I came bursting through the door, bare foot, shoes in hand, smile plastered on my face, hair everywhere, and unable to stop. I ran straight into the bathroom door with a bang!
I fell to the floor with a muffled squeak, and then a whine as I rubbed my forehead that seemed to take the brunt of the fall. I opened my eyes hesitantly, still seeing double. Double of the bed, double of the piece of hair in front of my eyes, double of Jesse. Wait.
"Jesse!" I hopped up quickly, but grabbed onto the railing of the top bunk, he was leaning over me, golden brown locks shielding his face. He had one dark eyebrow raised, but his mouth was fixed in a straight line.
"So," I beamed at him suddenly, his head jerking back, "don't you wanna know what happened?" I questioned, slightly irked that he hadn't already asked.
"Not in the slig"— I cut him quickly. "So basically, I went to the beach looking for you or Fox or Milo. Well Fox was there, he came and sat down with me and then I told about the diving bell spider, also known as the Argyroneta aquatica. It is the only known spider in the world that lives entirely underwater. Like other arachnids, it must breathe air, but it provides its own supply by forming a bubble, which it holds by hairs on its legs and abdomen. The spiders can inflict a painful bite that is often accompanied by feverish symptoms." I take a breath. "So anyway, he was being mean, then stole my shoes, so I ran after him, but I'm not very athletic, so I was panting a lot. We finally got back to his cabin, he trapped me and stroked my face and asked me to 'tell me what you want'" I say in a deep seductive voice. Jesse flinches but says nothing.
"Then I got him distracted with a reply, but instead, snatched my shoes and ran all the way here." He looked at me, a confused gesture marring his face. I continued on slowly because I don't think he was following. "So then, I came through the door, banged into the other door, then stood up, talked to you, and here we are. Ooo, what book ya reading?" He didn't reply for what seemed like an eternity. He's kind of slow.
"Ya know, you're like a small kitten, with way too much energy." He placed his hand under his chin as I soaked up his words. "I'm going to call you petit chaton, small kitten, but you're still a spastic." I guess I was small, but I like to think of myself more like a puppy.
Jesse then did something quite unexpected. He reached his metal hand down, and then proceeded to stroke my hair. It felt nice, and reminded me of my brother, so I leaned in rather than pulling up, my lips whispering a content sigh. Then as soon as his hand was there, it was gone.
"I was just making you look presentable is all," he said, averting his gaze.
I looked up kind of sad, but then a thought hit me like a train. "Oh no! I completely forget to go to the help centre." I face palmed. "Wanna come with me?" I said looking up.
He thinks about it, then nods, jumping down from his bunk and opening the front door. We leave in silence, listening to the faint voices from near the lake, none loud enough to make out.
"So how come you want to go to the help centre, petit chaton?" He adds the last part to the end hesitantly, like he's testing it out on his tongue, feeling the small movements it takes to make each sound.
"Oh, just want to check curfew and possible activities. Are you French? Because your accent is a bit french but mainly American. Except, when you call me petit chaton." I say my nickname in the best French accent I can muster, learning all of it from Ratatouille.
"My mother is French, my father is American. I grew up here, but I'm bilingual thanks to my mum." He says without any emotion.
"So when you go to France, do you laugh like this: huawhuawhuaw." I did my best to use my deepest tone, adding a chef kiss at the end. He cracks a smile and shakes his head.
"You're something else ya know that? Très éstrange, mon petit chaton, très étrange en effet." He mumbles the last bit under his breath.
"Yeah, I didn't get any of that, but all good things I hope. Oh look!" I point toward the cabin to the left of the canteen. "Bingo!"
We headed into the cabin. There was no one at the front desk, so we looked around ourselves. I quickly discovered the schedule and found out that curfew is at ten, and tomorrow's activities consist of three meals, a proper welcome meeting, kayaking, and a martial arts lesson.
"Martial arts? That's kinda weird don't ya think, Jesse?" It seemed rather strange to me anyway.
"Not sure, I suppose this camp is exclusive and is meant to target all types of passions, so everyone tries something new, but specialises in certain areas." He knew more than me, though I did remember reading something about this in the brochure.
"Well Milo's will be some sort of art class, and Fox will excel in anything physical. What about you Jesse?" Jesse didn't reply right away. I think he likes giving calculated answers, as if he's afraid of saying the wrong thing.
"I like games," is all he says. I'm unsatisfied.
"What kind of games? In my family, we have a game night where we play lots of different ones. Monopoly? Or no... you seem like a game of life guy." I'm biting my lip now, my head tilted as it usually does when I'm thinking.
"Chess, cards, any kind of strategic game. I'm smarter than I look." I grunt in surprise.
"You? Bad boy Jesse plays chess?" I snort. "I don't know how to play chess. It's complicated, with all of the different moves and pieces. How do you do it? My mum and dad sometimes play it. She always wins. I think it's a little unfair that the pawns are used as disposable pieces to protect the king and Queen. I feel like they should be fighting along side them. Did you know King Sebastian of Portugal dreamed of a crusade against Morocco. When a succession struggle occurred in Morocco in 1576, Sebastian saw his opportunity. King Sebastian led his army despite the wishes of his advisors and disappeared during the Battle of Alacer Quibir in 1578. He left no heir. He became known as Sebastian The Desired, because the people of Portugal longed for his return. I think that's pretty brave." Jesse was staring at the wall in silence.
"There's nothing there Jesse, are you okay?" I waved my hand in front of his face. He turned quickly and instead stared intently at me. I tried to avoid his gaze.
"How do you know all of these facts, petit chaton." For some reason, my body shivers at the nickname this time, like the two words were never meant to be said in a public place.
"It helps. Whenever I feel lost, or my anxiety comes bubbling to the surface." I pause and take a deep breath. No one else knows about this besides my family, not even Jay, so I don't know why I'm telling him, but it's hard to stop now that I've started, a problem I usually have.
"I write them down wherever I can. There are multiple layers of paint on my wall because of it. I don't know why it helps, it just makes me feel in control." I tilt my head up, finally locking eyes with Jesse. He's staring intensely at me. Suddenly I realise how close we are, and even though he isn't as tall as Fox, I'm levelled with his chin.
"Can I help you two? Sorry for the wait." The attendant of the desk that was empty moments ago, pulls us away with her words. Jesse coughs.
"Uh, no we were just leaving, thanks."
With that, me and him head out. We don't say anything for once.
It's silent.
YOU ARE READING
Camp Bluelake
RomanceKai can't seem to keep himself out of trouble. With an inability to stop talking and a never ending source of energy, he's a handful. When sent to Camp Blulake to give his parents some peace and quiet, Kai will meet the boys he's going to be spendin...
