It was an enjoyable day at summer camp, and I was busy sleeping when everyone else was outside, doing archery, riding horses, or swimming. They were spending the two hours of free time like it was money, but I like to relax. It was the summer after all.

After taking a brief nap, I climbed out of my top-bunk in my cabin (the top bunks were always a favorite among people, because of how fun they were) and stepped out of the cool air-conditioned room.

Outside, the sun blazed down. It was amazing how hot it was, and the contrast between the heat and the cool of the cabin was simply astounding. But no matter: I walked away from my cabin. I was going to the great hall.

The camp was designed a bit like a military camp, but with much less stringent rules. It had a dining hall, where all meals were ate, a great hall, where talks (I was at a church camp) and performances were done.

I stepped into the great hall and chatted for a bit with the other people, and watched as other people played games like Risk and Monopoly.

That night, while eating dinner, one of the leaders walked over to me and asked me if I slept in Ben’s cabin. Ben slept across from me (on the lower bunk), so I said yes, wondering what they were getting at.

There was a quick whisper to another person, and they ran over to where Ben was chatting with his friends. They abruptly stopped talking and looked at me like I was a criminal. I became annoyed.

Ben walked over and sat down next to me. He eyed me like I had done something wrong. “Hi,” I said nervously.

He put his elbow on the table and put his hand on his cheek, and raised his eyebrows. His hand slightly lifted his square glasses, making him look all for the world like an FBI interrogator. It was amazing how he could make himself look like he questioned people all his life. But he was eleven.

“Did you pour shampoo in my shoes?”

“What?” the question seemed so absurd. Why would I want to pour shampoo in his shoes? But somehow, deep inside of me, I did something I regretted. I laughed. I laughed because of how he looked, his cheek pressed in, and chewing on a bubble gum while eyeing me. I laughed because it seemed so random.

But it was the wrong thing to do.

continued.