Page 41 of Class Clown

“Ruby needs to ride along too,” Nico’s voice interrupted the tales. “She hit her head and she’s getting too cold.”

Cole glanced my way as I shook my head. “I’m fine. We’re all a little cold, but these kids need to get back to their cabin and I can help with that.”

But Nico pressed. “Take Ruby with Gina straight to the health center. Gina needs a full exam. Send Kristy to the cabin. I’ll get the kids there and Kristy can take over while they get cleaned up.”

“Nico, you’re cold and wet too,” I argued. “It’s not that far. Kristy can help Gina and I’ll get the kids settled in.”

“I’m used to bad weather, and pushing through it,” he stated. “Kristy is already dry, so she won’t be uncomfortable while helping the kids.” I started to shake my head, but he took a slow breath in and mouthed,please, and I caved.

His argument made sense and his plea had gotten to me, so I made my way over to the machine, giving each camper a high-five as I walked past the line.

“You’re all heroes today,” I told them. “I’m so proud of how you helped each other, and looked out for Gina. You guys are the best!” I shot my fist in the air at the end and gave a nice wolf cry to really seal it.

They all wolf-cried too. I loved it.

Nico helped Gina over and loaded her into the front seat next to Cole, and as I pulled my arms out of the straps of my own pack, he somehow managed to help me maneuver out of that at the same time. I thanked him with a smile and climbed into the back seat. I had to admit, it felt good to take the weight off my feet and back.

“That was cool, how you sang with the kids and helped them forget to be worried,” he said under his breath.

I looked over at him, but he was looking at Cole and tapped the roof of the UTV to signal that we were all ready to go. I swallowed, warmed by his kind comment, and waved at the kids as Cole started it up and we headed away. The last person I looked at was Nico. He stood there, his tan skin a little more pale than usual, his pack sitting at his feet, watching me. I shivered again, and he waved his fingers, barely noticeable, as we picked up speed and went barreling across the meadow.

The UTV was too loud for me to hear much of what Cole and Gina were talking about, but I didn’t mind. I hugged my arms around myself to try to fight off the icy fingers of wind whipping over me while I replayed the afternoon in my head, thinking about what a rollercoaster it had been,and about how much I wished our little cabin had a tub. I’d give my left pinky toe for a hot bath right now.

Some staff had gathered around the health center and reached out to help with carrying our wet packs inside. The heat from the small building wrapped around me in total welcome as we entered, Cole carrying Gina bridal style. He sat her directly on the exam table and I went to the sink to wash my hands. Cole met me there and put an arm around my shoulders.

“Gina told me you fell too, and Nico mentioned your head,” he said. “Are you hurt?”

I shook my head, which was aching now, and put on my brave face. “A few bruises, but nothing that won’t heal quickly. I’m okay. It wasn’t a big deal.”

He nodded and squeezed, then let go. “You’re soaked, and no offense, you smell oddly chemical.”

I turned and held up my freshly washed hands, ticking off my fingers. “I hiked, which means I got sweaty. It poured rain, I fell down a muddy path, I carried three packs all the way down. And, I did not have time to wash these pants before first use, so they smell funky.” I pointed at my very cute purple zip away pants that had arrived last week. “Be nice.”

He cracked a smile. “I’m always nice.”

I shook my head and pushed around him to go see to Gina. “Thanks for the ride,” I called to him. “I’ve almost never been happier to see you.”

“You’re welcome. Let me know what you find out about Gina.” He moved back to where Gina was laying, staring forlornly at the ceiling. “I’m glad you’re back safe. Hope you feel better quickly.”

Gina managed to give him a thumbs up as he left the room. Right as he disappeared, Kristy busted over to the exam table with a squeal. Apparently, she’d been holding it together in front of Cole.

“Ohmygosh, ohmygosh,” she said, patting Gina’s arm. “I have to go to your cabin, but it’s all over camp that you were hurt on the hike today and you’d better tell me every single detail about all of it.”

Gina’s entire countenance returned to glowing and, seeming to forget Kristy had to leave, she jumped straight into gushing over Nico and getting carried down the mountain. There were a couple pauses as I gently worked off her wet boot and socks, and a few tears and gasps when the pain hit, but overall she kept a pretty steady dialogue going. Turns out, getting carried is highly romantic stuff. I wouldn’t know from personal experience, but itsure made me swoon when I’d read about it or watched it in a movie. And if I’d sneaked a few peaks at how Nico’s muscles shifted while he carried Gina today, well, sue me.

As I looked Gina over my mind wandered to how tired Nico would be when he finally got the kids settled back in their cabin. In fact, with Gina here and the other counselor having a stomach bug, Kristy really needed to get moving. I wished I’d thought to mention to Cole that Nico needed dry clothes and a warm drink as much as the rest of us did.

With that thought I interrupted the giggle-fest. “Kristy, Nico is waiting at the cabin with the kids. Can you please go relieve him so he can get cleaned up and dry too?”

Kristy’s eyes grew big at the realization that she’d lingered too long. She nodded and rushed out without another word.

I didn’t think Gina had broken her ankle, but it was definitely sprained, and so I washed the area and bandaged it well. I gave her some pain medication and instructed her to ice it and stay off of it for the next two days, after which we’d look again to make sure it was healing properly.

Together we got her off the exam table and I helped her hobble down the path from the health center to the cabin she was staying in that week. Kristy was there helping the campers get clean and dry and I was more than happy to hand Gina off at that point.

My head had gone from achy to throbbing from hitting it on that rock, and my back and hips ached for a variety of reasons. My clothing had begun to dry, but now it was in that sort of damp state that made you feel like clawing something. I knew my back side was muddy, so rather than head back to the health center I made my way to my cabin. Someone would just have to come find me if I was needed.

I trudged down the short path to Funky Bunks, imagining a hot shower and warm cocoa, and fresh, dry, fluffy clothes, and wrapping myself up in my gigantic comforter, and laying my head on something soft. I couldn’t wait.

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