time to go collect your arrows! Bows down!

When all bows were down Tag raised the all clear flag and watched as we went to collect our arrows.

Lily and I gathered ours and put them back in our quivers, and I asked, want to do another round? I think we have time

Lily smiled, I think I’ve had enough today

Sounds good to me, we took our quivers and bows back to the rack

Heading out? Liz asked

Yup Lily said, will you be at the beach party?

Yup! All the other activity areas will be shut down so we can all be there to make sure everyone has a safe and fun party

See you later then!

Lily and I walked to the Caterpillar cabin and got changed in to our swimsuits.

I came out, and said, I feel kind of bare

Oh here! I’ve got you and she rummaged in her bag and came out with a wrap skirt

I wrapped it around me and she showed me how to tie it and it was cute, but I still felt a bit uncovered and put on a t-shirt over it

We walked slowly towards the waterfront from our cabins,

there were picnic tables and the kitchen staff was running a grill, making burgers and hot dogs, as well as roasting sweet corn, and a variety of other things

George was running around but happened to see us approach and they came over, howdy! I wanted to say excellent job in the play last night, just absolutely brilliant, both of you! And you Carly? You’ve come so far, I’m so happy and proud of you, it takes a lot to tell your parents who you are

I blushed, thanks

The line will be over here shortly, still working on getting enough cooked, and I better get back to helping setup.

See ya George Lily said as he turned back to putting things out on tables

Lily and I decided to walk down the trail a bit since it wasn’t quite lunch time yet and we climbed towards the cliffs and looked out over the lake

It’s been a really good week I said

It has! And Im so glad I met you, you are a better friend than most I’ve had

I blushed, thanks, I haven’t really had many friends so its not really a great bar

We should definitely keep in touch!

We should… I dont really have any social media accounts though…

Oh hey, same! parents say Im too young and also theres a lot of nasty people out there

Yeah

But I’ve got iMessage and a phone number

We should swap info tonight

Lunch should be ready by now, right?

I think? Lets head back

We walked back down and indeed, kids were picking up food from the serving line and we got in line behind them

Millie flagged us down and we joined her and Billie and the rest of their friends. We joined them and chatted and laughed and enjoyed our food, I had both a hotdog and a hamburger, and an ear of corn

We joked and laughed and then someone started up the loud speakers on the beachfront tower and I heard George’s voice come out

GOOD AFTERNOON CAMPERS!

And I swear the camp went toe for toe with the loud speakers for volume GOOD AFTERNOON GEORGE!

Are you all ready to have an amazing afternoon here at the water front?

YES!!

Beachballs were brought out, and water guns and various floaty toys and, yes, the blob! Lily and I both did it a couple times, it was amazing flying through the air before hitting the water, which stung a bit, but also I was just being me and having fun

after several hours I collapsed on a chair on the deck with Lily, just exhausted

I don’t think I’ve ever had this much fun I said quietly

Its pretty tops for me too

So how did your parents take it?

At first? Not perfect,

Oh

They would get my name or pronouns wrong, mom didn’t really understand that I wanted to dress just like other girls my age and tried getting me frilly dresses, which I mean, are fine, I like them sometimes, but not every day! I have things to do

I laughed, right? That stage costume was wonderful but I’d hate to try and shoot arrows in it

Lily laughed, that made me think of Brave and her ripping the bodice to be able to shoot arrows

You know, I’ve never seen it, ooh, maybe our parents would let us do a movie night? There’s a lot of movies I bet you missed out on, I know I did

I laughed, yeah, wont deny there’s been a lot I missed, seemed like every girl when I was little I knew was obsessed with Frozen, but I couldn’t ask to see it

We should make a list!

The speakers playing the music stopped but could still hear the buzz and George came on OK Campers! Its almost supper time, time to get out of the water, dry off, change, and get ready for supper! And, for our final night we hold a movie night in the dining hall after supper, feel free to come in your PJ’s, bring sleeping blankets, whatever, we will be enjoying our final night with a couple adorable recent movies!

I asked, was that on the schedule?

I don’t think so? But it sounds fun

I’ve never done a sleep over to be honest

Neither have I Lily said, sounds fun!

Shall we head back and get changed and grab a shower?

Sounds good!

We walked up the hill, and got to Caterpillar and grabbed things for the showers which were more popular than usual, but we managed to get it in and get changed, I had decided against pj’s for supper at least

We walked towards the dining hall

Last night? I said sounding sad

Last night Lily responded

Mom was right, I wish it was longer

L oh L my mom told me the same thing and even knowing it was a queer camp I doubted her

We got in line just before the doors opened

Supper tonight was bbq ribs that were so messy they had a stack of bibs out and boy did I need one, but it was really good with vegan cheesy potatoes and a roll

Millie and Billie urged us to come to the sleepover, as it is a lot of fun, they said

As we walked back to the cabin to change in to PJs and grab our sleeping bags and pillows, I tried skipping again, and this time I didn’t face plant

Lily laughed and joined in, and we got in to our PJs and headed back to the dining hall

Marie greeted us at the door oh good, you came! I wasn’t sure, today is pretty tiring on a lot of kids and they just want a night in their beds

So what movies are they showing tonight? Lily asked

I believe Penny will announce that shortly, go on inside and and get comfy! There’s still some good spots near the fireplace

Lily and I went and found a couple of chairs next to the circle of couches and chairs by the fire place, over which there was a big projector screen that had been pulled down

Lily held our spot while I went and got us some popcorn from the machine they had set up in one corner

A few more were still trickling in, some hauling stuffed animals, some with blankets, and we settled in

Welcome campers to our Friday night sleep over Penny said, without the assistance of the sound system this time

I hope you all had a wonderful week, and I know some of you will be sad it is ending so soon, but don’t worry, there’s always next year, and I hope you made some really good friends to stay in contact with, and we have sheets here tonight and tomorrow for you to write out information to share with them if you don’t have your devices on hand

Tonight we’ve got a couple of fairly recent animated films that have some themes some of you might enjoy, first up we have The Mitchells vs The Machines, and after that we will have Turning Red, and depending on how awake people are, we also have a copy of Ron’s Gone Wrong

Ooh, I haven’t seen any of these Lily said

I think I saw Ron’s Gone Wrong, but I liked it, would watch again if I’m not asleep already

Same!

Lily and I decided the floor and a blanket pile spot would be better and we settled in as some staff member dimmed the lights and turned on the projector

Lily at an early point in The Mitchells vs The Machines squealed and I asked quietly what is it?

There was a trans pride flag on Katie’s bag!

Oh I missed it

It was really quick

We laughed really hard at it, it was better than I expected, and while it wasn’t in your face about it, Katie was very gay and wonderful

Ok campers, going to give you 15 minutes for bathroom breaks, refreshing snacks, then on to turning red if you’re interested

A few campers left, it was nearly official lights out, but, the dining staff had set up a sundae bar and Lily and I both made one and settled in for Turning Red, which was set in the distant past, 2002, and was hilarious, and also weirdly relatable? Like, I didn’t like what was happening to my body, and I only vaguely understood things like periods, they don’t often teach ‘boys’ much about them.

Penny came back to the front, ok, anyone want to see Ron’s Gone Wrong? About half the group did, ok so we will do it then

It was already 11:30, well past lights out, and Lily was looking very sleepy

Want to stay? Or go back to the cabin

Wanta stay… and she yawned mid sentence… want it to last longer she said

Ok, but if you fall asleep here I don’t think any one’s hauling us back to the cabin

Thas ok, got my blanket and my pillow and my stuffie, thas all I need

I laughed ok, staying it is

I managed to remain awake, but Lily had not, falling asleep not too long after the movie started

When the movie was over the staff helped wake those asleep, and guide us back to our cabins. I’m not sure Lily was technically awake when she landed on her bed, and Marie and I made sure she got arranged a bit better before collapsing ourselves.

It was late and I was exhausted, it had been the best week of my life, but I was still nervous about tomorrow. I got to a pretty good sleep, but had some dreams that weren’t great, like parents laughing at me once we were in the car away from the ears and eyes of the camp

Saturday