Camp Bluelake

Chapter 5

I awoke with puffy eyes and messy hair. I was on the bottom bunk and Jesse wasn't here. Thank god, I thought, wiping the imaginary sweat from my forehead. I could hear the shower running and thought it best to leave now and avoid confrontation because last night was something I'd rather we both forget.

I rolled to the edge of the bed, having moved closer to the wall in my sleep. My legs swung over the edge, the perfect plight for any hidden monsters. Then I flopped back down, my back arching, arms stretched, and yawned like a great, blue whale.

Standing, I went to the sun coloured duffel on the ground, feeling around for a change of clothes, telling myself I'd shower in the public ones and leave Jesse in peace, which was the least he deserved after last nights onslaught of tears. I made it rain more than Kendall after Abby scolds her (Dance Mums is one of my favourite shows).

I grabbed a simple orange shirt and shorts. I was still wearing my clothes from the previous day and I didn't smell the best so I was hoping not to run into anybody within a close proximity.

I packed my toiletries into a smaller tote, still thankful to Jesse for collecting my bag even though I had previously been a pain in his ass. I swiped simple soap, shower gel, a facial cleanser, deodorant, and my favourite vanilla moisturiser. It's more of a girly routine than most but why can't men take care of their bodies too.

Before I slipped out the door, trying not to notify a showering Jesse, I wrote a small note, then locked the door behind me, not wanting any intruders to find a way in.

Skipping to the public bathroom, I told myself I was lucky to have a larger cabin, allowing for private showers, and that I should use it with complete appreciation for my parents and their liking of lavish things, but I liked people. Showering alone was boring.

I walked carefully through the large grey door with the boys logo on it. There was a girls toilet even though it was an all boys camp because they had female staff employed here.

The grey stone tiles were wet underneath my sandals so I tread lightly, my accident-prone body not so forgiving, so caution was high on my list of priorities.

The building was set out so one half was showers, and the other was toilets (no urinals) and changing rooms. The lights were set into the ceiling, emitting a soft yellow glow. I liked yellow. I took my shoes and clothes off in the changing room, leaving them in a cubby run by a staff member. Then in just my towel, with my bag of toiletries, I padded into the shower, my feet splashing in the thing aqua layer just above the floor.

There were a few people in here and I decided to settle for the middle shower, so I could talk to people. I took off the towel when the water got warm, putting it on the hook. I started lathering my body and turned to the side, seeing a small boy, even compared to me. Probably younger too. He was huddled under the head, covering himself as best he could. He had blonde hair, that looked darker because of the water soaking it. There were loose curls too, leaving me to imagine just how bouncy they were dry.

"Hi," I managed, lifting my arm awkwardly over the wall in between us. He looked up, Crystal blue eyes meeting my near black ones, that soon lit up from just the sight of him.

"Wow! Your eyes are so pretty!" I exclaimed loudly, receiving looks from other recipients. "Sorry," I said, using my inside voice. I don't know why they call it that, it's no different to my outside voice.

I turned my attention back to the cowering boy. He tried to take my hand, as not to be rude, but he was simultaneously trying to conceal himself. He was very pale too, but a light blush had appeared on his porcelain cheeks, giving his face just a hint of colouring.

"T-thank you," he managed to stutter out, his voice high and quivering.

"I wish I had eyes like yours. Mine are black!" I tried my best to get my head over the barricade between us, my height not helping me. I got as close as I could, my toes straining to keep me up.

He flinched away from me, so I pulled back. "It's okay," I reassured him, "I'm not scary. Though, ya know who is? My roommate, but I'm pretty sure he's actually a softy. He got mad at me yesterday because I made him jump. Hey! Maybe I am the scary one after all." I said, talking more to myself than the boy. Realisation dawned on my features, my mouth making an 'O' shape, my eyebrows rising to hide underneath my hair. He was frightened of me.

The boy giggled, snapping me out of my epiphany. "You're funny." Then he said, "my name's Milo." He stuck out his hand again, returning my earlier gesture, which didn't reach very far considering he may have been shorter than five foot two.

I took his hand, liking his curtesy. Then I simply stated "Kai." The boy smiled, happy with my response.

"I like dogs, drawing, and anything yellow."

•••••••••••

I arrived back at the cabin, having told Milo I would meet him later on for breakfast in the canteen as it was still quite early, and food wouldn't be served for another half hour. However, when I got inside the cabin, Jesse wasn't there. I even checked under the bed. Was I really that scary. Wow, I never realised I instilled such fear. Cool! I pumped my fist to no one in particular, already getting fired up for the day ahead.

For the next thirty minutes, (Jesse never returned) I spent the time arranging my luggage. Underwear, socks and pyjamas made there way to the top draw, the one below held my shirts, all in the order of the rainbow for each day: red for Monday, orange for Tuesday, yellow for Wednesday, green for Thursday, blue for Friday, indigo for Saturday, and violet for Sunday. The bottom draw was keeper of my trousers and shorts. On the odd occasion of a slightly fancier night, I retrieved my suit shirt, quite proud of my fashion skills.

I had bought this top when I was out with Cole. We were shopping for his birthday party, some large gathering that I wasn't allowed to participate in for very long, due to my age or lack there of. The get-together consisted of booze and tight dresses. My brother is straight but has no problem with my appeal towards men. We were in a fancy boutique, trying on shirts of all shades and shapes, and I partook in the event, not expecting to find a shirt that I would till this, to this day, be in love with.

The shirt was made up of a mesh fabric, consisting of a thicker black material crossing vertically and horizontally, leaving equal sized squares of skin visible. It was quite daring and I hadn't yet found an outing that desired this master piece but I could wait.

The last few things I brought out of my giant duffel were the last of my toiletries (such things I didn't need on a daily basis) and my board games. My beloved board games.

Family game night was every Friday; without fail. We played all sorts: Monopoly, The Game of Life, Who Dares Wins, Mousetrap and if I was feeling especially energetic that night — twister. And I had all of them. The games were decided upon the mood of the players. If we were feeling competitive, then more material games won (Monopoly, Game of Life, Who Dares Wins). However, some nights we wanted to be more engaged, thus mouse trap was thrust into the mix. The intellect of the game causing heads to clash and brains to be punished.

To save space they were all arranged into zip lock baggies, bar the exception of boards. These were stowed under the bed.

Finally done, I brushed my hands off, smiling at my handy work. The clock had struck my meeting time just minutes before so I shoved on my Stocks and without another word, I rushed out the door, eager for my breakfast.