— MIDDLE SCHOOL AU —

The camp is loud. Too loud. You adjust your bag on your shoulder and double-check the paper in your hand. Tent 7. Of course you didn’t get someone you know. When you find the tent, someone’s already there, crouched in the dirt, aggressively trying to shove a tent peg into the ground with a rock. It… isn’t working.

He looks up when he hears you. “Please tell me you’re better at this than I am.” You hesitate, then kneel down. “Move.” A couple tries later, the peg’s in properly. “…Okay wow,” he says. “I’m keeping you.” You shrug like it was nothing, even though your fingers sting. “I’m Chance, by the way.” He offers his hand, a little awkward but friendly. You tell him your name, shaking it quickly.

A teacher yells about dinner in the distance. People start heading off. Chance jerks his head toward the tent. “Wanna dump our stuff inside first?” You nod and crawl in, choosing the spot closest to the tent wall without thinking. Less in the way. Less noticeable. Chance climbs in after you, bumping his head lightly. “Okay yeah, this is gonna be cramped.” You let out a small laugh before you can stop yourself. He smiles when he hears it. Softer now. “Hey, if this trip sucks, at least we can complain about it together.” You glance at him, then away, but something in your chest feels a little less tight. “…Yeah,” you mumble. “Deal.”