Retreat (ddlb)

4

Thankfully, all of the leaders were very gentle in waking us up, so I wasn't very groggy and I was thankful that we could at least sleep until 10:00 and not have to wake up too early. After everyone was up, the leaders all went and stood in the bathroom, ready to assist us, except that this time Ms. Sammy announced to all of us that we would be required to take either a morning shower or bath. I was confused as to where the showers were until I realized that there was a doorway in the right corner of the back wall, which held the toilets, and through the doorway a more narrow room was revealed, with one wall being completely full of showers, each with white tile and an overhead light with a clear glass door. I was tempted to say something about the lack of privacy, before I realized that the opposite wall was lined with several chairs and a few of the male leaders went and sat in the chairs, clearly set on watching us for 'safety reasons'. 

"Okay, I know it may be a bit of an adjustment, but it is just part of the rules, which again will be explained further later this morning. Please don't be afraid to ask for help from one of the leaders." Ms. Sammy gave us the brief announcement as she showed us the shower room before turning around to leave, which I was thankful for as I walked up and took one of the towels off of a pile in the corner and opened one of the showers. I didn't really mind changing in front of anyone else, since I was fairly used to being comfortable with large groups of friends while on some kind of high or going skinny dipping in my town lake or other various regular activities that my parents should probably never find out about. But, just to be safe, I stepped into the shower before taking off of my clothes and tossing them on the floor next to my change of clothes. After about ten minutes, I had washed my hair and body and was out of the bathroom within another five minutes. 

When I exited the bathroom after brushing my teeth, I picked out a black zip-up hoodie to go over my navy green tank-top and baggy white-washed jeans and black converse. I sat and waited, making my bed and putting away my pajamas since I was bored and had my phone taken away at baggage claim. I was also trying to distract myself from the fact that I was actually quite worried about whatever we were going to be doing today, seeing as thought I still refused to cooperate with whatever little activities they expected me to do. 

After about 20 more minutes, whatever small talk was going through the room was silenced by the familiar shrill sound of a leader's whistle. "Okay everybody! I hope you're all as excited as I am to get this day started! So, first, we are going to head back down to the cafeteria and about halfway through lunch we are all going to listen to one of the leaders explain the rules and expectations as well as punishments. But first: everyone please come up and take a wrist band! you will be expected to wear these at all times, and if you choose to enter a partnership, you will get new bands!" Everyone stood as she held out a clear bin full of light blue rubber wrist bands, each of them marked with the Center's name and logo. She stood patiently, making sure that everyone was wearing a wrist band before continuing. "Anyway, go ahead and leave everything here, except of course any stuffed animals you would like to have with you, and then follow me back to the cafeteria." I suddenly felt embarrassed again, remembering my duck in my dresser as I stood and followed her, noticing a few boys carrying stuffies with them silently. 

Once we reached the cafeteria, Ms. Sammy told us all to sit in the blue row of tables, on the left side of the walkway in the middle of the room after picking out our food. I turned to walk to the right side of the room to get some food, but was stopped by one of the leaders. "Oh, sorry, but your buffet is over there." I looked to see a woman with frizzy brown hair and round glasses standing in front of me, blocking my path to the right buffet, pointing her finger behind me. I stopped and looked at her, and without showing any sense of agitation, I decided to try and talk my way past. "Actually, there's not really anything over there that I wanted to eat, so..." I gave her a small nod and tried to walk past her, but was stopped again by the same woman. "Again, sorry, but all subs are asked to eat from the other buffet, over there." She gave me a polite and impatient smile, making it clear I was going to have to suck it up and find something to eat on the left side of the room. "Right. Thanks so much." I gave her a sarcastic smile and retreated back over to the sub's buffet to wait in line.