Chapter 3: Unlucky Day

Previously...

"Attention everyone."

We all stop what we are doing and looked at the speaker attached to the mini stage.

"Please head to our mini stage so we can start and talk about how this week would be the best camping trip for you campers ever!"

The others immediately went to the mini stage. It wasn't that far so I went too.

While walking I saw a woman wearing a light brown cargo short matching with a t-shirt that has the logo of camp Ever Realms.

I couldn't help but be nervous when I got close to the stage.

"Welcome to camp Ever Realms, everyone! I'm your camp director Addilyn Mendoza and this is my team."

---

Nini

"Welcome to camp Ever Realms, everyone! I'm your camp director Addilyn Mendoza and this is my team," cheerfully she said.

I can say she's a good speaker, she caught everyone's attention by just saying those words.

"Camp Ever Realms is a camp full of activities that either parents, kids, or teens like you have enjoyed for generations."

"Not just that, darling. You'll not doubt to have positive memories from this experience," lively and energetic she says.

Wow! She even can speak without stumbling, especially without those “ers” and “uhs".

"Although things don’t have to proceed flawlessly for you guys to enjoy."

So even parents like this camp?

"Now that you know me and have a little knowledge about the camp, I will now introduce you to my team," she said and looked at the people behind her.

"Good morning campers! I'm

Danilyn Castillo, you can just call me Ms. Dani. I'm a camp counselor," the woman said.

She has long hair, her skin is brown and her outfit is like Ms. Addilyn too.

"This will be a long discussion, I should walk and find something to-"

"You!"

I was about to walk to find some chair when I heard someone speak.

I turned around and there I see Ms. Addilyn looking and at me.

I first looked to my left and right to make sure she was calling me.

"Are you talking to me?" I ask her.

I saw her nod in response.

Oh gosh, I feel like everyone is staring at me. What should I do?!

Well, It's not that I don't want people to look at me, I just really don't want to be the center of attention.

"Come on stage with us, please."

I was not sure if I would do it or not.

I looked around and saw my classmates and other students looking at me.

It's not like I do have a choice too.

I just sigh and go on stage.

"Great! May we know what's your name?" she asked me immediately when I stepped on the stage with them.

I saw that she had a mic that would be given to me so I look at her.

I saw her nod.

I took the mic from her hand.

This is it, Nini, this is your chance to overcome your fear of standing in front of many people.

But can I really do it?

Why does my heart beat so fast?

No! What if the time came that you would speak in front of a crowd for your speech when you graduate as a valedictorian?

It's just a name, Nini. it's okay.

“My name is Nicollete Niome Santos, you can just call me Nini,” I started.

I stared at the crowd and I saw them stared at me too.

Okay... this is awkward.

"What a beautiful name you have, Nini. Okay! How old are you and what grade and section do you represent?" she asked again.

"I'm 12 years of age, and I am a representative of grade seven boron," I answered.

"Wonderful Nini! I have a question for you, can you answer it?"

I immediately nodded in response.

"That's what I want! A student who likes to participate!" she says boldly.

No wonder why even parents like this camp.

This camp has cheerful, kind, and helpful people here.

Don't forget how they welcome everyone who enters their camp so much.

"First things first, what exactly is a camp?" she asked then look front of her.

I looked to my front and there I saw one of the students raised his hand.

Is that?

"Ah, yes, you! What is a camp?" she asked and give the microphone she's holding to Villanueva.

"I just want to clarify things first, Ms. Mendoza. What 'camp' are you referring to?" he asked making Ms. Addilyn's eyebrow knit.

I saw others students start whispering and laughing because of what Villanueva said.

"You know, the word 'camp' has a lot of meaning but it depends on how you put it in a sentence."

After he said those words the laughter of the others intensified even more.

"Students, quiet!" a teacher rebuked them so they all quiet down.

"Uhh, I only need to know the normal camp meaning is. You know so that others would have an idea about what the camp is about," she replied.

"They're all normal."

"You know what it's fine. I already know what you're saying."

Why is this happening to me?

"Alright, go on."

"A camp is usually a place where another group of persons or an individual is lodge in a tent or other temporary means of shelter they have," he answers.

Ms. Addilyn immediately took the mic in his hand.

"Great! Just like he said-"

"Or it can be used to hide or take cover in a relatively safe play area, you know, some sort of an ambush to attack people."

Great! Just great! Is there anything worse that can happen besides this?

"Umm, sorry for interrupting you Ms. Addilyn. This student of mine really likes to talk a lot, he's kinda excited about the camp," Ms. Samera said and grab Villanueva away.

"I can see that, but it's okay. He just likes participating, am I right?"

He nodded in response.

"And-"

Ms. Samera suddenly covered Villanueva's mouth.

"Continue, Ms. Addi, don't mind us. Right, Gavyn?"

Gavyn nodded slowly.

"Okay... just like what Gavyn said, a camp is a place where groups or individuals stay in a tent or shelter that is here."

“A camp has different sections or positions, our first position is a camp director. Now, Nini," she said and look at me.

"Can you tell me what is a camp director?"

I nodded first after I receive the question.

"A camp director is the one who plans daily camp activities, creating activity schedules and ensuring a healthy camp environment."

"He or she is also known as the leader of the group," I added.

I saw her applaud after I answer.

"Very good! Straight to the point, Nini."

"The camp director is the leader of most camps. In short, every camp is like a school or a university, the camp director is the principal or the leader."

After she said those words, she took something out of the box held by someone with her team.

I frowned as I saw what kind of thing it is.

T-shirt and a badge?

"As a reward for responding and participating in us, this is an official t-shirt and badge of camp Ever Realms!" she said enthusiastically and handed me the t-shirt.

Not just me, she also gives Gavyn a t-shirt and a badge too.

"Don't worry everyone, I do have a lot of questions so that many of you will participate."

"When you answer one of them or participate, you will have the official t-shirt and a badge of camp Ever Realms!" she said and show everyone a lot of boxes full of t-shirts and badges.

"But remember, we all just need to participate because, without the camp Ever Realms t-shirt, you won't be able to join the camp games!" Ms. Dani added that's why everyone becomes more exciting.

I look at the t-shirt and badge she gave me as I walk away from the stage.

I immediately went to where my classmates were lined up.

This will take a while.

---

"And those are the rules that can and can't be done here in the camp."

I looked at my watch and saw that it was 10 in the morning already.

"Is everything clear? Are there any questions?" Ms. Addi asked us.

I hear my stomach growl so I hold it, I'm hungry.

"If there's no question, may I know if all the Darkson students have a camp Ever Realms t-shirt?"

"May you all raise your hands if you've already received a t-shirt. Remember, no t-shirt, no game," she reminds again.

I immediately raised my hand, so as my other classmates and students.

"Looks like everyone here already has a shirt. That's great! Now, I want you to line up according to your grade and section. Teachers, can you please assist them?"

I immediately lined up properly. I put my bag on my back.

"In each section, you will be divided into several groups, and each group will have four members and a camp counselor," Ms. Dani reminded us.

Other camp counselors began to select members.

Some of my classmates are together with their friends in the same group.

"We are gonna have so much fun!" I heard one of my classmates say.

For you, I guess.

While the other camp counselors were still choosing, Ms. Dani spoke again.

"Here in camp Ever Realms, each group will have different activities, it depends on what your schedule says."

"We, your camp counselor, are looking forward to work with you while exploring and participating in hands-on activities and events!"

Looking forward, huh? I wonder what group am I going to belong to?

I turned and look around. There are a lot of groups in seventh grade.

Some of these are emerald, turquoise, sapphire, ruby ​​, and pearl.

The Emerald group is full, so is the Turquoise group too. While Ruby ​​and Pearl are both missing one more person.

I looked at the sapphire camp counselor.

"Why hasn't she chosen yet?" I asked myself.

I saw her look at me so I averted my eyes. I don't know but there's something about her aura.

Stop thinking nonsense, Nini.

"Don't have any group yet?"

I immediately turned to my side in shock.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I recognized who the person was.

It's just Gavyn.

"Gavyn, can you please stop popping out of nowhere? You're scaring me."

"I didn't pop out of nowhere, Nini. I've been here in your side earlier till now."

I just sigh.

"It looks like we're the only ones who don't have a group yet," he told me.

I looked at him.

"Do you think someone will choose us?"

I couldn't help but think of what he said.

He has a point, but what if no one chose us?

Doesn't it make good? I mean, no activity, no interacting.

"Someone will choose us, we have a t-shirt."

"EEK!"

I immediately hugged the person next to me when I heard someone speak.

"Nathalie!" we said at the same time.

We looked at each other immediately, a few seconds passed before we realized what position are we in.

I let go of our hug and averted my eyes away from him.

"She's the one who's popping out of nowhere, Nini not me." I heard Gavyn say.

Oh great, just great! Us, again.

"Nathalie, didn't Ms.  Samera tell you not to shock someone?" I said to her.

She did not answer me and remained silent.

Wow, now she doesn't want to talk.

"So where are my groupmates?"

I immediately turned in front of me when I heard someone speak.

My eyes widened at what I saw.

Oh no...

"Almost there, just a few more steps."

I need to go! But how? They will notice me.

"Nini, are you okay?" I heard Gavyn ask.

I immediately took my bag from my back and opened it.

"Extra shirt, extra shirt," I repeatedly said as I check my stuff.

Gosh! Why is there so much stuff in this bag?

"Uhh, Nini? What are you doing?" he asked again but I ignored him.

I just keep digging through my stuff until I find my extra shirt.

My smiles widened. I immediately took out my extra shirt when I saw it.

"Extra shirt!"

Gradually my smiles faded when I saw who was in front of me.

"Ta-da! Welcome to the sapphire group!"

"You better be kidding me."

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To be continued…