Summer Camp (DDLB)

(17) Secrets and Stories Oh My

Olivia runs up to us, Evelyn trailing behind her. The energetic girl jumps up on the couch, awkwardly climbing up when she doesn't jump up high enough.

Olivia's green dress lifts up, showing off her purple-y diaper. In a few seconds she is sitting close next to me, her warm flush skin against my own. I don't like it. No offense to Olivia, she's wonderful but I didn't give her mental permission to touch me.

I shift away from Olivia, getting more on Asher's lap than I was wanting previously. Evelyn seems to sense my slight discomfort as she sits down. "Personal space, Liv." She quietly reminds her...little? Is that what I'm supposed to call people? Either way Olivia listens and mutters a soft apology.

"So Olivia, do you like to swim?" Asher asks, keeping the interaction moving.

"Yes! It's my favorite. I like the water. I'm a good swimmer." She says proudly. I wish I could say that, I'm not much of a strong swimmer but I could get by I suppose.

"Wow, I bet you are. You're going to have to show me all your tricks later." Asher smiles brightly at Olivia but their conversation is cut short by a girl.

"Welcome!" The girl stands in the center of the building, everyone sitting around turns their heads to look at her. "I am so happy you all decided to join us here this morning!" Her voice is chippy and happy, almost a forced kind of happy.

"My name is Naomi, and I can't wait to get to know each and every one of you better. This is an introductory class, where you will get to know more about cgl and your partner! This is one of the many classes we offer and is by far one of our most popular ones. This is the Sunrise Play Room, one of the multiple play rooms on the property, where toys of all sorts are for you and your littles to come and play!" Naomi pauses and lets her words sit in the air before she continues. "For the first half of the session you will stay with you littles but for the second half we will have all of the caregivers separate from the littles so you can all get to know one another, and the littles will get to have a little freedom to play together." She pauses again and the room is dead silent as we wait.

"Okay, well let's get started! If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask. For now you are going to find a place to sit with your partner, and I will pass around a list of guiding questions for you to ask one another to get to know each other better. After fifteen minutes we will move on, feel free to take the papers with you after the class!"

Naomi walks around and gives every caregiver a paper, brushing past the littles. I think I am getting used to the technical words for this. And it's not hard for Naomi to tell with is little to not, in every partnership there is one person dressed in brighter colors, or they have a protective garment that is not covered by pants.

When Naomi gets to us she hands Asher the paper, and then hands one to Evelyn. Asher shows me the paper, a long list of tiny words and question marks. I nod my head but don't actually read any of the questions, assuming Asher would take charge and ask the questions.

"Did you wanna move for some more privacy?" He whispers to me, and I nod. While I liked Olivia and Evelyn, I didn't want them knowing a lot of personal things about me when I just met them.

Asher stands up, moving me so I am straddling his hip. He doesn't give an explanation to why we leave, so I guess the girls understand. Asher walks us over to some high tables, only one other couple in the area. He sets me down in one of the tall chairs first. My feet dangle high above the ground, and they don't even reach the little bar a little less than halfway ups the chair's legs. It makes me feel tiny.

Asher sits in the seat next to me, situating it so he is slightly facing me. "Do you want to start?" He gives me the floor, but I'm not sure I want it.

"I-I don't know what to ask." I admit, a small blush on my cheeks.