Break Free

NAME TAG

As I was about to leave, the guy heading my way approached me. He was trying to say hi but he accidently stepped on his shoelace and lost his balance. "Oh hi there buddy! Noah right? I remember you're the one staying at Coach's beach house, summer two years ago. The rock collector, am I right? How are you? I can't believe you're here!"

A dark haired boy with little eyes starred at me. He placed his hands together, bowed his head as if he was about to pray, "I... I is sorry, I is running so fast," he answered apologetically, while looking at his untied shoelace. "Geo...geologist, not ro-rock collector," he then continued.

He was so serious and cute at the same time I couldn't help but smile. "You must be the new BF, it's nice to have you here. I heard you have a guardian?"

"Oniichan is here with Noah, Noah is happy." He looked so happy I bet he's close with his guardian. 

Oniichan is a weird name but it sounds sweet, I wonder how she looks like. Hope we'll get along. "Oniichan, she must be your mom or sister. Oh well I can't wait to meet her," I told him while fixing his shoelace. 

"Hey Becca, we're here!" my attention was diverted to Coach, who was cheerfully waving at me.

"Want to go there?" I pointed where Coach was standing then held his hand to lead the way.

"Hi Coach, hi everyone!" I greeted them all with a smile. "Hope I'm not too late" I added, expecting that they'll look at me. But even after my greetings, no one seems to have noticed my arrival since they are all occupied with what they're doing. 

Funny, cause from afar they look like busy bees running here and there. And I won't lie, they've done quite a good job. The tents have already been set up in a circle, leaving the middle area empty for tonight's bonfire. Moreover, I could see alternating blue and white triangle flags planted on the ground, just a quarter a mile from where I stand. Those are probably for the first obstacle course that Brian has mentioned.  

As I look around, the excitement beaming on each face cannot be hidden. The children are blissfully arranging their things in the tents, so I let go of Noah's hand and asked him to do the same. Everyone seems to be really occupied, Brian and Linda are preparing the camping chairs while Coach is handing over color-coded camp kits and name tags to everyone.

"You'll be needing this for the rest of Break Free, don't forget to look inside so you'll know what to expect," Coach instructed one of the BFs. "There's a map in there, in case you get lost; first aid kit, if ever you get injured; camping signal whistle, for you to easily call for help, flashlight cause it's really dark at night and lots of love from me," he hugged them all one by one as he hand over their kits.

"Wow that's so sweet, what happened to the tough Coach we all know?" I tried to tease him a little wishing he wouldn’t scold me for being late.

"Hi there Becca, no you're not late, in fact, you're just in time. Here is your kit and your name tag. I personally made that name tag for you because I know you often lose them." he said in a sweet voice and crinkled eyes. Good thing he's in a good mood today!

"No way! You knitted them?!" I answered in surprise. "This is awesome! When did you have the time?"

"You know me, I always make time for important things," he responded seriously.

I won't contest that for he sure knows how to deal with time but knitting my name tag, I bet it took him hours to finish it. "That's silly, this is not important at all! I mean a customized name tag is a bit too much, seriously you didn't have to." I told him feeling a little embarrassed for I honestly don't know what to say.

I know I'm clumsy and I tend to forget a lot of things; like, I wouldn't be surprised if one day I forget my very own identity, that's why this name tag is really heartwarming. Yes, I'm exaggerating things right now, and 'forgetting my own' sounds scary. But what I'm trying to say is that I always get absorbed in whatever work I'm doing so everything else often becomes unnecessary.

"Anyway, I saw you being emotional again," Coach looked at me as if he's trying to read me. "Breaking ground sure breaks something all the time, if not your arm, it'll be your heart," he added.

Yeah right, as if my heart was ever broken. By the way, when I said unnecessary things it, a hundred and one percent, includes having a LOVE LIFE.

You could say that I am a boring person and I admit that. A boring person who has never experienced the thrill of being in love. But what's the point of experiencing it if I already have all my kids to pour my love into.

Plus, I'm not sure if I'm ready to get my heart broken, I don't think I can handle it. Just hearing Coach talk about it, terrifies me.

"Haha, don't make breaking ground sound so bad, you're scaring the kids away." I tried to ignore what he said, despite knowing what he really meant.

"Have you prepared lunch for us?" he quickly changed the topic.

"Oh about that, that's actually the reason why I was a little late. They delivered the ice cream at my house because I forgot to address it here, so I had to deal with it first. Sorry, for I was so used to giving out my own address." I answered apologetically. "Good thing the delivery guy was kind enough to understand the situation and he'll  be here soon!" I added, in hope that he won't notice the word ice cream.

"Ice cream!!!" the children shouted in joy, "Yehey! we want Ice cream!" they shouted even louder, which is great because now... I'm dead.

"Ice cream?" Coach asked with a puzzled look, "I thought I asked you to prepare lunch?" his voice is now one octave higher. I knew this was coming but come on, I bet even the adults would love to have some good dessert. Plus it's summer break, so aren't we supposed to enjoy that with some ice cream.

"Yes you did but then I thought it'll be nice if we have ice cream for desserts, even the kids seem to agree with me," I was trying to convince Coach for he's an advocate of healthy lifestyle, and obviously, ice cream is a big NO NO for him.

"Of course they'll agree, it's ice cream!" Brian said after trying to calm the children. "So come on Coach, let it slide, just this once?" ...and this is the time when Brian suddenly turns from being a villain to a superhero 'to the rescue'. Like I said, he's always ready to back me up, even if I don't ask him to.

"I'll give you one free scoop later," I quickly whispered at Brian. He sure deserves a treat.

"Please Coach just this once!" I continue to beg.

Then suddenly a man wearing black cap, black shirt, black jeans, and black sneakers came running, shouting, "Coach, there's an ice cream guy at the entrance of the main cabin." He was running out of breath, we barely understood what he said. But despite how unclear his words were, my heart raced, and I can't explain what I was feeling. Oddly, I could feel some tingling inside, as though butterflies wanted to be freed.

"Guess I have no choice but to say yes," Coach looked at me in an intimidating look. But after hearing what Coach said, everything made sense, I've convinced him and I'm getting what I want! No wonder butterflies are suddenly appearing. 

"Thanks Coach," I replied with a huge smile.

We were all headed to the main cabin except for the man wearing all black, so I decided to stay and have a talk with him. "Wow! you must be an angel sent from above!" I said, trying to thank him. But he just stared at me without saying a word. Like a frozen statue, he just stood there. So I thought I must have confused him with what I said. "I mean, you came right on time. I was just begging Coach to allow us to have ice cream." I explained myself, but still, I got nothing. His stare became deeper, way more intimidating than what Coach did.

The atmosphere became awkward so I decided to leave him and follow the rest but then he suddenly spoke and said, "So it's you." 

So it's me? Now, I think I'm the one who's confused.