May 22.

  Mr. stantino, the math teacher, walked bad forth, giving orders to students here and there, while Professor Julie, oher hand, spoke to the students more calmly. Both had taken on the responsibility of leading the high school seniors from Notre Dame High School on a three-day camping trip. To his misfortune, Billy was forced to attend this school event for some reason. Even in his bad luck, his only friend, or from the basketball team, would be pying in the regional finals with the basketball team, a st-miroke of luck that qualified them for the regional finals.

  -Billy, my boy, you'll be te for school, - said Thomas Carson, who was very happy. His son had just been admitted to the business program at Stanford Uy, and he had an excellent national exam score. Acc to his grades, he could graduate with the css in June.

  -I've got everything ready in my backpack, - said Billy, holding a rge backpa his hand, which tained all the necessary ges of clothes.

  -Well, take some money, spend it wisely. There are some special stores he campsite; you buy whatever you like. If you need anything, just call me. That's why I got you the phone, - said Thomas.

  -Of course, Dad, I'll bring back souvenirs, - Billy replied pyfully. He even had about 80 in his pocket for any ued expenses. - By the way, it's 400, - he added.

  -Invite a girl or something, buy some souvenirs, or spend it on arcade games, - said Thomas.

  At forty-five years old, gray hairs had started to appear in his blond hair.

  -e on, I don't want to be te. The buses leave at 9 in the m, - said Thomas.

  -Just give me a sed, Dad. I o grab my wallet, - said Billy, running dowairs, making a ruckus on the wooden and tiled steps. Billy's room was the st one on the left, with a home movie theater bought two years ago, featuring a variety of films.

  The rooms were so minimalist that they gave off a sense of mase simplicity. Billy ehe room, wearing a green T-shirt and a bike hoodie, giving him a youthful appearahat he lost when wearing suits most of the time.

  -I'll be in the car, - Thomas called out as he left the house through the sedary door leading from the kit to the garage to warm up the car. It needed some time to warm up properly.

  He watched Billy leave with the backpack slung over his shoulder. He got into the car, pushing the backpato the back seat with force. The traffi this te m wasn't as bad as they initially expected, and the trip didn't st more thay minutes.

  They turned onto the streets, and after about twenty blocks, they could see Notre Dame School and the yellow school bus that would be used to take them to the annual camping trip for schools in the San Jose area. Out of the 49 senior students, six members of the basketball team were absent, and three others cimed medical incapacities. Forty students from Notre Dame High School would embark on the adventure in two buses.

  -Remember to listen to your teachers, and I hope you behave well and have fun, - Thomas said.

  -Of course, Dad. Remember to talk to Jim Lee. He promised to join the pany once he finished some pending work. But his editor, Terry, will be the first to arrive. Leave some ie to start w on. The new Samurai X series will start publishing this summer season, and if there's still time, you edit the ics for The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Power Rangers, - Billy replied.

  -I will, son. Don't worry; Anne has everything ready. We've set up a workspace for Jim Lee and his team, and your old maook advantage of the purchase of the building on 43rd Street to rent apartments to the three of them, - Thomas said.

  -The neartments certainly surprised me, - Billy said.

  -How much did you i, Dad, for the whole building? - Billy asked. He never expected the purchase of a building, let alohat it was su affordable price.

  -Well, 160,000 from your end, and 70,000 from my end, so 65% and 35%, - Thomas replied.

  -Say hi to Jim Lee's team for me, - Billy said.

  -Take care, son! - Thomas said.

  Exiting the car to head to the yellow school buses for a three-hour jouro their destination, Billy saw Mr. stah a clipboard, taking attendance as students boarded the buses.

  -Good m, Mr. Carson, -- stantine said as he checked off names. -- Young man, you board that bus over there, -- he poio a bus parked fag the street.

  Billy boarded the bus, which was empty, and he was curious as to why he was assigo this particur bus. He checked his wristwatch; it was 8:55 in the m. He pulled out a book on modern art and started reading while making circles with his hand, a habit he developed from doodling at the factory.

  -You're crazy! That damn teacher is a pervert! - a voice excimed.

  -Shut up, - said another voice that Billy reized—it was Selene. One of the most uable women he knew; one day she was flirtatious, the she was mean, and on another, she was quiet, with a mood as uable as the weather.

  -Mr. stantine is as old as my grandfather, - said another voice that Billy reized but found somehow annoying—Jessica.

  -What nonsehis is probably the stupidest thing that has happeoday, - said a voice that Billy couldn't identify.

  -Oh, of course. I bought them over the weekend. Do you like them? - Selene replied.

  -Red doesn't suit you, - Aliented.

  -Ha! Jealous, aren't you, my friend? - Seleed.

  -Jealous of your superior intelligence? - Alice replied sarcastically.

  -Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Don't worry, Austin is an idiot. Luckily, the basketball team kept him away from this activity. I swear, I wouldn't have e if that jerk was here, - Selene said.

  -I know, he's such a jerk... Look who's here, our favorite guy, - Jessica said.

  -What are you doing here? - Selene asked. - I thought you wouldn't show up. You usually keep to yourself, never participating in anything that resembles a . -

  -I just enjoy these activities. I hope you all do too, - Billy replied, returning to his book. The girls walked to the back seats to gossip from a distance.

  The bus filled up with different students, and it became increasingly difficult to trate on the words in the book. So, Billy focused og a bit here and there. He had been trying to expand the Sm Dunk ic, which had bee popur among people. But it needed some filling iain parts, from the training segments to the challenges faced by the sedary characters in the plot.

  -Wow, buddy, you draw well. I'm a Sm Dunk fan too, - a young man sittio him said.

  -Thanks, - Billy responded. - Who are you? -

  -Haha, it's obvious. How could Billy Carson pay attention to anything other than his world? - the guy chuckled. - I'm Brando, a substitute for the basketball team. I didn't go because I got kicked off the team for bad behavior. -

  -I'm sorry to hear that, - Billy said.

  -Don't be sorry. I earhat expulsion. I holy couldn't stand being on that dysfunal team. I prefer to practiy own. I'll try out for a sed-division team in the summer. So, there's no point iting being on a team like that, - Brando replied.

  -Which team are y out for? - Billy asked.

  -The South Larkers. The tryouts are in the summer, and I'm already enrolled at San Jose Uy. My dad allowed me to defer a semester if I made it to the sed-division team. The other option is to join the San Jose Uy team, but they're not very good, - Brando expined.

  -Yoing to college? - Billy asked, surprised.

  - That's right, eleigineering, and if I'm lucky, automotive engineering. My old man has an auto repair shop, so if you ever need any repairs, you e by, we won't turn you away. We're in the Yellow Pages under "Meics" around here, - Brando said.

  -I see. I'll e by someday, but for now, I don't think we need a meic, - Billy replied.

  -No worries, man, - Brando said. He was dark-skinned and had very white teeth. Although he seemed happy, his appearance left much to be desired—worn-out shoes, and sed-hand clothes. Billy knew he was one of those struggling souls in California.

  -Who's your favorite Sm Dunk character? - Billy asked.

  Brando smiled, showing all his teeth. - I like Sakuragi/Wilt. You know, it's funny how he got into the sport just to impress a girl, but he puts so much effort into it that it's iious. My old man built a court behind the shop. I've got all the volumes. What about you? Who do you like?" Brando said.

  -I like Hisashi/Benz. His redemption arc is how he follows his passions withret, and if he wants to apologize, he just does it. He's great, - Billy replied.

  -You like the deli! Bravo! I never expected you to like the deli. You know, I thought you'd go for Rukawa/Lu, - Brando said.

  -Not at all. He's not as cool as other characters. He's just your typical superstar, - Billy said.

  -Hahaha, - Brando ughed.

  He leaned a bit closer to Billy. - Hey, I know I shouldn't pry, but what's the deal with the school beauties? You know, I always see you talking to them at lunch, and there's even a rumoing around that you've dated each of them, - Brando said.

  -They say that? - Billy asked, a bit surprised. Rumors?

  -Yeah, you know, they say you've dated Selene, Cudia, and Alice, - Brando said.

  -I 't deny that I've go with Cudia, but not with any of the others, - Billy said.

  -I see. I won't press, buddy. You know, in the basketball team, there's Austin, and that guy couldn't stop talking about how much he hates you. And Alice talks about you a lot, or at least that's what Austin says, - Brando said.

  -I didn't know she talked about me that much, but there's nothiween her and me, -Billy said.

  -No worries, buddy. I'm just ying out the facts, - Brando said.

  The versation tinued until they parked halfway at a small shoppier with some toy stores.

  -Will you e with me to grab something to eat? - Billy asked.

  Brando looked like he wao say something but just nodded instead. In a small breakfast and lunch joint, Billy saw a menu for hamburgers.

  -I think I'll use the bathroom. Give me a sed, - Brando said.

  - I have the double cheeseburger with fries, - Billy ordered, leaning closer to a person pig up their onis. - Oh, and I'll take some onis, a bottle of water, and a ilkshake too. -

  -That'll be 19.72, - the cashier said robotically.

  Billy paid and waited for his order. The girls came in, ughing and giggling about something. Brando's words echoed in his head, “Alice talks about you a lot." He noticed Alice's jean shorts that showed off her long, white legs.

  -Oh, sweet Billy, what are you staring at me so ily for? - Selene said as she approached Billy's table. The ughter tinued behind her after her loud ent.

  -Sorry, I got lost in thought, Selene, - Billy said.

  -Hmph, see you ter, - Selene said, returning to her friends. Billy's cold response had always bothered her.

  Brando returned with a washed fad his usual friendly smile. In his hand, he held a peanut butter bagel. The aroma hit Billy's nose along with a thermos that appeared to tain hot chocote.

  -So, what are you eating? - Brando said with his mouth full.

  -Well, I ordered something light, - Billy said.

  The geic makeup of this body loves to eat. Living with stant hunger was something he'd gotteo over time.

  -Order number 713, - they announced loudly.

  -Ah, that's mine," Billy said, walking over to the pickup ter. The st filled his nostrils. "I promise I'll start sads week, - Billy thought.

  -Look, this one's for you. I didn't know you liked it, but it's a double cheeseburger with fries, just like what I got, - Billy said.

  Brando's raised eyebrows revealed his surprise at the gift, sometimes things just are the way they are. And individualism tends to be an unwritten rule among people.

  -Don't look at me like that. I don't like eating alone in front of someone, - Billy said.

  -Oh, okay, - Brando replied. For the first time in three hours of talking to Billy, he was quiet while eating his burger. His big eyes trasted with his long arms and even ls. Brando's height, as determined in medical records from st August, was 6'1". His hunger was voracious, and ihan 10 minutes, his burger was gone.

  -You have half of the onis if you want, -- Billy said, calmly eating his burger. He thought to himself, "You're doing me a favor; it's too much grease for me." He offered Brando the box of 8 onis.

  Brando took half as Billy had suggested, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

  -Thank you for the food. God bless you, Billy, - Brando said, making the sign of the cross that his mother had taught him, a practice she instilled ihree children.

  The shoppier also had a sports store and a pet store. The trip tinued without any further is until they reached the annual activity camp anized by private schools in the San Jose and Pasadena areas.

  Mr. stantine had his shirt soaked i. He came down with a rge megaphone and began giving orders to all the students.

  The camp exceeded his expectations. The s were rger than he had expected, and the freshly painted wood shone along their edges. The rooms were spacious, with at least five people or more in each. The first activity was a long hike of about three to four miles. They were divided into two groups. The first group would engage in arts and crafts activities i . A path through the forest led to a beautiful spring, home to some colorful aiful fish that swam throughout the small pond. Upon their arrival, a rustic-looking van brought some provisions: tuna sandwiches, bottled water, and a bag of chips. Pirees provided shade in some areas, and a gentle breeze added to the peaceful atmosphere.

  Billy began to draw the pce with great care in his sketchbook. He tried to artificially recreate the movement of nature in his drawings, capturing the viscosity of the water and the flow of air currents among the leaves and underbrush.

  -That's a nice drawing. Brando said you were good at it, but this is fantastic, -- Will --ented. Will was one of the members who shared a room with him. One had up to five spacious rooms, aodating 23 boys. -

  -Thank you, I was just trying to capture this sery forever, - Billy said, taking a bite of the tuna sandwich that was in a pstic bag o him.

  "Stel, look. Someone's got talent," Will said, calling over a petite girl with short hair. She was very small in stature; her entire body had small proportions. He had seen some of her works i room, and she had skills with a paintbrush.

  "Billy Carson, I saw your final art piece, it was amazing," Stel said.

  "I've also seen some of your work, and it's pretty impressive," Billy replied.

  Stel didn't say more, but she did stop to look at his painting carefully. Her thin eyebrows furrowed, and she almost creased her forehead, creating lines of , before moving to the other side of the spring. Will simply made an apologetic gesture and followed her. Billy, oher hand, stopped in various pces, greeting and exging words with the other people in almost random discussions with all the students on the excursion. Billy adjusted his things and tinued drawing for almost another hour, repeating the ndscape for a sed time with firmer strokes and more detailed fihis time, he felt more satisfied with the drawing. However, he decided to draw other things to pass the time. They were called back after an hour and a half.

  Billy returo his room to drop off his things as the evening's music activity began. To his surprise, it was a dance dedication. It had been a long time since he had modestly danced, but the activity turned out to be fun thanks to John, the camp's eainer, who had a knack for words.

  He sat dowo Alice, who, for some reason, seemed sad. The reason was her ex-boyfriend, Austin.

  -Is everything okay, Alice? - Billy asked, looking at the fire in the ter of the camp.

  Alily g him from the er of her eye, but he didn't turn to look at her. - I'm fine, just tired, - she said.

  -You old me about Cudia, -- Billy said, his green eyes watg Alice. Despite her reserved state, there were no obvious signs of distress. -- I don't want to know for now. I'll wait for her to tell me. I heard yoing to Berkeley. -

  -That's right. You're heading to Stanford, - Alice said.

  -Indeed, I'm going to Stanford. The business school awaits me, - Billy said.

  -I thought you were going to Los Angeles, - Alice said, her words carrying hidden meaning.

  -I'll go ter. The business course is two years; it's not much sidering the time I have, -- Billy replied.-You know, Cudia has wao call you for a while now, but she's been afraid to hear what you'll say, - Alice said.

  -I have no iion of losing my temper. If she wants to call, she call. I didn't realize you talked to her so much, - Billy replied.

  -Well, Jessica, Cudia, and I all went to the same school. She's always been a very funny person. e o's grab something to eat. I haveen since lunch, - Alice said, squeezing his shoulder.

  -No problem, - Billy said, hoping no one would misinterpret this. Brando's words from this m about him still lingered in his mind. The restaurant was the typical cafeteria with rge tables and a buffet served by a kit assistant.

  -You know, I hought school would end so quickly, -- Alice said, pig up her pasta with sad from the kit assistant. -- You didn't even go to the prom; it's your senior year. I'm just surprised. Selene wanted you to ask her to the dance. -

  -I was busy, - Billy said.

  -Again with that attitude, the mysterious guy. You know, people have feelings. Sometimes we want to be aowledged. We want to be liked, and when you ignore someone like that, it's hurtful, - Alice said.

  -When you do it, I've seen how you make fun of some guys, - Billy replied.

  Alice's mouth twisted into an unfortable expression. She wasn't used to anyone responding to her so directly.

  -They're not the same thing. I don't beat around the bush. Tell me, Alice, do I seem indecisive to you? - Billy said.

  Although he spoke softly in his voice, Alice felt the weight of his words, and she felt her tears welling up in her eyes.

  -You're such a jerk, - Alice said angrily.

  Billy could only follow her to the table she chose.

  -e on, Alice, my words aren't meant to hurt, - Billy said, sitting across from her.

  Alice was furious, and it showed in her eyes. The versation fell into an awkward silence as two unfortable people ate at the same table. Billy decided to finish eating without paying further attention to the angry Alice; he would apologize to her after he finished his meal.

  Alice got up to leave without finishing her meal. - Don't go, Alice, - Billy said.

  Alice paused but only to look at him and flip her hair with a practiced gesture. Billy mao grab her hand, and although the room wasn't full, there were about five people, so this was likely to spread like wildfire.

  -Finish your meal, then we talk more calmly, - Billy said.

  Alice did as he asked, but anger was still evident on her face. Billy could only smile; Alice's tantrum reminded him a lot of his grandmother, who, despite her anger, only puts on a sour face for the whole day. His grandfather is an expert at mending that face, but he prefers to let her cool down after a while.

  Alice finished her meal aed her cheek on her hand, looking away.

  -I'd like to travel to Los Angeles and start my ag career, but my family is pretty stri many ways. I respect them, and I know I'm not old enough to rebel against them yet. So for now, I'm just going with the flow. I know the day will e when my as 't be dictated by anyone, but for now, I'm just waiting for the right moments, - Billy said.

  Alice didn't respond.

  --That's why I be rude sometimes. I just foy things without paying attention to others. You should uaoo. After all, you're part of the cheerleading team. They say you're very petent, a captain to be feared. Sometimes I see you w hard in my extracurricur basketball csses, -- Billy said.

  --It's tough to have to follow others' words. I thought you were a bit more rebellious, and well, I do everything with the best of iions, which is why I'm going to Berkeley. We'll see how things go after that, -- Alice said.

  -Everything will be fine, Alice. Time puts things in their pce, -- Billy said.

  -Hahaha, you sound like an old man for sure, - Alice ughed.

  Billy blushed but could only join in Alice's ughter. -- Do you want to go to the mall tomorrow? -- Billy asked.

  -Let's go! But let me bring Selene and Abby, - Alice said.

  -You bring them, just don't cause any problems for me, - Billy replied.

  The school camp was just beginning, but Billy uood that he couldn't distance himself from the people around him. That would only be detrimental to him at first. He pyed basketball with Brando and got to know Selene and Alice better during the camp.

  ....