Stephen's POV

Today is the field trip and I have to get my lowlife dad to sign the permission slip. I have my duffel bag filled with my clothes I'll need for the week. We'll all be staying in cabins. Two to a cabin. I'll make sure Michael and I get a cabin together.

I packed condoms. I want to go all the way with Michael, but only if he's ready. I've done anal before with a girl. I'm pretty sure it's the same. The only difference is this time, I'll be making love.

I hand my dad the permission slip and say,

"Sign this. "

It's 5:30am and he's drunk! I need to hurry and get to school. He snatches it from me and asks,

"What's... what's... what's this? "

I clench my jaw and say,

"It's a permission slip. I'm going on a field trip. Sign it! "

He reads it and laughs. He says,

"You want to be a fucking boy scout? The only thing you're good at is fucking up. "

I say harshly, "Sign the fucking slip! "

He stands up and gets in my face. He says,

"Don't yell at me, boy. I'm not signing shit! "

He raises the permission slip and rips it in half. He says,

"You ain't going anywhere! "

I snatch the torn paper from him and storm out of the house. I slam the door. He pisses me off! I get on my bike and hurry to school.

I get there as the students are getting on the bus. I quickly get off my bike and rush to the bus. As I try to get on, Mr. Pike stops me and says,

"I need your permission slip, Stephen. "

I give it to him and try to get on, he says, "Hold on. "

Michael is sitting in the first seat. He looks at me and smiles. I look at him. Mr. Pike says, "Sorry, Stephen. You can't go. This isn't signed. And it's torn in half. "

I plead, "Mr. Pike, my dad did that. You know how he is. He wouldn't sign it. Please, I really want to go. "

He shakes his head and says, "I'm sorry, Stephen. I can't let you on. Rules are rules. "

I say, "Please! I've been looking forward to this! "

He shrugs his shoulders and says, "There's always next time. You can stay here and study. I know your grades are bad. "

I look at Michael. He looks heart broken. Fuck! Mr. Pike gets on the bus and says, "Next time, Stephen. "

As the doors close, I yell,

"I'm sorry! "

Michael know that's for him.

The bus pulls off. Shit man! What the hell am I supposed to do now...

"Follow them. "

I turn around and see Greg. He says,

"Look man, I know you're gay. It's hard to explain, but I've known for awhile. I'm your best friend... I just wish you would've told me. "

I take a step towards him. I want to say something, but I don't know what. He says,

"I won't tell anyone. I promise. "

"Thank you... "

He nods. He smiles and says, "I can't believe you fell for a nerd. "

I laugh. He says, "Follow them, Stephen. And don't get caught. "

I nod. I get on my bike and go after the bus.

Michael's POV

I can't believe Stephen didn't get his permission slip signed! I thought he wanted to go on this trip with me. I feel betrayed. If he didn't want to go, he could have said something.

Someone sits down next to me. I look and see Shaun. He says,

"You seem upset. "

I shake my head and say, "I'm fine. "

He smiles and says, "You don't have to lie to me. "

I blush. I say, "I am a little upset. "

He nods and asks, "Is it about Stephen? "

I quickly shush him. He laughs and says, "No one is listening. "

I turn around and hear the commotion of laughter, chatting and music. A student even brought a guitar. Everyone seems occupied. I turn back to Shaun and say,

"Yes it is. "

Shaun crosses his arms and lays back. He smiles and says,

"Let me guess, he said he'd come, then he doesn't show. Well, he did, he just made up an excuse. "

I shake my head and say, "I don't understand why he didn't just tell me he didn't want to go. I mean...blaming his dad is just low. "

Shaun shrugs his shoulders and says, "Maybe he isn't the one for you. "

I never thought of that... I mean obviously he's the one..right? I mean, that's how I feel about him. I shouldn't let Shaun convince me other wise. He's not even my friend. Friends don't get other friends...excited in the pants.

I look out the window for the rest of the bus ride.

Two Hours Later

The bus pulls up to a beautiful wooded area. There's a huge arch that says: Ruffle Lake Woods

I smile. It's beautiful. I wish Stephen was here to witness this with me. Mr. Pike gets everyone off the bus. Everyone is handed a pamphlet that has the schedule for the trip. I quickly scan over today's activities.

7:35am- Unpack in correct cabin number

8:10am- Meeting to go over safety rules

12:25pm-1:15pm- Lunch Time

6:30pm-8:30pm- Roasting Marshmallows/trust exercises and story telling

8:35pm- Report to Cabin for count check/ lights out.

This seems exciting! I can't wait for 6:30pm!

Mr. Pike says, "Alright, the time is 7:35am. What does that mean? "

I raise my hand quickly. Mr. Pike points at me and says, "What does it mean, Michael? "

I grin big and say, "At 7:35am we unpack in correct cabin number! "

Mr. Pike nods and says, "That's correct. Alright everyone, behave when we get in here. I will send you home early. "

Mr. Pike leads us down the path to the main building. When we enter, a energetic woman in a yellow shirt and tan cargo shorts greets us. Her name tag says Jackie.

"Howdy campers! I hope your excited for a fantastic week! We will be fishing and roasting marshmallows. We'll even teach you all how to make a fire! That's going to be great. There's arts and crafts to build airplanes and wooden cars! Oh this will be a fantastic week!"

I'm so excited! She continues,

"Alright, last names A-F stand over here in a line, last names G-L over here, last names M-R over here, last names S-Z over here. "

I stand in my correct line. Stephen would be in this line with me. His last name is James. I get my number. I'm cabin 7. I make sure I have all my stuff and I follow the map in the pamphlet to cabin 6-10. I find cabin 7 and go inside.

It's a simple set up. Two beds, two night stands, two lamps, and two trunks. No dresser. I guess I put my stuff in the trunk. I open it and scream. There's a dead squirrel in the trunk!

A camp counselor, wearing pants and a long sleeve shirt with a hat, runs in and asks, in a weird voice

"What's wrong?! "

I say, disgusted, "There's a dead squirrel in my trunk! "

He walks over to me and looks inside. He laughs and says,

"Well look at that. There is a dead squirrel in there. "

I ask, "Well are you going to get rid of it? "

He looks at me, but I still can't see his face with that hat on, and asks, "That bothers you? "

I nod and say, "Yes it does. "

What the hell is his problem? He says,

"Well, I'll give it to the chef. He'll love this! We haven't had squirrel in a while! "

I say, "No! That's gross! That poor thing has been here for too long! You can't cook it! This is horrific. I'm reporting you! "

I go to leave, but the man pulls me back by the arm and holds me close. Then he kisses me! I'm shocked. I push him away, knocking his hat off.

Stephen!

I gasp. He laughs and says,

"Surprise baby. "