Chapter 17 : Friends

Simon and Malcolm had jawdropping expressions on their faces.

Infact Rose's friends themselves had the look of "who the heck is he and how does she know him" on their face.

Not knowing how to react to her actions, I ended up doing the only thing that came to my mind at that moment...

I smiled at her and pretended to cut my throat, as to saying,

"I'm so dead".

Lame.

I know.

*Facepalm*

But for some reason, I wasn't nervous anymore.

The music started, and boy I danced.

I remember doing body waves, cart wheel flips just hoping that everyone didn't think I'm a toothpick hopping here and there.

I honestly don't remember anything else about that dance but when it got over, the crowd went wild again and everyone were clapping.

Not sure if it was sarcastic or for my guts because it was definitely not for my dance, as per I believed so.

But then the main facilitator came up to the three of us and thanked us for entertaining everyone, which was pretty awesome for a not-at-all popular kid like me.

Finally the technical issues were solved and the game/talent shows continued.

It was Rose's turn for the talent show.

She along with her dance crew made the crowd go crazy. There were screams and whistling everywhere and I thought to myself,

       "now that's serious dancing"

The way she moved was simply graceful.

Not one dance move out of place, she just went with the flow and amazed everyone.

It almost seemed effortless for her performing a dance which was at a professional level.

The whole day was just amazing, everything ended well and everyone enjoyed being there to experience such a fun event.

I went home, not embarrassed but even more happy about what happened today.

Was it really coincidental for that bossy lady to choose me over anyone else?

Did Rose notice my nervousness and actually help me?

WAS THIS FATE??

I wanted to believe that.

I went to bed, super happy, and super excited for tomorrow.

The next day I woke up with twice the excitement, and thrice the impatience for the camp timings to tick by. Infact I reached the camp earlier than anyone else that day too. I couldn't wait to see her again!!

Everyone were instructed to head over to the parish hall for watching a spiritual skit performance.

The lights were all turned off, except the stage lights, as soon as the skit began.

I wanted to look around for Rose but it was too dark for me to spot her in the vast group of kids.

Whilst watching the skit, a flash of light appeared from behind. Everyone looked back, trying to identify where the light came from but it had disappeared.

Since it was dark in the hall, wherever it came from, I could make out that it came from exactly behind me.

Some guys were giggling to themselves after everyone had turned their heads to look back at the stage.

My suspicion grew on those guys so I decided to figure out what exactly was going on.

As soon as the flash came on the second time, I turned around just in time to see what was the reason behind the flash.

Apparently there was this guy, flashing the torch from his phone trying to annoy people.

"Bullies"

I thought to myself.

They giggled again and I looked closer to see that some of my camp group mates, were actually laughing along with him.

But amongst all them, was this one guy, annoying almost everybody in the hall with his stupid flashlight.

I stood up, to go somewhere I wouldn't be bothered by the flashlight.

As I got up, Alan, my senior from school who also came for the camp, stopped me and introduced me to the "flash guy".

He had this kinda blonde coloured hair on the top with black sideburns, tall, infact a little taller than me, and somehow a really good person in general.

I could see that by the way he talked, he was really good at socializing with people, and was never boring around anybody.

The moment we both started talking, my impression of a "bully" of him was completely taken away because he was simply really kind.

Francis.

Something clicked that day between us.

All I remember is me talking to him for the rest of the camp day, having fun together, and laughing all the time.

After that, the rest of the camp days were just amazing. I don't remember how, but that one camp was probably, by far my best summer camp yet. On the last day of summer camp 2k16, we all had tons of fun where we camp kids, represented the church, and people from all over the cities came to have a good time with their families. I met so many new and amazing people in the camp.

We created game stalls, and all kinds of fun stuff including music halls with DJ's where people danced and kids enjoyed themselves.

The best part of the day was when Rose helped me out with my stall and we actually spent some time together.

She looked so beautiful.

She being there, made the day at the camp so much more important to me.

Francis, Malcolm, Simon and all my other friends were also there, helping with the stalls and having a great time.

I looked around to see how much joy there was, and how many smiles just shone so brightly.

Everything around me was just so beautiful, and at the centre of it all, was this beautiful girl whom I loved.

"Would heaven be any more different?"

I thought to myself.

The heavenly feeling didn't last long when I realized that this would be the last day of the camp.

I remember thinking to myself, sad as ever, walking to the church compound,

       "When will I ever see her again?"

While walking, I see Francis, speaking with Rose, and a girl with hazel eyes.

      "Well he certainly does know a lot of people", I thought to myself.

He saw me, and asked me to come meet his friend.

Her name was Susan, and she seemed like a really nice person.

She was Rose's close friend. She and Francis were discussing something.

         "So we're planning a hangout tomorrow, since after camp we obviously gotta stay in touch right?", he said.

      "Oh wow...that's awesome" I replied.

I looked at Rose. And I thought...

"She's gonna go for the hangout tomorrow with all these popular people and have fun with them.

That's probably the life she lived.

Must be cool, being like Francis, knowing all the popular people and hanging out with them. I mean, why would anyone ever wanna invite a lowlife like me?"

I looked to Francis, who was already giving me a weird look, as if he wanted to imply that I didn't get what he was trying to tell me.

My heart stopped when he said,

             "Wanna come with us?"