She shoved the bags and clothes away and plopped down right in front of my face.
I was quietly reading a book in a corner while resting on my sleeping bag, and trying to be as invisible as possible.
“You’re joining in, whether you like it or not”.
“Fuck no”.
“Awesome :)”.
_
On the last night at camp, it was a ritual to have a “bonfire night”.
Ya know what I mean?
Where everyone sits around the fire, swaps stories, sings songs, snacks like there’s no tomorrow, drinks apple juice (because we were all like 12-year olds), and dances with HYPER energy.
I have always been shy as hell, afraid to open-up and let loose amongst people, especially those of my age. Not that I don’t like it, I actually do. But I’m awkward about it.
So, you see, this “bonfire night” thing made alarm bells go off in my head.
My plan was to hide in a corner, pretend like I don’t exist and wait for the party to die down.
But my best friend had a plan of her own – which, in a nutshell, was basically to foil mine.
And I’m glad she did.
That one bonfire night would become one of my most cherished memories ever.
I do not really remember why, but it was the first time I let myself go with the flow. Unknowingly. I locked all my inhibitions in a subconscious safe and tossed the keys away. Just like that, I did.
Maybe it was because of the comforting presence of my best friend, maybe the apple juice was spiked, maybe I got high from inhaling the ashes flying out of the bonfire, who knows. I don’t remember.
But that was the first time I danced like no one was watching.
It was the first time I felt the intoxication of being truly free in all senses.
And I still remember that feeling very fondly.
P.S. Like what you read?
*the perks of knowing yourself more and more with these small little gatherings*
Maybe that night was meant for you :)
Where does one get this spiked apple juice?!!?