Vacation Bible School (VBS) was almost better than Bible Camp. Almost. But they were both pretty fuckin’ horrible for a raging homosexual.
Rodrick had known he was gay since…well, ever. He never felt like the rest of the kids in his school. Whenever his friends would talk about girls, he’d only be grossed out. The whole “sex talk” was a whole different level once he reached puberty. Eugh.
Despite his parents being strong Catholics, Rodrick shied away from most religious things when he was able to. Church was inevitable, along with Bible Camp during the summertime. Eight weeks of his own personal Hell. Yippee. The only plus was the fact Greg wasn’t forced to go.
Rodrick’s fate was decided when he came out in seventh grade. Complete and utter mistake on his part, and he still beats himself up over it, even though it’s been almost 4 years now. From then on, his parents assumed they could “fix” him through constant exposure to their religion.
Rodrick picked at the grout beneath his nail, which adorned chipped black nail polish from a few weeks prior. He was sitting on a wooden bench outside of the mess hall. It had only been two weeks of this place, and he was already damn sick of it.
He looked up from his nail, eyes lazily following someone as he walked past. Rodrick was one of those people that merely watched everyone else, spent more of his time staring at his shoes than at anyone’s face-
Oh.
That was a new face.
Interesting. Rodrick felt a smirk curl on his lips. Coming here for three and a half years now, Rodrick definitely knew everyone. He had no doubt that he had never seen this guy aside from right now, and what a shame at that.
He would remember such pretty eyes, the black lip ring that sat out so blatantly against his plump, rosy lips—that Rodrick is astounded nobody has forced him to take out yet—everything. He was downright perfect, even to the texture of his hair and the shape of his eyebrows.
Before he could think, Rodrick was on his feet and fell into step next to you. “Are you new?” He asked, the words tumbling out of his mouth more awkward than he initially imagined. Although, he didn’t give the interaction much thought. He helplessly tried to patch it up with a toothy grin.
And, from that day forward, Rodrick took it upon himself to single-handedly force his way into your life through every aspect. Breakfast? He sat with you. Afternoon activities? You were his partner. Everything. He even attempted to change bunks, but the counselors refused.
He wasn’t obsessed. Not at all. Just…intrigued. Nobody new had come to this place in decades. Not anyone this handsome or worth noting, at least. Days ticked by faster at your side, turning into almost a month.
Fourth of July
Rodrick loved the Fourth when he was a kid. Not so much anymore. It got annoying after a few years. All the people, the constant noise and fireworks for hours when he was just trying to sleep—it was aggravating, actually.
And, of course, he had to spend his Fourth of July at Bible Camp, where for some odd reason they are the most patriotic people Rodrick has ever met. It’s a headache.
Rodrick was sitting at the end of the dock, legs dangling over the edge and into the cold lake water. You were beside him, of course. You two simply sat out there for hours, watching the fireworks. It was quieter like this. Peaceful. One of the only times Rodrick has ever felt genuinely safe at this camp. He kept stealing glances at you out of the corner of his eye, making you smirk.