Later in the afternoon it's close to getting dark and all of the tents are set up. There are 50 of them so that means two people to a tent. John calls everyone's attention to gather around the fire in the middle of our makeshift camp.
"Okay everybody listen up! Two people to a tent, I have come up with a list of who's sharing with who, so no arguing about it. Listen for your name, your tent mate will be your partner; don't go away from camp without them. " He starts calling off names. After a few minutes, I haven't heard him call me and he has got to be almost finished. "Okay that's everyone! Find your partner and pick a tent." He says. He never called my name. I am still on my log trying to keep my leg elevated and not put any strain on it. I should go ask him why he didn't call me but then I see he is already walking over.
"Hey, you're with me." He says in a tone that means it isn't a question or a discussion so I just nod. I start to get up off the log and he helps me, letting me lean my weight on him. We don't talk as we go over to pick a tent. It's not an awkward silence though, it's that comfortable silence that we always had together. Where you can be with someone and not have to say anything at all. You can just be in their presence and that's enough, words aren't necessary.
We walk over to a tent that's close to the dropship, it's bigger than the other tents and I'm wondering if John set this one up specifically for himself. He pulls me inside and I realize that he did set it up because there is a makeshift bed that looks like he built from the seat cushions in the dropship. John is smart even though he thinks he isn't. The bed is big enough for two people and I'm not sure if I feel comfortable about the idea of sleeping in bed with him. I am in love with him and I think that's what makes me feel apprehensive about it. Sleeping next to him might make me love him more if that's even possible.
"So…" I say even though I have no idea what I am trying to say.
"Lay down, you shouldn't stand on your leg." I do as he says, because let's face it I would do anything he asked me to. And yeah I know that sounds desperate but I don't mean it like that. More like I would do anything that made him happy. I lie down and try to get comfortable. He hasn't really said much to me about anything so I'm not sure why he wanted to share his tent with me. He is still standing there looking at me, not moving.
"Aren't you going to sit down?"
"No, I've got some more stuff to do before bed, get some rest okay?" He walks over and kisses my on the forehead and then walks out before I can answer him. I must be tired because I drift off to sleep before I even realize.
When I wake up my leg is aching and my stomach is growling. For a second I forget where I am and then I feel something next to me. Someone, its John. I fell asleep after he left last night and didn't notice him come back. Fuck he looks perfect with his perfect face and he isn't wearing a shirt. Is he trying to kill me? I need to get away from him for now so I get up and slip out of the tent quietly. Only a few people are up and around camp so I guess it's still quite early. My stomach feels like an empty pit so I decide to try and find where the ration packets are being kept. I see Clarke and decide to ask her.
"Hey Clarke, do you know where I can get something to eat?" I ask her.
"Yeah go over to the dropship, Bellamy is handling the rations. How's your leg?" she asks and I think that's nice of her to inquire.
"It's okay. Hurts."
"We found where the medical supplies landed so come over to the medical tent after you eat and I'll give you something for it." She tells me.
"Okay thanks Clarke," I say and walk towards the dropship. Clarke seems like a really caring person. I haven't met a lot of those. Bellamy is in the dropship and looks as if he is organizing stuff.
"Hey, Clarke said I could get some food from you?"
"Yeah sure," he tosses me a ration packet and I thank him. "What's your name?" he asks.
"Avery."
"Nice to meet you Avery. I'm trying to organize everyone into groups, like guards, and people to go out on hunts. Anything you like to do or are good at?" What am I good at? Pretty much nothing I think, but I shouldn't tell him that. I don't want to seem like I'm not useful to the group. I think about it for a minute.
"Well on the Ark I worked in childcare but that's not much use here….Does Clarke need any help in medical?" She seems nice and I could probably assist her.
"Sure thanks, I'll put you down for that." He smiles.
"Okay great, I'll head over there. Thanks for the food."
"No problem," he says as I walk away.
I started walking over to the medical tent but John runs up to me and touches my arm. He has a look of concern on his face, but I am confused as to why. "What are you doing?" I ask him.
"Where were you?" he demands.
"The dropship getting something to eat, and now I'm going to the medical tent."
"You can't go wandering off on your own, next time tell me where you're going so I don't worry okay?" he says. Worry? About me? Since when did he care that much about what I did? It feels nice for him to care about me.
"Okay, I'm sorry" I say.
He looks regretful for a second, "No you don't have to be sorry, Ave. I just want to know you're okay." With that he walks away and ironically does not tell me where he is going.