Page 27 of Class Clown

“That’shisshirt?” Her eyes glazed over, as though I’d told her something so juicy and delightful that her brain had cracked and needed to reboot. “Does it smell like him?” She leaned my way and I stood still so she could sniff at my shoulder. After she had her fill of smelling me up, she stepped back. “It smells good. Freshly washed. Is that how he smells?”

Oh my gosh this was making my day. Truth moment, I had no idea how Nico smelled. At all. I made assumptions based on this shirt though, so I said, “Yep. Somehow the man found time to wash his uniform between last night and this morning. You have to admire a guy with that much dedication to cleanliness.”

She sighed. “You really do.”

I bit my lip to keep from laughing. “And how chivalrous, right? Giving me his shirt because mine wasn’t the right size.”

Her shoulders sagged and she tilted her head back to look at the sky. “Seriously dreamy.”

“He’s going to make some girl really happy one day,” I stated.

“Who’s going to make some girl really happy someday?” Cole asked over my shoulder.

I jumped and spun, and immediately growled. “Cole, do not sneak up on me.” Cole laughed, Nico looked down at my fisted hands, and Kristy coughed. We all know Kristy did not have a cough. Time to redirect. I straightened up. “Seems like a fun group of campers,” I said.

He grinned, well aware of my tactic, but thankfully dropped it. “I hope whomever you’re talking about is worth the praise. Are you two good to help with the younger group games?”

I saluted him, which made him laugh as I replied, “Yes, sir.”

He shook his head and walked away. Kristy gave me a jaunty little wave as she hustled toward her cabin to get changed, but Nico stayed put and waited for me to look his direction.

“You took my picture,” he muttered.

I nodded. “I warned you.” He shook his head and took a step to follow Cole, but paused when I hurried to add. “Your shirt, the one I’m wearing right now, smells good.”

He turned to meet my eye. “Thank you?”

“A good smelling shirt is a sign of someone’s ability to be a good partner, which would make some woman happy someday. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.” I followed that with an overly done wink.

He took a deep breath, clearly understanding my reference to what Kristy and I had been talking about when he and Cole approached.

“Has anyone ever bothered to tell you that you’re troubled?” he asked.

I couldn’t help it, I laughed out loud and smiled big. One side of his mouth ticked up as he turned away and caught up to Cole in a few long strides.

I had always been a fan of kids’ games, and I loved them still. I had basically been the duck, duck, goose champ of my elementary school, and I was not about to let my trophy be taken by this group of eight to eleven-year-olds.

At Camp Windsong it was called deer, deer, bear, but the process was still the same. I sat in the grassy meadow in a large circle with kids on either side of me, smiling across at other counselors scattered throughout the circle. The ground was rocky and a little cold, but my jeans were up to the task. I’d put on good active shoes rather than my hiking boots, and was happy with my choice. I’d also braided my long hair down my back, having a feeling I’d want it out of my face. These were good things because there was no way these kids weren’t going to be choosing the counselors and leaders as thebearover, and over, and over. Kids loved nothing more than being chased by adults.

Sure enough, in the second round I was bonked on the head as a boy screamed “bear” and took off running. I scrambled to my feet, happy I’d done so gracefully, and took off around the large circle, chasing him with all my might. My laughter matched his as he squealed and did his best to beat me. At the last second, before he slid into my empty spot, I reached to tag his back, but he ducked just in time and fell in a pile to the ground, safe.

Everyone clapped and cheered for him, and I stood behind him, hands on my hips, laughing with the rest of them. I made my way around the circle, lighting tapping heads while saying ‘deer, deer, deer’ and eyeingthem all to find my perfect bear. I was looking for the cocky pre-teen. The kid who’d never missed a shot or a touchdown, who probably walked with a saunter. I wanted that kid. I wanted him to remember that you’re never too cool to have a good time.

At last I spotted him, picking at his nails, too cool to be playing this baby game. I smirked to myself and when I reached him, I tapped his head and called “bear” before taking off running.

I’d caught him off guard, which was my plan, and the rest of the group screamed at him to get going. By the time he jumped to his feet with a look of pure competition on his face, I was already five kids down the line. He tucked his head down and put on the juice, shortening the distance between us. The look speared me on and I started laughing as I moved around the circle.

He was getting so close and I realized with some sadness that my legs were no match for his eleven-year-old energy. I had come into this with arrogance that was not deserved. I accepted defeat in the split second before his palm smacked flat against my back.

It wasn’t that he pushed too hard or anything, it was just that there was a sudden uneven patch, combined with his nudge, and my laughter making me sloppy, all of which caused my feet to stumble, and before I really knew what was happening, I was skidding along my stomach until I came to a stop.

Pro Tip: I find it helpful to really go full force if you’re going to make such an excellent first impression on people. Don’t bother trying to catch yourself. Instead, land flat on that curvy belly and ride the dirt as far as you can. Give them something to talk about.

A collective gasp sounded from the circle and the kid I’d been chasing was immediately kneeling next to me.

“I’m so sorry, nurse,” he said. “I didn’t think I pushed that hard.”

I shook my head, unintentionally letting my nose rub the dirt and grass below me. “You didn’t. I tripped.” I rolled over and offered him a smile and two thumbs up. “Dude, you’re fast. Nice job catching me.”

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