The barbecue started around two-fifteen and during the barbecue, Emma and Gideon were playing in the lake with Tabitha, Logan, Lucas, the Zelen triplets, Emma, Vincent and Jack. Gunner and Carla were having an eating contest while Jake was sitting on the bench watching the other kids play. Vincent was serving plates with Nancy, Jenny was sitting on the picnic table playing video games while Penny was talking Jenny's ear off, Agatha was sitting on the dock as she dangled her legs over the water.
Grace glanced around "Another year, another successful barbecue, Quartermaster Buck." she said as she smiled, Buck chuckled "I thought starting the camp year with a barbecue was a good idea. Since we had enough money, I thought we could have two barbecues this year." he said while flipping burgers. Ace went over to Buck "Hey Buck, I think we have a little problem with one of the kids. Don't you think that Jake might be... a little distance from everyone else?" he said while looking at Jake's direction. Jake sighed and looked up at Ace, he smiled and waved at Ace before going back to watching the kids play.
"Well, his parents only drop him off with Jack because they don't know what to do with him for summer break." said Buck "Why don't you assign one of the summer youth employees to play with him? Like uh... Her. Agatha was it?" he continued as he pointed at Agatha.
"Good idea. She's not doing anything at the moment, I'll go ask her." Ace said as he walked to Jake "Hey, Jake, can you follow me for a moment?" Ace said, Jake stood up and walked with Ace as they went to the dock.
"Hey Agatha!" shouted Ace.
Agatha's POV
'Lake water seems to have a whole new wonderland underwater' I thought when I heard my name. I turned around and saw Ace and Jake walking towards me, I stood up "Yes ,Camp master Ace?" I answered.
"What are you doing at the moment?" Ace asked.
"I'm looking at the lake trying to find some fish." I answered.
For some reason, my answer made Jake smile. Ace looked down at Jake and then at me again "Do you mind if Jake can join you?" asked Ace, "He can join me if he wants to. Would you like to join me, Jake?" I asked, Jake nodded as he stood next to me. "Make sure you watch over him, got it?" asked Ace, "Don't worry. I'll watch him like a hawk!" I said with a smile as he walked away.
I sat on the dock again while Jake sat next to me.
"Do you... like watching the water too, Jake? You looked excited when I said I was looking at the lake." I said, Jake slowly nodded in response.
The atmosphere between us was somehow pleasant.
"Miss Agatha..." said Jake as he looked up at me. I looked down at Jake "Yes?"
"H-Have you g-get scared of... t-talking to other people? I-If so how did you get over that fear?" he asked.
I nodded and smiled, "That's a hard question..." I answered.
I didn't say that just to say something, I said it because there were too many times where I didn't want to get involved with other people. I couldn't possibly tell a child about that so I had to answer his question in a different approach.
"Well sure I have, I usually tell myself 'I'm unique' and 'I have a voice like everyone else.' I know talking to people are scary but you'll get use to it overtime, but you can talk to people when you feel it's a good time to speak up.'" I answered.
"Speak up, huh?" Jake whispered while glancing at the lake again.
'Poor kid...' I thought.
Two hours later, Jake glanced over at the other kids at the lake, I followed Jake's gaze and watched as well. Emma and Gideon laughed while the kids were swimming around, "Alright kids. What do you want to play now?" Gideon asked. "Do you think the camp has an inflatable basketball or something?" asked Jack, "I'm not sure about that. Doesn't hurt to find out, I'll go and ask the boss if they have some water gear in the equipment room." Gideon said as he swam to shore, he ran over to Buck.
"I wish I was sociable like mister Gideon..." Jake sighed.
'Gideon is the definition of a social butterfly.' I thought as I giggled, "Hey Jake, who's your favorite camp master so far?"I asked. Jake looked up at me and pointed at Grace, "I kind of figured it would be her. She's the most energinic adult I've ever met." I continued with a smile while Jake nodded.
I looked over and saw that Emma and the other kids were coming for us.
'The hell are they doing?' I thought to myself before I saw the triplets scooping water into their hands before throwing it at us. Jake and I exclaimed in shock before more kids started splashing water at us, "Stop! Stop! We don't want to get wet! Cut it out!" I shouted.
"Oh come on, Agatha, it's just water. It's not going to kill you." Emma said while splashing us with the kids. Jake stood up and ran out of the docks, crying. When I stood up, I slipped and fell into the lake.
I screamed before swimming to shore, "My phone was in my pocket!" I screamed before I took out my phone from my pocket and found it waterlogged. I groaned and sighed before walking away from the lake, 'What a GREAT day to start this summer job...' I thought as I went to look for Jake. "Jake? Jake, where'd you go?!" I shouted before I saw a pair of legs under the picnic table, I bent over and saw Jake shedding tears as he tried to dry off. "There you are Jake. Come out from there and let's dry you off before you catch a cold." I said as I held out my hand, Jake took my hand as we walked towards the cabin.
"Woah! Wet cats, where are you two going?" said a familiar voice.
We turned around and saw Gideon, who was holding an inflatable volleyball.
"We're just going to get changed. Those little rascals splashed us with water and I fell in the lake and got my phone destroyed." I said with a slight laugh, Gideon held the inflatable volleyball on his hip "That's terrible, I'm sorry for your phone. You go and get change, I'll take care of Jake for you." he said.
"But what about your water game?" I said, "Eh, I'm sure someone will come and catch it." he answered as he threw the volleyball towards the lake. "HEADS UP!" he shouted, the children cheered as they ran over and took the ball to the lake. "See?" Gideon said as he held Jake's hand, "Don't worry about Jake. He's going to be just fine, right, Jake?" he asked with a smile as Jake nodded while they walked to the boy's cabin. Soaking wet from the lake, I waddled my way to the girls cabin and in my room while I got changed into something comfortable when I heard the quarter master's voice.
"ALRIGHT EVERYONE! THIS IS A FIVE MINUTE WARNING! FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN THE LAKE GET OUT NOW AND DRY UP BEFORE THE DINNER CALL!" Buck shouted.