Conversion Camp

"Hold on—HOLD ON!" I threw my hands up like I was directing traffic, cutting the priest off mid-sermon first thing in the morning. We were in the center of camp, just a handful of us—three other pairs of "sinners" and their oh-so-perfect "straight saviors." "So what you’re saying," I said, voice dripping with disbelief, "is that you hired straight people to make us straight?!" "Yes," the priest replied flatly, like it was the most normal thing in the world. I glanced around, eyes darting between the other boys. Yep, all of us queers had been partnered with some “straight role model.” My jaw nearly hit the dirt. This was beyond twisted. The only reason I’m hearing this now? Damian was too damn lazy to explain anything last night. I wasted all my energy annoying him for answers and he just ignored me like I was background noise. "It’s easier to be converted if people like you have someone to look up to," the priest droned on. People like us? PEOPLE LIKE US?! Oh, I swear to Lady

I can't believe I didn't get that drama queen to agree to my plan. He's such a pain in the ass and always acts like everything is about him. I hate gays like that. Honestly, I hate gays overall. Being the oldest in the Cross family, I've always had to work and work and work. I have two other brothers I'm not close with, but I still send them money whenever they need it for college. I didn't go to college myself because I had to keep working. And this conversion camp? It's just a side hustle. They said I could get paid while tormenting these gays, which I'll definitely enjoy. You won't believe how much they pay me here just to "convert" one person. This conversion camp happens twice a year for five months each. I've done this for a year now and supposedly "converted" two gay people which, obviously, isn't true. They're going away out of town anyway, so nobody will know that they didn't actually turn straight. Anyone who doesn't "convert" spends another five months here with the next

Whoever sent me that stupid note, will get a piece of my wrath! They're lucky it's just a piece of it. That's me being kind and considerate. I should definitely make a villain plan just to catch them but I don't know where to start. Why am I surrounded by problems?! First, Damian wasn't talking to me. Now, it's this stupid note. For the past few days, Damian has been staying up late outside our cabin. I don't know what he's doing nor where he has been. Is it any of my concern? Not really. Do I miss him? Not at all. I just felt guilty about it. I didn't know I'll see him cry for that kind of reason. Anyway, enough about Damian. I have to find the culprit who made me look like an idiot that night. If he didn't send me that note, then I'm not scared for my life everyday thinking when will Damian kill me while sleeping. "You ready for that duo race?" Oh my fucking god. That voice scared the shit out of me. I was sitting on my bed when I turned to see Damian standing at

"Straight partner switch day!" the priest announced, eyes gleaming with excitement. I swear, I wanna poke those eyes out.Straight partner... switch day?I glanced at Damian standing quietly beside me, arms crossed like he already expected this to happen. He didn’t mention anything about this before. Oh, that’s right, we’re not friends. I did flip him off last time. Sorry, not sorry."Good luck with your new partner," Damian broke the silence between us with his annoying tone and smug face.I rolled my eyes at him."At least I’ll be paired with someone better!" I shot back, emphasizing the word better right in front of his face.Oh, that’s right! Anyone is better than you, Damian. I’d rather be paired up with literally anyone else in this hellish camp."Adrian," one of the nuns called out my name, drawing my attention. "You’re paired with Zack."In an instant, the grin on my face faded. I stood there frozen like a sexy mannequin on display in a fancy boutique."Objection!""No!"Both

"It's too hot!"I stared at Damian, restraining myself from strangling him while he complained about the soup I made for him. He should be grateful I’m doing this, this is so out of character."Then blow it!" I hissed, rolling my eyes in frustration."I think you should be the one—""Stay out of this, Sister Mary. Why are you still here anyway?" I immediately cut off Sister Mary’s nonsense sentence.When Damian and I both skipped the morning exercise, someone just had to get nosy. Guess who it was? Of course, Sister Mary. That’s why she’s here—watching me like a hawk to “protect” Damian from whatever harm she thinks I might cause him."I'm here to make sure both of you are okay," she said, smiling sweetly.I rolled my eyes at her, flashing a fake smile in return.Even if Damian said they weren’t having an affair, I still can’t trust her. Who in their right mind hugs someone in the middle of the night, in a dark forest, when you’re a nun? Crazy world we live in.I stopped overthinking