The Camp Arapahoe bus cruised at an impressive 35 miles per hour along a country road in Michigan, with Stevie Wonder’s new song, 'As,' blared on the radio.
The country store looked like a relic from another era, primarily serving as a pit stop for locals and campers alike. The parking lot was packed with buses of nearby camps, and kids spilled out from every direction, eager to fuel up on sugar.
Allan and Demarco approached a soda machine outside the store as the rest of the group went inside. Allan dropped some change into the machine, listening to the coins rattled downward. He pulled the long wooden and metal handle, releasing a tall glass soda bottle.
Allan tilted his head back and took a swig as if he were the star of a soda commercial, but this didn’t work out as the carbonation was too explosive. Lowering his head as the soda exploded before him, Allan caught sight of a different scene: Bobby and his basketball team, still dressed in their home school jerseys, approaching.
“Look guys, it’s Meadowlark. What loser camp are you off to?”
Mayhem and Smitty stepped out of the store and stood with Demarco, observing Allan’s conversation behind him.
“Camp Arapahoe,” Allan responded.
“Camp Arapahoe? No way. That camp’s for…”
Demarco, Mayhem, and Smitty stepped close behind Allan.
Mayhem interrupted, “The camp is for who?”
Bobby hesitated, “The camp is for… other campers… Hey, I remember you. We killed you last summer at Capture the flag. We kill you every summer.”
“Not this time,” Mayhem addressed, “We’re going to kick your ass.”
“Camp Arapahoe hasn’t won in one hundred years.”
“This year! Carpe Diem!”
“What,” Bobby asked.
“It means ‘seize the day’, dumb ass,” Mayhem insisted.
“Not with this guy, you won’t,” Bobby said, gesturing to Allan, “He’s the last kid picked before the fat kid.”
DeMarco stepped in, “Who you callin’…”
Mayhem grabbed Allan’s soda bottle and shook it. The soda sprayed all over Bobby and the team, as well as Yvette and Stephanie, as they passed.
“Hey,” Bobby yelled.
“Mayhem,” Yvette also yelled.
Everyone around couldn’t help but laugh.
The Superfly Bus driver honked, signaling the campers to gather. The boys looked up and dashed toward the bus.
Black smoke exhumed.