Kenji catches sight of Aaron and cuts himself off. "And what the hell are you? You've messed up our entire schedule, dickhead. We're an hour behind on everything now, all because–"

"Stop." You say angrily "Stop calling him names. He's not a dickhead, he's not a jackass, he's not self-absorbed. I don't know why you guys think it's okay to just say whatever terrible things you want about him– to his face– as if he's made of stone. You all do it. You all insult him over and over again and he just takes it– he doesn't say anything– and somehow you've convinced yourselves it's okay. Why? Why don't you think he has feelings? What the hell is wrong with you?" Your words send his smile flashing away on an instant.

He turns to look at you, you seem to sense the change in him. He feels pure mortification. You wrap your arms around his waist, hugging him close. He lifts a hand to your head, drawing it slowly down your hair.

Kenji averts his eyes. "Yeah, um, anyway, the last I checked, the dog was in the dining tent, eating breakfast with everyone."