Summer Camp (DDLB)

(15) New Clothes

I'm stuffed once we finish eating. I had finished almost everything, leaving only a quarter of the waffle but having completely devoured the fruit.

Needless to say I was absolutely parched by the time I had finished. Yet the only thing that stood in my way was the—beloved by everyone but me— OJ.

I stared at it with hatred, my throat and mouth shouting and begging me for relief. The syrup from the waffle has made it twice as worse. Curse the sticky, sweet amazing liquid. Wait, was it a liquid?

Either way I was suffering a terrible fate. As Asher talked with the others I had decided my course of action. I would, as sneaky as possible, drink up the water from Asher's adult—regular cup.

I lean forward as nonchalantly as possible, acting like I'm reaching for my own sippy—no, it's just thesippy— and grabbing Asher's cup at the last second. With the cool glass triumphantly in my hands I attempt to quickly bring it to my parched lips.

I'm seconds away from victory when a hand grabs the top of the cup, easily lifting it out of grip. An unwanted whine slips past my lips as the water is taken away from me.

"That's not your cup little bear, I thought we went over this last night." Asher says softly as he sets his cup out of reach and grabs the sippy cup, bringing it close for me to take.

"We did." I say with a nod, crossing my arms so I won't have to grab the cup.

"Do you want me to feed you?" He asks with confusion.

"No!" I shake my head, the thought of no water solidifies in my head.

"Why did you want my adult cup?" Asher sets down the sippy, looking down at me.

"It has water."

"You don't want orange juice?" The confusing tone in his voice begins to disappear but it makes me realize I never told him my dislike of orange juice.

"I don't like it."

"Oh, well that's my bad darling, I should have asked. Next time ask me if you can have a sip of my drink, okay baby?" Asher smiles warmly at me and I scrunch my nose at the nicknames.

"Can I have some water? Please?"

"Of course, good manners." The dark haired boy praises me, grabbing his cup and bringing it to my lips. I don't even complain about him holding it as I drink down the contents, some of the water dribbling down my chin.

"Better?" Asher pulls away the cup and I nod. He sets it back down and goes back to his conversation with Nick.

In the time we've been at the table Emmy has calmed down a lot, she even ate some of her food. She wasn't allowed to feed herself though. I wonder what that feels like, is it weird? It must be weird for her, she's not supposed to be in a high chair, she's a bigger girl. Asher said she's older than what the camp calls me.

"We've got to get going, someone has made a little mess while eating." Evelyn announces to the table with a laugh, picking up Olivia as she stands.

Olivia giggles, "It was you!" She points a finger at the woman carrying her.

"We need to go too if we're gonna make it to class on time," Asher says, "We'll see you there Evelyn."

"See y'all later!" She farewells, Olivia waving bye to everyone as they walk away.

Asher stands up, shifting my body to rest on his hip. "We'll see you all out at the lake." Everyone says bye as we walk away, Zach even waves at me which I reciprocate.

"Is Emmy in trouble?" I ask somewhat abruptly as we exit the mess hall, sneaking a last glance at the back of the high chair she is sitting in, it looks almost normal sized from this distance.