Summer Camp

7 year old Gary

Everyone knows camp to be a means for our parents to get rid of us for two weeks. Ev-er-y-one. I think I'm okay with it, even accepted it- I don't particularly enjoy Mums company anyway. But I wish I knew where my Dad was. How to reach out to him. Maybe Mum never told him about me? Maybe he would dote over a son. Maybe he would rescue me from her clutches? Or, I suppose, he might know I exist. And he might have made the conscious decision to not want anything to do with me. Maybe.

Well, just another person to forget about Gary Oak, right?

Gary fucking Oak. As the older kids liked to say back at school. I never thought my name held much merit to be fair. I was a nobody with an attitude problem. Not the best thing in the world when it came to making friends. Or even acquaintances for that matter.

Maybe while I'm here, I can be someone else. Be someone who matters. Someone people want to be friends with. An entirely different person. Maybe.

....

"What's your name kid?"

And I looked up at the camps councillor, eying the barely-there bruise on my right eye sceptically. It dawned on me, that this is the first person, in nearly the full two weeks of being here, that has asked me that. That had bothered to do so.

So, sticking with my intended plan, which was currently holding on by a slackening thread, I replied-

"Erm... Lewis."

He frowned at my hesitation, and glanced down at the clipboard in his grasp, probably containing the names of the kids in attendance. I watched his eyes skim downwards, and if he noticed the lack of proposed name, he chose not to say anything about it.

"So, tell me Lewis... How'd you get that bruise on your eye?"

The lie was easy, "I fell."

"You fell?"

"Yes."

He sighed, and looked at me sympathetically.
"If anyone is bullying you Lewis, you can tell me."

"I'm fine."
Because I was. I always was. Had to be.
My palms felt sweaty, and I tried not to purposefully avoid his stare.

But the awkward encounter was abruptly brought to a halt as a hysterical girl bounded through the weathered wooden door, running straight up to the camp councillor with tears streaming down her face.

"I want to go home!"

I took a moment to look really look at her while the two of them spoke, not even sure if she saw my form huddled into the leather armchair to her right. She looked about the same age as me, but the rest of her features were hidden behind a thick, caked layer of mud- which I can only assume was the reason behind her mood.

The councilors voice pulled me back to the present, as he spoke to her.

"I can call your parents, but I can't make any promises."

When the girl nodded, the councilors excused himself to use the phone in the staff building, seemingly forgetting I was even in the room at all.

The ever forgettable Gary fucking Oak strikes again.

Unsure whether my presence was even known to the mystery girl, I thought I'd be polite and asked-
"Are you okay?"

She let out a small squeak, scrambling to the other side of the room. It took her about five seconds to comprehend that I wasn't a monster lurking in the shadows, and she placed a hand over her hammering heart to calm herself.

But her voice was riddled with anger,
"Don't talk to me."

I raised my hands in mock surrender, but spoke despite her warning.
"What happened?"
She gave me a warning look, but I continued.
"Look... I'm sat in a councillors office with a black eye. I'm not your enemy."

Her feautures softened as she took me in properly for the first time.
"I'm sorry- What's your name?"

Nobody likes Gary Oak.
"Lewis."

"Who gave you a black eye?"

I countered,
"Who pushed you into the mud?"

She pushed her dirty, now crunchy, hair off her shoulder. I couldn't me certain of the colour beneath the mucky brown sludge, maybe blonde? Her blue eyes appeared saddened by the question, and she let out a huff of air.

"Let's get out of here."

"What?"

"The rest of the camp is eating lunch... Do you want to go to the lake while they're busy?"

"Erm... Shouldn't we wait for the councillor to get back."

She headed for the far door, and said, without looking back.
"Suit yourself."

Gary. For once in your fucking life, do something spontaneous. Just do SOMETHING.

My legs rose me from the chair before my brain had even made up it's mind.

"Wait!... I'll come with you."

She smiled.

...

We sat on the bank leading to the lake. The sun was beginning to set behind the canopy of trees, and the shadows danced sporadically across the waters surface.

I was never one for 'comfortable silences', all equating to nothing but an overwhelmingly sense of awkwardness. So, I asked.

"Why are you at camp?"

Her eyes were transfixed on the water, the colour merging into one.
"Mum and Dad are redecorating- They didn't want me around a 'building site'."

So, apparently my earlier summation had been incorrect.
"And you want to go back?"

"The other kids are..."

I offered, "Dickheads?"

And she giggled in to crook of her arm at my choice of words, and the sound made my heart beat double.

"Thank you more coming out here with me Lewis... I think this is the happiest I've been since I got here."

Her smile was bright, and real. I was drawn to say, father triumphantly-

"Well, I promise I'll make sure you're happy."

"For the rest of camp?"

"Forever."

And yes, I'm fully aware, I will probably never see this girl for the rest of my life. And I will never get to keep my promise.
But maybe that's who I'm supposed to be? The one to make someone smile, even when they didn't no it possible.
The kind of person who takes no shit, and gave back as good as he got.

Because I'm a boy with a lost smile. The boy with little to no direction. And I'm tired of losing my way. I'm tired of being forgettable. I'm tired of being no one.

Because I'm not no one. I'm Gary fucking Oak. And it's about time people learnt it.

The Party (part I)

18 year old Gary

I saw the scene unfolding over the shoulder of a blonde girl I was supposed to be listening to. I allowed her voice to drain out while I tried to zone in on the three females surrounding an unfamiliar presence like a pack of hungry dogs- snarls and all.

The mystery girl was clearly uncomfortable by the confrontation. Her shoulders were stiff and her hands fidgeting.

Three against one? Fight fair girls.

I politely excused myself and made my way through the crowd to reach them. My eyes zoning in on her face, and more importantly the tears tainting it.

It was instinctual when I protectively wrapped my arm around her waist, eying Minette, Dawn, and May with equal judgement.

Honey blonde hair fell loose over the shoulders of quite possibly the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen. And when she looked at me curiously through heavy lashes, I projected my contempt onto the people responsible for tarnishing that perfectly flawless skin.

"And what the fuck do you three think you're doing?"

May rolled her eyes, and became the spokesman for the three, "Oh lay off it Gary... She's a loser."

I glanced down at her again, observing the timidness in her stance, and the way she nervously bit her bottom lip.
"As deemed by you... Get a fucking life May."

"Actually Gary, I have a fucking life." She gestured the girl, "Unlike that freak."

I smirked and shook my head. The sheer audacity of the statement alone was laughable.
"If you define having a life as fucking anything that moves... Then yes, your life is fantastic."

"You weren't saying that last night Gary."

Jealousy isn't a good look on you May. Perhaps think before you speak, and remember exactly who you're speaking to. And better yet, how little you actually mean to them.

"Oh, please May... You were an alternative to having a wank... Which frankly, I could have gotten off a hell of a lot quicker with."

The girl sniggered under her breath, most likely from the look of utter bewilderment on May's face. I squeezed her hip in approval, and when she looked at me with those stunning fucking eyes, I flashed her a wink.

Dawn piped in, in May's defence, "At least we're not liars... She's stood there spouting a load of shit about someone inviting her!"

I raised an eyebrow at her, mentally piecing together a part of the most uncharacteristic puzzle I'd been made aware of just an hour before.

"Don't even get me fucking started on you Dawn."
I gestured with my hand, "So, if you three could gladly fuck off... I'd massively appreciate it."

All three snorted in disgust, eyeing me like I had literally just murdered their pet, and stormed off in the opposite direction.

The girl let out a shaky breath, watching them dissappear into the crowd of party guests. And it was only when they were well into the depths that she turned to me with wide, grateful eyes.

I was momentarily lost in the innocent swirl of saphire, and a part of me wanted nothing more than to lean in and rid her of any negative thoughts those fucking vultures had planted in her head.

But I had a bitter feeling exactly who'd invited this girl in the first place, so I released my hand from her hip and held it in front of her with the most charming smile I could muster.

"Now that the vultures have fucked off... I'm Gary."

She smiled back, and shook it, "I'm Serena."

"Well, it's nice to meet you Se... Now that one problem has been solved though, why don't you tell me who it is you're here to see, and I'll help you find them?"

There was a flicker of doubt on her face.
"Why are you doing this?"

I smirked, "You're welcome by the way."

She became flustered. Which, honestly, was downright adorable.
"Oh! I'm so sorry!... I really do appreciate you standing up for me... I just can't help but think you're doing it for a reason."

My answer was simple.
"Reason being, I'm just a nice guy."

Her reply was instantaneous.
"No one as beautiful as you is 'nice'."

Ah, so we're on this same forbidden page then?
"You seem to be..."

And at the rosy blush that crept across her cheeks, my whole body warmed to it in response.
I draped my arm over her shoulder before I did something profound.
"Come on then princess... Let me help you find your prince."

She peered questioningly up at me, "How do you know it was a guy who asked me?"

"Just a hunch."

I walked her around the various rooms of Misty's house trying to find her Knight in shining armour, if my guess was correct that is.

My curiosity getting the better of me, I asked her, "How come I've never seen you before?"

"Oh- I only moved here last year... I've never seen you either."

Interesting.
"My friend moved away for a year... I did the same to keep myself distracted in his absence."

"Girlfriend?"

Aren't you the curious cat.
"He may as well be."

I watched her take in that piece of information, storing it away. The conversation continued at similar pace for the rest of our mission, and I found it rather annoyingly unjust at how natural it came. How easy she opened up to me.

I caught the side profile of the exact person I'd been looking for, sitting solemnly in the far room. Turning to her, I said-

"And... If I've worked this out correctly... The mystery girl who I 'rescued', is the same girl that I was told about for over an hour tonight... Spoken by the same guy who you say I remind you of."

"What are you talking about?"

I nodded my head in the direction behind her, causing her to turn. The pleased look on Ash's face said it all. Confirmed my assumption.

"Since I can't be stealing my best mates girl... I'll leave you to it Princess." 

I watched her walk away. Walk to him. And I silently vowed to kick his fucking arse if he hurt her. Because this girl was something else. Someone pure. Someone so beautiful, it made me physically angry to think that someone could make her cry. Someone who I instantly felt I'd known forever.

And it broke my fucking heart that Ash met her first.

The Party (part II)

18 year old Gary

Luckily, the blonde I'd paid close attention to earlier in the evening was still fair play- Seemingly not even noticing my absence. A perfect distraction so to speak.

She was more than happy enough to listen to how beautiful she was. More than happy enough to initiate a kiss. And more than happy enough to come home with me.

Hence, my current state.

I hadn't bothered with the typical formalities, slamming my lips against hers the moment my bedroom door was closed, and thankful that she reciprocated with equal need.

Less than five minutes later, I rolled us over on the bed, my head pressing into the softness of the pillows. I licked my lips, reaching to grab her hips and pull her up, and push her back down. She pressed a hand to my chest, moaning through a lip caught between her teeth.

A memory from the party dragged into the forefront of my mind and I immediately distinguished it.

She moved with me, and once I'd set the rhythm that I wanted, my hands left her hips for her breasts. She switched angles and speed until she has found all the ones she liked the most, arching her back, grinding into me and biting her lip.

"Fuck," I breathed. Unable to rid myself of the memory of a certain pair of blue eyes.

She mistook this as enthusiasm, quickening her pace, nails digging into my skin.

So, when I heard the distinct sound of a message from my phone, still in the pocket of my discarded jeans, I latched onto the excuse to-

"Let me check that... It might be important."

She frowned at me, slowing down.
"Check it after."

I shook my head, lifting her from her current position to get out from under her to get to my phone.

I unlocked it-

One New FB Message Request
Serena Yvonne:

Hi Gary, it's Serena (from the party)... I was wondering if you could give me a call asap- I've found myself in quite the predicament, and I don't know who else to ask for help. My number is 08967884209 x

I looked between the screen and the blonde currently seething in my bed, and the decision was rather simple really.

"I need to make a call... You should go."

I was definitely going to get punched.
"GO?"

"I can pay for a taxi?"

"Don't fucking bother Gary... I'm perfectly capable of walking."

"It's late... I'll call a cab."

"You're a fucking arsehole Gary Oak... I live round the corner for your information."

"Do you?"

.........

But back to pressing matters.

"Hello?"

"Serena?"

"Erm... Yeah... Hi Gary... Thank you so much for phoning me so quickly."

Her voice sounded choked, "Are you okay?"

I could hear the tears, "Not really."

"Where are you? Are you hurt?"

"I'm on my doorstep... I left my house keys at Misty's house... And I don't have any money for a cab to go pick them up... And I'm wet... And I'm freezing..."

"What's your address?"

"75 Autumnal Avenue."

"I'll be there in ten."

I am going to kick his fucking head in.

I pulled on last nights clothes, pocketed my car keys, and grabbed my dressing gown on the way out of the door.

I could see her slumped on her doorstep as I drove down the familiar street. She had her knees pulled against her body in an attempt to stay warm. And yet again, the tear stains were obvious.

I rolled the window down when I pulled up outside and said-
"Here."
I passed her a large blue dressing gown.
"Now get in."

She looked utterly defeated as she draped the far-too-big article of clothing over her shoulders, and sagged into the passenger seat.

"Do you want the good news or the bad news?"

She bit her fucking lip again.
"Ermm... the bad news?"

"I went to Misty's before I picked you up, and no one is answering the door or picking up the phone."

"The good news?"

"You can stay at my house until one of them do answer their phone, and I'll drive you over there to get your bag, and drop you back off here... Sound like a plan?"

She smiled warmly at me.
"I really, really appreciate it Gary... But why are you helping me? To this extent I mean."

"I told you, I'm just a nice guy... Plus, I have a funny feeling the reason you're in this predicament has something to do with Ash, which I partially feel responsible for."

And I'm going to kick his head.

"Why would you be responsible for how much of lying arsehole Ash is?"

I forced a smirk, "So, it definitely has something to do with Ash then?... And in no way am I responsible for how much of a dickhead he can be... BUT, I did take you to him at the party."

"This isn't your fault Gary."

I chuckled, and stared at her with utter admiration.
"You really are a Princess aren't you?"

Shs rolled her eyes, "Why is this becoming a popular opinion?"

Oh princess, he's going to break your fucking heart.

The Goodbye

18 year old Gary

"You're really not going to say goodbye to her?"

"Gary, I monumentally fucked it all up... Just leave me to live in my own idiocy."

"You give up way too easy Baby-Bear."

"Untrue- I just know when to call it a day... Give up before I make an even bigger mess of things."

"Don't give up until it's over."

"It is over."

"Is it?"

"Yes."

And I eyed him sceptically.
"So, you wouldn't have any problem with me pursuing Serena?"

He opened his mouth to speak. Closed it again. And finally settled on his truth-
"Yes... I think I would."

"Exactly."

The Favour

20 year old Gary

My drink paused mid way to my mouth, and I couldn't even stop the stupid smile that made its way to my face from spreading.

"Y'know Ashy-bear, if I'm not mistaken..." I gestured to the familiar woman window shopping on the opposite side of the road that had caught my attention, "THAT, is your self-proclaimed princess over there."

He glanced in the direction, and said a disappointing,
"Well isn't that a blast from the past."

The smile still tugged at the corner of my mouth, although positively strained,
"Not going to reacquaint yourself?

I watched him down the remainder of the whisky in his own glass, where he proceeded to state,
"Given our last conversation Gary, it's safe to say I'm not the kind of person she wants to be reacquainted with."

Come on Ash.
"What if she is."

He shook his head, "Ship sailed a long time ago mate."

I am giving you this on a silver fucking platter Ketchum. Don't be a pussy about it.
"You'll regret not going over there... I can guarantee it."

"She's been the thorn in my side for the best part of two years Gary..."
I caught him glance down at the pattern of needle marks on his arms. Oh, how the mighty duo have fallen.
"Right now isn't the time though."

And maybe he was right. Maybe there could be a grander scenario for this motion to play out.

But what if that isn't the case? What if there is never a right or a wrong time to reach for something you want. Maybe there is a way to pick up your pieces along the way, and just figure it out as you go along. Maybe everything you could ever want is simply a step ahead where you've ended up.

But, I chose to resolutely reply with,
"Well, if fate decides for you to cross paths again... Do me a favour."

"What favour would that be?"

And the obvious answer. An answer I can vouge for, be it only because he was lucky enough to meet her first.

"Fall in love with her again."

The Almost-Accusation

23 year old Gary

I smiled stupidly my phone screen, adjusting the hand beneath the pillow of my bed to angle my head just right. It wasn't uncommon for me to message her at ungodly times in the morning given the time difference from wherever she had ventured to in the world at that particular time.

But it was always my favourite wake up call.

Serena: The sea is so beautiful here Gary. It's so clear, you can see the coral on the sea floor!

Gary: Alola is like another world Se- Honestly, you should see the beaches at night. It was my favourite place to go when I was over there.

Serena: There's actually a beach party here next week- I can pay your flight out if you want to take a trip down memory lane?

Gary: Things are a bit rocky here at the moment beautiful- but I really wish I could.

Serena: Does that mean I have to have a drink in your honour?

Gary: Oh, several.

Serena: Ah, but several drinks leads me to make terrible decisions- you know this.

Gary: Like Calem?

Serena: I wouldn't exactly call him a bad decision... Marrying him certainly was- But we live and learn and all that jazz.
He was asking after you the other day actually when we met up for coffee.

Gary: Well, you can let him know I'm perfectly fine as always.
However, this was my way of addressing the elephant in the room- What happened between you two?

Serena: Word of advice- Never marry anyone while you're still in the 'honeymoon' portion of a relationship... It always goes tits up.
But, I guess, we genuinely did love each other- and well, we both mistook what kind of love that was.

Gary: So, the friendship kind?

Serena: Exactly that.

But, it was simply a bubble.

A tiny bubble within an abundance of larger bubbles that made up the charade of my life. And the thing about bubbles, the catagoric truth of those transparently rainbowed spheres, is that they can burst at any moment. Even when you hoped more than anything else, they would remain in tact.

It is inevitable.

"Gary, what time is it?"

I strategically angled the screen of my phone away from the blonde presence occupying the left hand side of my bed.

"About 4 AM."

"Who are you talking to at this time?"

"Who said I was talking to anyone?"

She frowned at me, studying the indifference on my face.
"Why are you lying to me?"

"Go back to sleep Bonnie."

"Just tell me who you're talking to."

"Just trust me enough not to ask."

"I never said I didn't trust you, nor did I imply it- I was simply curious... Your response to the question however, certainly sets off alarm bells."

I sighed,
"I'm talking to an old friend... Happy?"

"Not particularly... Which old friend?"

"You're also friends with them- so can you just drop it please."

And I saw the curiosity on her face morph into knowing. Bonnie was always surprisingly clever, and our lack of mutual friends only made the puzzle that bit easier to solve.

"So, Serena then?"

"And if it was?"

"And nothing... But I wouldn't exactly call her my friend Gary- acquaintance at best."

"Settled then... Good night."

"Definitely not settled- Why are you messaging another woman at 4 in the morning, while your girlfriend is lying next to you?"

"Oh for fuck sake- Why do you have to say it like that Bon?"

"Oh, is that not what's happening?"

"It's afternoon where she is. Don't make a big deal out of this."

"Then let me see."

And my eyesbrows rose,
"Let you see?"

"If you're innocently talking to an old friend, let me see."

And I knew wholeheartedly there was not a chance she was getting anywhere near my private conversation. No one had the right to know, to be honest.

"No."

"No?"

"That's exactly what I said."

And I thought she was going to lash out, demand to see it, call me out for something.

But when she only rolled over, scooching herself as far away from me as possible, I'd seemingly thought wrong.

But I felt I needed to say,
"There is nothing going on between me and Serena, Bonnie."

"Oh, I'm well aware Gary... But you know what the fucked up part is?- The reason for that fact has absolutely nothing to do with me being here... It's because of him, isn't it?"

25 year old Gary

Ash' POV

Honestly? I suppose drunk Gary could be classified as just regular Gary to some extent. Be it, he was twice as honest, thrice as horny, and infinitely more open about the innermost feelings that resided deep within him.

"You know Baby Bear... Some people spend a fortune to circle the world."

And as random of a statement it was, I knew he was making some sort of point.
"That they do Gary."

And as majority of the drink sloshed over the side of his glass, he said-
"You know what I do?"

"What would that be?"

"I spend a few quid on this marvelously cheap whisky..."

"Okay?"

He looked far too pleased with himself when he revealed his drunken wisdom.
"And the world circles around me."

I humoured him,
"So, you're an adventurer in your own right then?"

"Well of course... Adventure is my middle name."

"Gary Adventure Oak... Now, that is the most anticlimactic name in history."

"What would you have it be then?"

And I raised a brow at him, unknowingly smiling at his far-from-sober face.
"Gary Fucking Oak... Obviously."

He smiled back then, broadly.
"Obviously."

I pushed myself up from the sofa, entirely ready to help him get to bed, when he raised a hand to stop me, and I was instantly drawn to the sudden change of mood and serious expression on his face.

"Ash... I need to tell you something."

I automatically returned to my seat.
"Tell me what?"

His mouth was forming around words he wanted to confess, but couldn't seem to find the right ones. He settled on,
"I saw her today."

Curiosity peaked, I asked.
"Saw who?"

"I don't think that particular detail matters... But this time was the hardest it's ever been to... not fuck everything up."

"What do you mean?"

He let out a long sigh, downing the remainder of his drink.
"It has always supposed to have been you Ash."

I couldn't decipher his meaning.
"What was supposed to be me?"

"I wish you would just do something about it."

"Do something about what Gary?"

He gestured wildly with his hands.
"It's so, so simple Ash... The simplest thing in the world actually... And they're right there. Right there... You just have to reach out."

"Reach out to who?"

"She deserves the world Ash... I've only ever met one other person who is deserving of that... You know who that is?"

And when I didn't respond, he answered,
"You."

"What are you talking about Gary?"

"You're smart Baby Bear... You'll figure it out in the end."
He added,
"I love you so much y'know."

And since I'd decided that this was simply a drunken rambling with no real point, I replied with-
"I love you too Gar-Bear... But I think it's time you had a long overdue sleep."

And as his eyes were closing he mumbled,
"You and her Ash... Just you wait and see... I know it."