Love, Lust and A Baby

Day 1: Strange meetings.

I was up before the first stream of sunlight streaked into my bedroom. I made my way to the kitchen with the documents Archie gave me yesterday wondering who my roommate was. I fell asleep pretty early last night so I didn't hear anyone come in. 

I took a cup from the cupboard and filled it with water from the sink faucet gulping like a thirsty deer.

"Good morning," a voice said behind me. I jumped choking on the water. 

"Oh! I am sorry" the voice said again.

I turned angrily and I came face to face with the bluest eyes I have ever seen. A pair of big blue eyes stared back at me. I could see the hesitation in her eyes. 

"I guess I scared you, I am sorry," she said smiling. 

"Uhmmm...No problem...ahh..." I said trying to find my voice.

"By the way, my name is Nita and I am your roommate," She said with an outstretched hand and a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"My name is Al...Allie for short" I was stuttering. Something about this girl was off. 

"Okay! I have to check on the students allocated to us" what on earth was I saying.

All this while, Nita just stood and was smiling knowingly. 

"What class did they give us," she asked me still wearing the same smile.

"Huh?" I was thrown into confusion. She started walking towards me while I backed away in fear. I was frightened at the way her eyes watched me like a Lion watching its prey.

"Ah!, seems the gave us 8th graders," she said scanning through the papers she snatched from me or maybe it's the fright that is making me imagine things. 

"last year, I got 5th graders and it was like climbing a steep mountain without ropes" she chatted on. 

"Anyways, let me take my bathe, I will join you soon" she handed me the paper, basically forcing the papers into my hands or was it my imagination?

***

The 8th graders were mostly children between 12 and 14 years old. I had 8 kids assigned to me, and for the first time, I was grateful that I am a 5'8. They were ready for the day when I entered their cabin. They were scattered all over the place, pressing their phones and only stopped to spare me a glance when I entered. I had to clear my throat severally before they looked. Taking the roll call was like teaching a cat how to dance. They won't speak loudly and when I insisted that they speak a bit louder, they looked at me from head to toe. I glanced towards the entrance of the cabin, wondering when exactly my roommate was going to get here.

After the roll call, I started reading the program for the day but no one seems to be following, they all seemed engrossed by their phones. I stared helplessly at them. It'll be good if I had backup now and glanced towards the door anxiously.

Taking care of teens was a new thing for me. I wondered how on earth I was going to make them stop playing with their phones. It is also important I don't come off as forceful; I had read that somewhere in the manual. So, I tried another method.

"Guys" I called out. Sixteen pair of eyes stared back at me. I celebrated my victory with a smile.

"Listen, I know how important our phones mean to us but I am trying to pass and important information here and I just need 10 minutes of your time, after that you can have all the time to yourself".

They seemed to stare at each other as if they were making a decision. Then, they all dropped their phones and stared silently at me. 

"Since we're done reading the program, why don't we introduce ourselves". I said brightly. 

"According to the program you just read, breakfast will be served in the next five minutes, I don't know about anyone here, but I am hungry" a voice challenged. I turned towards its direction and I saw a tall girl staring at me. 

"Deep breaths Al" I muttered trying my best not to get offended.

I pretended to look at my wristwatch, "Yes, we should all get going for breakfast now" I said warmly. 

"Honey" I called out to Tracy; the girl who challenged me "when next you want to voice out your opinion, raise your hands, after all, that's how civilized people do it" I clapped back silently. 

The girl blushed with embarrassment and muttered an "I am sorry".

I smiled triumphantly, at least I was in charge, for now.

***

 The hot water from the shower soothed my aching body. I was famished and spent. I'd rather be taking care of toddlers than teenagers who practically don't listen to anything you say. 

I heard movement in the house. Nita was back, I hurriedly lathered my body, making a mental note to ask her why she never showed up. 

We were having the first bonfire tonight and I wondered if the grey joggers and the black crop top was adequate. I reached for my phone to dial Joan's number. Then I remembered we were fighting.

***

From the window, I could see Joan parking her bike on the lawn; as usual, she always rode without her helmet. She had with her a pretty basket which I knew contained my favourite cookies. We fought 2 days ago because Joan felt I was becoming too friendly with our new neighbours but I knew she was mad at me for missing her softball match. Well, I didn't want to miss it, but I had gone to the newly opened park with our neighbour's kids; not that the park was the only reason I went there. I had a crush on Sam and there was no way on earth I was going to miss a chance to be with him. 

***

The door to Nita's room was slightly ajar. I took in a deep breath as I pushed it with my hand. Something landed on my head as I thrust my head through the entrance. It was a singlet. I saw my roommate making out with a guy as they hurriedly tried to remove their clothes. I quickly withdrew as I sprinted to the door. Who leaves the door open? I quizzed whimsically. 

***

The night air was sending chills to my body, as tried to stop my teeth from chattering. All thanks to Nita, I left the house without a jacket. I shivered again, trying to inch my way towards the blazing fire that had a lot of tiny tots roasting marshmallows. The air was filled with excited chattering.

"Here..." a voice said from behind me. 

I jumped with fright maybe it was a custom to creep up behind people in this camp. I turned towards the direction of the voice.

"You're cold and you barely have anything on," he said scanning me "you can have my jacket" he offered again.

"Oh!..." I muttered as I collected the jacket "thank you".

The cashmere settled warmly against my skin, instantly I felt warmth entering my body. I looked up to my helper with a smile with gratitude on my lips. 

Grey eyes stared back with a cocky smile playing on his lips. It was Sam, My own Samuel.