----------------------------------------

<10/28/2011 - 23:04 | 77 Cloverleaf Trail, Dahlonega, GA, USA>

When darkness of the sky replaced the solid contrast we had over the blue hue earlier, we all attended what would be our final event for the night, a harmless campfire. There were a few chaperones helping us for this, but they were all totally chill about what we were doing. As a result, almost half the entire class were scattered around the woods, keeping close to the original large camp fire of burning timber, while going about their own business.

I initially sat close to the secondary fire with my own device in hand. The lesson was supposed to be about roasting marshmallows. So, the instructor gave everybody a clean thin stick for which to mount a marshmallow on from the bag. It taught us all how easy it was to cook food simply by holding it right above the flaming heat protected from spread by the stones surrounding it. As I sat in silence with a cooking marshmallow, ignoring the typical spooky stories the others were trying to tell, my mind wandered endlessly.

I got to show myself and Lumina some more amazing sights today. Earlier, the group had to attend a more educational session, but instead of using some old stuffy classroom, we got to sit in this outside area well-prepared to be blended in with nature.

[https://i.postimg.cc/QMKjQ0jD/Washega-3.jpg]

Then, around the sunset, we were all taken deeper into the woods, coming up on some woodcutting area. I wasn't entirely clear on the details, since I was fairly distracted the entire time, but I could never forget the serene nature of that zone.

[https://i.postimg.cc/KznFVjKs/Washega-1.jpg]

It was night time now, so the area was a bit harder to see. The instructor took us quite far into the woods for the campfire. In the meantime, that is – before night fell, Lumina had been passively telling me or demonstrating to me all that she promised to earlier. At first, it was just like a vocabulary game, where I to learn all the words between cunnilingus and vibrator toys. Lumina then got a little more detailed, touching on the more innocent scenes of guys picking up chicks in bars with verbal seduction, and less innocent examples of girls inviting people over in most specific orders. What I learned most were all the smaller yet most significant social cues involved in sexual attractions, as this was my weakest area of understanding, until today.

I was surprised by how much Lumina knew, considering she still hasn't fully understood the concept of embarrassment as it links to nudity. She also missed a small amount of specific fetishes that I knew about, like a foot fetish or an urination fetish. Such was beside the point however. I had to learn so much so fast, with the education assignments stacked on top of it all. To my mild surprise, because of Lumina's lesson mixing with the lessons of the instructors all day, I had a powerful memory of each lesson, whether it came from a chaperone or from Lumina.

Having all that time to also think in the background was enough for me to realize why she was doing this, and where I went wrong earlier. With everything considered, all I wanted to do now was put it all behind me, and enjoy the rest of this fieldtrip. There would be plenty to look forward to tomorrow, compared to today anyway. Lumina was finally quiet, allowing me to live in a relaxing, calming atmosphere. All of the talking she had to do wore her out rather fast, though I still had her linked with me during the roast.

I suddenly broke out of my calming trance once I realized my Marshmallow had long since ignited into embers and flames. Zero was trying to get my attention about it for at least seven seconds, before I finally came to the current moment, desperately blowing it out...

I didn't mean to burn up my one good Marshmallow like that. Zero was trying to study why I was so out of it, but I didn't let her read my mind tonight. There was too much on it anyway. "I wonder if they taste better after being on fire."

I already tasted one before, and it was quite good. But now, the white puffy cylinder of sugar had mostly crusted up with black bumpy burns, expanding the shape a lot. After waiting for the food to cool off, I gave it a try right in front of Zero, curious about how I'd find the flavor. I decided not to waste the food, even though it wasn't worth eating anymore. "Nope. It tastes like carbon." Only now was I certain what pure burnt carbon tasted like; it wasn't fun.

Holding back a chuckle, Zero nodded at my passive silliness. "You're not supposed to hold them in the fire."

I know that. But I'd rather you think I was trying to be cool, than to realize I messed it up by accident. So I'll say nothing.

"This is relaxing..." Lumina sounded like she might actually fall asleep for the first time in her life, but I knew the real reason was because she delivered so much knowledge in one single half-day.

Of course it was relaxing. Everything I do is always relaxing, more or less. It's how I live, Lumina. It's how I live. "Yeah, but they're missing some old guy with a guitar, or someone who can tell scary stories, that are actually scary anyway." I could imagine it now, some homeless looking fella with a banjo in his hands singing and strumming while we all mindlessly bob our heads in unison. I wanted the full campfire experience as seen on TV.

"Only you would imagine it that way Reed. But you're right. I would like to have the full campfire experience."

I couldn't speak for a few seconds, after realizing the easy mistake I let slip out. That was Zero replying to my expectation, not Lumina. Without realizing it, I just let my words slip out of my mouth, words that were meant for Lumina, not for Zero. Yet amazingly, it didn't feel awkward or weird this time, something I could only attribute to luck. It amazed me far more how much Zero thinks like I do.

"You spoke out loud and out of context again. I'm not helping you when you blow it one day."

"It's harder than it looks Lumina. I don't always like talking through my mind. It feels less intense than the real deal." I never understood the reason why, but one thing about telepathy that bothered me most was the slight reduction in volume or intensity of our telepathic voice, compared to the physical voice. Most would never notice, but my hearing is pretty sensitive, so I notice it all.

"But if you want, I can go and get Britney over here to tell you all the horror stories you'd ever want."

I wasn't expecting someone like Zero to offer hanging out with a girl like Britney. I had to deny the request immediately. "Nah, I was only venting. I'm not really a fan of scary stuff anyway. It never has any effect anyway, probably because what people think is scary actually isn't. I doubt Britney of all people would be able to tell a spooks tale."

"I wouldn't be so sure," Zero argued while grinning. "Chipping off a nail or getting a belly piercing too dated is the kind of story I know would make kids cry. And we're no match for the ghost of fashion."

Zero and I both started laughing together. I should have known sooner how well Zero knew and disliked Britney's behavior, and she knows how to show it with perfect sarcasm. The ghost of fashion, huh? I suppose being forced to hang out with someone that shallow for a few minutes could be scary enough in its own way.

"Hey Zero. Whatcha talking about?" One of Zero's friends, a woman of the same age I've never seen before sat down next to Zero, making herself comfortable. I was fairly surprised, not that Zero knew her, but by how naturally attractive her face was. I'm probably just being stupid and tired, plus it's kind of dark to make out some things outside, even by the secondary campfire.

"Ghosts n stuff." Sticking with that topic, Zero rested both her arms and hands arched behind her, leaning further around the log she was sitting on while they too relaxed. "What say you Reed? Do you believe in any of that ghost stuff?"

"No way," I denied laughably. "I could just as easily scare every believer by running around under a white sheet with holes cut in them."

"Sadly, it would probably work on the some of the people here."

"Reed huh? Hi. I'm Mikaela." She didn't bother trying to gesture for a handshake, but that was mostly because, like Zero and myself, Mikaela was trying not to move either.

Mikaela? Where do I remember that name from? "Nice to meet you." As I took my time to observe her face, committing it to memory, I shifted on my own log, lying back some more, so that I could better see and observe all of those incredible stars in the sky.

"So like, if you don't do ghosts and scary stuff, what do you like?"

Without even thinking about the fact that a girl I don't even know is talking to me randomly, I just let my strong emotions speak for me, automatically overriding everything else I was feeling before. "You see that? In the sky? All of those trillions of stars? That's what I'm into. I love the idea of outer space. I wish I could just build my own starship, and explore the rest of the universe."

"Me too..."

To my background amazement, Zero and Mikaela continued to enable this side of me, wondering themselves what it would be like. "I always wondered what crazy things people dream of when they stare at the universe."

"I don't have to dream." My words took Mikaela's attention in our curiosity, while my pupils focused strongly towards the depths of the infinite cosmos. "I know what's out there, beyond clusters and distant stars. Think of all the other alien civilizations we could one day meet. Think of all the amazing sights we've yet to see. The universe is infinite, and that means the possibilities are as well. When you've considered that, how could anyone's imagining be crazy or implausible?"

Zero chimed in on her turn, debating about the specifics of distant alien life. "You really think there will ever come a day where aliens make contact with us though? It would never happen in my life time."

"Don't be so sure," Lumina gestured, knowing they would not hear her.

Mikaela poised the next interesting aspect to the question. "What do you think space aliens would even look like? Ugly? Scary? Maybe goopy?"

"Beautiful." I didn't mean to make such a dreamy tone and face when I corrected them, and the response had Zero and Mikaela sitting slightly astern to study my reaction. "No matter what they might look like, no matter what differences they would have from us, intelligent life striving to survive the odds of space would be beautiful."

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"That's so sweet Reed."

"Hard to argue with that. I guess I would trust an alien too if he was hot and tall." Zero laughed at Mikaela's reply, while Mikaela laughed at herself.

"She watches too many teen romance dramas."

I had to remind her of the ironic truth. "Aren't you hot and tall yourself Lumina? Man, if only they knew about you..."

"Even in this moment, they would never believe a word you say if you tried."

I knew already; I didn't need Lumina to tell me that much... But it's still kind of lonely, not being able to talk to somebody about it. Outer space would be lonely too, if one were to traverse the infinity all without someone to love.

"It would be too lonely," Zero added.

Stop reading my mind!

"I mean, there's a whole lot of nothingness and dead galaxies out there. Thinking about it too much makes me realize how lonely it would be to live out there."

Lonely huh? I had to keep quiet long enough to ponder that phrase. Regardless of what Zero thinks, loneliness seems to be on everybody's mind, because it's one of the most painful sensations anyone could feel. I've had my share of it this year, during the summer... Is the purpose of life to simply not be lonely in the world, wherever we live? What if the reason for anything and everything we want to do is all for being with other people? Friends, family, lovers, even acquaintances, what would life be like without any of that?

If I tried to imagine such a horrific world, I would only imagine pure oblivion; entropic nothingness. Maybe all everybody wants is to find other people in the world to make life actually mean more. I've always wanted good friends, people I could talk to on a real level, people I could trust. I'm lucky to have a strong love with Lumina. What if all Zero and Mikaela want is friendship and soul mates of their own? I'd offer to be that amazing friend, to stick up for them and help them however they needed it, but I don't think they would ever let me, all because of judgmental mentality that would activate the moment I try to be myself in front of them. If that's not sad ironic fate, I don't know what is.

"Zero? Mikaela? Both of you. There may come a day when you realize enough about the world, that it shatters your entire reality, breaking away all you thought you knew. When that happens, what will you do?"

"What are you asking?" After two seconds, Zero and Mikaela both sit up from their comfortable positions, forcing me to mirror them, so that they knew I was serious.

I couldn't think of any other way to put it, so I didn't say anymore. Instead, Zero and I stared into each other's eyes again, trying to read each other's minds without the words we wanted to say. In order for them to understand what I'm asking, they would have to know everything to begin with, and I can't tell them that. I want one of them to know. I want one of them to listen to all I have to say without judgment, so that we could talk about the world and reality all day long, for as long as I wanted to. At the risk of imploding what faint connection of friendship phased between us, I said nothing, hinted to nothing. All I wanted to say remained locked deep down inside me, burying my only hope of not becoming lonely again.

"Maybe you're just tired, eh?"

"Don't worry about it." I could only hope they would figure it out on their own, without any of my own input. Zero is a smart girl, so I think she will wake up to the idea one day, to the truth that the world is much, much bigger than anybody thought it was before.

"I'm sorry Reed. I wish I could encourage you to tell them everything, but I know the statistics. They would never believe you without concrete evidence, which you can't provide. I feel horrible about this."

"Don't. It's not your fault Lumina. It's all circumstance. It's not as if you designed things to be this way. I'm okay, so don't get all bent out of shape." In the meantime, I'd rather change this depressing subject to a better one, preferably now since I need Zero to confer with. "Anyway, that dance thing is tomorrow evening."

Instantly, Zero sprung up, as if some burst of energy were beamed into her from afar. "Oh right! I brought all the supplies you will need, including the dress I'm letting you borrow, but only this once." She was instantly excited, the reminder that I would be cross-dressing enough to renew her spirits.

Mikaela on the other hand seemed so lost for a brief moment. "You mean, Reed is the one we're dressing up as a chick? I need to know these things sooner!" She started shaking Zero by the shoulders playfully, after putting two and two together. "You're a guy! Why do you want to dress up this year as a girl?!"

I tried my best not to laugh at Mikaela's hilarious reactions. "I guess cause I'm feeling the fever! Yow!"

"I forgot about all of this..." Lumina sounded mildly distraught, which I didn't register given the fascinating situation ahead of me.

"Hold on now Zero." I put my hand far out, aimed at her with anticipation. "Is the dress pink?" Pink dresses matter. If I'm going to dress as a chick, I might as well fem out all the way... I'll also accept sunny yellow.

"Hot pink."

Like a cringy schoolgirl, I started jumping up and down in excitement, diving into what I could only describe as pure girly sensation. "Alright! I want to try it on!" I noticed Mikaela still in a new state of shock, at the sight of seeing this in person before believing it.

"Not until then," Zero stated. "I'm going to have Mikaela paint your nails just prior to."

So that's where I heard her name before! Mikaela was set to paint my nails when the group split up their duties to collectively ensure I would be the hottest or funniest femboy here... I learned the term Femboy from Lumina's long lectures, so I guess I did learn something useful today.

"I never agreed to this!" Mikaela sounded like she might cry, but it was taking everything inside her not to erupt in laughter while questioning her own sanity.

Zero turned to her abruptly, enforcing their end of the deal. "You can't back out of it now. We're determined to make Reed the prettiest girl of the year, and you're helping."

"This is so weird!"

As funny as I found their interactions to be, I had to ask Zero one more important question. "One more thing. What kind of dance is this exactly? It isn't going to be like homecoming, is it?" I personally love dancing of all styles, except, when it comes to slow-dancing, or dancing with a partner, I'm stuck with the problem that Lumina and I can't physically interact with each other enough to make that work. But if the dances are wild and fast, she can at least try to mirror my movements... Who am I kidding? I can't dance worth to save my life. If I try, I'll be the cringiest, most embarrassed person there. Luckily, I'll have the dress to distract from that... Wait...

"Of course not! We all just go in there, and shake—"

"—it like your mama taught you!" Lumina tried to finish Zero's sentence for her, which was strange to me, since I simply heard them both say it at the same time in double.

"Wow. You're already picking up pop references now?" I was amazed to hear Lumina of all people knew what that meant. Her one disadvantage of the clairvoyance is that without it, she could no longer keep up with the trendy phrases and words people switched to using these days. As long as she doesn't pretend to be all cool while instead sounding like a sad forty year old virgin school teacher, we're good... Then again, it might be cute if I could get her to say 'Hip!' or 'Rad!'

"I have to keep up with the times. I won't have you imagine me as some cute, helpless little girl."

How did she know I was into cool, empowered Goth chicks?

"But I am impressed to see that Zero is talking to you so easily."

"Is it so surprising?"

"You both usually have very little to say to each other."

"No argument there." It was a bit unusual. Zero and I are too similar, which is why we both rarely talk to each other, even if one of us wants to. She's been more open or talkative to me ever since I agreed to dress up for Halloween. It's possible she's only interested in a good long laugh. Even so, I'm not about to disappoint.

"Anyway, I'm going to go steal some more marshmallows from Banarus before we're all called to head back to the cabins." Zero stretched a bit before heading off, to do exactly as she said.

I got a fair sense for how Banarus and her close friends interact with each other; it must be similar to how Lumina and her sisters play around foolishly as an odd way to pass the time. It was the one big aspect I wished for most when comparing the pros and cons of being a man versus a woman. Broken down further, it was all simple to the idea that I wanted to hang out with them and do the things they were doing most often, because I'd rather hang out with women than with heathens. I of course didn't mention any of that to Zero, because she would think I'm a bigger weirdo for saying it. And I didn't mention it to Lumina either, because I didn't want to have the subject on my mind any further. "Okay."

"I bet your new friends feel more comfortable around you than any of the other guys. Since you're the least manly person here, they won't compare you to the other walking bones of trash."

There wasn't anything wrong with what she said, not to me anyway. I am the least manly person I know, and that's something to be proud of, considering that the reversal trait designates one as a heathen. However, it was a stretch for Lumina to refer to Zero or Mikaela as my new friends. I could be friends with them, but I knew we're not there yet. "I'm perfectly fine with being girly, even if it becomes my total reputation. But I don't like people having pity for me. I don't want you thinking I'm weak because of it. You know what I would do if I had the right motivations?"

"Nobody is putting you down Reed. At least I'm sure I'm not. You don't think I've learned a thing or two by now, watching everything through your eyes and ears? Heck, when you're bored enough, I also hear a lot of the side-thoughts you don't mention."

She can hear those? "But I thought only the thoughts that I project make it through."

"They do. But since you've become so used to telepathy and segregating your thoughts, some of your lower level thoughts have been given more volume. The same happened to me actually. At least, I don't think humans were designed to constantly be aware of their background thought processes, but somehow, you have."

"Man, it's always something fun, isn't it?"

"Don't be a big baby. It's not as if you had to grow a third eye to speak to me."

Did she just pun me? "You know what a third eye means to some, right?"

"Certainly. I'm kind of glad you caught that. However, I think I should give you one final lesson. I'll make it specific to whatever memes you're supposed to know, minus any movie references, since I have none... I hope you can stay up late tonight."

"Are these memes from the 1950's?"

"Challenge the ways of a master one more time, and I'll have you doing far more embarrassing things than a cross-dressing dance."

"... I'll shut up."

"Good. As soon as they call you back to the cabins, onward march!"

I have to admire that energy when it comes from Lumina. I'm doing my best not to feel or appear tired, but Lumina never needs to sleep, no matter what she's done in the day. Plus, I don't know why, but when she threatened me with a horrible sounding dare, I think it made her hotter! No, I must just be out of it or something.

"I said march!"

"Yeah, yeah. Quit yelling. I'm not exactly thrilled to head back to that cabin. Have you seen what it's like at night? I already know how rowdy and stupid they're going to be. If I wanted that kind of action, I'd just go to the fucking zoo!"

From the way I put it, I had Lumina laughing fairly well for half a minute.

"I know, I can't do anything about it. Maybe I will get some sleep. After all, you and I did play word salad earlier."

"You'll thank me for it later." Lumina put her fists on her hips as if she were some super heroine.

"I will? All I did was learn a lot of strange, interchangeable words that aren't safe for children... Semen..." I used just one of them, almost laughing too hard from how I felt Lumina react.

"Please don't just say that stuff at random either."

"Haha! I guess if I really want to get on your nerves, I'll just do exactly that. Every time we're talking about something, I'll randomly throw in a buzz word... Cum."

"You can if you want, but I'll return that challenge tenfold. I'll make sure you flinch or laugh at the worst possible times, in front of everyone until the whole school thinks you're awkward!"

After a few seconds of silence between us, we both started laughing again. "Why do we have so much fun humiliating each other?"

"You should know. Maybe you have a humiliation fetish or something. Or do you simply enjoy it when I dominate you at everything?"

I actually curved my head to think about it, shaking my noggin to disrupt those thoughts before they went too far. I don't know what fetishes I actually have, but I do know I love Lumina more than anything. "Listen, can we call it a night and put a pin in this?" I yawned shortly after, shortcutting my explanation for why I needed to head back to that hell cabin anyway.

"Awh, is it past Reed's lil' old bed time? Want me to tuck you in?"

"Good night Lumina." I had Lumina laughing when I failed to come up with any witty reply, giving her the last laugh so that I'd have the chance to come down from my high and rest.

"Good night Reed. I love you!"

"I love you too!"