Somebody Like You

22. Over my dead body

ENYA

"Alright everyone!" Brenda calls out, looking like she hasn't slept in three days and has been surviving on pure motivation. She's a strong woman, I will give her credit for that. "Time for today's assignments!"

It’s seven a.m. The sun is barely up, and so am I, technically with four hours of sleep and zero chill left in my system. Today’s off to a great start.

"Today is the All-Camp Amazing Race!" She announces with enthusiasm. "Counselors will be paired up to lead small teams through a camp-wide scavenger hunt. There are challenges, clues, and a grand prize for the winning team!"

The other counselors perk up. The kids are going to love this. I'm already preparing myself to spend the day with Noah or stupid Jake or literally anyone who won't make me want to commit a felony.

"Okay, pairs!" Brenda consults her clipboard. "Morgan and Jake—"

Good for them.

"Rachel and Hannah—"

Also fine.

"And Enya—" Brenda looks up, and there's something in her expression that looks like guilt. "—you're with Maddie. You'll be leading the Blue Jays."

Why!

"No." I say.

"You and Maddie. Blue Jays. It's all decided." Brenda's talking fast now. "The teams are balanced, the kids are excited, it's going to be great!"

I groan.

She finishes announcing the other team leaders smoothly.

"Alright everyone, grab your team packets and meet at the starting line in fifteen minutes! Let's make today amazing!" She runs away before I can protest.

I turn slowly to look at Maddie, who's standing across the yard looking like she's just been told she has to spend the day in a cage with a rabid wolverine.

And of course, our eyes meet.

I can already see that this is going to be a disaster.

Fifteen minutes later, we're standing with our team of eight kids, four from our cabin and four from another cabin. They're literally vibrating with excitement about the scavenger hunt.

"Are we going to win?" Maya asks.

"Obviously," I say.

"Ms. Maddie, what's our strategy?" Lily asks.

Maddie puts on her counselor smile. "We're going to work together as a team and do our very best!"

So diplomatic and fake.

Brenda blows the whistle. "On your marks... get set... GO!"

Every team scatters in different directions, kids screaming. Our team huddles around as Maddie opens the first clue.

"'Where the morning meal is served, find what the birds prefer,'" she reads aloud.

"The dining hall!" Harper shouts immediately.

"Let's go!" Maya takes off running, and the rest of the kids follow like a tiny stampede.

Maddie and I bring up the rear, walking in silence that's so loaded it
could pass for a weapon.

At the dining hall, the kids find the next clue taped under a bird feeder. Maddie and I stand shoulder-to-shoulder, reading it together while maintaining the maximum possible distance between our bodies.