Class Clown (The Thornback Society #4)

7. Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Ruby’s Truth: It really is all fun and games, even if someone gets hurt.

It’s official. Sleepaway camp drop-off afternoon looked a whole lot like elementary school drop-off mornings. Line of cars, exhausted looking parents who had to get up too early, some kids happily popping out of the car without looking back, other kids clinging to their parents’ legs like it was their last goodbye. While I’d known pretty much what to expect from the younger set, the teens were a curiosity to me.

How were they pretty? No one was awkward, no one had attempted a hairstyle and failed, not one of them was wearing clothing that wouldn’t look good posted online. There was zero embarrassment factor here. Where was the character-building acne? Where was the greasy hair that flopped lifelessly down their foreheads? Where were the braces? Good heavens, people, had the species changed so much since I’d graduated high school in the early 2000s?

“So, day one. What do you think?” Kristy asked, her long blonde ponytail swinging as she came to stand next to me, her camp uniform looking adorable on her.

“Not one of those kids are unfortunate looking,” I responded, tipping my head toward a group that had congregated nearby. Kristy followed my gesture and nodded. “It’s tragic. How will the next generation know how to cope with hardship if they’ve never had the opportunity to be humbled by their own adolescent hideousness? ”

Kristy laughed. She could laugh because she also had the glow of a person who’d enjoyed full access to dermatological care throughout her life. Her parents had probably emphasized clean eating and exercise as well. She’d probably never banged her shin against those sharp teeth on the bike pedals, and choked on the cigarette smoke in her neighbors’ coupe while riding unbuckled with all the windows up.

“This first group is so exciting,” Kristy chirped. “It makes it all official. I love it here.”

I nodded. “I think it’ll be a lot of fun. Any first impressions on who our medically disadvantaged campers will be this week?”

She scrunched up her nose and joined me in perusing the group. There were a couple kids scratching at their arms, or heads, and I saw one kid trip, but as a whole the group seemed pretty fit and ready for mountain life.

“No one jumps ,” Kristy answered.

I nodded. “Even better. I love a good surprise.”

A set of parents approached then, and Kristy and I were kept busy for the next half hour as we went over the medical needs of a couple of campers. It was pretty run-of-the-mill stuff. Asthma, melatonin for sleep, a few anti-anxiety meds – nothing I couldn’t handle and hadn’t seen before.

When my notes were complete and parents were reassured, we made our way to the big gathering area in front of the lodge where campers were lining up in age groups and saying goodbye to the last straggler parents. Cole held up a megaphone and called everyone’s attention. I chuckled and Kristy glanced my way.

“I will never be comfortable with my brother having a megaphone.” I playfully shuddered.

His cheery voice boomed through the open area in front of the Bearadise Lodge and gradually the conversations stopped. He welcomed the kids and promised the parents they’d be taken good care of. Then, as those parents meandered away to their cars, Cole called the counselors up front and introduced them one-by-one, followed by Kristy and I, the cooks, and maintenance crew. Lastly, he introduced Nico as the co-director and I had the immeasurable pleasure of watching the female teenagers’ too-cool masks be replaced with interest in the specimen in front of them.

Which reminded me.

I grabbed my phone from my back pocket and hurried to snap a picture of Nico as he did his best imitation of a smile of welcome. I thought he looked a little bit like a guy suffering from constipation, but hey, my friends would probably eat it up. I truly and exceptionally nailed the timing, as he was nearly directly facing me when I clicked the button. I checked the picture and was pleased with how it turned out. I smiled to myself, tucked my phone back in my pocket, and looked up front in time to see Nico scowl in my direction.

Busted.

I shrugged with a big grin and wiggled my eyebrows. He had been warned.

“Did you take a picture of Nico?” Kristy asked.

I glanced down at her and nodded. “I did. I was telling my friends about him and they wanted a picture.”

“Is he okay with you doing that?”

Sweet, sweet poppet. I smiled. “Oh, yeah, he knew I was going to.”

Her eyebrows pinched and she looked to where he’d shifted off to the side. “He seems kind of private.”

She was right, and it moved her up on my potential love match list to see that she’d be protective of him.

All the campers were instructed to put their things in their cabins and then meet back in the big meadow for opening games once introductions were completed. I watched as the kids moved in separate directions, loving the bubble of noise that filled the meadow as they chatted excitedly. The sky was bright and clear, and the meadow grasses seemed to absorb the sound of laughing and feet stomping along toward the small cabins. It was a picture-perfect scene as the camp filled with life. These kids were so lucky to be here.

“What are opening games?” I asked Kristy.

“We’ll divide into two groups. Older kids do a scavenger hunt. Younger kids play a couple little games. Then we all meet back at the lodge for dinner and a flag ceremony. Then campfire time before heading to cabins.”

I rubbed my hands together happily. “And do we get to participate in camp games?”

She smiled. “Yep. They usually put us with the younger kids because they need a little more help. It’s pretty fun. I’d advise changing your clothes first, though. It can be messy.” She paused for a second before looking me over. “Your clothes aren’t quite the right size.”

I laughed. “How true that is. ”

“Does Nico know?”

I pulled out the hem of the shirt I was wearing. “Yes. He had to let me borrow his shirt while we wait on a new set.”

“That’s his shirt?” Her eyes glazed over, as though I’d told her something so juicy and delightful that her brain had cracked and needed to reboot. “Does it smell like him?” She leaned my way and I stood still so she could sniff at my shoulder. After she had her fill of smelling me up, she stepped back. “It smells good. Freshly washed. Is that how he smells?”

Oh my gosh this was making my day. Truth moment, I had no idea how Nico smelled. At all. I made assumptions based on this shirt though, so I said, “Yep. Somehow the man found time to wash his uniform between last night and this morning. You have to admire a guy with that much dedication to cleanliness.”

She sighed. “You really do.”

I bit my lip to keep from laughing. “And how chivalrous, right? Giving me his shirt because mine wasn’t the right size.”

Her shoulders sagged and she tilted her head back to look at the sky. “Seriously dreamy.”

“He’s going to make some girl really happy one day,” I stated.

“Who’s going to make some girl really happy someday?” Cole asked over my shoulder.

I jumped and spun, and immediately growled. “Cole, do not sneak up on me.” Cole laughed, Nico looked down at my fisted hands, and Kristy coughed. We all know Kristy did not have a cough. Time to redirect. I straightened up. “Seems like a fun group of campers,” I said.

He grinned, well aware of my tactic, but thankfully dropped it. “I hope whomever you’re talking about is worth the praise. Are you two good to help with the younger group games?”

I saluted him, which made him laugh as I replied, “Yes, sir.”

He shook his head and walked away. Kristy gave me a jaunty little wave as she hustled toward her cabin to get changed, but Nico stayed put and waited for me to look his direction.

“You took my picture,” he muttered.

I nodded. “I warned you.” He shook his head and took a step to follow Cole, but paused when I hurried to add. “Your shirt, the one I’m wearing right now, smells good.”

He turned to meet my eye. “Thank you? ”

“A good smelling shirt is a sign of someone’s ability to be a good partner, which would make some woman happy someday. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.” I followed that with an overly done wink.

He took a deep breath, clearly understanding my reference to what Kristy and I had been talking about when he and Cole approached.

“Has anyone ever bothered to tell you that you’re troubled?” he asked.

I couldn’t help it, I laughed out loud and smiled big. One side of his mouth ticked up as he turned away and caught up to Cole in a few long strides.

I had always been a fan of kids’ games, and I loved them still. I had basically been the duck, duck, goose champ of my elementary school, and I was not about to let my trophy be taken by this group of eight to eleven-year-olds.

At Camp Windsong it was called deer, deer, bear, but the process was still the same. I sat in the grassy meadow in a large circle with kids on either side of me, smiling across at other counselors scattered throughout the circle. The ground was rocky and a little cold, but my jeans were up to the task. I’d put on good active shoes rather than my hiking boots, and was happy with my choice. I’d also braided my long hair down my back, having a feeling I’d want it out of my face. These were good things because there was no way these kids weren’t going to be choosing the counselors and leaders as the bear over, and over, and over. Kids loved nothing more than being chased by adults.

Sure enough, in the second round I was bonked on the head as a boy screamed “ bear ” and took off running. I scrambled to my feet, happy I’d done so gracefully, and took off around the large circle, chasing him with all my might. My laughter matched his as he squealed and did his best to beat me. At the last second, before he slid into my empty spot, I reached to tag his back, but he ducked just in time and fell in a pile to the ground, safe.

Everyone clapped and cheered for him, and I stood behind him, hands on my hips, laughing with the rest of them. I made my way around the circle, lighting tapping heads while saying ‘deer, deer, deer’ and eyeing them all to find my perfect bear. I was looking for the cocky pre-teen. The kid who’d never missed a shot or a touchdown, who probably walked with a saunter. I wanted that kid. I wanted him to remember that you’re never too cool to have a good time.

At last I spotted him, picking at his nails, too cool to be playing this baby game. I smirked to myself and when I reached him, I tapped his head and called “ bear ” before taking off running.

I’d caught him off guard, which was my plan, and the rest of the group screamed at him to get going. By the time he jumped to his feet with a look of pure competition on his face, I was already five kids down the line. He tucked his head down and put on the juice, shortening the distance between us. The look speared me on and I started laughing as I moved around the circle.

He was getting so close and I realized with some sadness that my legs were no match for his eleven-year-old energy. I had come into this with arrogance that was not deserved. I accepted defeat in the split second before his palm smacked flat against my back.

It wasn’t that he pushed too hard or anything, it was just that there was a sudden uneven patch, combined with his nudge, and my laughter making me sloppy, all of which caused my feet to stumble, and before I really knew what was happening, I was skidding along my stomach until I came to a stop.

Pro Tip: I find it helpful to really go full force if you’re going to make such an excellent first impression on people. Don’t bother trying to catch yourself. Instead, land flat on that curvy belly and ride the dirt as far as you can. Give them something to talk about.

A collective gasp sounded from the circle and the kid I’d been chasing was immediately kneeling next to me.

“I’m so sorry, nurse,” he said. “I didn’t think I pushed that hard.”

I shook my head, unintentionally letting my nose rub the dirt and grass below me. “You didn’t. I tripped.” I rolled over and offered him a smile and two thumbs up. “Dude, you’re fast. Nice job catching me.”

His smile was small, but relieved as I sat up. He jumped to his feet and as I went to follow a large, man-sized, very tan hand popped into my vision. I glanced up to see Nico standing there, his chest moving up and down as though he were out of breath. Confused by his sudden appearance, I took his hand and he yanked me to standing, using his free hand to wrap around my shoulder, steadying me as I careened toward him.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his concern obvious in his tone.

I frowned and nodded, looking down at my stomach and the epic green and brown skid mark I was sporting. “Yeah.”

“You fell hard,” he replied, still holding on to my hand and shoulder.

I blinked and wiggled my arm, wondering why it tingled under his grip. I didn’t think I’d fallen on it. He let go and took a step back, running his dark eyes over my body as I did the same to myself. I seemed to be in pretty good shape, all things considered. I mean, falling as an adult was no picnic, but no ambulance was on its way, so it was pretty successful.

“You have . . .” His words trailed off and he brushed gently at my cheek and nose, while I stared closely at his face, unable to process what was happening.

“Where did you come from?” I asked, as the deer, deer, bear game resumed behind him.

His hand dropped and he took another step back and licked his lips as he looked around the meadow. “I was headed over to check on the game and saw your fall. I jogged the last little bit to make sure you were alright.”

I gazed up at him, taking in the color on his cheeks and wondered what was going on in his head. He’d been so intense for a moment. Why?

“Thanks. We can make a place for you if you want to join in,” I offered.

He looked over his shoulder at the game and shook his head. “I’m just observing.”

I made a humming nose and moved to rejoin the game. “Be careful, Nico,” I said as I walked past him, “you start getting old once you stop having fun.”

Surprise, surprise, nobody tagged me the bear again for the rest of the game. There was no chance at redemption. I had been labeled a weak link, one to be protected, and the thought had me chomping at the bit.

Which might explain why when we moved on to doing the Hokey Pokey I went hard. No one in the history of that dance, song, whatever it is, had ever put their left foot in and their left foot out with such passion. Every part of my body that could hokey pokey, was going to hokey pokey. At one point I was doing some sort of chicken wing, spinning circle, bopping motion and the kids were eating it up. Before long most of the campers and counselors had joined in, laughing, singing along, and having a great time. When it was time to put our heads in, and our heads out, I whipped my long braid around like a helicopter and went to town on that move. I nearly passed out, but it was worth it to see the happiness on the faces of the others in the circle.

I immediately flopped down onto the wild grasses and stared up at the sky the second the song ended, breathing hard while the others collapsed too.

“That was the most fun hokey pokey ever,” I heard a kid say.

I could die happy. I’d totally redeemed myself.

We’d all been laying in the cool grasses for a few minutes when a whistle blew in the distance, telling us it was time to move on to the next scheduled activity. I sat up and waved at the young campers as they followed their assigned counselors.

Kristy moved closer to me and offered me a bright smile. “That was pretty intense. You going to do that every week?”

“Oh,” I replied, biting my lip. “I didn’t even think about this not being a one-time thing.”

She giggled. “You really showed them a good time.”

“I’m glad. Day one should be fun and set the tone, right?”

She nodded. “You’re right. You ready for some dinner?”

We stood and I patted my stomach. “I really am. But first I’m going to pop by my cabin to change and get this grass mark soaking in some stain remover. Save me a seat?”

She agreed and we parted ways.

When I arrived in the Funky Bunks cabin, I nearly collided with Nico who was coming hurriedly out the back door. He had changed into warmer clothes, probably for the chillier evening temps, and I moved out of his way to let him finish leaving the cabin, presumably on his way to Bearadise Lodge.

He dipped his chin and I caught a whiff of that laundry detergent of his as he slipped past and took the stairs quickly, his feet crunching as they hit the gravel path. I watched him for a few seconds, intrigued by the controlled manner of his movements. He was graceful and fluid, but ready somehow, as though he expected to spring into action at any given second. Most likely a habit learned on his military deployments.

For the first time ever, I found myself curious about him and his life. Where had he been deployed, what kinds of things had he gone through, what was his family life like? How had he become the robot who was best friends with my brother?

Questions raced through my mind as I made my way to my dresser to pull out a fresh outfit. I entered my sleeping area and found a glass of water along with two ibuprofen tablets sitting on top of my dresser. I looked at them for a second, wondering where they’d come from and why. The only possible answer was that Nico had left them there after seeing me fall. Maybe he’d even observed my spastic hokey pokey and knew before I did that I was going to be sore from that performance.

Regardless of how or why they were there, I gratefully took the pills and washed them down with the cool water. Then, I changed and hustled up to the dining room. I was famished after a big first day.

The air was turning chilly and I hugged my arms as I walked along. Movement to the side had me looking toward the forest, and I saw some porcupine quills sticking up over the grasses. As I walked along it appeared like the quills were following me in a parallel line. I briefly wondered if it was the same animal I’d seen from Cole’s office window during the shirt tearing yesterday, but shrugged it off with a smile. Life was full of coincidences.