An Unfortunate Misunderstanding
Chapter 1
Wallflower’s House, Suburbs of Canterlot
It was the first week of summer vacation. A special time of the year when most teenagers would relish not having to put up with the monotony of trudging off to high school every day. Sure, I wasn’t a big fan of it either but… I didn’t exactly have a stellar social life, so the list of people I could potentially hang out with over the summer was—ah—well, it was pretty damn short. But at least I had managed to finally make a few close friends before the semester ended. Honestly, it was kind of ironic, given the circumstances.
I know I can be pretty eccentric myself at times, but the Rainbooms are something else. It amazed me how quickly they forgave my transgressions against them and offered me their friendship, particularly Sunset. She struck me as the kind of girl who had a lot going for her: beauty, intelligence, style, personality, a lot of friends. Which is why I still found it hard to believe that we became such good friends. Talk about polar opposites!
She’d obviously done some pretty terrible stuff way back when, but the one thing that I admired about her most was: she never let the past get her down. Sunset just kept on living her life, one day at a time, always looking forward, never back. If she could do it, then so could I. Look out world, ‘cause here comes the new and improved Wallflower Blush!
At least… that’s what I’d like to say but making such drastic changes to your life takes a considerable amount of time and effort. Especially when you’re a shy, awkward, introvert like me. But I digress. What’s my most immediate problem you ask? I’ve got all the time in the world, but everyone else I know is too freakin’ busy! I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised. The girls have a hell of a lot more going on in their lives right now than I do.
Speaking of things going on, I probably should at least try to drag my ass out of bed today. After a quick glance at my alarm clock, I realized that it was still only 7:30 am. Plenty of time to enjoy a nice, leisurely breakfast and check to see if I got any hits on the job applications that I’ve been putting in recently. If I was going to be bored most of summer anyway, I might as well be productive and earn some cash. Besides, it also meant that I would get to meet new people along the way too. That’s usually a good thing, right?
I shuffled into the kitchen wearing just a tank top and some plain, green panties. The only other person living in the house with me was my mom. That being said, she was quite familiar with my minimalist approach when it came to bedtime attire, so it’s not like I was showing her anything she hadn’t seen before. She was already awake, sitting at the dining room table, and enjoying a cup of coffee with a piece a toast.
Once I secured my own breakfast fixings (a bowl of coco puffs and cup of coffee), I plopped down onto the chair across from mom and booted up my laptop. Immediately, I opened up my email and began scanning my inbox for anything new. Most of it was just spam or advertisements, but one in particular caught my eye: it was addressed from Gloriosa Daisy.
My mind flashed back to what Sunset had told me about her. She was apparently one of the owners of Camp Everfree, a camp that the girls had visited a while back. Sunset seemed to think pretty highly of the place, and judging by the pictures posted on the website, it looked absolutely stunning and picturesque. Like something you’d see on the cover of an old-timey postcard. As a lover of plants and nature myself, it was no-brainer for me to apply for the camp counselor
position they were currently asking to be filled.
What I hadn’t expected was how quickly the camp’s owner wanted me to start working there. Especially since it had only been about a day and a half since our initial interview via Skype. The email was full of all the polite pleasantries one would expect in a potential new hire letter: welcome to the team, nice to have you aboard, you’ll like it here… yada yada yada. The one thing that struck me as a little unusual was the camp’s logo at the bottom. It depicted a nude forest sprite holding a daisy, kneeling underneath a spruce tree. The slogan read: “Camp Everfree: experience nature as nature intended.”
The funny thing is: I don’t ever recall seeing that on the website before. To confirm my suspicions, I clicked on their homepage and navigated through all of the menus. Sure enough, it wasn’t anywhere to be seen. The logo looked pretty official to me… but maybe it was just something extra Gloriosa liked adding to her personal emails?
I mean, the artwork didn’t seem out of place for a camp out in the middle of the woods. However, I had a hard time trying to figure out exactly what the slogan meant. Last I checked, nature has always been nature. Seemed kind of like an oxymoron to me. Maybe it was referring to the pristine, unspoiled landscape surrounding the camp? Who knows. Pushing such thoughts aside, I typed up a quick reply and informed her that I’d be happy to work there.
In the blink of an eye, she sent back a response, thanking me for accepting the position. Gloriosa even went to the trouble of attaching a pre-paid bus ticket in order to cover my travel expenses getting here. The only other thing she advised was to pack light, as most of the amenities I would need would be provided for me while I stayed there for the during of the summer. With a satisfied smile, I leaned back in the chair and stretched out my arms.
“You certainly seem chipper this morning. What’s the occasion?”
“Oh, well… I received a reply from Gloriosa. It looks like I got the job at Camp Everfree.”
My mother nodded. “That’s wonderful news, sweetie. I also want you to know how proud I am of you. Turning over a new leaf, and trying to make new friends isn’t always easy. But I’m glad that you’re finally putting yourself out there. If you play your cards right, you might even end up meeting someone special at the camp.”
I felt my cheeks heat up. “Mom! That’s not the primary reason I’m going there!”
“You say that now but I know how teenagers work. Just try to keep an open mind, ok? There’s nothing wrong with adding a bit of romantic flavor to your summer.”
“I… suppose so. Don’t expect any miracles though, I’m not exactly what you’d call a catch.”
Mom ruffled my hair. “Nonsense, I think you’re well on your way to becoming a beautiful young lady. All you need to do is be a bit more confident in yourself. And never pretend to be someone you’re not either. I know that’s probably some of the most cliché advice you’ll ever hear, but it’s one hundred percent true.”
There was nothing in my mother’s tone to suggest that she was being anything but sincere. Then again, it was easy for someone like her to say: “be confident in yourself”. For a woman pushing forty years old and having given birth to a child, she possessed an absolutely amazing figure. Mom had it all: perky breasts, a flat tummy, toned legs, and silky-smooth hair that was kept tied up in a neat little bun.
My hair, by contrast, always ended up being an unruly mess, no matter how hard I tried to style it. And don’t even get me started on how I saw my own body. She was basically a sexier, more filled out version of me. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my mother dearly. It was just really difficult for me not to feel a certain degree of envy over her good looks.
I crossed my arms and pouted. “You’re just saying that because I’m your daughter.”
“Sweetheart, I know how difficult it can be for a teenager to feel confident about her physique; trust me, I felt exactly the same way when I was your age. Becoming comfortable in your own skin isn’t necessarily going to be quick or easy process. But you’ll never start that process if you’re always comparing yourself to everyone else.”
Try as I as might, I couldn’t think of a tactful way to respond to what my mom had said. Instead, I simply kept my mouth shut and dumped what remained of my breakfast down the sink. That is… until I felt her embrace me from behind. We just stood there for what felt like hours, saying nothing to one another, content to enjoy the tenderness of the moment.
After kissing my cheek, mom clapped her hands together. “So, do you need any help packing?”
Like Gloriosa suggested, I decided to travel light, even though I knew I’d be spending the next few months living at the camp. I only the brought the absolute essentials. You know, like a few changes of clothing, a swimsuit, my laptop, my phone. Yeah, I know it was supposed to be the whole “getting back in touch with nature” sort of experience, but there was way in hell was I gonna completely give up going on the internet. That’s just crazy.
The bus ride to Camp Everfree was rather boring and uneventful. In fact, I was the only person left aboard when the driver finally pulled up to the entrance. There was a big wooden sign posted in the grass bearing the same logo I saw on Gloriosa’s email and a gravel road that extended well beyond it. When I asked the driver why he couldn’t drop me off any closer to the camp, he merely chuckled and said: “Sorry, miss. This is as far as I’m contractually allowed to go. It’s only about a quarter mile from here, so I’m sure you can bare walking the rest of the way. Enjoy your stay at Camp Everfree”. And with that, I was left to my own devices.
Walking the rest of the way wasn’t all that bad honestly. It was a beautiful day outside. Sunny, not too hot, and pleasantly breezy. I found myself getting wrapped in all of the natural splendor of the Everfree Forest that surrounded me. Just as I was listening to a warbler singing his merry little song, I happened to spot a few cabins in the distance. As I got closer, that’s when things really started to get weird.
I had to rub my eyes a few times just to make sure what I saw was, in fact, real. There were people walking around casually, enjoying themselves just like you’d expect… except they weren’t wearing any clothes. That’s right. Every single one of them was completely naked. A horrible sense of realization dawned on me when I thought back to the camp’s motto.
“Fuck me sideways… THIS WAS A NUDIST CAMP ALL ALONG?!”
My attention was diverted towards a nearby vending machine where I heard someone giggle quite loudly. I stared, slack-jawed, at the mauve-skinned woman standing before me. The sole accessory that she had elected to wear was a crown fashioned from daises and nothing else. Not even a pair of flip-flops. Since most of the ground was covered in neatly trimmed grass, it didn’t seem all that unusual to me that some people would choose to walk around barefoot.
Granted, I wasn’t exactly what you would call an expert on female beauty, but it was clear to me that this woman took very good care of her herself. Maybe she worked out regularly or went hiking in the woods, or swam. I’m not really sure which.
Her boobs weren’t particularly large, about average size I’d say. But they were definitely bigger than mine. What they may have lacked in size, they more than made up for in shape and firmness (I’m pretty sure most boys wouldn’t have minded at all. They were gorgeous). I tried my best to be polite and avert my gaze away from her crotch, but it was pretty much impossible to miss any part of her anatomy at this point. I’ll say this much: she must’ve put a considerable amount of effort into grooming herself down there just because it looked so amazingly smooth.
After taking a long sip from her can of iced tea, the woman smiled and offered her hand to me. “Technically, I would say it was more of a recent development. Hello again, I’m Gloriosa Daisy, in case you forgot. And you must be Ms. Wallflower Blush, our newest camp counselor! Please, follow me back to the main office. We have much to discuss.”
I shook her hand to the best of my ability, given the circumstances… but I was fairly certain she could tell how uncomfortable I was. Nonetheless, I followed her to the office and promised myself to at least hear her out before I made any rash decisions. Even though this was an extremely bizarre turn of events, I couldn’t bring myself to just ditch Gloriosa when she clearly needed help running the camp.
After a brief introduction to the general layout of the camp, the rules, and my expected job responsibilities, I took it upon myself to explain the unique confluence of circumstances that led up to this moment. When I told Gloriosa about the all inconsistencies I happened to notice between her email and the website layout, she immediately stomped over to her desktop PC, and shook her head in frustration while she examined the menus.
Almost like magic, Gloriosa’s previously cordial expression instantly morphed into one of anger. When she slammed her fist against the desk in a fit of rage, I couldn’t help but wince. The fact that she was in her birthday suit made no difference whatsoever. Gloriosa was an absolutely terrifying woman to behold. I made a mental note not to ever get on her bad side.
“I’m going to skin that little turd alive and use his hide as a decorative rug in my office! Ok, Gloriosa. Get ahold of yourself. You’ve got this.
“What I’m trying to say is: my mentally-deficient brother was in charge of updating the website to make everyone aware that Camp Everfree has now been officially sanctioned as a clothes-free, recreational establishment. However, it is painfully obvious that he neglected to do so.”
“I was wondering why your email had that forest sprite and the website didn’t. Now it all makes sense. Do you have any idea why he might have forgotten to update it?”
Gloriosa rolled her eyes. “Knowing Timber, he probably got distracted by his new girlfriend. Maybe by all of the college applications too. But I’m betting more on the former.”
“That’s certainly a… possibility.”
Gloriosa let out a frustrated sigh after rubbing the bridge of her nose. “Ms. Blush, I can’t even begin to tell you how sorry I am about all of this. Frankly, I just assumed that you already understood the nature of Camp Everfree before you applied. If you’d prefer not to be employed as a residential counselor, I can charter another bus to send you home first thing tomorrow morning. No hard feelings, no strings attached.”
“Well, I… I-I think I’d like to try and see if I can make this work.”
“Ms. Blush, you do realize exactly what that entails, don’t you?”
A knot of nervous energy balled up in pit of my stomach. “Yes, I would—ah—have to be naked all the time. Just like… everyone else staying at the camp.”
Gloriosa nodded. “No offence, Ms. Blush but it’s pretty obvious to me that you’re not an experienced naturist, nor have you ever visited an establishment that specifically caters to them. Am I correct in that assumption?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Gloriosa placed her hand on my shoulder as a gesture of comfort. “Let me assure you that everyone is welcome here at Camp Everfree. We don’t judge people based on what their body looks like or the various imperfections they may have. That’s what being a naturist is all about.
“Even so, it’s perfectly normal for first-timers to feel anxious about being nude in a semi-public setting, surrounded by others who are similarly attired. I just want you to know that my door is always open if you need someone to talk to. The same goes for the rest of the camp counselors.”
My whole mouth was so dry at this point that I felt like I could spit cotton. Sure, it made me feel a little bit better that there were people I could turn to if things got rough but… there was no doubt in my mind that working around the camp would be a difficult adjustment for me. In for a penny, in for a pound, as they say.
“Thanks, Gloriosa. I’ll be sure to remember that if I run into any trouble. Hey, uh… since we’re going to be working together for the next few months, you can just call me Wallflower from now on if you want. Ms. Blush makes it sound like I’m embarrassed all the time...”
Gloriosa laughed. “Huh, I suppose it does. Wallflower it is, then. C’mon, I’ll show you where your personal cabin is located. Then you can drop off all of your stuff and get undressed. Oh, and just as an FYI: the toilets and showers around here are all communal. Thought it best to make you aware of the camp’s hyenine arrangement ahead of time. In any case, feel free to freshen up a bit if you wish. There’s still plenty of time left before our weekly lunch meeting.”
“Oh… umm… that’s good to know.”
“Once you’re done getting settled in, come join me and the other counselors in the dining hall for lunch at noon. We’ll be waiting for you at the red table in the back righthand corner. Thanks again for choosing to stay, Wallflower. Your dedication really means a lot to me. In time, I hope you’ll come to love this place just as much as I do.”
As soon as Gloriosa left, I headed inside my new abode and placed my backpack over by the dresser. Contrary to all the preconceived notions I had about rustic summer camps, the interior of the cabin was surprisingly modern and well-maintained. Hell, it was almost like staying a high-end hotel. There was even a flat-screen TV, and much to my delight, a decent wi-fi signal.
It felt good to take off my sneakers and socks, but I hesitated to remove anything else. Once I did, I was one hundred percent certain that there would be no going back. I took in a deep breath, trying to steel my nerves for the decision I was about to make.
Rather than allow the process to drag on, I stripped out of the rest of my clothes as quickly as I could, so I wouldn’t have the opportunity to second guess myself. For a few moments, I simply started at the reflection of my naked body in the mirror. Never, in my entire life, had I ever been so nervous or afraid. I couldn’t believe I was actually going through with this. After screwing up my courage one final time, I slowly cracked opened the door and took a peek outside.
“Well, this is it, Wallflower. You’re now officially taking your first step as Camp Everfree’s newest counselor. It’s all down hill from here… hehehe.”
