summer {n.h.}

nine

"Good night guys," I said. It was eight o'clock, and all of my campers were tucked into their beds.

"Good night!"

"G'night."

"Good night Andy."

"Don't let the bed bugs bite!"

"Shhhh!"

I giggled as the girls whispered in the darkness.

"Good night. Love you all," and I walked down the hall. I knocked on the door and poked my head in. "Good nigh- Niall!"

The boys had pillowcases and blankets flung around the room, open chip bags, and were running around in nothing but underwear.

"Niall. What are you doing? It's bedtime." I gritted my teeth. He grinned at me and waved, wearing only a superman cape and a pair of white undies.

"Andy, we talked about this earlier. You know, about having fun?" He teased and continued to pick up Ty and swing him around.

"Niall. Hallway. Now." I grunted. He put his head down like a shameful puppy and followed me to the hall.

"What the hell are you doing? Ditching me and the campers? Shoving me into the lake? Letting them do..." I gestured to the door. "That?"

"Andy. This is camp. Fun! Staying up past your bedtime! Doing whatever you want because your parents aren't here! See, this is why the kids love me. Because I'm not a stick in the mud, like some people."

I brushed past him and opened the screen door to cabin thirteen. The boys stopped in their tracks.

"Boys, time for bed." I said sternly.

"Aw, c'mon!" Pouts rand about the room.

"We talked about giving me a hard time earlier. No buts. Brush your teeth, get your jammies on, and get in bed." I ordered.

"Heehee, she said butts."

"You have three minutes." I looked at my watch.

8:07. Cabins are being checked by 8:10. Crap.

"Hey boys! Want a challenge? Let's see if we can do this with the lights off and only our flashlights!" I cheered and the campers nodded eagerly. Little feet scurried around the room and within seconds, I heard a knock. "I got it, Niall."

I'm just praying I can talk my way out of this one. I opened the door to a guy with kind brown eyes and a buzzcut.

"Hey there. Is everyone asleep?" He asked and I cleared my throat.

"Shhh!"

"I told you to turn your flashlight off!"

"Um, almost. They'll be ready in a few. Ya know, the boys are a bit harder to get to sleep. My girls are fast asleep, though." I promised with a smile.

"Gimme back my teddy bear!"

"Well, you stole my fairy princess doll!"

I heard high-pitched shrieks coming from my cabin. I spoke too soon.

"Gimme a minute." I told the coincidentally English man. I busted past the guy and ran into my cabin, where the lights were on and chaos was ensuing. Pillows were flying everywhere, along with Barbie dolls, teddy bears, and blankets.

"Girls!" Screams and hair pulling continued. "GIRLS!" I shout once again. The campers stopped suddenly, frozen in their exact positions. Their cheeks flushed pink, both from exhaustion of fighting and embarrassment of being caught.

"What is going on here?" I asked, confused and angry.

"Abbie stole my fairy princess doll," Brittany whined, crossing her arms and pouting.

"Yeah, well you took my teddy bear first!" Abbie proclaimed.

"Did not!"

"Did too!" They begin to argue again.

"Enough! Everyone go back to bed now." I command. Murmurs floated throughout the cabin, but they all slid back under the covers. "Good night. And if I see anyone else up, I am not going to be happy." I sighed and walked back to the guy, still standing there will his clipboard.

"I am so sorry that took a while. Everyone is asleep now. Thank you."

"Liam, it's Liam." He shook my hand with a genuine smile. "I'm a camp director, along with Harry. If you need any help, just ask. And I know how tough these little rascals can be."

"Thanks, Liam. Good night." I tell him, a little happier in mood. I walked back to my cabin, tired from all of the craziness.

"Sorry." A voice mumbled behind me. The voice was familiar, especially saying sorry once again. I looked back and saw Niall standing on the porch of cabin thirteen.

"I haven't been a very good counselor or role model to the kids, or a very good friend to you." He apologized bashfully, looking at his feet.

"It's okay Niall. Tomorrow's a new day." I waved and proceeded through the door and locked it. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

-Mia