Oh, and here's the Plot in case you'd like to read it.
Chapter 1
My excitement for volunteering wit kids was enough for me to forget about the horrible weather the season brought. The plans I inserted into my summer would distract my routine, my schedule, and my life in general. But my human limitations wouldn't let me foresee what was about to happen.
The campament was set in the local church, where we were able to use the rooms and the play ground to carry each activity. I hesitated about putting on that cowboy hat at first. Then I remembered that those weren't my friends deriding, if they ever laughed it was because they consider it to be fun.
The clock announced it was already time, 8:00 A.M. in the morning. Everything seemed in order; the parents had signed their permission slips, the kids were in the rooms, and the hallways were empty, as they pastor asked us to be.
I was about to walk up the stairs to get where my group was, when I collided with a kid who was sitting on the floor. His hair and his eyes were black, but they were bright as little jewels under the moon. He was crying. There's only one thing to do, I thought. Convince him he's gonna have fun.
"Hey. What's your name, kiddo?" I asked him gregariously as I knelt beside him.
"I want to go home," the six year old replied, as he rubbed his eyes with his fists. I looked around the place and bit my lip, wondering what should I do.
Then I looked back at him and thought about an answer. "Yeah, of course you will. If you stay at camp today, I promise you will go back home," I replied. And of course I didn't lie.
"I want to be with my big brother," he whined again, ignoring what I said.
It took me about fifteen minutes to convince him, but it was worth it. It took me about twenty times to get his name; Danny.
I walked him to the classroom where his group had already started one of the activities of the day. The group I was helping with were between eight and nine years old, but the kid asked me not to leave. I looked at the other volunteers, eye wided.
"We could simply switch groups," Melissa whispered as she nodded from the other side of the table and I read her lips.
So I stayed there with the six and seven years old group. I could see by then how the kid was going to change my plans.
In this class I was only helping, so the teacher asked me to distribute papers between the kids. Once I finished, Danny said, "Teacher, I saved a chair for you," smiling peacefully. I tilted my head and walked his way.
The teacher continued explaining the activity and the other kids were each on their chairs as well, not to mention some of them weren't paying attention at all because others were talking.
Then I felt someone patting my shoulder. I looked to my right briefly, and of course, it was Danny. He took his materials in his hands and said, "My big brother would help me."
"That's grea--" I tried to reply, but the teacher interrupted with a tone that let me know that I should've stop talking. And guilt embraced my conscience, since I was there to help.
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When the bell rang, I stood up and opened the door, "Okay, kids, make a row. Now we're going to eat a snack, but I want you all to go to the kitchen walking in silence, okay?" I remembered how much I hated to hear that when I was younger, and of course not all of them obeyed, but it turned out okay. I directed the kids upstairs, but I felt someone beside me. I looked back, and there was Danny again, grinning. I couldn't help smiling.
"Danny, go back to the row," I said after chuckling.
"But..." he hesitated a second thinking, before repeating, "I wanna be with you."
And what was there to do? I just fixed the cowboy hat and walked up stairs with him.
The kids automatically sat at the tables, and I met one of my friends there, Melissa, the girl I switched groups with. We started giving the kids donuts, cookies, chips and juice.
Melissa coughed, but I ignored it since I was busy giving the kids their snacks. And she coughed again a few more times. When I finally turned around,choking, but the truth is that she was trying not to laugh out loud.
"What?" I asked confused. And she directed her eyes to where Daniel stood.
"Oh," was my only reaction, "Hey Daniel, why don't you go sit down?" I asked.
"Yeah, there are chairs all over the place," Melissa helped, cheered up as always, "you can sit anywhere." She smiled.
The kid looked up at both of us, nodding before he walked away.
"Has the little person been following you?" she asked in a mocking way while she bit a potato chip effusively. Melissa was a very lively girl; she was all about the drama and everything she did was exaggerated. Her eyes were dark green and she was red-headed with long curls and she would always let her hair down.
I laughed, "No, not really. Most of the time I feel like he's not there. Like sometimes he's... invisible," I hesitated a moment, "He's just really shy." I nodded after concluding.
"Oh, my God! Lerisse Ane, you don't know what 'shy' is, do you?" She laughed, covering her mouth. I stayed there, and let silence speak. But Melissa is Melissa, so she wouldn't let that happen for more than ten seconds. "Shy, dear, means staying in a corner afraid of people, okay? That kid is following you everywhere, that's definitely not shy."
But what was there to do about it anyways? Tell him, "Hey kid, stop following me... Now!" with a grumpy face? He was just a... kid.
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As the music teacher, my job was to teach the kids songs and some goofy movements they could follow. I made the kids stand up from the chairs in an organized way. I looked around the room: The kids were where they were supposed to be, my helper was actually helping, despite the fact that it was the first time I actually saw him doing something for humanity.
I glanced at the chairs and there was Danny sitting on a chair, far away from the group. At that point I knew convincing him wasn't that easy.
"Hey Danny. Why don't you help me with the class?" I asked.
"But... I don't know the songs." He shook his head and hid his face behind his arms.
"Hmm... what if I let you wear my hat?" His hands fell down and his eyes told me what I wanted to hear. Being honest, he was a big help.
Since that was the last activity of the day, I rushed the kids to the main room, where their parents were going to pick them up.
It may seem funny, but as we walked I was praying the parents would not delay. I opened the door and as always, Danny stood by my side while the other kids sat on the banks.
Right in that precise moment a guy opened the front door of the building, sneaking in a bit to have clearer view. He smiled at me timidly, his hair was black and really straight, his eyes were black as well, but they were bright as little jewels under the moon. I looked at him for a moment wondering what he wanted.
"Dylan, you're here!" Danny yelled, and ran to hug him. Dylan patted his shoulder and gave me a humble smile.
Right. Of course. I should've noticed he looked like an older version of Danny.
"How did you like camp, Danny?" he asked quietly as he stepped on his knee.
"It was great," he replied excited, as he put my hat on his brother's head. Dylan chuckled.
"This is my big brother," he told me proudly and looked back at his brother, "And that's the teacher's---" the kid said.
Melissa appeared out of nowhere and interrupted him, "Danny, the other kids are eating candy and cookies over there. Why don't you come over with us?" Danny followed Melissa without thinking it twice, leaving me in a not so comfortable situation.
Dylan got back on his feet and took a few steps to get close to me. He took his hat off, "I believe this is yours?" he asked, handing it over.
I chuckled and smiled "Yes, it is."
He stayed there with a serious expression. "So, did he behave like a good kid?" He burst out randomly, killing the awkward silence.
"Oh, yes," I replied seriously, "He's a really good kid." I nodded.
"So..." I fixed my untidy bangs with my fingers, "Did you sign?" I turned around and I walked to the table where the papers were.
"What?" he asked.
"Well..." I spoke.
"You're supposed to sign here letting us know that you were the one who picked up the kid," the women who was working there interrupted. She was so cantankerous it was scary. I nodded standing next to her.
"Oh, yes, yes. Sorry." He took the pen and signed. I kept looking at him and there was something different, if that's what it's called about him, but I couldn't tell what it was back then.
"Well, thank you, ladies," he said, and walked to the door.
I smiled and he walked outside. Then I rushed to outside as well, "Wait!" I stopped him.
"Danny's already on the car," he let me know and kept on walking.
Something cryptic happened 'cause I don't recall the moment when Danny walked out the door. It seemed like he was hiding something, or maybe he was missing something.
Many thanks to bluewaterlilyfor all the help. <3
I don't know what happened but I probably set a really high standard in my mind....so it wasn't as good as I expected...sorry to say (please don't hate me) but I reread the plot because I forgot about it and I think you got a good start here. It does need a little tweaking like some description. Is this camp at a school or somewhere in the woods or whatever? Also I think you should've given a little more detail about Dylan and Lerisse. Other than that, I'm interested. Keep writing and thanks for the link.
. I like where it's going and I'd gladly review any more chapters, just send them to me. Nice work!