Soccer Camp

First Time for Everything

"You made it" Jesse smiled as I joined him near the lake. There was a wide variety of children running around and a large number of supervisors.

After the speech Matt gave me, I changed into one of the many summer dresses my mom pack for me. I watched as people took small glimpses of me through the corner of their eyes as I walked closer to Jesse. It made me feel uneasy in my dress, not to mention uncomfortable.

"Why am I here?" I asked awkwardly. The idea of being someone else was completely unobtainable. I was social incompetent. My idea of fun would be reading a book in my room with no disturbance.

He stared at me in wonder before he smiled shyly, rubbing the back of his neck. "After what happened this morning, I thought that maybe I could make it up to you."

I was right; he did think he was doing me a favour. I sighed in exhaustion. "Don't worry about it" I told him honestly with a wave. Now I could get back to the cabin and do some nightly reading.

"Chica," He held my hand before I could turn to walk away. I stared down at his arm on mine in disbelief. "You're already here, just stay, please?" he smiled down at me with pearly whites. I would normally say no to any invitation, but a guy like this wouldn't normally touch me, let alone beg me to hang out with him.

"Amber" I heard as I felt someone embrace me tightly. I stared down at Yale hugging me with all his might and at Jesse still holding my hand. Although this was a soccer camp, I had no idea people would be this physical here. The only people that even touched me until this camp were my mom and dad.

"Hey." I manage to choke out.

"We're making smores. Come, I'll make you one." He didn't wait for my answer before he dragged me towards the fire pit "I make the BEST smores, you'll see" he promised. I laughed at how serious he was about marshmallows, chocolate, and gram crackers.

We joined a group of other kids who seem weirdly excited to see me as well. Jesse sat beside me as they continued to roast marshmallows.

"Here" Jesse smiled as he held his stick towards me. As I go I take the marshmallow, I received a harsh reminder that it just came from the fire. As I shrieked in pain, the kids around me began to laugh. Embarrassment spread through me as I watched them giggle at my mishap.

Jesse took the marshmallow from the end on the stick and held it to my mouth, waiting for entrance. I stared at him in confusion until I opened my mouth hesitantly. He held it to my lips until I took a bit of it, and then he popped the rest into his mouth.

"Jesse can Amber be our supervisor for the summer" Yale asked suddenly in a burst of excitement and realization.

"I don't think that's possible buddy. Supervisors rotate every day, you know that."

"C'MON!" Yale roared in the utmost rage. 'Yeah' a few of the kids joined in.

Jesse looked over at me with sweet eyes, a slight smile on his lips. "They like you." He announced softly.

"Is that so hard to believe?" I asked as I blushed for no reason as I peered down at my fingers.

"Not to me, but yeah. They rarely like anyone." He laughed.

"I wouldn't be much help. I know nothing about soccer." I admitted out loud without the slightest bit of shame. Learning how to play soccer was nevere on my 'to do' list.

"Neither do we!" a girl called, causing everyone to laugh.

"I'll see what I can do" Jesse caved in. Everyone exploded into cheers and celebration. Yale hugged me enthusiastically causing the rest of the kids to join in. Jesse began to laugh as I slipped of the log and landed on my back, my dress revealing the colour of my underwear.

"Alright guys, I think she's had enough." Jesse called as he helped a few of them off me, and then helped me up. This is why people should never wear dresses, for crying out loud. I straightened my dress as my eyes kept trained on the floor.

"So embarrassing" I mumbled as he helped me brush off the dirt.

"nada en absoluto" he whispered soothingly as he combed through my hair with his fingers.

"Huh?" I stared up into his eyes

"Not at all" he smirked "Cute but not embarrassing."

"You're Spanish..." I said, stating the obvious as his accent was evident.

"Si" he smiled

"And you play soccer" I continued

"This is a soccer camp, Chica. I guarantee ninety percent of the people here play soccer."

"And how many of that percentage are from...?"

"Spain"

"Spain" I smiled. I've always wanted to go there, including France, Rome, and Italy.

"I'm not sure. Would you like me to find out?" He asked sincerely. I looked down at my fingers as I began smile uncontrollably.

"What are you doing here in America if you're from Spain?" I asked suddenly.

"My father owns the camp. It's kind of funny how far your parents try to get away from each other after a divorce."

"My parents are divorce too." I sympathised without thinking.

"JESSE!" someone bellowed from the crowd. I realized I probably said too much about my personal life and turned to leave.

"Where are you going?" he called over the music.

"Good night" I smiled politely before I hurried to find my way out of the field and unto the right path back to the cabin.

I walked back to the room slowly as Jesse ran through my thoughts. He could never be interested in someone like me; I was clumsy, awkward, weird, and so much more.

I entered into my room not expecting to see Matt but weirdly not surprised. He was talking to my roommate when I entered.

"How did it go?" he asked

"Strangely well. The kids like me." I told him as I sat down beside him in my bed.

"That's perfect. Once those kids like you, you're golden. I find that kind of odd though, those kids rarely like anyone."

"Well, I have no idea why they like me." I admitted as I rubbed my feet soothingly.

"He loves those kids so as long as they like you, you can do no wrong."

"Why didn't you tell me he was from Spain?" I questioned.

"Is she serious? You don't know Jesse Rosen? He's an international soccer player... Why else would so many kids at this camp?" My roommate jumped in.

"I don't know...? For the love of soccer?" the idea that I'm supposed to know who this person was really made me feel uneasy. He was definitely not into me now.

"I told you she was funny," Matt smiled at my roommate. "Let's go have a little fun"

"I just came back!" I whined.

"Why do you think I'm waiting here? I was waiting for you to get back!" Matt exclaimed as he hopped off my bed.

--

This was the first time I drank alcohol. The scary part was that it wasn't even legal for me to consume such things! My balance was off, my vision was blurry, and I felt light headed.

"You had half a beer, Amber. Please don't tell me you're that person." Matt laughed.

"Alcohol is alcohol Matt!" I snapped as I fell to the ground, giving up on walking around.

"Thank God you didn't take any shots. I wouldn't want to see you then" He laughed.

As I spotted Jesse walking with a few of his friends, I felt like I was unstoppable. I quickly got to my feet and hurried over to him.

"Whoa there tiger" Matt called as he tried to hold me back.

"Why didn't you tell me you were famous?" I asked sternly, placing my hands on my hips. My eyes felt droopy and my body felt limp. I stood in front of Jesse and his friends, not giving a damn of how I looked.

"Amber?" He asked for clarification as he squinted, not believing it was truly me.

"Don't Amber me!" I snapped.

His friends stared at me in freight and confusion, but weirdly, I didn't care.

"Sorry. She had a beer and suddenly she's like a wild animal" Matt laughed. I ignored him as I stepped into Jesse's personal space, a first for me. I poked his nose with my finger before he caught it. His other hand held my chin, raising it so he could examine me further.

"I think you should head to bed and sleep this off" he whispered. I could feel his cool breath against my skin. My head wondered closer to his face before I caught myself.

"No" I decided in the moment. I ran towards the grass, heading towards the trees. It seemed like a good place to explore at that moment. Before I knew what hit me, I was scooped up and my world folded under me. "Put me down" I screamed as someone pulled me over their shoulder.

When I saw Matt's face, I knew it wasn't him. I smacked the butt of whomever it was, anger spreading through me. The person said nothing until he reached the cabins.

"Which room?" Jesse asked. Jesse? Why the hell was he carrying me! I wanted to EXPLORE!

"This way" Matt's voice came as he showed the way.

Traitor!

I felt as he pulled me from his shoulder and into bed.

"No..." I whined.

"Matthew, no more alcohol. She doesn't leave this room until tomorrow morning." he instructed.

Matt nodded his head in compliance and then Jesse left the room.

Matt shook his head as he sat down beside me with the biggest smile on his face. "What the f**k was that Bambi?"

I groaned as my head hit the pillow.