The first day of camping was weird but somehow fun. The teachers made the students work their asses off by letting them play games with each other until their bodies couldn’t move because of exhaustion.
Seth was surprised to learn that he enjoyed his interaction with his schoolmates. The competitive bone in his body activated during games. He and Gil made sure that their group would win every game against the others. Some of the students were complaining that Gil was too eager to win. Well, the truth actually, it was Seth who told Gil that he wanted to win. His boyfriend was so faithful; Gil was willing to make Seth’s desire to win every game to become a reality. The others once again felt terror toward Gil. But Seth made sure that it was all fun and games. No one should be afraid of Gil again. So, Seth’s group shared the prizes their received to the other groups. Gil was the one who approached the others to give them their share.
When it comes to dinner, the teachers told them to cook their own food. There was a huge makeshift kitchen near the camping area. It was a perfect place for each group to cook their food. However, there was a catch. Each group was given a small-sized plastic bag and was told by the teachers that they could get any ingredients that they want from the storage room, as along as the items could fit inside the plastic bag.
That condition made every one panic except for Seth and Gil.
“What should we do?” asked Paul. He looked confused and hungry.
Seth just smiled and he turned to Gil. “What do you want for dinner, hmm?”
Gil answered immediately. “I want curry, karaage, and stir-fried tofu. I am eating light tonight. Let me help you peel and cut the vegetables.”
“How about you, boys?” Seth asked his groupmates.
Paul and the others looked at Seth like he was talking crazy.
Seth couldn’t help but laugh. “Just say want you want, I’ll make it happen.”
Paul was the first one to speak out. “Ahm, I don’t want anything in particular. I’ll just have what you’re having.”
The rest nodded in agreement with Paul.
“Don’t regret your choices…” Gil told them.
Seth just shrugged his shoulders. He asked for Gil and his groupmates to come with him to the storage room.
Upon seeing the abundance of food items in front of them, Seth immediately worked his magic. Using the small-sized plastic bag provided by the teachers, he strategically put every ingredient he needed inside the bag. Some of the students from other groups who were watching Seth had the look of surprise and amusement written on their faces. He could hear their subconscious mind shouting: “How could he do that?”
Even Paul and the others were shouting and jumping in joy while watching Seth do his thing. Gil was the only person in that room besides Seth who looked calm.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
In his previous life, Seth had been working in a grocery store for years. He used to work his ass off packing items for the customers. He had learned how to place each items properly inside the bag to minimize space usage. Thus, the task given by the teachers was just a piece of cake for him. He didn’t tell Gil about his experience, but his boyfriend believed that he could do it anyway. To give Gil a reward, Seth found another tray of eggs and a milk carton among the items. He placed them inside the bag and thought of making dessert for his boyfriend. His last action garnered a lot of surprised gasps and a few “How could he fit everything inside that small bag?” reactions.
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An hour later, the smell of delicious food penetrated the nasal cavity of every individual in that kitchen. Some of the students didn’t even hide their desire to taste Set’s food. They flocked around Seth and begged him to let them taste what he cooked. The students were like hyenas waiting for their prey. Seth couldn’t help smiling. He set aside a portion for the students to taste. That gesture earned multitude of happy shrieks and applauses.
Of course, Gil was the first one to taste Seth’s cooking. His boyfriend looked happy and contented. Seth’s heart leapt in joy seeing Gil enjoyed his cooking. Their groupmates were very vocal in praising Seth. Looking at them munching his food without any care in the world brought a sense of pride to him.
After eating, Gil and the rest volunteered to wash the dishes. After everything was settled, Mr. Davy sought them out and told them that they were to gather around the campfire.
The students formed a huge circle around the campfire. One by one, the teachers gave their speech and congratulated the student for a successful first day of camping. Mr. Davy announced that they were supposed to sing some campfire song but the student who was assigned to play the guitar injured his right hand. The teacher asked from the group of students if there was anyone who knew how to play the guitar. Some students raised their hands but they got nervous and backed out. Mr. Davy scratched the back of his head in frustration.
“This is ridiculous.” Gil commented. “Campfire songs are overrated.”
Seth shook his head. “I want to experience singing campfire songs.” He was half-joking, half-serious. In his previous life, Seth had never experienced this kind of activity. He was genuinely curious.
Gil didn’t speak in return. However, he stood up and in a flash; he was in front of Mr. Davy and was telling the teacher something Seth couldn’t hear clearly.
Minutes later, Gil returned holding a guitar and a smirk on his face. “I asked Mr. Davy about the songs. Good thing I knew how to play all of them. Are you ready to sing?” he told Seth.
Seth’s eyes widened in disbelief. Then, a joyful laugh escaped his lips. His man really knew how to make his heart skip a beat. Oh, Gil!
Mr. Davy distributed copies of the songs. Gil sat a few steps away from Seth and started to play a few chords. Gil looked so handsome while tuning the guitar. Seth couldn’t take his eyes off him. He could feel his soul slipped out of his body when Gil gave him his loveliest smile. Shit.
Gil started to play. The students sang in gleeful voices. Seth didn’t even bother looking at the paper Mr. Davy gave. He didn’t even sing like what he intended to do earlier. He was just staring at Gil—his lovely, wondrous, and incredible boyfriend. Seth felt that he fell for him all over again.
After a few songs, most of the girls couldn’t hide their shrieks. Seth looked at their direction. The girls were looking intently at Gil. It was dark, but the fire illuminated the desire in their eyes while looking at Seth’s boyfriend.
Seth already knew about the girls who admired Gil. It didn’t bother him at all. He was even proud that his boyfriend was liked by many. However, that night, while looking at the girls dream-like stares toward Gil, for the first time Seth felt rage from the pit of his stomach. He wanted to scream at the girls and told them that Gil was his. Seth wanted to put Gil in his pocket and hide him forever so that no one, not even those girls, could look at him. Seth took a deep breath. What was happening with him? He was never that selfish about Gil before. Shit. He must be out of his mind. No, Gil was his. His and his alone…
The music abruptly stopped. Seth’s attention went back to Gil. He was surprised to see that Gil was looking at him intently. Seth could feel droplets of sweat formed on his forehead. He wiped them and gave Gil an awkward smile.
“I don’t want to play anymore.” Gil announced without any remorse. “My hands hurt.” He placed the guitar on the lap of the student sitting beside him.
Seth looked at Gil in confusion. He wanted to say something but Mr. Davy announced that they could either go back to their tents or stay. Seth saw Gil stood up, he did the same. He followed Gil.
“Why did you stop playing?” Seth asked Gil.
Gil’s steps halted and he turned around to look at Seth. A naughty smile was painted on his lips. “Because it looked like you were about to kill someone.”
Seth blushed. “W-what are you t-talking about?”
“I saw you looking at the girls’ direction and jealousy was seeping through your eyes. I don’t want you to be a murderer, sweetheart.”
Shit. Seth felt shameful of his behavior.
Gil hooked his arms on Set’s hips. “Wipe that look on your face, Seth. Your jealousy is a sweet drug that keeps me going.”
“I am not jealous!”
Gil laughed out loud. “I am happy to know that you love me that much.”
Seth’s expression softened. “Of course, I love you so much. Don’t ever doubt it, Mr. Gilbert Hugo…”
Gil planted a kiss on his forehead.
They went back to their tent. Paul and the others didn’t follow them.
“Do you want to be a musician?” Seth asked his boyfriend when they were inside the tent. They were lying on the groundsheet of the tent together. Seth remembered Gil’s story about how he could play different musical instruments.
“No. Not at all.” Gil answered immediately.
“Hmm, so your dream is to become a doctor?” Seth remembered Gil’s profession in his previous life.
“There was a time I thought of that.” Gil replied. “But I found something that I truly want to do.”
Seth curiosity was piqued. No matter how many times he asked Gil about his future plans for himself, his boyfriend was mummed. Now, it seemed like, Gil was ready to talk about it.
“Can you tell me what is this you truly want to do?”
Gil sat up and grabbed his bag. From there, he retrieved a few sets of notebook and gave them to Seth.
Seth’s hands were shaking when he opened one of the notebooks. His heart was beating rapidly. When he read the few pages of the notebook, he couldn’t help but cry. He knew it. He fucking knew it. Those best-selling novels Simon had supposedly written were all Gil’s. It was Gil who wrote those beautiful masterpieces. Seth could feel his heart ached in agony.
“Why are you crying, sweetheart?” Gil’s voice was full of concern.
Seth looked at his boyfriend’s eyes. “No matter what happens, just keep on writing, Gil. Don’t ever settle for anything less. You don’t have to be a doctor just because your uncle is one. Don’t put pressure on yourself. And most important of all, don’t let Simon see what you have written. These wonderful masterpieces are all yours. Keep writing them. You have to. Don’t let anybody say otherwise. You are phenomenal. You got this. You’re going to be a great author. Believe me. Please…”
Seth could see Gil’s eyes shone brightly. “Thank you, Seth. To tell you honestly, I was on the verge of quitting. I don’t want to write not knowing full well if I can make a living out of it. I just want to settle in becoming a doctor to survive. But because of you, because of your words, I now have the courage to continue. Thank you, sweetheart. I will keep on writing. This is what I love to do. Thank you. I love you.” Gil kissed him on the lips.
“Can I read them?” Seth sounded excited.
“Of course!” Gil was grinning from ear to ear.
Seth went back to reading Gil’s notebook. While he was engrossed with what he was reading, a piece of paper dropped from the notebook. Seth immediately picked it up. It was not really a piece of paper but a picture.
Seth felt his world crumbled down when he saw the woman in the picture. It was the same woman who haunted his dreams in his previous life. Why was her picture in Gil’s notebook?
In a shaking voice, Seth asked Gil: “Who is this woman?”
Gil, unaware of the turmoil inside him, replied: “She is my mother.”
Seth’s heart sank in despair.
*****
That was fun.
Gil is such a great boyfriend!
The same woman who haunted his dreams in his previous life? When did that even happen?
Nvm I got it 😅