The Camp

The year 2021, early fall.

Everyone was busy with their studies and homework after getting into their universities of their choices. But not for Simon as he failed to get admitted into any of his top 10 picks. Which really took a toll on his mental health as he start having nightmares every nights worrying about his future.

8:00AM

As usuals, after a night of horror in his dream, Simon got up from his bed and check his phone for notifications. Then remember he changed his numbers and block off all his social media as he got tired of being pity upon by his fellow classmates from high school.

Going through his email, Simon noticed an invitation for Group camping up north.

'Reply to this email in 2 days if interested'?

"Guess even spammers are pitying on me" Simon mocked, but feeling that it doesn't hurt to reply he follow the instructions on the email and summits his application as he brush his teeth and ate his breakfast which he saved from a leftover dinner the day before.

'Ding'

Simon then hear a notification from his phone on the table "Oh? Come to the meet up at OutdoorLife center at 11AM?" And bring required funds to purchase gears?"

He quickly digged through his wallet and realized he only have enough money for his rent for the next month. And Reality came crashing at him faster than he thought. But after a few seconds of contemplating, he though why not? I can just buy the gears and live outdoor for the rest of the month. Not like I can afford rents later on anyways.

Simon quickly got on the latest bus that's taking him to the location of the meetup And after half an hour of riding, he got off and look at his watch. "10:25? I'm a little early"

But then it didn't hurt to be early so he walked in the building stated on the email.

"Welcome how can I help?" A receptionist asked him as he walked in which he reply "I'm looking for a group meetup for camping". Simon thought it might be weird saying that but to his surprise the lady smiles and start scanning his body with her eyes.

When Simon saw she's not saying anything for a few seconds, he cough and repeated himself. Only then did she reply "I'm sorry, I was lost in my thoughts. I know where you're going, let me take you there." Then she walked to room connected to the shop which lead to a waiting room.

"You can wait here, I'll be with you when the rest of the members are here" she tells him and went back to her desk without waiting for his reply.

Surprised by the sudden notice, Simon forgot to ask her questions and left staring at her retreating back. "She's going too?" He mumbled and found a chair to sit down.

"Ding"

"Ding"..

"Ding"…

One after another, strangers walked in the room and made themselves comfortable on the chairs. But not long after, the clock hit 11:00AM and the receptionist lady walks in and everyone stood up as if rehearsed. There's five guys and five girls in total.

"Okay everyone is here and I called for a meetup because we just got out last member today." She announced while looking at Simon, then proceed to walk to him and introduce herself. "My name is Isabella and I'm the group lead for this upcoming camp."

"And You must be Simon?" she asked.

"Yes, hi, my name is Simon Htoo"

Then everything went smoothly as everyone introduced themselves and got to know each other. Isabella explained how she found his email on his business card she found laying on the street. And knowing that there's less than 2 days before deadline for the trip, she tried her luck and sent him an invitation and didn't expect a reply so soon.

Not wanting to tell her that he threw his cards out because he got fired from his job, Simon quickly changed the topic and asked her necessary questions to prep for the camp.

In the group of 10, Simon is the youngest as everyone is around the age of 30s and 40s. At first he felt a little out of place but due to the excitement and lack of options. He agreed to proceed with the plan and bought all the necessities in the store. And As the store owner of the small shop, Isabella gives him discounts so he had some leftover cash which he purchase beef jerkies for emergency rations.

After 8 hours of rehearsal and going over safety rules and shopping, everyone went home to pack their clothes.

Simon don't really have much to pack as the only thing left behind after his parents death were some pictures and a stone which his grandma gives him many years ago. Both of his parents died in a car crash when he was on his 10th grade of high school And that's when everything start going wrong for him. At first his girlfriend broke up with him to study at another state and he start having bad lucks in everything he did. But those never broke his spirit until his university summations. He promised his parents that he would get into a good school but he was devastated to find out that the official mixed up his ACT paper with another person and ruled out cheating to cover up the incident.

"It's been 4 years after graduation and I'm finally moving out of this place. To be homeless that is.." laughing at himself.

"Well let's see what fate have for me." He turns off the lights and heads to bed.