Summer's a Bummer, as Dull as Can Be... or is it?

Olivia barely blinked as the blonde girl spoke, holding out her hand in greeting. Rodina, she was called, and while her manners seemed to be in perfect functioning order, Olivia was hesitant. It was not very often others spoke to her aside from making sure she got her chores done, had taken a bath, and done her homework. When they did, it was usually some sort of jibe towards her lack of vocalizations or her slightly grungy rabbit. She knew of course, how it must look to most of the other children here, for her to be holding onto such a grubby toy like it was some sort of precious thing, and yet, she didn’t care. To her, the rabbit was precious. He was nameless, and yet, he was the sole being who ever listened to her properly, though she supposed that was probably because she only spoke to him in her head and had him answer her there as well. It was an easy relationship, when you could control both sides of it completely.

The younger girl’s eyes looked Rodina up and down slightly, trying to sum her up. She seemed nice enough, right now at least, but there was no telling how she would be later on once they had established more than just a simple moment of introduction. Olivia was sure though, that this was probably going to turn out the way most things did for her. Once Rodina’s duty of being paired with her was over, Olivia would probably be shunted off to the side in favor of one or two of the most exuberant girls in their group, and she would be left with just her rabbit again. This idea didn’t bother Olivia too much, as it was something she was quite used to and had actually come to expect as opposed to any of the more far fetched ideas of actually, possibly, making a friend. She had long since given up hope on that front, having never done so at the children’s home or the school she went to. She was left to her lonesome, no one wanting to hang out with the girl who never spoke and who stared an awkward amount of time before blinking.

Olivia pondered the girl’s hand for a moment, wondering what on earth she should do with that one. Obviously, she was meant to extend her own and shake, otherwise she would probably be seen as rude. That was how things usually went though. It wasn’t that she ever really ignored the other person, she just thought about things a little bit too long and they occasionally gave up or got weirded out by her lack of response before she could actually decide on how she wanted to reciprocate their actions. With Rodina though, Oliva felt she should probably do something, anything, as they were probably going to be stuck paired together for a bit. So, after a minute of deliberation, the smaller girl extended, not her own hand, but her rabbit’s arm, reaching it slowly forward until it skimmed the tips of Rodina’s fingers in greeting. Olivia pulled her rabbit away quickly, hugging him even tighter to her chest, her heart pumping hard in her chest as she stared at Rodina. She had done it. She had responded within an appropriate time line and in an almost normal fashion.

”Alright, Lilac Crew! Once you’ve got your partner, we’re going to head up to the cabin to stow your things away and then gather together as a group for a little ‘Get to Know You Circle’. Won’t that be fun? This way!” Their counselor beamed, waving her clipboard and starting down the gravel pathway towards the cabins.

Olivia continued to stare at Rodina, her face quite expressionless due to her simple misunderstanding of how to properly deal with someone who was actually smiling at her. Her own lips twitched in response, not at all used to someone actually being so kind to her right away. Most of the time when Olivia met someone new who was nice, it was some sort of potential parental figure, an adult who had to be nice to her because she was a kid and they figured that maybe they would be the one to break her out of her shell. It always ended the same though, with her closing deeper in on herself and them getting so frustrated they yelled and pawned her off to the next person in line.

Then Rodina was exclaiming that Olivia, of all people, was cute! Olivia had never seen herself as such and found it quite peculiar and bit suspicious, that this random other girl would think so. However, the comment made her cheeks go pink, and this only increased along with her heart rate as Rodina wrapped her arms around her. Olivia's body stiffened at once, her arms locking even tighter around her rabbit, unsure of what else to do with themselves. She couldn't remember the last time she had received a hug, a real proper one like the one Rodina was giving her. The other girl was soft and warm, and she smelt like a whole bunch of things Olivia had no names for, but had to admit she rather enjoyed the scent of. She felt herself starting to relax slightly, almost ready to ease down into the hug, but then it was over, much too soon. Olivia felt a slight wave of disappoint wash over her as Rodina let go. It was a feeling she was quite accustomed to though, so she brushed it aside with ease.

Olivia felt another wave, this time of joy, as Rodina reached for her hand, taking it and tugging her along after their counselor. That was as unexpected as the hug, but Olivia relished it, a small smile playing at her lips as she allowed herself to clutch Rodina's hand back, partly because she felt like she should, and partly because she was sure she would slip free and get left behind if she didn't. The other girl's hand was different from what one would expect it to be considering Rodina couldn't be much older than Olivia, maybe a year or two. Yet, her hand spoke of years of hard work, calluses smooth but obvious against Olivia's own supple skin. What was it, that Rodina must have done over and over, in order to have a hands like this? It peeked Olivia's natural curiosity, but she didn't ask. No, she was quite sure, if she observed the other girl long enough, she would probably figure it out.

The gravel beneath their feet crunched as the younger of the two girls tried to keep up, her legs moving quickly, rabbit bouncing along in her free arm as the other remained extended forward, clutching onto Rodina's hand. The blonde girl spoke, a slew of words in an accent Olivia placed easily, and was only confirmed, when the other girl mentioned something about Scotland. There were questions as well, about being outside, and rabbits, and bunk beds and Olivia's head spun slightly, not used to being asked so many things all at once but intrigued as to how much Rodina seemed to want to know about her mere minutes after their initial meeting. The ten year old didn't answer her though, her mouth partially open to breathe, but no sound coming out. She hoped Rodina wouldn't mind. It was one thing to be quiet for a little while and assumed as shy, it was completely another when someone finally figured out you never spoke at all.

The sun overhead was beating down upon them, and Olivia was starting to wish she hadn't worn her sweater,but then, she supposed she could removed it once they reached the cabin, even if it meant being stuck with just her camp t-shirt that she already knew was going to be too small for her to hide herself in if she needed to. It almost actually fit her, not nearly as excessively baggy as she would have liked. Thankfully, the cabin wasn't far, and they trampled up the steps beneath a hanging sign painted with purple lilac flowers. Olivia admired it for a moment, impressed with the artist's ability, before the screen door creaked open and they were inside.

The girls gathered in, spreading out, heading to claim one of the eight bunk beds with their partners as another counselor pushed her way through the door with a small cart holding the girls' luggage from the buses they had road in one. Olivia paused, unsure of what to do with herself, but still grasping hold of Rodina's hand through the chaos. She turned slightly, tugged gently at Rodina's hand, and then pointed at the nearest bunks. She directed one rabbit arm at the bottom one, and then at herself. She figured, usually most people wanted the top. That, and if she were on the top, she would have less options for being able to get away quickly should some of the other girls start to pick on her. No, best to stay on the bottom where it would be harder for them to block of the escape routes.

Olivia faltered slightly, eyes staring wide at Rodina as the other girl just smiled at her, not seeming to mind that she hadn't responded with any type of vocalization. She hadn't let go of Olivia's hand yet either, despite the fact that they had reached their location. It was an odd feeling, holding onto someone's hand for such a prolonged amount of time, but Olivia wasn't about to complain. She actually rather enjoyed the warmth of Rodina's slightly bigger hand wrapped around her own kind of sweaty one. It was a familiarity she was not used to, but had observed many a time in the school yard. An indication of that odd bond known as friendship that Olivia had never experienced and was not quite sure how to deal with now that it was her hand being held. However, so long as Rodina remained as kind and welcoming as she had been so far...

Oh, who was she kidding? Olivia knew this wouldn't last. That it was probably only a momentary thing as the older girl had yet to really get to know Olivia. No, she would be abandoned in a matter of hours, probably shunted between partners for a while until she got paired up with a counselor simply because they felt bad none of the other kids wanted to be with her. She mentally berated herself for a moment before realizing Rodina was speaking again. She had agreed to take the top, and Olivia nodded, grateful for this. She would feel much safer sleeping on the bottom. She watched, as Rodina let go of her hand, and instantly felt coolness hit her own. She grasped slightly at the air before bringing her arm back in, hugging both around her rabbit and trying to quell the slight emptiness she now felt without Rodina's hand.

However, Olivia had still received something from the other girl, an instruction. Simple and straight forward. Olivia was to sit on the lower bed in order to stake their claim upon the bunks while Rodina went to get their things. Now that, was something Olivia could do easily. Had it just been her, she probably would have waited for all of the other girls to gather up their luggage before seeking out her own. She didn't have to though. She got to stay behind, out of the slightly rampaging crowd. So, Olivia did as she had been told, and sat down, still hugging her rabbit tightly. She watched, her eyes glued to the back of Rodina's lovely blonde head as the older girl quickly made her way over and managed to locate both of their belongings. She flinched a little, noting exactly how much dinger her own suitcase looked compared to everyone else's shiny trunks or brightly colored duffle bags. Well, at least they probably wouldn't know she'd come from a children's home, that would be more mortifying than the state of her clothes or bag.

Olivia took her suitcase from Rodina, allowing herself to smile just a little bit, and set the case down on her bed.The other girl had said she had done good, protecting their bunks even though all Olivia had really done was stick her butt on the lower bunk to show this set of beds was taken. It made Olivia feel glad, that Rodina approved even if it hadn't been much. And then the counselor was calling for them all to gather so they could introduce themselves and Olivia began to panic internally. She gripped her rabbit even more tightly to her chest, so hard it looked as though it might be squished to death had it not already.

Oh how Olivia hated things like this, where she would be expected to open her mouth and speak to others. It wasn't that she lacked a voice, she just deemed it quite un-necessary to talk. It was an overwhelming thing, using one's voice. The very idea of doing so made her clam up like nothing else. Having never so much as uttered a word in her life, Olivia was quite certain this introduction circle was going to go just like how all of the other times she had been expected to introduce herself had gone. They would wait, patiently staring at her, for her to say something, anything. Then, after an awkward minute, they would move on, maybe even suggest coming back to her afterwards, though they never did.

Rodina, took her hand again, and Olivia grasped it tightly, much harder than she had earlier, feeling quite thankful for the friendly warmth of it, and for the other girl's simple ability to just take her hand like it wasn't a big deal. She held on as she was pulled off of the bed and over to join the rest of their cabin, forming a large circle in the open center of the room. Olivia kept a firm hold on both her rabbit and Rodina's hand, heart picking up in speed more so than it had earlier, her anxiety at the prospect of being asked to speak sending her shaking slightly, knees knocking together. But then Rodina was speaking to her, her voice soft and more kind than Olivia had ever heard in her entire life.

"Do you want me to introduce you?"

Olivia's head shot around, eyes going wide as she stared slightly up at Rodina, completely shocked by the offer. Never, had anyone given her this option before. They had always tried to get her to do it first, and then, when she failed, they would do it for her. It was... It was incredible! Who had sent this miraculous being who was holding her hand and being so impossibly kind that Olivia thought she might cry? She gave a small nod, her heart still racing, but calming a bit.

The counselor called on Rodina first, and the girl just went for it. Olivia was extremely impressed by the lack of nerves the older girl seemed to possess. Rodina didn't seem to be afraid of speaking in front of this group of... Fifteen girls plus the two counsellors. Olivia made careful note of the information Rodina present, from the meaning of her name, to why she had received it, and the things Rodina liked. She stored these things away in her brain for later, if by some remarkable chance Rodina didn't end up abandoning her later, though Olivia was still fairly sure she would. Even if she was so impossibly nice. It surprised her a bit, though Rodina had offered, when the older girl just went right on to introducing Olivia as well.

Rodina nailed it. Well, almost. Olivia did love the outdoors and bunnies, and she was quite good at listening, even to those she wasn't technically supposed to be listening too. However, she was quite positive she was neither awesome or adorable and by the time Rodina finished speaking, proclaiming Olivia as her camp partner and that she, apparently, found the younger girl quite cute, Olivia's face had deepened in color until it resembled a ripe tomato. Then Rodina was looking at her and asking if she had done well and all Olivia could do was simply nod, her face still set with shock, but much more vibrant in color now.

After a moment, as the rest of the girls began to continue the introductions, Olivia's hand tightened around Rodina's, her eyes scrunching up as she tried to stem the happy tears starting to fall from their corners. Her body shook slightly, but she pressed her hand even tighter to the older girl's before turning her face again, she lifted her rabbit, rubbing away at her tears. She locked her eyes onto Rodina's, trying to convey exactly how thankful she was for her taking over Olivia's introduction like it was nothing, it was the kind of thing a friend would have done and Olivia had never been on the receiving end of such an action before in her life. Not trusting her eyes to fully show the impact of her gratitude, Olivia pushed herself up, slightly onto her tip toes, and planted a mildly wet kiss upon Rodina's cheek. She pulled away quickly though, looking down at her feet, hoping that it would be enough to properly express the amount of thanks she had for the other girl's actions and hoping she wouldn't be angry with her for the kiss. Some people didn't like such things, but Olivia was an affectionate child, even if she never had anyone to show it to but the animals the volunteers at the children's home would bring in.

Olivia squealed inside her head, her little body scrunching up slightly, hands balling into fists, not out of anger, but happiness, as Rodina hugged her again. Her kiss had been accepted! Not only that, but reciprocated with another form of affection. She accepted it fully, though, it was once again too quick for Olivia to actually hug the older girl back, but it was the thought that mattered. The sheer fact that Rodina hadn’t even bothered to wipe the kiss off her cheek, that she had gone a bit red and hugged Olivia instead, spoke volumes to the small girl. People only did things like that if they wanted to be your friend, right? Olivia couldn’t be entirely positive, as she had never been involved in such things, but she was almost sure that was how it worked. Even if Rodina ditched her later in favor of some of the other girls, perhaps the one who liked star gazing, Olivia would cherish the short time they had had together. The minutes in which she felt as if… as if, maybe… perhaps, there was a slight possibility she was finally making a friend. She would look back on it fondly, remembering, how for, even if it had been for just a little while, she had interacted with another person in the way those who cared for one another were supposed to.

The ten year old bounced on the balls of her feet now, though her expression was still fairly blank except for the small smile playing at the corner of her lips. It was rare that she actually showed any emotion unless she was trying to directly communicate with another person. Otherwise it was just a waste of energy for whatever lovely place she was visiting in her mind, though, at the moment, she hadn’t gone off daydreaming. Normally, by this point, she would have, ready to escape away from everything around her by spacing out and thinking of much nicer things she would rather be doing. Right now though, she was solely focused on how lovely it was, to be standing next to Rodina, and hear something about a bonfire. At camp, Olivia knew, that fires meant singing, stories, and toasty marshmallows. While she probably would not participate in any except the roasting of delicious little white puffs of delight, Olivia actually felt a bit excited about the bonfire. That was, of course, until she glanced at Rodina to see how she felt about the idea of the prospect of the bonfire. Surely a girl who had spoken so boldly in front of so many people would be all for enjoying a nice big fire.

Yet, as Olivia’s eyes found Rodina’s face, she stopped bouncing, slowly, until it came to a total stop. There was something off in the way Rodina’s words flowed out of her mouth now, not nearly as confidant sounding as they had been earlier, and her face seemed a bit paler than it had been earlier. Now, had Olivia been anyone else, she probably wouldn’t have noticed the subtle changes in the older girl’s demeanor, but Olivia was Olivia and she had spent a lot of her life reading people. The way Rodina had specifically asked if they were required to go to the bonfire and the smile she gave Olivia after being told they had to… It wasn’t the same bright, happy one Olivia had received earlier. No. Something wasn’t right here, and it had something to do with the bonfire. However, Olivia nodded, but purposely frowned, knitting her eyebrows questioningly at the older girl before they were told to unpack their things. She felt the other girl take her hand again and gave it a squeeze, wanting to cheer her up, but not entirely sure how she could do that at the moment when things were expected of them.

Olivia released Rodina’s hand and grabbed up her suitcase, popped it open, and began switching the few things she did have into the dresser. Her clothes consisted of a few t-shirts that should have belonged more to a teenage boy than a little girl, a pair of shorts, a bathing suit she was hoping she would not need, and some jeans for when they went hiking or it got too cold out. They took up very little space in the dresser, and she paused, heaved a silent sigh, and shimmied her arms into her sleeves. She squirmed, pulling her large sweater (it almost reached her knees, hiding most of her skit), off without taking off her camp t-shirt that she’d put on over it. She finally managed to free herself, folded the sweater up, and placed that away as well. She hated to be without it, but it was so hot out… perhaps she should change into one of her other shirts? But no, that would look weird when everyone else was wearing their purple ones today. She would have to deal with not being able to hide away for now, as difficult as that felt.

The only things left in the suitcase now were the two books Olivia had been allowed to bring along. Only two… It was going to be a long month with just the pair of large novels. Olivia pulled them out, setting them safely beneath her pillow where she could find them easily and hopefully no one would take them. Finished, she shoved the suitcase under the bed and out of the way, contemplating that maybe she should have left something in it. But then… she hadn’t brought nearly as much as the rest of the girls seemed to have, and her clothes only took up half a drawer. No, it’d be fine. Turning around, Olivia flopped down on the bed, holding her rabbit lightly in her lap, eyes looking around before locking on Rodina and staring at her unblinkingly. The other girl took a bit longer to unpack, but Olivia didn’t care. She liked observing people do things. Her feet swung, unable to reach the floor, the heels of her little black shoes thumping slightly against the frame of the bunk bed.

When the clatter of girls getting settled began to calm down, the counselor called for their attention once more. She held up a stack of papers. ”Alright ladies. Now that we’ve got our things stored away properly, I’d like to go over a few simple rules. Each one is in place for your own safety, so please, do not go about breaking them, otherwise there will be consequences. First, no one is to go into the lake until after you have all passed your swim test and then only when there is a life guard on duty. We will have scheduled swim times as a group outside of your free time. Those of you who do not pass your swim test will be given lessons during those set times until you can pass the test. If you do not pass your swim test and would still like to play in the water during your free time, you may do so only with the direct permission of myself or your other cabin counselor and an authorized floatation device.”[/I]

Olivia felt her heart skip a beat and her stomach churned. She had never done well with swimming, not at the local pool where she and the other children were occasionally taken. Normally she ended up sitting with her feet in the baby’s wading pool the entire time. Something about the water… the idea of sinking and not being able to come back up…

”Secondly, you are to stay within camp grounds at all times. You may venture onto the hiking trails, but only the ones marked with yellow tape. Any with red or blue tape are off limits unless we are hiking them as a group. If you do decide to take a hike, please be kind to the wildlife and leave things as you find them. And lastly, any fighting or bullying will not be tolerate under any circumstances, is this all understood?”[/I]

A chorus of girl’s gave a solid ‘yes’ before the counselor continued. ”Alright then. You ladies are free to go explore now. I have maps of the camp and surrounding trails should you like one. There will be snacks available for the next few hours in the mess hall if you’re hungry, but otherwise the first actual meal time won’t be until five. You’ll know it’s time when the bell rings. The bonfire starts at eight down in the field. Scheduled activities will begin in the morning after breakfast, but for the rest of today, just get to know one another and have fun!”[/I]