Boot Camp for Bad Boys

Chapter 5

    Second helpings to bacon on camp grounds was strictly prohibited, and that made me think of my mom and that led me feeling a little homesick right after. But I was still feeling a little mad at my parents, well mostly my dad for even agreeing on sending me off to a correctional camp. He might as well sent me to the Navy or something—not that I was suggesting so but yeah, you get the idea that I’m mad. How did a single thought about bacon led to this again?

Anyways…

Where was I?

Oh yes, as I was saying, our little breakfast session—the only glorious event that can happen on a camp ground has been and was interrupted for a brief moment by an instructor. She whistled through her teeth and it was so surprisingly loud and sharp, it made all the talking in the cafeteria die down in less than five seconds—talk about that instructor’s talent though.

"After your breakfast, and hopefully you don’t stuff yourselves with too much bacon..” she began and I dropped my last, half-eaten bacon strip back on my plate, sulking as if I already knew where she was going on with this.

“Also because I do not need any of you throwing up in my pool!” she narrowed her eyes to the crowd as if to search for the culprit who had thrown up in the lake yesterday. I slid lower in my seat and Caleb was watching my every move with a knowing smirk on his face.

“Get changed into your bathing suits! We're doing laps in the pool all morning!" she finally concluded. Turning around on the heels of her boot, swinging her baton in her hand, as if she were ever ready to knock the living daylights out of anyone who tried to defy her.

Loud groans and cusses circled around the room. "Not again, we already did at least a fifty laps just two days ago." Demi whined and stabbed her scrambled eggs with a fork. "It was only fifty laps for the girls and I know you totally cheated on that too." Danny corrected her.

Demi pointed her fork at him, “That was just twenty laps short of the boys, stop being such a baby about it."

"That’s like seventy laps in total. You’re bluffing, right?" I looked at both of them in disbelief, hoping that they were just joking about it, but as seconds passed and the both of them were still glaring at each other, only I realised indeed, they were actually telling the truth. "Are you guys really serious about this? Are you guys training for the Olympics or something?"

"Seventy lap only happens when and if that instructor is in a good mood and today, she is." Caleb shrugged as he pushed away his now empty plate on his tray. “And when it’s a bad day, then what happens?” I asked.

“Let’s hope you’ll never have to find out.” Danny said sympathetically.

We didn’t finish breakfast, or at least Demi and I did not. I most certainly did not want to end up swimming in my own vomit and suddenly my bacon strips didn’t seem too appetizing anymore either.

We walked back to our cabins to get changed into our swim suits, well frankly, I wouldn't even call my two-piece a swimsuit because god forbid I wore those 6 year old one pieces and I absolutely hated it cause for some reason I felt it stretched my lower region to no end and I end up looking like a human giraffe? I hope that makes sense but, you get the idea.

"Let me guess, I don't think the girls here are even allowed to wear this?" I lifted my two piece one in each hand, swinging them around whooping. Demi laughed and cheered. “Yeah you go girl, show up some moves.” she teased, and I did.

"Technically no, you're not allowed to, well, since you're new, you're excused until the instructor provide you with a new one. I hated wearing suits like these, kinda makes me feel like an expandable giraffe." she pulled out her swim suit from her closet and showed it to me.

“Wow you get me because that was exactly what I was thinking.” I said, stretching my cramped legs a little.

"It only comes in hot pink or yellow for girls, so take a pick." she shrugged. “But lucky for you, I’ve got them both as spares, so, what’s it gonna be?”

"Hm, so right now I could choose to go as Barbie or a teletubbie for Halloween..” I pointed back and between the bathing suits laid out on the bed.

"Tell me about it! Danny insisted that I was no different than that chicken mascot whenever I wear the yellow." she walked into the bathroom, twisting her long brown hair into a bun and tied it on the top of her head.

“Do you want me to help you put some sunscreen on your back?" she poked her head from the en-suite door way. “Yes please, there's no way I’d risk getting sunburnt today." I answered.

“So what’s it going to be?” Demi asked. “Barbie? Or chicken little?”

“Wasn’t chicken little white in colour?” I asked, finally deciding on the hot pink colour. “Call Ken on my behalf and tell him we’re having a date by the pool this morning.” I said.

Pulling an old school jersey shirt over my new hot pink bathing suit, I sat on my bed and fished out my phone under my pillow to check for messages. Nothing. I was half hoping I’d get at least a text from my dad asking how I was doing and stuff but there wasn’t anything, not even a missed called from my mom.

Sighing, I placed my phone into my bed side drawer and slammed it shut. I leaned towards the edge of my bed and pulled out my stash of marshmallows from under my bed while I listened to Demi talking animatedly about a recent activity at the obstacle course they had done under the rain, something about barbed wire and lots of mud and Danny slipping across the mud like it was some sort of ice skating ring and suddenly Footloose began playing over the speakers that night. She sounded like she was describing the whole scene of Step Up.

Suddenly, the sound of a really loud whistle was continuously blown and I immediately knew that was the signal whenever an activity was about to begin. “And that’s our cue to hustle” Demi confirmed as she grabbed her towel and I rolled out of bed, spilling some marshmallows on the floor as I did. “No time to pick that up now, come on Allie!” she called as she was already at the door and I looked back at my fallen candies forlornly before running after her.

Only when we were at the pool and I—empty handed, I only realised I had forgotten my towel and water bottle. Ah shoot, I was pretty distracted the whole time I forgot my essentials.

"Took you two long enough." Caleb said as he sat on one of those beach chairs lined up in a straight line nearby the pool. He was still in his clothes while Danny was already walking around shirtless, stretching his arms and back.

I felt a little self-conscious in stripping in front of these people I did not know. The boys here were so well-built and I’d like to think it was because of all the training and workouts they’ve been at throughout their time here. The girls had arms and legs so toned it made me look like one of those complimentary bread sticks they serve in restaurants, except that this breadstick was clad in a hot pink suit.

“Don’t worry about showing some skin, I think by now everyone’s pretty used to seeing each other in a bathing suit.” Demi said when she noticed I was still wearing my shirt even after she took hers off.

So I did, until someone decided that it was a good day to tease my choice of colour of the bathing suit I was wearing.

"Nice choice of colour, did your Sunday school teacher pick that out for you?” Caleb asked when he noticed me sauntering over with both arms around my chest, eyeing my surrounding warily.

“I don’t think they’re allowed to wear like that in a Sunday school but damn Allie, you look good.” Caleb said. Okay I wasn’t exactly too toned either but I liked my arms and legs, they were lean, and I liked that tiny curve I had on my waist to my hips. I mean, after all, I did use to do track so the shape I had built over the last few years was pretty much indented on my body, but I know I could do better, and I want to do better.

“Why thank you, you could use it after if you’d like, I think you would look gorgeous in pink.”

Danny laughed out loud. “I can’t imagine what he’d look like in that swim suit.”

Caleb sent him a smirk “Shut up Danny before I put you in one when you’re asleep.”

“I don’t think I appreciate your kinky ass Caleb.”

“Oh be quiet, it’s the only action you’ll be getting all week.” Demi said with a roll of her eyes. “And you’re just jealous you ain’t gone none.” Danny added and high-fived Caleb.

“Oh sure, because unlike you, I’d like to keep it in my pants” Demi fired back and I made a hissing sound. “You might need some good ol’ aloevera for that burn Danny.” I said.

"You! In that pink panther suit, you the new girl?” Susanna pointed at me with her whistle. Pink panther suit? Woman, I’ll have you know that this is Barbie’s favourite colour, rude.

“Uh, yes?” I answered, carefully trying to avoid all snarky comments for now before she could cannonball me into the pool.

“Good, why not you kick start today’s activity by doing your first lap?” she nodded towards the direction of the pool and marched around to check on the rest of the campers.

“Hold on, you do know how to swim, do you?” Caleb whispered when he rose to his full height. “Of course I knew how, I just don’t want to be the first to go in there.” I hissed. “You know what? I’ll get in there with you.” Caleb said, and with one swift reach of his hand towards the back of his shirt, he pulled it over his head, revealing what was underneath the fabric and I.was.speechless.

Boy had a body that looked like the ladies could use his abs to wash their clothes back in the older days. Damn Caleb with his stupid perfect abs and his stupid perfect handsome face and that smirk that followed right after once he realized I was standing so still, I had not moved an inch.

“You got uh, a little something here called drool.” Caleb said as he put his hand at the corner of my mouth and I swatted his hand away. “I was just amazed at how much Botox must have went in those fake abs.”

“These are one percent real princess, you could touch them yourself if you want to know.”

“No thank, but I’ve seen better.”

If he felt a little burn at all, he didn’t show it because I knew exactly what he was doing to irk a reaction out of me and I wasn’t gonna give any to him. Focus Allie, eyes on the prize.

A little too late for that because when I turned to the pool, I was already picturing his torso in my head. Damn it Allie.

“I will begin to evaluate every single one of you based on your time and speed. I hope that all of you are aware that such records will be recorded, and we will grant those who perform exceptionally well in all activities an early release from Boot Camp.” The instructor stated.

Now that got my attention as my ears perked up. Now that was my ticket to get out of here. As long as I did well in all the activities, I could be due for an early discharge. Don’t worry Principal Walters, I think I’ll be seeing you earlier than expected. I was getting a little overly excited with that piece of news I forgot everyone was waiting for me to jump into the pool for my first lap.

“Ma’am, if it’s alright with you, I’ll get into the pool with this newbie, in case if she drowns or something.” Caleb said and the instructor made a quick swat with her hand, giving him his approval. “I’m not gonna drown Caleb, you should be very afraid if I were to catch your leg from under, pulling you down with me.”

“I think you may have underestimated just how fast I swim.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.” I said as we both wore our swimming goggles.

“Alright you two squabbling ducks, on your marks..” Danny said as the both of us stood at the edge of the pool. I bent my knees and my body forwards, arms straight in front of me. “Get set..” Danny said again.

“Hey Allie.” Caleb said.

“What?” I answered.

“You look good.” He said as Danny shouted ‘Go’.

“What?” I said, surprised and Caleb dived in first into the water. “Cheater.” I seethed as I dived in after him, kicking my legs as fast as it could take me with one arm going in front of the other.

Great, now, just another forty-nine more laps to go.

**

‘Last lap Allie, come on’ I told myself despite the fact that my arms felt like coming out of its sockets and my legs muscles were starting to give way after all those kicking. I hadn’t realize Caleb was still swimming right next to me after when we started— that was how focused I was, except for that few times when I had to take a break, but even with that, Caleb didn’t seem to stop at all, he kept going and going. He finished at least 2 laps with every break I took.

It seemed he had realized that I too was slowing down, his kicking was much slower and smoother now and together, we finished our last lap together—me fifty laps and him, seventy. When I reached the other end of the pool, I struggle to keep my hands on the tiles as I relaxed my legs a bit in the water, breathing normally again. Pulling out my goggles, I laid my head on my arms and shut my eyes for a brief second. My skin felt dry and I reeked of chlorine.

“I have to admit, I was my having doubts on whether you’d survive all fifty laps today. I’m impressed.”

“Wow, it must take a lot from someone like you to admit something like that huh?” my eyes popped open and my breathing was much steadier now that I’m well rested.

“Don’t push it Allie.” He said teasingly and I smiled. I was slowly getting a hang of his sarcasm.

“We should do this more often.” He said after a while, hoisting himself out of the pool with both of his arms supporting him. He turned around and sat on the edge, putting his goggles on the ground next to him.

“What? Swimming?” I asked as I mimicked his actions, but this time, helped me up once he figured that both my arms were all quaky now.

“I meant to say ‘talking’, but yeah swimming too, if you’d like. After all, 3 a.m. swims are the best”

“Nothing good happens at 3a.m.” I commented. He pressed his lips into a thin line, turning his head, resting the side of his cheek against his shoulder. For some reason, the whole little action just made him looked a whole lot more innocent.

“You’re talking about ghosts’ right?” he asked.

“Well yeah, at least that’s what I know about 3 am’s.” I said sheepishly. Blame all those horror movies mom used to make me watch with her whenever she was stressed out from work, one of the many ways she could relax was through screaming and jump scares does just that.

“What a lovely conversation the two of you are having. I hate to bother but just so you know I’m going to have your ass kicked someday, so I suggest you’d better watch where you were going.” I sighed in tiredly as I tilted my head over to look at her, a lazy expression crossing my face.

“Seriously are you like, five? Even five year olds can come up with better threats than that.” I drawled and Caleb looked over. “Also,” I turned my head behind my back to cheek on my butt. “I don’t really think you can kick something non-existent.” I said, trying to find my so called ass and Caleb chuckled.

“Does this look like a game to you newbie? I really meant what I said.”

“I know,” I said, nodding thoughtfully. “I just thought that maybe if you wanna threaten me like that, you could like, you know, say something even scarier other than kicking my tiny ass or something.” I shrugged. Maya took one step closer towards me and I leaned to my side, wanting to avoid her but Caleb rose to his feet, easily towering her.

“You make so much as one move on her Maya, and I’ll make your life here miserable, don’t test me.” He warned and I silently watched the exchange. I watched the red head furrow her brows together, glaring at me before turning her attention back to Caleb.

“Why do you care what I’ll do to her? She doesn’t deserve this sort of treatment at all. But as for you, I know you’re just kidding right? No need to be so..” she traced a finger down his arm and my eyes widened. It seems to me that these two individuals might just have a history between them.

 He caught her finger and pushed it back to her side.

“You don’t get to do this anymore Maya, not to me, not to my friends. Don’t cross that line.” He said plainly but yet firm enough to make her swallow hard. I winced as I got up, “It’s okay Caleb, no harm done here, there’s no need for all of this.” I poked his lower back and he turned to me briefly.

“You heard the newbie, there’s no need for all of this.”

“Unless you provoked me, I might actually have to take matters into my own hands then.” I said, turning to her a little more seriously this time. Her minions suddenly didn’t seem so scary anymore as they tugged at Maya’s arms, telling her to leave.

“You should leave before I change my mind.” Caleb said quietly as he walked over to the chairs to grab a neatly folded towel. I thought he was going to use it on himself until he flicked open the material with one smooths swish and threw it over my shoulders. Maya looked absolutely furious when she saw the exchange and she stomped right off.

“Okay, I think you made your point in trying to get a girl off your back, here, you can have your towel back.” I said, attempting to remove the towel but he only wrapped it tighter around me. “You look like a cling wrap twiggie.”

“How very nice of you.” I said as I wriggled around the towel, muttering a thank you.

"Alright, now that all of you have completed all of you laps so get back to your cabins and take a shower before lunch begins! Also, the weather forecasted that there will be rain and thunderstorms so the instructors have agreed to give you a couple hours of rest so you’d better use it wisely and get ready for tonight's obstacle course!" the swim instructor’s voice boomed over a megaphone that she held in her hand.

"This is the perfect weather for a good ol’ nap.” Demi said as she hoisted herself up and out of the pool. She too, must have did seventy laps with Danny because they were the last few ones to come out of the pool. Every last bit of sunshine have been now shielded with thick dark clouds over the sky. A cool strong breeze blew past us and I wrapped the towel around me a little tighter, appreciating it even more now. Caleb had his shirt on again and the material clung to him like a second skin and I averted my eyes when he looked over.

“We’ll see you both at lunch.” Caleb said, squeezing Demi’s shoulder before he want and jogged towards Danny who was drying his hair with a towel. “Come on, let’s go get ourselves a hot bath, it’s getting a little chilly out here.” Demi turned to me, raising her brow when she saw the towel I had around me and smiled.

“What’s with that little smile?” I asked Demi, but she only shook her head, gesturing me to follow her.

Just as we got back into our cabins, heavy rain began pouring outside our cabins. The other batch of the campers that were training outside the field began running back to their cabins. I for one was relieved for the sudden change in weather. While Demi was in the shower, I stood by the window, thinking about the little exchange when Caleb had stood up for me earlier and offered me his towel.

The little gesture unknowingly made me smile the more I thought about it. And the more I thought about it, the quicker I waved it all out of my head. Okay, I absolutely could not and should not be attached to anyone in this camp, not Demi, not Danny and especially not Caleb.

I wasn’t going to be seeing any of them when I left and I don’t intend on keeping any contact with either because to me, it was just a camp that I was forced to go. This was something that I did not want to remember or even tell my kids that their mom was literally sent to a boot camp for boys for waxing her ex’s balls and breaking a girl’s nose and a whole lot of other things I did.

I hope when it was time to leave, I would just leave with no strings attached.