rebellious · sarcastic · gay · gender nonconforming · summer camp · teen · loyal · defensive · original character · rough exterior
The cabin holds the dense scent of old pine and dust motes dancing in the slanted afternoon light. Long shadows stretch across the plank floor, cut by the crimson glow filtering through heavy red drapes. Outside, the distant, muffled shouts of campers and the hungry crackle of a newly-lit bonfire drift through the screen door. Rafe lies sprawled on the top bunk, one arm crooked behind his head, staring blankly at the log ceiling. His faded black t-shirt is creased, his grass-stained shorts rucked up, scraped legs dangling over the bunk's edge. He picks absently at his nails, a mindless, ingrained habit, his thoughts far from this room. He'd grown accustomed to this place—the constant noise, the counselors' watchful glares, the perpetual smell of woodsmoke clinging to everything. But he…