"Okay, everyone!" The teacher called everyone's attention again. "Kindly check the bulletin board for your room assignments."
Everyone shrieked in delight and ran towards the bulletin board beside the main cottage. Everyone but me, of course. I simply watched as they aggressively shoved each other, as if their names would disappear if they didn't find it in the next five seconds.
I hung back, taking my sweet time to get there, when someone pushed me across a protruding root. Thank goodness I found my balance, or I would have planted face first on the mud.
"Whoops!" The aggressor snickered.
I glared at them but didn't bother to say anything. I just hung back even further, nestled safely among the giant trunks. I waited until most students had left before approaching the board.
"Now, what's so important that they couldn't wait their turn?" My younger self muttered. "It's not like zombies are gonna chase and eat us if we don't get to our cabins as fast as we can."
"Well, weren't you a killjoy," Death commented.
"You would be, too, if you didn't have a single friend in middle school," I replied defensively.
My name was written inside the last cottage, which was boringly labeled 'V-Z.' All that chaos, and we were simply grouped alphabetically. If only I'd known, I'd have gone to the cabin directly.
"Fuck, I'm roommates with that Vermillion bitch."
A familiar voice clicked her tongue in annoyance just a few steps to the right of me. She must not have noticed me if she was saying that so loud. Or maybe she did, and she just wanted me to know exactly where we stand.
I know I've never been one of the popular folks, but I didn't think my reputation was so bad that the mere thought of sharing a room with me would warrant that kind of response. I glanced at the girl, only to reel back in shock.
"And who was she?" Death asked.
"Crash's girlfriend." I sighed.
Death gasped dramatically. I couldn't help but sigh even more.
"I know," I groaned. "Just my luck, right?"
"Hey!" Another girl called Crash's girlfriend's attention. "What are you doing? Let's go eat!" The girl paused upon seeing me. "Oh, hi, Vermillion."
The girlfriend, whose name I can't remember even if my life depended on it, jumped upon hearing her friend's words. She looked at her friend and replied, "I'll be there," before looking at me with a menacing glare.
"See you back at the cabin, Vermillion."
In the blink of an eye, they were both gone. Crash's girlfriend probably couldn't stand the mere thought of standing in the same space with me. After all, I did try to take her boyfriend away. I never had a chance with Crash, but of course, she hates me anyway.
"Oof!" Death rested a hand on his mouth. "Crash's girlfriend and her minions are sharing a room with you. What exciting catfight will I witness?"
I groaned, readying my heart for one of the most embarrassing—if not THE most embarrassing—events in my life.
"Ms. Vermillion," the teacher called for my attention. "What are you still doing here? Everyone's already at the dining area."
"Yes, sir," I responded. "I was just going.
"Alright." The teacher nodded. "Hope you enjoy the food! I heard the chefs here are amazing."
'Is this really a camping trip?' I tried my best not to make a face, but it just felt like we were being spoiled too much.
Not a second later, my stomach grumbled loudly. It sounded like a roaring beast that even my teacher heard it and laughed. I blushed but did my best to remain calm.
"You too, sir."
***
The scene changed to when I had just entered the assigned cottage. This was after the welcome feast, which Death purposely skipped since it wasn't important to this memory.
I removed my shoes (which were slightly dirty from the forest soil) before heading in. I then shoved all of my belongings in the assigned cabinet and headed straight onto the bed with the piece of paper labeled 'Vermillion' on it.
"Finally!" I hopped onto the mattress and straight under the covers. "Some peace and quiet!"
Camp Enigma was located some miles away from the city, so the students could be as loud as they wanted. And my classmates, well, they were very loud.
𝘐 never had a phase where I was overly energetic, maybe because Granma trained me to be very well-behaved or else get a beating.
"You got me in the first half, not gonna lie." Death said. "You sounded like a pick-me girl at first. Then I felt guilty for judging you."
I shook my head. "No offense taken."
It was already dark outside, and the insects surrounding the cabin started chirping like one big orchestra. The others were probably still roaming the forests, but as I had spent my social battery trying (and failing) to socialize, I decided to turn in early that night.
A part of me did feel like I was missing out. I imagined the others laughing and goofing around, telling stories and jokes—just having the time of their lives. Well, it's not like I wasn't having my own fun. It was peaceful on my own, and I was very thankful to have an hour all to myself before my roommates arrived.
But alas, that hour was over too soon. Before I knew it, I heard voices approaching the cabin, so I covered myself with a blanket and pretended to be asleep. They can't try to talk to me if they think that I'm sleeping.
The door opened with a long 'thud,' which made me jump slightly. I quickly remembered myself and just hoped my roommates didn't notice.
"Did you see her face?!" One of Crash's girlfriend's minions laughed. I didn't know it for sure at the time, but revisiting this memory, Death and I can see now that it was the ashy blonde one.
"Oh, so she was the one who said that?" I whispered in the In-Between. "She always had such an obnoxious laugh. Then again, Crash's girlfriend IS obnoxious, so it makes sense that even her minions are."
"That's a mouthful," Death commented. "Why don't we give them names? So you don't have to say 'Crash's girlfriend' and 'Crash's girlfriend's minions' every time."
"Okay." I nodded. "Let's try that again."
"I've always thought Bob had such an obnoxious laugh. Then again, Boggart IS obnoxious, so it makes sense that even her minions are."
Death choked on nothing, making the scene before us stop.
"Really?" He deadpanned once he gathered his bearings. "'Bob' and 'Boggart'? At least give them decent names!"
"Excuse me!" I placed my hand on my chest defensively. "Bob and Boggart are good names."
Death sighed, realizing it was a lost cause to keep this conversation going. He made a hand gesture, and the memory continued to play.