I just remember her temper and how disappointed she was that I didn't have her talent to become a ballerina. And of course, the night she died in a fire. The scarring on my back from that horrible night is the reason I don't wear anything but long-sleeved shirts. No bathing suits or t-shirts or pretty little blouses.
Father shakes hands with everyone then hugs Petr and me before we go in. There are six chairs at one long table with a full bag in front of each. Sitting beside Petr, I look through its contents.
There are a couple of polos we're supposed to wear to identify us as counselors, emergency first aid kits, dangerous insect and animal identification sheets, lists of children's names with special information by each, emergency procedures and contact information for everyone here …
I pull out the black belt. It's got a couple spots for attaching water bottles, knives, and I'm not sure what else. I try it on to make sure it fits and leave it. With some irritation, I see that the polos in my bag are all short-sleeved. There's a reason I don't wear short sleeves, one that everyone who might've put together the bags should know.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who made sure I got short sleeves. She's standing in front of me, smiling.
"You'll be partnered up and work in teams with your assigned kids," Brianna, the eighth counselor, already wearing a polo, says, handing out team assignments. Beautiful and perky with light brown hair and more makeup than I think belongs in a forest, she dated Mikael and Petr both over the years.
We never really got along for a few reasons. In addition to tormenting me in school about the scars on my back, she crushed Mikael's heart to date Petr then dumped him last year, after he thought they were getting married some day.
He still likes her. It doesn't hurt that she's gorgeous and successful.
Which are all reasons why I can't stand her. Aside from her screwing over my brothers, she also likes to remind me that I never really know what I want to do with my life.
"You'll be joined at the hip with your partner for the extent of this," Brianna continues. "Since part of what we're doing is a competition, we tried to match up the teams so it's not too easy for one team to win." Her gaze is on the guy Petr introduced as Riley, the SEAL.
He winks at her with a smile. The biggest of all of them, it's no wonder she's gunning for him first.