Through My Eyes

Summary: You know, when I booked this trip, I never thought I would A. Get stranded on a desert island, B. Undergo a major personality change or C. Fall in Love. Guess I was surprised. Companion to The Extra One, Eric's POV, EOC

AUTHOR'S NOTE WHICH IS EXTREMEMLY IMPORTANT!

Ahh! Eric has taken over this story! He has taken over my pen/typing fingers! AHHHHHHHHHHH choke

Just kidding! Eric didn't kill me. This is just his point of view during The Extra One, but only days 5, 9, 10, 11, 14, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28. Yup. I highly suggest reading The Extra One to realize why these dates have been picked.

It's important to read this story for the sequel, because it shows a lot of Eric's character. It's really an out-of-control character development exercise, but I figured I should let other people in on the fun. :-)

There are also a bunch of scenes that I left out of the Extra One, because they fit more here. There are also scenes of the Extra One left out of here. They just fit better in different stories, so don't be surprised if there are moments you don't recognize, or some of your favorite moments don't show up.

Day 5

Sometimes I slap myself, or pinch myself, or both at the same time. I tell myself that this is all a dream, because that is all it could be. When it is too horrible, I consider myself trapped in a nightmare. When it is too good to be true, the nightmare has become a dream. Therefore, I try to wake up, to escape the horribleness of the nightmare, or to face reality during the good times before it is too late.

However, this is a reality. Crashing onto a desert island was a reality. It happened. I was stranded on an island that no one knew about, with people who I barely even knew. Ah, the thrill.

And for the first five days, it stayed that way. Okay, so I did not barely know the people I shared the camp with. I have known Melissa since I was a little kid, Nathan by extension. I know all these people through the planning for the trip. The only people who I did not know were Jackson, and Meg. These two people would influence me the most out of everyone on the entire trip. And I didn't even know either of them, at all, not really, until Day 5. This was, in my mind, explosion day.

F29DWN

I woke up that morning refreshed and excited for a new day. Today, possibly, rescue would come. If not, then I would just be the lazy bastard I always was. No big deal. Maybe there would be a chance or two for conning people, a chance or two for having some fun. Whatever happened, I'd make today a good day, I thought to myself.

I looked over and saw those two people, Meg and Jackson, talking by the beach. I had a sudden unbearable urge to go and talk with them. I resisted. I walked down the beach in the opposite direction. Why, after all, would I talk to two outsiders? Why would I want to talk to them?

I passed Lex, who was running towards them, still indifferent. After all, if something was going on that was important, I would probably find out. And if not, ah well. It didn't matter. We were leaving this place soon anyway.

I went over to the fire pit, whistling. I was in a more laid-back mood than usual, which for me is saying something. I sat down next to the fire, vaguely wondering whether the others would want me to get more water.

Well, if they do, that's their problem, I thought. I wouldn't be their guinea pig. Not this time.

Just as I thought this, I heard someone walking, and then a soft talking. Curious, I walked over and hid behind a tree. I saw Melissa, kneeling before a log, and the camera was facing her. She was talking.

Woah, she's recording her video diary! I thought evilly. Now was the perfect opportunity to dig up some dirt on Melissa.

Finally, something to do around here!

"They're both the same in that way. Meg and Jackson. They don't let anyone in willingly; I can tell that they've both been through some stuff. Maybe not the same kind of stuff, but definitely bad stuff. They both are… quiet. They both think more than they talk, but when you get to know them… they talk. A lot. I think I've gotten to know Meg; she's talking to me more than before, but… I wish I could get to know Jackson. He has a thicker shell than Meg did; the things he went through on the journey here were probably a lot worse. He makes me think. I want to learn more about him. To be frank, I want to be his friend. Maybe even… maybe even more than his friend. After all, he is kind of cute. And I know that I can change him," Melissa sighed, and shut off the camera. She turned around and gasped when she saw me.

"Wow, Melissa, you have a thing for the bad boy! I would never have guessed," I laughed. Oh, this is good.

"Eric! You listened to my video diary!" Melissa cried

"I only overheard," I said innocently.

"Yeah right! Eric! I can't believe you! Please don't tell him!" Melissa begged.

"What will you give me if I don't tell?" I asked maliciously.

"Anything, anything you want, just please don't tell him!" Melissa pleaded.

"Deal. You can start by lugging that dumb water," I nodded. Oh, I am loving this. Melissa glared at me and walked away.

This would be an awesome day.

F29DWN

We were all standing around the campfire. Melissa looked like she was ready to kill me, and I couldn't have been more amused or pleased. Nathan was wearing someone's skirt, much to my amusement. Meg was sitting by the tent, and Jackson, Taylor, Daley, and Lex were all standing around some oysters looking apprehensive and grossed out.

"Someone's got to test them," Lex nodded.

"You sure no one's allergic?" Meg whispered.

I rolled my eyes. Allergies. I was allergic to something, but I didn't remember at the time or cared. Meg was just a worrywart.

"Why are you so… anxious… about that?" Daley turned to her, arms akimbo.

"I just have… a funny feeling… that I'm not alone in the allergy department," Meg murmured, looking away from everyone. Nevertheless, I noticed, briefly, that her eyes flickered to me for a longer time than they did to everyone else. I let it slide, ignoring this small, warning detail.

"Well, there's one way to find out," Jackson yawned. He then downed one of the oysters.

"Well, I'm sticking with Meg," Taylor whined, "I am not eating toxic snot."

"Fun," Meg rolled her eyes. I noticed, briefly, that they were not brown, but not green, but not grey either. More of a combo. I was somewhat taken with those eyes, but mentally slapped myself. I was clearly loosing my mind.

"Now it'll be about an hour before we know it's safe," Lex nodded.

"Or a couple if he's allergic," Meg sighed. I mentally groaned along with the rest of the group. What was with Meg and her allergy fear?

Melissa sighed, and we all dispersed. I watched her walk over to Meg. I didn't really care if she told someone about my blackmailing her, but Meg… Meg seemed like the type of person to take action.

But, as I am plagued with having to do quite a bit of work, at least for me, all spying opportunities were dashed as I left to go do… something.

To be truthful, I had no urge for spying.

F29DWN

After an hour had passed, we all gathered again in the clearing. Jackson looked fine, at the very least. Melissa looked positively grumpy. I heard people follow me, and I saw Meg to my right. She glanced over at me anxiously. I raised my eyebrow in puzzlement, and then shrugged it off.

"How are you feeling, Jackson?" Taylor asked.

"I'm good," Jackson nodded. Meg let out a small, almost inaudible groan that I bet only I could hear.

"Then let's eat!" Lex grinned. We all went in for the oysters, except for Meg. I hadn't even touched one, though (but was about to) when she burst out:

"Okay, um, I still have a huge feeling that it's a bad idea for one of you to eat the oysters," she muttered.

"Well, it wasn't Jackson. I guess all we can do is pray that your feeling isn't accurate," Nathan looked annoyed over at Meg.

"Whatever," she sighed and walked off. Again, I saw her eyes flicker to me, but this time they stayed for a few extra seconds before she took off into the jungle. I shrugged and dug into an oyster, having a funny feeling that someone was watching me with screaming eyes.

F29DWN

I felt like I was going to die. I was exhausted, and my stomach hurt, and I was having trouble breathing. My sides itched like crazy. I didn't want to walk around, or work, or do anything productive. Well, I didn't want to do these things more than I usually do. I felt horrible.

I stumbled over to the plane, and collapsed underneath it. I groaned and clutched my side, closing my eyes tightly, praying that perhaps the pain would go away.

"Hey Eric, want to help me gather some more oysters?" Nathan walked up to me, asking cheerfully.

I groaned, "I don't feel so good."

"Whatever, Eric. Just trying to get out of work again," Nathan sighed, walking away. I gasped and ran towards the ocean. I wretched into the ocean, and then walked back over to my spot.

This could not be good. I was suddenly overcome with the desire to call out for help, but I restrained myself. Whatever was going on would pass… I hoped.

I walked out from underneath the plane and over to the tents. I was going to lie down and try to sleep it off. Maybe that would work.

"Yo! Eric!" I heard a voice call out. It was Meg.

"Over here," I groaned. Meg was certainly not going to be sympathetic… but maybe she would know what was wrong.

"Hey, Eric, can you help me… whoa," Meg gasped, seeing me like this. I was lying down, probably as white as a sheet.

"Are you feeling okay?" she asked.

"Not really," I groaned.

"Well… erm… get some rest," Meg suddenly looked worried and frightful.

"Do you think you know what's wrong with me?" I gasped.

"Not yet," she murmured, then gently touched my arm in comfort and walked off.

I stayed confused until I passed out. I seriously could not breathe.

F29DWN

When I woke up, everyone was sitting around me, looking relieved. I saw Melissa with an Epi-pen in her hand, looking at me with contempt but also extreme relief. Lex was holding a wet cloth, also looking insanely relieved. Everyone else was standing around, sighing.

"Did you just stab me in the leg?" I gasped, looking up at Melissa.

Melissa shrugged, glaring right back at me. Everyone around me was sighing in relief. As Melissa left in a huff, I noticed that Meg was also not there.

"Dude, she just saved you life," Jackson raised his eyebrow.

I gaped at him and looked at the direction that Melissa had left in, and sighed. I owed her so much, from both now and other times throughout our lives. I shrugged it off; I would thank her the second I had the strength to stand up.

"You're apparently allergic to shellfish. Turns out Meg was right," Nathan then shrugged.

Everyone left then, except for Jackson, who continued to crouch next to me.

"What's wrong?" I asked nervously, I still felt a little sick and I barely knew the guy, throwing up on him would probably not be good.

"Dude, you need to get a clue," Jackson sighed, shaking his head and getting up, walking away. I watched him go for a second, and then shrugged and rolled over.

Meg was right… I thought back to the events of the day. How Meg seemed to say that someone was allergic to shellfish every time I was near the shellfish, and kept glancing over at me. How did she even…?

I was still staring up at the tent in shock as I tried to piece together this puzzle. Everything was so confusing for me right now.

F29DWN

When I had the strength to get up again, I stumbled down the camp over to Melissa, who was boiling water. I saw Nathan and Meg talking to each other, and for some reason a hot bubble of something rise in my stomach at the sight of them. I shrugged it off for gas (although it did not feel as such.) I came over and sat down next to Melissa.

"Mel, I'm sorry I was such a jerk," I sighed. Melissa shrugged.

"No, I'm serious, I blackmailed you and then you saved my life. I'm going to go lug some water to make it up to you," I sighed, and stood up despite my fatigue.

Melissa smirked at me, "Don't be dumb, I'll lug the water, but you have to promise me you'll stop blackmailing me, and that you'll start doing your share of the work without complaint when you're better," Melissa raised her eyebrows.

"I swear," I raised my hand up in the air on oath.

"Good," Melissa smiled, "now rest."

I nodded and walked over to the plane and sat down, tired. I looked over at where Nathan and Meg were sitting, but Meg was no longer there, Daley was. I became confused and looked around wildly for Meg, and saw her coming towards me. I felt embarrassed at my frantic searching.

"How are you feeling?" she asked me casually.

"Better," I nodded, "Loads better."

"Cool," she smiled at me, and turned to go. I had the unbearable urge to hold her back, and so I did.

"Hey," I nodded, "Thanks."

"For what?" Meg raised an eyebrow.

"I don't really know myself," I laughed, "I just have… never mind. Thanks."

"Sure," Meg shrugged. I grinned at her, and began to wonder why I was grinning like a fool.

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