Cool for the summer.

Somebody to you

I drive my car down the long dirt road, dense with trees before popping out to see the camp completely unchanged, apart from the tiny humans who are running around. Only a small handful, unlike the last time I pulled into this camp.

I park my van in the 'staff' parking lot before grabbing my suitcase and walking to the big shared cabin where the counsellors are to meet.

'Why are there already children running around?' I think to myself as one runs in front of me, apologising. I walk in greeted by a woman slightly older than me. "You must be Edward Munson, right?" She asks.

I nod. "Uh, Eddie actually. Um, am I late?" I say looking around. "Perfect, we love nicknames. And nope you're not late." She says ticking my name off her board before looking up at me.

I look at her confused. "Oh! You're our only new male counsellor. That's how I knew who you were." I nod.

"Ok, so everyone is waiting in there." She says pointing behind her. "I'll have one of the other counsellors show you around after our meeting." I nod once more before bringing my bag to the lounge.

I look around before taking a seat on an armchair away from everyone. There's a small group in another corner of the room, chatting away. I look out the window before a few more people arrive. We all hear a cough and turn to look at the lady from before.

"Ok camp counsellors, welcome! I see a lot of returning faces and some new ones too. Lovely to have you all here." She says scanning the room.

"Some ground rules. One, this is a camp for children. Anything considered, adult is strictly prohibited. This includes drugs, sex, alcohol and swearing. You may date amongst yourself but keep it strictly PG." She says quite loudly. We all nod in agreement.

"Next, you will be in charge of the children in your group. Any child under 10 must be accompanied by you when outside, doing activities. This means they have to be with you, in this room or in the mess hall with another counsellor. Not all groups will have such young children. New counsellors, you don't have to worry about that. You will have to spend some time in here with them, however." She says looking at me and a few others.

"Lastly, breakfast is at 7 am, lunch at 12 and dinner at 5. Lights out is 8 pm, we recommend being in your cabins by 7:30 at the latest. Make sure all children are present. You may do whatever you wish to wind down that is within the rules." She takes a deep breath and smiles, placing the clipboard down.

"Ok, please pick up a name tag, write your name and grab your schedule with your cabin number at the table. Newbies, please see me to assign a tour guide." She says moving out of the way of the table behind her.

I walk up and grab my name tag and schedule. I write a neat 'Eddie' across the name tag and walk up to the lady. "Oh, Eddie. Let's see I've got you with, ah, Steve." She says looking at another clipboard. I freeze at the name. 'Surely it's a different Steve.'

"Steve! Come here please." She calls across and the man jogs up to us. "Please show Eddie here to his cabin and around the camp." I turn to look at him, gasping slightly. He smiles when he sees me.

"Oh, I don't think he needs a tour. You see Eddie and I went to camp here together." He says smiling at her. She quirks an eyebrow and I nod slightly embarrassed. "Ok then, well you two are free to unpack until 12." She says smiling.

I turn and grab my suitcase, Steve jogging to grab his before returning to my side. "What are you doing here?" I lowly ask.

"Being a counsellor! Didn't think you'd return." He says smirking. "Ok, well good to know you're here. So I can avoid you." I say harshly. "Huh?" He pauses.