Chapter Text
It was just another day at Eden Academy.
Anya had been agonizing over what to do over the summer. She had a lot of plans with her family but she wanted to spend time with Becky. But as one would know Becky was special and so she had no idea what they could do together that she'd enjoy.
When she asked her parents, her Mama gave her a wonderful idea.
"Why don't you take her camping."
Of course! Camping!! Why didn't she think of that?
And so when the bell rang, determined, Anya turned to Becky. "Becky, want to go camping with me?"
Becky tilted her head to the side. "Camping? What's that?"
The shock that coursed through Anya was instant. How does she not know what camping is!? Sure Becky is a rich girl but surely she would have heard of it. "Wha-"
"I'm kidding." She giggled. "I've never gone camping before… I think."
The relief Anya felt was indescribable. "Then we should go! Don't worry I know everything there is to know. I go camping with my family every month." It wasn't a lie. The Forger family went camping every month as a tradition. Their way of spending quality family time together. They always go to dog-friendly camping sites so that way Bond can join too.
Becky thought for a bit. She felt unsure as she's always heard bad things about sleeping in a tent out in the woods. What if there are bugs everywhere or worse a bear!
"Bears are the least of your problems Becky." Anya accidentally said out loud.
"Huh?"
"...I mean that's what you're scared of right!?" Nice save there Anya.
Becky blinked and nodded. "Yeah but if you're there then I'm sure everything will be fine."
Anya's eyes shone with enthusiasm. She was fully prepared for Becky to say no but her agreeing despite having doubts made Anya happy. "Great! Let's go to my place and plan it out."
"Sounds like a plan."
The two girls shared a laugh as they gathered their things. Anya feeling very excited wanted to listen in on Becky's thoughts, just to make sure she was as excited that is but ended up overhearing someone else's.
I have to go, I have to ask.
Huh?
If I don't I won't be able to get close to Becky!!
Anya looked around to pinpoint the person.
It's Anya Forger! She's the least likely person to say no to my request.
Anya was confused. Why was George Glooman thinking about her and Becky? What did he want to ask? He was having issues with how to talk to her. Anya knew that feeling all too well. Before she could think any further George walked up to her. His nerves were written all over his face, he was flushed and playing around with the end of his shirt.
"Hello, George."
"Hello, Anya."
…
Silence.
"...Need anything?"
George straightened up and quickly nodded. "Y-Yes!"
…
More silence.
"...What is it?"
George's face became red. "Ah- Ah- Um- I overheard you were going camping- with Blackbell!" He said that last part a little too enthusiastically.
Anya patted his shoulder much to his surprise. She gave him a friendly smile. Anya understood, George wanted to come on the camping trip to get close to Becky because he developed a crush on her sometime last year. She gets it now. She understands her mission. "You want to come?"
George was stunned but quickly nodded eagerly. She said yes! The temptation to hug Anya Forger and worship the very ground she walks on was all too powerful. She was like an angel at that moment. Especially with that halo on her head- wait since when does she wear one? No matter, he wished he could show her his gratitude but he was terrified at what Damian might do to him if he caught wind of him hugging Anya.
Everyone and their mother knew he was totally in love with her.
Anya blushed and looked down at the ground shyly. "A-Anyway you're welcome on the trip! We're going to my house to plan it out so you can join in if you want!"
George grabbed her hand and shook it albeit roughly but it was fine since he was overjoyed. "Of course! I'll meet you at the front gate."
And like that he was off.
George could feel the world right at his fingertips. Anya Forger has given him the strength and courage to take this step to try to get close to Becky Blackbell and then ask her out!
Finally!
Finally!!
"Hey, Glooman."
Ah…
And just like that George was a dead man.
"Ahh… hey Desmond." Well shit, what did he do now? Why was he looking at him so angrily?? If looks could kill George would be dead on the spot. Sniped from a distance. Absolutely obliterated out of existence. A shiver ran down his spine, he gulped as Damian cornered him to a wall.
"What were you talking about with Forger?"
Oh shit, he was there!? George specifically walked up to Anya thinking he was in the clear!! He didn't see Damian or his group anywhere. They had gone out as soon as the bell rang. Shit! Shit! He should have checked their desks to see if they were empty. Had he known he'd come back he would have been quick with his conversation with Anya.
…
He's a dead man.
"She invited me to her camping trip." Well, he invited himself but if he admitted that he's sure Damian would beat him up. But would he? He doubts Damian would risk getting three tonitrus bolts-
Well, when it comes to Anya Forger he does the strangest things.
He understands though.
Damian's eyes went wide. "Why would Forger invite you to her camping trip!?" He began to shake George by the shoulders.
George was offended. Was he implying he's not good enough to have been invited? Ah who is he kidding, that is what he's implying. But he gets it, he does. He grabbed his hand to stop him from shaking him, he was starting to get a little dizzy. He looked him in the eyes and patted his shoulder. "I understand Damian."
…
"What!?"
George nodded and continued patting him. "Don't worry, no need to be jealous that she didn't invite you to her camping trip." Oh, he was definitely a dead man now.
Damian looked absolutely pissed off.
"Don't get so full of yourself Glooman!"
"Yeah! Who would want to go camping with a commoner like Forger!!"
Typical responses of his lackeys. George merely turned the other way and began walking to the front gate stunning the trio. Even though he might die he felt like he scored a mini victory. All for you Becky!
"HEY, WHERE ARE YOU GOING I'M NOT DONE TALKING TO YOU!"
This is the part where George books it down the hall to make it to safety.
"HE'S RUNNING!!"
They're following him!? Are they mad!?
He should have seen this coming. Using Anya against Damian was a quick way to piss him off and get blacklisted real quick. The last time a guy flaunted about going on a date with her, (which turned out to be false) he was never seen again.
…
Well, that's an exaggeration. More like he was humiliated beyond belief, utterly shamed, the laughing stock of the school that he never dared to show his face again. Which is an overreaction. George went through utter humiliation during first grade and yet he's still here.
Lonely.
But he's still here!
He was currently running and his legs might give out at any moment but he was almost there! He could see the front gate!! It's so close-!
Is that pink hair!?
ANYA FORGER MY SAVIOR!!!
Anya jumped a bit and turned around in time to see George who was running out of breath and running on sheer adrenaline being chased by a very pissed-off Damian and his two friends Emile and Ewen.
Help me, Anya!!
Oh!
As George ran towards her she quickly shielded him by having him stand behind her. Just as he suspected Damian immediately stopped in his tracks causing Emile and Ewen to bump into him sending all three falling to the floor. Becky burst into laughter.
"Idiots!" She pointed and laughed.
George almost fell to his knees the moment the adrenaline wore off.
Meanwhile Anya.
"Why are you chasing George?" With her hands on her hips, she looked at Damian with disappointment. "He never bothers you but you don't hesitate to bother him." She crossed her arms. She was angry.
George wanted to cry, this is the first time someone has ever defended him! "Anya you're so kind." He sniffed.
Anya smiled brightly. "Of course George, we're friends now!" Being friends with me will guarantee you being close to Becky!
Reminds her of her Papa's old mission.
At that moment Anya Forger looked like a goddess with beautiful angelic wings and a halo as angels sang in the background. George fell to his knees. "I'm at your service."
"Eh?"
"HEY!!"
Everyone turned to face Damian who suddenly felt self-conscious at the attention he was receiving. His face was red but nobody wanted to point it out, he'll deny it anyway.
"What do you want Desmond? We're waiting for Anya's dad to come pick us up." Becky looked annoyed. She didn't want anything interrupting Anya's enthusiasm for planning the camping trip. George was also going. She was hoping for it to be a girls-only thing but Anya promised to make it up to her by planning a sleepover. And if she liked camping they could plan another one where it's just them. That was enough to satisfy Becky.
"Yeah Desmond, leave us be!" George pointed at him as he was still standing behind Anya.
"SAY THAT AGAIN WITHOUT STANDING BEHIND FORGER!"
"AAAAAHHHHH ANYA HE'S SO MEAN!"
"Sy-on boy, knock it off!"
"Huh!? I'm not even doing anything!"
It was a sight to behold. George would be lying if he wasn't taking advantage of Damian Desmond's one weakness.
Anya Forger.
He loves her so much that he gets flustered just by being near her.
Anya stiffened as she felt her face heat up. "George shut up!!"
"WHAAA!? I didn't say anything!"
"HA TAKE THAT GLOOMAN!"
"SHUT UP DESMOND!"
Anya covered her face trying to forget what she just heard. Doesn't matter anyway he never says it out loud. She sighed and looked at the two boys who were glaring at each other. She knew why Damian was pissed. It was because she invited George and not him. But to be fair to her she didn't even plan on inviting him at first. It's for the sake of a mission she gave herself. Operation: Help Glooman get close to Becky.
Plus she doesn't know why he's so upset. Damian would have rejected her offer.
He always does.
Beep beep
"Oh! Mr. Loid!" Becky was the first one to run-up to the car. Although she's over that childish crush she had on Loid when she was six she still admired the man. "I call front!"
Anya giggled. "Okay! I'll be in the back with George." She opened the back door and got in. She held it open for George.
"That's my cue." George clutched his backpack and began walking towards the car. As Becky got in the front he thanked Anya for holding the door. Taking a step in he looked back at Damian with a smirk and mouthed, 'I'm better than you.'
Slam
Vroooom
All hell broke loose.
"THAT FUCKER!!"
"Damian-sama, don't use such foul language!"
"Yeah! You need to calm down and-"
"CALM DOWN!? HOW CAN I CALM DOWN WHEN GLOOMAN JUST DISRESPECTED ME LIKE THAT!"
Emile shrugged. "I mean… it's just a camping trip, there's nothing special about it."
Ewen ageed. "Yeah, especially since it's Forger hosting it."
…
…
…
"Oh." They said in unison.
"It's because it's Forger."
"I get it now."
Damian whipped around his face as red as a tomato. "Wh-What's that supposed to mean!?"
Emile and Ewen judged him silently. They knew he knew what they were talking about. It was getting difficult to continue helping Damian deny the obvious. That is his super, mega, huge crush on Anya Forger. Which started back in first grade. And has only gradually grown since. The fact that he was the reason an ex-classmate named Matthew got shunned to oblivion for lying about going on a date with Anya was something they'll never forget.
Damian Desmond is whipped.
Whipped beyond belief.
There's no hope for him.
"You can just ask her if you can go," Ewen suggested.
"WHA- I don't want to go on her stupid camping trip!" Damian began walking away, well more like stomping away, completely ignoring them.
Ewen and Emile shared a look.
He wants to go.
They're sure Damian will find a convenient excuse to invite himself.
Meanwhile, Anya was getting ready for the trip.
"So has everyone made their list?" Becky and George held up their list. Anya nodded along as she checked their supplies making sure they were ready. She clapped her hands and rubbed them together feeling excited. "Alright! We will meet at the campsite tomorrow! I'll bring all the supplies, you guys just bring the stuff you think you'll need. Remember to pack lightly."
Loid and Yor observed as their daughter enthusiastically put together a camping trip with her friends. A sense of pride swells in their chest seeing her bright smile.
"Mama… big sissy…trip!"
Yor shook her head as she picked up the three-year-old. "No honey, this is a trip for just Anya and her friends."
Loid chuckled. "We'll have one at the end of the month."
The baby boy pouted.
"Seems we're done here, see ya tomorrow Anya!" Becky waved goodbye and walked away with Martha.
George followed behind. "See you tomorrow Anya."
Anya waved back, went back inside, and closed the door. She sighed, feeling exhausted. The things she does for her friends.
"Anya come help set the dinner table."
"Coming!"
The next morning…
"You sure you can wait on your own?"
"Yes, Papa." Anya set down the last of the supplies they would need for the trip. She turned to her Papa. "They won't be long."
Loid was hesitant but he trusted Anya to take care of herself. "Alright, I'll pick you up when the trip ends."
"Of course."
With that, he was off.
Anya was alone to start setting up the site. She started by building her tent. It was quite easy with the instructions. Usually, her Papa is the one that builds it while she and her Mama fire up the grill. Usually, in those places there's a grill one can use but today Anya decided she'd camp in an actual forest. Which meant she needed to make a fire out of wood. That was easy.
At least she thinks anyway.
She brought a lighter just in case.
Setting up the tent took around an hour. Mainly because Anya kept misreading everything and at one point had the instructions book upside down but luckily she got it. She stepped back wiping the sweat off her forehead admiring her handy work. Her tent was a decent-sized one. It was red and it had a roof. It took a while to get that set up. Just as she was about to walk towards the forest to get some wood a car pulled up.
Well, limo more like.
"Anya I've arrived!"
"Becky!"
"Is this enough for the trip?"
Anya's eyes practically left their eye socket when Becky got out of her limousine with a bunch of bags in tow. "B-Becky that's… that's so much." She specifically told her to pack lightly. Was this Becky's definition of packing lightly!?
Well… Anya hopes nothing bad happens.
She waved her hand dismissively. "It's fine Anya, we need these things anyway." She opened a bag and pulled a spray. "I got loads of bug spray."
That is useful she'll give her that.
Becky looked around. "Where's Gloom?"
"Probably still on his way," Anya replied as she gathered some nearby twigs. She watched as Becky pulled out a huge tent that auto-built itself. She dropped the twigs that were in her hands as she looked at a literal mini castle.
"Cool right? It's the latest state in the art modern tent! It's got everything one would need." Becky showed off her tent.
Anya was wondering how normal this trip would be. It was immediately answered when Becky pulled out a literal beach chair and set it up in front of her castle and sat on it to relax.
Not so normal.
Luckily George pulled up at that very minute. He packed lightly like Anya had instructed and brought a regular tent. It was a bit bigger than Anya's but it was still a tent.
"Woah Blackbell, why did you bring a mini castle?"
"Right!?"
Becky scoffed. "This is my tent duh."
Anya and George sweatdropped. As expected of Becky Blackbell.
George helped Anya set up the fire by gathering some twigs. Anya uses her limited knowledge to start it.
She was failing.
She internally groaned as the sticks would just not produce fire no matter how hard she tried. She didn't want to give up and use the lighter. That wouldn't be a proper camping experience. With a sigh, she decided to take a break. George sensing her tiredness brought her a drink. "Thanks." Anya thanked him, she appreciated how helpful he's been. She loves Becky but all she's done is sit on her beach chair and sip on… is that a martini!?
"Becky, where the hell did you get a martini!?" Anya exclaimed. Becky pointed towards the mini bar fridge next to her. Anya thought she'd seen it all. "How!? How is that even on!?"
"Solar powered."
…
Being rich must be cool.
As Anya laid down the sound of a car rolling up caught her attention. She wondered if other people were camping around here too. That's fine, that way it won't be so alone out here. She sat up and grabbed her backpack when…
"HAAAH!?"
Anya startled, looked up to see Becky with a disgusted face. George was also behind her. When did he get there? She looked to where they were looking and her eyes immediately went wide.
WHAT WERE DAMIAN AND HIS FRIENDS DOING HERE!?
"Who the fuck invited you guys?" Becky yelled out feeling annoyed.
"Some language Blackbell."
"Shut it, Ewen."
"Nobody invited us, we happened to plan a camping trip and it just so happened to be today," Damian explained with ease.
Anya narrowed her eyes. "And it just so happened to be next to us?" She crossed her arms and stared at him. She could read his damn mind. He planned this because she didn't invite him. As if he wouldn't have rejected her!!!
Damian choked on his words a bit before answering. "We-Well it was a coincidence! Not a very fun coincidence but oh well sucks to be you." And off he was to stake claim on the other side of Anya's camping site.
She was annoyed, mad even.
"He's doing it on purpose," Becky said as she took a sip of her martini.
George agreed. "They're going to ruin our fun at this point."
Anya shook her head. "Not on my watch." No, you see Anya was determined to make this the best camping trip in the whole goddamn world. And Damian wasn't going to ruin that and her current mission. "Don't worry guys, I'll make sure everything goes well." She reassured her friends.
She won't let anything ruin her mission!
"Operation: help Glooman get close to Becky!"
"Operation: get Becky to notice me!"
"Operation: get Glooman away from Anya!!"
"IS ON!"