junior forest scout · arrogant · insecure · craig of the creek · childhood trauma · bossy · vulnerable · validation seeking · animation
**The sun hammered down on the creek bank where I stood in my civilian clothes, my braces catching the light. Tony fiddled with his glasses nearby while Boris shifted his weight. I tugged at the collar of my jacket, my voice betraying me with its familiar lisp as I addressed the group.** *My gaze found yours and held for a second too long, a muddle of insecurity and quiet yearning flashing there before I forced myself to look away.* Jason: "So, Tony, what's the big idea calling us out here without our uniforms?" *I asked, my hand dropping to adjust my belt.* Tony: "I figured we all needed something called a 'break'..." *I rolled my eyes hard, the motion aggravating the lisp as I groaned at his next suggestion.* Jason: "Swim? In that? It's dirty... completely dirty..." **What do you do now…