Summer Camp (DDLB)

(14) Brekkie 🧇

Asher gets my hair under control quite quickly, much faster than I ever could and soon we are out of the door. To my surprise once he's done he takes my paci and ties a string on it, placing the sting over by head like a necklace. "I'll get you a proper paci clip soon little bear." I just blush madly and nod. I don't think I'll be able to use it outside of the cabin just yet.

When we step outside it's a little warm, the mildest of what's to come. Yet a breeze in the air mixed with the shade from all the trees, keeps my skin cool.

I hold onto Asher's hand as we walk, a slight waddle to my gait. A blush is on my cheeks as we walk on the dirt road, it feels as if everyone is looking at me. Asher walks confidently though and slowly enough for me to keep up with him.

I know he says that wearing diapers is normal here but I can't help but feel embarrassed. I'm almost sixteen, I shouldn't be wearing diapers. Other people my age don't have to wear them.

We take the same route we did last night to get to the mess hall. All kinds of people are milling about, going in and out of the mess hall. I even notice wooden picnic tables set out, people sitting at them eating their breakfast. Were those there last night? Everything was such a blur it's hard to remember.

We walk over to the same table we were using last night, the only people here are Emmy, Olivia and Evelyn. Emmy sits by herself, coloring a piece of paper with fierce concentration. The girl is wearing a large t-shirt with what looks like some kind of band name on the front. Her long hair is pulled back into a ponytail, held by a white bow.

"Good morning guys!" Asher greets to the table and they all say it back, I stick to just a wave.

Olivia and Evelyn sit adjacent to Emmy, their backs to us but they look over their shoulders to say good morning. Olivia sits in the almost red heads lap, the same as last night, a bright smile on her lips. Today her hair is tied back into a pretty braid. I wonder if Evelyn did it for her like Asher did mine.

Asher bends down to whisper in my ear, "Go sit with Emmy, I bet she would love someone to talk to." I look up at him with a mixture of apprehension and unease. What if she didn't like me? "I'll be right back, I just have to get our breakfast. You'll be okay darling."

I do as Asher says and walk around the table, sitting stiffly at Emmy's side. I watch Asher walk away, his strong build being hugged by his tight black shirt. It brings back the image of what I woke up to this morning.

"W-what are you drawing?" I ask in a hushed whisper. I don't think I could speak any louder even if I tried.

"It's the Bubble Guppies, they're my favorite. I like the little fish the most. Have you seen it before?" Emma talks without looking away from her work. The name of the show rings a bell in the back of my mind but it has to have been years since I've watched it.

"Is that the one with the mermaid kids and the big fish?"

"Yeah!" Emmy gets excited, she seems more comfortable than she did yesterday. I don't know what it is but she just seems a little happier. Her smile is infectious as I watch her color her page, the colors staying neatly inside the lines for the most part.

"Hi John." Olivia waves at me after a bite of her breakfast. What's strange to me is there is only one plate in front of the two girls, it's a plastic round purple one filled with fruits, half a waffle, bacon and syrup. There is a sippy cup and a large cup which looks like it has a smoothy of sorts in it.

"Hi." I wave back and Olivia giggles. Did I say something funny?

My confusion is pushed away as Asher appears next to me, setting down two plates of food. I hadn't even heard him walk up. Nick also appears, sitting on the other side of Emmy, holding two plates in his hands.