That One Summer

Chapter 12 (Edited)

Chapter 12

Kailah's POV

"Stretch those arms!"

"Hey, kid! Yes, you! Do you think that lipstick could save you if you slip and fall?! No? Then get stretching!"

"Reach your toes! I don't care even if you have to break some bones, REACH THOSE DAMN TOES!" Ms. Roddigen barked, sending stray spit to unlucky souls, her trusty whistle blowing our ears off.

Stretching like it was second nature to me, I sneaked glances at her possibly six foot something height and shuddered. I could be mistaken but she horrifyingly looks like a female wrestler I've seen when Jake and I watched matches at home.

For the sake of our lives, I certainly hope I'm wrong.

Just as that thought entered my mind, I heard a loud grunt beside me. Lifting my hands off my feet and stretching them up, I turned to my left and grimaced as I watch a little boy with ginger hair, face plant the ground. Gasps and snickers sounded in the air as the campers halted their stretching to point at the poor kid.

I frowned at them and started to approach the kid who was both red in embarrassment and brown from the ground his face just smacked into when a loud whistle made me stop in place. I looked ahead and saw Ms. Roddigen looking mad as heck.

"Did I tell you to stop?! Get back to stretching!" She looked at all of us pointedly, her hands clenched on her hips.

The campers immediately scrambled into place and resumed their stretching as well as the groans and whines that came along with it. Continuing on with my stride, I went to where the little boy was, still slumped on the ground. His head was bowed down and his shoulders were shaking that I felt my heart squeeze in my chest at the sight.

Hurrying, I was only one more step away when another loud whistle pierced the air. "Did you not understand me when I said to get stretching, kid?"

It took me a few seconds to realize that she was referring to me when I didn't hear a reply from someone. I turned again, only to see Ms. Roddigen glaring at me.

"Why aren't you doing as instructed? Go back to your place and get stretching, now!"

"I'm just going to help him up, ma-"

"Go back. Now." Warning bells rang in my head and three little boxes lined up, the first one getting ticked.

Ms. Roddigen was red in the face now as I was sporting a deep frown at her thoughtlessness. We probably had a few moments staring the other down when I decided to ignore her uncaring attitude and turned back to the kid who was still looking at the ground, which seemed to be wet with his tears.

I heard the gasps from the others and some stray badass comments but I didn't mind them as I crouched down beside the poor little boy, whose shoulders were still shaking from his silent tears.

"Hi, champ. Can you raise your head up and look at me?" I softly asked, lightly touching his back. His flinch made me flinch as well which was quickly followed by a small sob.

"Come on, I bet the ground isn't as interesting as my crossed eyes." When I saw the slight tug at the corner of his lips, I knew that I got him. I smiled, relieved, and pulled my tank top off, leaving me in my sports bra.

"Tell you what, I'll teach you how to high jump only if you show me your face." I offered, folding my top four times until it resembled a rectangle. "Those kids that laughed at you will be so jealous that they'll regret ever making you feel bad."

I waited with bated breath as I heard complete silence from the others which was odd but I didn't dwell much on it. I was almost convinced that he'd refuse until he slowly lifted his head up and looked at me, his face streaked with tears, even more prominent because of the dirt on his face.