Break Free

MYSTERIOUS GUY

I was about to ask him what he meant when suddenly Brian called my name. He was asking me to help them distribute the ice cream to everyone. I'm still a little curious and I wanted to know what he was talking about but then it's not my priority at the moment. So I went ahead.

"Yeah sure, I'm coming! Save some vanilla ice cream for me!" I shouted back at Brian.

My mind was still bothered by him as I ran to the main cabin. He sure is a little creepy and mind-boggling but who cares, the ice cream was approved and it's partly thanks to him.

While we were distributing the ice cream, Coach went back to him.

It was an almost perfect scenario. The sun was beaming perfectly bright, the light breeze gently caressed our skin, and the birds chirped in synchrony. To beautify the scene even more, the children's sweet giggles echoed throughout the meadow while they ran around with ice cream in their hands.

It was an almost perfect scenario; indeed, everyone was having fun. Everyone, except Coach and the gloomy guy in black. While we were all busy laughing, the two of them were downcast, seriously talking by the lake.

"I wonder what they're talking about, how did Coach know this guy, and what's his deal? Acting all mysterious and weird." I whispered to myself while looking at them. "And I was just complimenting him, so what's with his reaction, is he not used to people praising him? It wasn’t even a praise at all!" out of frustration I raised my voice, but when I realized it, people were already staring at me.

Wow, great! Now I look like a crazy woman talking to herself.

Then Brian walked towards me and asked who I was talking to and the reason why I was so annoyed. "I am not annoyed at all, I'm totally fine," I answered in a sarcastic way.

"That's not fair, no one is allowed to annoy my lil sis but me," he said in the same sarcastic tone as I did. "Who dare bully you my darling?" he added, but this time, sounding like a concerned older brother, even though he's only two months older than me.

Sometimes I really can't tell if he's sincere or he's just making fun of me. But what I'm sure of is that he's way easier to read compared to that mysterious guy. Speaking of him, they're now on their way to where we're standing and Coach is wearing a triumphant face like he won the Olympics.

"Got some good news?" I asked as they approached us.

"Oh Becca, Brian, I want you to meet Nathan," Coach finally introduced him to us. "He's the guardian of our new BF, and he volunteered to help us with the children."

Up close, he does look like an angel. He's quite tall with broad shoulders, muscular build, nice jawline but I can't clearly see his face because of his cap.

"Hi I'm Brian, and this is my lil sis Becca," Brian shook his hand and smiled. "This is the first time someone volunteered to take care of the kids for a month, good to have you here man." The guy removed his cap and introduced himself. Surprisingly, he doesn't look that weird nor creepy at all. He's really good-looking, with dark hair and dark eyes, probably half Asian.

Do I shake his hand too? But I still feel a bit awkward because of how he reacted earlier. If I extend my hand now, he might ignore me again.

"Nathan Andrews, Noah's brother," he replied, then shook my hand. "Honestly, it's my pleasure to be here; really grateful to Coach for inviting us. If it wasn't for him, I would never know this camp existed." he continued with a deep, husky voice. But the way he spoke and his expression is far from the one he had when it was just the two of us. Now that I can see his face, he has a different aura. It's like he's a whole new person with a whole new personality. And I won't lie, he is quite attractive; the way he smiles, I would say it's impossible for girls not to go crazy.

Nooah's brother?? Wow! All this time I thought when Noah said Oniichan, he was pertaining to a girl. It must be another term for brother. Crazy how I imagined him to be a beautiful woman, I was really hoping to have a new girl bestfriend.

I was silent the whole time they were talking. Coach told Nathan how I came up with the idea of break free and how I begged him to support me. Then Nathan just smiled and said, "fascinating."

From time to time he would look at me as if I'm a puzzle he can't figure out. But to tell you the truth, my life is an open book and there's nothing special about it. At one glance, you'd know that I am living a simple life. I'm an ordinary girl, with blonde curly hair that's often tied up, average height, petite figure, and fair skin. I live in Margaret River, a small country town in South West Australia and there's nothing enigmatic nor exciting about it.

Therefore, I don't see the reason why he needs to study me. He's not only making me uncomfortable but embarrassed as well. And what's fascinating about my idea? It didn't even originally come from me, I'm just fulfilling a child's dream. I bet any other special educator had the same idea too. I'm just blessed I've got Coach and Brian who helped me pull it off.

"Later we'll be celebrating the first night of break free and I would like you and Becca to gather some logs for the bonfire," Coach instructed Nathan before leaving the three of us.

"This is grand! Come on man, let me show you around!" Brian wrapped his arms around Nathan's shoulder and introduced him to Linda and the children.

Right after they got far, I took a deep breath because, for some reason, I really felt suffocated. Not that I didn't like Nathan but his presence makes me uneasy.

It's the first day of break free and it's supposed to be fun, yet why am I feeling this way?

I went back to the main cabin for more ice cream, hoping that it would cool me off. However, as I was about to take my first bite, I accidentally stumbled because of someone, so the ice cream fell on the ground.

"What a waste!" I said out of dismay. Then a man in front of me said something that triggered me, "Thank goodness, it's just vanilla ice cream!"

Thank goodness? Just vanilla ice cream? What is wrong with this man, is he really out of his mind? Instead of saying sorry he's even relieved that it is 'just a vanilla ice cream'. I don't understand him at all.

"Amm excuse me, just vanilla ice cream? Do you have a problem with ice cream?" I was so annoyed, I couldn't stop myself from asking him.

"Becca right? My sincere apologies, I didn't mean to trip you, though it's partly your fault for not looking straight” he immediately said as he stood up.

“Sincere apologies!?” How quickly did he withdraw his apology by putting the blame on me, was that even sincere at all? Even his facial expression contradicts his words. "Not looking straight? And what were you doing while I was not looking straight?" I was so irritated, I think he is worse than Brian.

He said he didn't mean it, yet until now he is just looking at me not even offering his hand to help me up. "I'm still on the floor, aren't you going to help me?" I asked, sounding like I'm about to punch someone.

"Easy..., I'm just making sure you're not gonna punch me or anything, hahahaha!" he kept on laughing even after he helped me up.

I am certain, this man is insane. He's not just creepy, annoying, and weird but he is insane. I won't be surprised if he'll confess he's suffering from multiple personality disorder. "Are you having that much fun? Are you done?” He’s really getting on my nerves, I just want him out of my sight.

"I'm truly sorry, I was busy tying my shoes, I didn't see you coming. But I'm a tall man, it's impossible for you to stumble because of me, did you perhaps step on your shoelace, want me to tie them for you as well?" he said mockingly. His annoying looks, his annoying tone, and his annoying humor, I hate them all.

He didn't stop laughing and now he is making fun of me. Just because no one is around, that doesn't mean he could bully me, he has no right to do as he pleases.

With a serious tone, he then said, "Anyway, I'm here to tell you that we better get going or else it'll be dark soon," his expression changed again; back to his scary, mysterious aura.

I have no clue what this guy is talking about.

"Get going, where?" I asked him, despite the fact that I no longer want to talk to him. It's still better to make sure that he's not up to something.

"Isn't it, Coach asked us to collect some logs for tonight's event? If you don't want to, it's fine with me to go alone." he plainly replied.

I can't really recall whether I agreed to Coach but I sure don't want to follow. Because who would want to stay with an insane man, not to mention into the woods. I'll be considered insane too if I go with him.

"Yeah sure, just go by yourself. I'll go alone too. Let's collect the logs separately, in that way it'll be faster." I know it is such a lame excuse but it's better than agreeing to go with him. Plus I don’t see any reason for us to go together.

"I don't think it's safe for you to wander in the forest alone. So if you're coming; you better hurry, we're leaving in five minutes," he said in an authoritative manner.

Weird, creepy, annoying, and bossy that's how I'll describe this guy. And I don't think I could last more than twenty minutes with him. I hate him...I hate him...I hate him!!!