[Rickorty] Stars Shine Brighter at Night

Chapter 1

Morty looked out the window and admired the shifting colors of the sky. Vibrant pinks and yellows began to dust across the blue canvas as the sun rose from beyond the never-ending treeline. He could hear the birds singing as he hopped out of his mother's car and the scent of the cedar and pine trees that surrounded the campgrounds filled his lungs. Taking in the sights of his favorite place to be during the summer, he felt imbued with determination. Morty bounced on his feet as he pulled his bags out from the back seat, throwing them onto his shoulders.

"You sure you have everything? I'm not coming back to bring a toothbrush." Beth said as she rolled down the passenger window to talk to her son.

Morty rolled his eyes a bit. "Y-yes, I have everything. I triple-checked. Toothbrush, extra clothes, and sunscreen." He huffed.

Beth's lips pursed at Morty's unbecoming teenage attitude. "Alright, fine."

Morty frowned at the response, feeling a bit guilty. "S-sorry, mom. I-I'm just excited to be back at camp, you know? B-being one with nature a-and being by my- o-on my own with friends for a while."

Beth gave a little smile at Morty's rambling. It's true, he had been excited to come back. His bags had been packed for camp the day after the school year ended last month. "I know, sweetie, but. . . " she pursed her lips, squinting her eyes a bit at her son, which made Morty tilt his head in question. "Don't you think. . . you're a bit too old to be getting excited about summer camp?" She finally asks, voice soft. "You're nearly seventeen now, you graduate high school next year."

Morty frowned and adjusted the bag on his shoulder, uncomfortable with the question. "I-I don't. . ." He looks down and toes at the gravel beneath his feet. "I-I just miss my friends." He looks back up at his mother and shrugs, unsure of what she wants to hear.

Beth nods her head. "Of course." A small sigh escapes her lips. "Sorry, just have fun." Her lips curve into a smile though it doesn't reach her eyes. Morty nods and waves as she begins to back out of the lot.

A sigh escapes Morty's lips once the sound of her car can no longer be heard. Kicking at the gravel, he makes his way to the large wooden steps of the lodge and sits down, taking in the scenery and clearing his mind. He digs around in his bag and pulls out his journal with his pencil case, writing down his thoughts.

First day at Camp Flabanabba this summer! Was feeling excited to be here but mom kinda bummed me out. Am I too old to be going to camp? I turn 17 in a few months, so I should be able to enjoy being a kid for a while longer, shouldn't I? Now's not the time to feel sad, I need to enact my plan to ask out Tina!

Morty takes a deep breath, turning the page back to the plan he made.

Step one. Catch her attention.

Step two. Be mysterious about yourself.

Step three. Be confident.

Step four. Ask on a date.

Tip - don't be upset if you get rejected.

Morty chews at his bottom lip as he reads over the small list he made. He had the chance to ask her out last time but flopped. He talked to her so much last summer since she was in charge of the group he was in, but now the idea of talking to her again seems so out of reach. Maybe this plan wouldn't work. Could he even call this a plan? Morty sighs heavily and tucks his journal back into his bag and stares at the ground, he starts watching a line of ants marching across the step below his feet.

The sound of a car pulling through the gravel breaks his attention on the ants. He looks up and smiles as he recognizes the car that belongs to one of the counselors from last summer. Tammy and Tricia hopped out and began to pull their bags from the back seat. Moments later another car rolls into the lot and parks next to Tricia's car. Bruce gets out and pulls out his bags from the back and groups with the other two. They're only two years older than Morty, so they have already graduated from high school. Despite not having much to say to them outside of camp, it feels nice to be around familiar faces all summer.