Chapter 3 Swimming and Swinging
That afternoon Kendrix found that she didn't mind canoeing. But she didn't exactly like it when they dumped her in the pool. True safety was important but she hit her head the first 2 times. Still she knew if she gave up she'd be a quitter. She wasn't, she'd known that as Leo had convinced her in his own way to stay. She told herself he had nothing to do with why she was there. She'd not even seen him until after she'd arrived at the meeting place for this activity. When her turn rolled around again she found Leo right behind her shoulder.
"Your worrying too much about what you're doing, just think about something else and you'll get it." This, from a thirteen year old? That was odd, but she'd known he was definitely different. He was after all once again in line to go again.
"Leo you don't have to go through it again, you already did it once." She pointed out as the girl ahead of her took her turn.
"I can use the practice." He told her shrugging. It was true, he was done but he had an idea of how to get her through it. It was kind of like how his mom had gotten him through a tetanus shot last month. He just hoped it would work.
"But you can do it perfectly." She told him and he shrugged.
"Corbett you had your shot!" Tim the camp counselor told Leo.
"But I might forget." Leo replied and the older boy just rolled his eyes.
"Yeah right, get back there Corbett." Tim pointed to where the done kids stood.
"But..."
"Leo it doesn't matter." Kendrix interrupted. "If I don't get it this time I'm done." She told him quietly she'd not have the entire camp laughing. Then as he looked on she got in the canoe and was shoved out. She then glanced back a little worried even as one of the other counselors dove in. Leo was sticking his nose in the air, biting his lower lip and jutted out his chin and began to strut. She felt herself laughing even as the canoe began to tip. She didn't think just acted going through the motions and coming up just like she'd been taught.
When Kendrix surfaced a few seconds later it was to see Leo smirking at her cockily. She knew he'd done it; he'd gotten her through one of those situations she'd take forever to do on her own. Kendrix wanted to run to him and hug him tight. Instead Kendrix stuck out her tongue at him.
Leo knew that she wasn't acting like the others expected. Even Tim had been surprised how well she'd done the test. She'd completely cleared the sides and bottom of the boat. Yes, she would be shocking a lot more campers by the end of the summer.
"See, you just have to relax." He moved forward with her towel when the blonde climbed from the pool.
"And you have to gloat." She said and realized she was actually teasing a boy, not just any boy either, her friend Leo.
"Naturally." He smirked cockily.
When the group was told to head back to their cabins to change for rest hour they naturally walked together.
"So, you get your stuff settled again?" Leo asked and Kendrix frowned.
"Excuse me?"
"You packed this morning remember?"
"Oh yes, I just managed to get things back where they go before the call for the first activity." She replied.
"That's good."
"Yes." She said and he had another idea.
"Hey what you gonna do during rest time?"
"I don't know, probably read one of my books.' She said then the memory of what her cabin mates had done the previous night. She thought of the book on sea creatures, she'd been reading it when the bullies had confronted her the other day. Now she found herself wishing for the first time in a very long time that she'd never brought the books. It wasn't that they were very expensive but that she loved them and didn't like the idea of seeing them destroyed.
As they walked along Leo wondered what she was thinking. Kendrix was a quiet person but whenever she was it usually meant she was contemplating something. He wondered what it was. Then he tried to think back to what they'd been talking about. She'd said she might read a book, a book? Why did she look so sad? Why did he care so much? He'd been trying to figure that out ever since he'd found himself telling her about Mike. He didn't tell many people about his brother, not many would understand. At least he'd figured that but she seemed to. Yes she was definitely different.
Reaching her cabin Kendrix went inside to change out of her swim gear and he continued on to his own cabin.
***
Sitting down Kendrix opened her suitcase and ran her fingers over her collection of science books. There were still so many but she had loved that one about the whales. She wished she knew how to get back at them. She'd love to get back at them, to destroy something they cared about. That was the difference between she and then, she'd never do something so spiteful even to those who deserved it. Still, the thought brought a wicked little smile to her face.
Kendrix heard the call for rest hour to begin in five minutes and her book Kendrix headed out to the play ground at the far end f the green and started for the tree. The memory of yesterday's fiasco hit her and she veered away from the tree. Looking around she tried to think of a good place to settle down.
"Oh look at the little mouse looking for a whole to hide in." The hated voice called and Kendrix was already stepping back at the sight of the bully.
"You got away wormy but your going to do it again, your little boyfriend isn't here to save you."
"Yeah no one's gonna save you."
Kendrix didn't think she just tossed her book at the biggest boy and dove to the right running for all she was worth.
She moved passed the kids playing a pick up game of red rover, the merry go round and was passing the monkey bars when she felt herself caught from behind.
"Why you little brat!" Bailey growled in her ear even as she was whipped around to face her pursuer.
"He Monkey boy!" A voice called and as Bailey looked around for the owner of the voice he was hit in the back by a rock.
"What the!"
Kendrix didn't waist time she jerked free and ran on passed the bars and towards the large lawn swing. She realized then it had of course been Leo coming to her rescue again. He now stood on the swing a hand holding the chain and one in his pocket, which was oddly lumpy. .
When the swing came forward she saw also his wicked look and the hand come from his pocket and extend to her.
"Come on" He grinned and she didn't even think of her lost book leaping up onto the swing with surprising nimbleness.
"Not bad kid, maybe I can teach you a few other things too." Leo said once he saw Bailey and the guys slinking off. He and his companion sat down on the swing looking out over the camp.
"Teach me?" She asked looking over at her new friend.
"Yeah, the way I see it is your book smart and I'm street smart, put them together and we should be able to get them off your backs."
"You really think so?"
"I just wondered what you'd do." She said with a little blush.
"Run, when in doubt run." He said jovially as he placed his hands behind his head and leaned back as if he had not a care in the world.
TBC
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Thanks to all those who responded to chapter 1 and 2. I love knowing what you think. Listen, if there's anyone still reading this please let me know, it's been so long since I've had a chance to update.