On with chapter 2. Please review.
Chapter 2
I sat awake in the tent. I could not sleep at all as the day's events replayed in my mind. I realized that there was no way I was going to sleep tonight. I stepped out of the tent and sat on a rock with my legs stretched out. How am I going to do this? 'How' was not a question anymore; I had no choice. The people had needed a leader, someone who could light a flame even in the darkness and bring light and warmth and I had given it to them. I had been so engrossed in my thoughts that I did not realize when a person came and sat next to me. He looked around 19 since he seemed a little older than I did.
"Do you mind me sitting next to you?"
I could not reply. My eyes were staring straight into his, which were the most mesmerizing jade green. His hair was blonde and ruffled. Something about his eyes intrigued me. They were not scary, as one would expect them to be but gentle, calm filled with concern.
"You seem lost," he said while waving his hand in front of my face, which seemed to bring me back into reality.
"Sorry. I was just lost in thought. Did you say something?"
"It's fine." He gave a slight smile before continuing. "I'm Christopher Adam Alexander."
"Susan Anora Rutherford. Any reason we just said our whole names?" I replied.
"No." He chuckles.
I looked ahead to see the view. When I turn to see him, I see him staring curiously at me.
"What?" I demand.
"You're really beautiful, you know that right?
I know my face is red from blushing and I can see his face is the same shade as mine.
"Can't sleep either?"I blurt out
"Nope" he says while popping the 'p'. For some unknown reason this makes me giggle. The surprising thing is that i never giggle.
"So…?" He continues giving me a quizzical look.
"Yes?"
"It was really brave of you to go up there and speak and give them hope."
"Thanks."I smile from the corner of my mouth but it is hidden because my hair covers my face. We both stare at scenery for in comfortable silence until he finally speaks.
"How are you feeling? I mean with your parents?" His face is etched with concern. My first thought is to lie but something about him makes me want to open up and share how I'm feeling.
"I've been better but I'm sure I'll be fine." I smile hoping it will reassure him. My hair is on my face again. I sigh exasperated. I push it all back. Irritated I groan with anger and then sigh again because I realize I cannot tie my hair. He is laughing now and frankly, it annoys me.
"It's not funny!" I say sternly.
"Of you say so" He says suppressing his smile.
We fall into silence and I get lost in my dream world once again.
"I can't do this." I mutter, lost in my thoughts again.
"What?"
"I'm only 18 Christopher. I cannot lead people. I haven't the faintest idea where to begin." I burst out crying and sobbing.
He pulls me close to him and I bury my face in his shirt and cry. He lets me cry for a while. "They have so many hopes." I manage to get out in between sobs. Then he lifts up my face gently and says," Well, it's lucky you've got me."
I get a hold of myself but he still does not let go. I do not know why or for what reason I trusted him to let go. I trust my judgement more than anyone else. My mother always told me " It's alright to ask for advice. But always remember that you yourself are the best judge you will find."
"Susan. I am glad we talked. I cannot imagine you going through that alone. We will figure something out. Don't worry." He looks at me gently and I know I am falling for him and so is he. Suddenly my mind is flooded with thoughts. I cannot help but wonder what would happen if disappoint Christopher or anyone else.
"Hey…you won't disappoint won't and you can't. There is a reason people chose you as a leader, Susan because they know you can do it. Do you understand?" He entwines our hands and honestly, I have never felt more at place than this.
"Okay. However, we need a plan of action. People are going to wake soon and we are going to have to tell something."
"Hmm…let's start by finding food and wood. We must also make weapons to hunt." He suggests.
"I agree…how about we divide everyone into groups. Some start making weapons. Some can find food. While the rest look for wood for burning & so that, we can make houses.
"Sure!" He nods urging me to go on." James & Lucas can take one group each while you & me stay & make weapons. I hope you can hunt."
"Yes I can." He chuckles softly.
"Christopher I think your parents need to be included in the plan too. I have not met them but im ure they can help us. Where are they?"
I wonder if his family is as nice as he is.
"Mom & dad died when I was 5. No siblings either. I have been alone ever since. " He shrugs as though it is not a big deal.
"I'm sorry I didn't know. I don't mean to bring back bad memories."
"It's fine. By the way when do I get to meet your brothers?"
"Soon" I smirk at him.
"Okay" He gives me an unsteady smile filled with doubt.
"Want to wake them up?" I smile evilly.
"Definitely"
"Shit!" both of my brother's screams as we jump on them. Christopher & I start laughing. I am so at ease with him even though we have just met. We have this connection. This spark we feel. It is a feeling I cannot describe. I have only one word to describe it. Beautiful.
"Hey… this is Christopher. My friend?" I pause not knowing what we are. Our eyes meet and his face flashes hurt for a second but then he gives me an unwavering smile and I blush. I cannot help feel that this is right. I understand we just met but I want to do this. This feeling in my gut is overcoming my senses and I want to know what it is.
"Really?" they squeal in delight. "We are her brothers," they scream loudly.
"You both do realize that your 17. So start acting like it." I turn to face Christopher and offer an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry but you did say you wanted to meet them."
"Don't worry I don't mind them. They are actually seem really fun." He winks at me with the mischief gleaming in his eyes.
"Don't you dare think of anything Christopher Adam Alexander. You better not do something wrong." I glare at him mockingly.
"I never said anything Susan Anora Rutherford." He smiles innocently at me.
"If you both are done with your relaxing then I think we should go over a plan for the coming days. Don't you think?" James asks.
"Yes. We were thinking that we could divide everyone into groups and give each group a task to do. And the two of you could lead the groups." I explain.
"We need wood and some food which you can find like edible roots for example. According to me we must also work on making weapons as more of us will have to go and hunt." Christopher states.
"I agree. However, for now we have some time before our day must start. So we can relax for a while." I tell them.
The boys are enjoying each others company. They are having fun and playing around. Mostly they just enjoy annoying me. It gave me time to think while they played. I sit next to Christopher and drift into my thoughts. The food and wood we currently had is not a lot and would finish quite fast. Our only chance of getting food now is from the bounty we collect today. We would have to start hunting soon. Not many people knew how to hunt. In addition, weapons were not easy to make. I could help in making weapons since father had taught me. My main weapon was the knife. However, Christopher mentioned that he was good with a bow. Christopher. So much has changed already in so long. I wonder how we became so close. It has only a day yet I cannot shake this feeling that is telling me to run into his arms and bury myself there. The way he comforted me made me feel special.
He seems happy. Somehow, I feel that it is not only me feeling this spark and that he too understands it. I realize I am smiling at him.
"Like what you see?" he smirks as he strikes a pose.
"Yes. I mean I do not have much choice so it will have to do. I think you understand what I'm trying to say." I tease him.
"Do you mean it?" He asks with intensity I've never seen before.
I nod dumbly as he steals my words with his intensity. He walks close to me brushes my hair to the side and whispers, "I'm glad I at least enter your list."
When he is less than an inch away from me he says "That doesn't mean your going to get away with it."
He picks me up by the waist and spins me around. I hold on to him afraid he will drop him.
"Christopher put me down." I attempt to threaten him but it fails completely.
"Not a chance." I end up bursting into fits of giggles since I'm getting dizzy.
He puts me down and looks at me.
"Did I just hear Susan giggle?" he raises his eyebrows at me.
"Yes."
"Well I would love to hear more of that." He smirks at me. I feel an unnerving feeling and I cannot help but acknowledge the fact that I am falling for him and fast.
He starts tickling me and I burst into a fit of laughter and giggle uncontrollably. After a while, he stops and James and Lucas take over. Finally, they stop and I get. I am still laughing. I stumble and Christopher catches me.
He steadies me, kisses my forehead gently, and says, "You need to watch where you're walking." Suddenly a spark ignites through me. It feels as though I am a match, which has finally lighted. When I finally compose myself, I ask them what the time is. James tells me it is little after 8:30.
"We should start our day. Christopher and I will go and hunt. Christopher you can shoot right?" I ask.
"Yes. I can." He replies with slight smile. He looks distant. I decide to ask him later.
"Good. You can take the bow and I will use the knife. James." I turn to face him.
"We are going to need food and wood. Fire and food is our focus at the moment. Christopher and I will go hunting but it is possible there is not much game. I need you to go see if there are any plants or shrubs around we can eat. Sean can help you. Sean has blonde hair and has blue eyes and a stocky build. Go and ask him for help."
I pause to see if they have caught on. They all nod and gesture for me to go on.
"Lucas I need you to stay here and make weapons. In this cold and depending on how many people hunt, we will need weapons. I don't know anyone who knows to make weapons so you are going to find someone to help you."
"My best friend, Ethan can help you. He knows to make weapons." Christopher suggests.
"Great. So that is settled. Christopher I want Ruby with us. She can hunt very well. We trained together. Do you mind?" I ask.
"No." He smiles.
"We need to tell everyone the plan. Therefore, I think we should arrange a meeting. We have a meeting and then everyone goes in their own direction."
"James and Lucas can you go get everyone ready for the meeting?" They both nod and leave.
"Christopher I'm gonna go and get Ruby. You want to come?" I ask.
"Sure love."
Before I can understand what happened he starts running. I hear him scream telling me he will race me there. I break out in a sprint to catch up to him.
When we reach, we both are panting for air and looking at his sweaty face, which is grinning, makes me laugh.
We turn to see Ruby looking at us with an amused expression.
"Hey!" I grin. We hug and she raises her eyebrows at me. I blush at what she's implying.
"I'm Ruby." She says to Christopher.
"Christopher." He continues, " I raced her to your tent. And won at that too." He smiles cheekily.
"I see." She smirks at him.
"We were going hunting. You want to come?" I ask her.
"Actually I'm going to pass. You both go ahead. I'll help out here."
"Are you sure?" I ask her unsure. "You never pass up on hunting."
"Yes." She chuckles. "I know but I'm sure your brothers are going to need help too."
"Okay." She waves and leaves us to talk.
"Can I ask you something?" I question.
" You know you can." He smiles.
" Why are you doing this? Helping me? You don't even know me." I ask confused.
" Just because Susan. I trust you and I want to get to know you. There is something inside me telling me that I'll regret it if I'm not with you. Don't over think things please. I just want to be your friend."
"Are you ready to go?" He asks.
"Yes." I smile at him.
We set out to hunt and my mind keeps wondering what this is going to result in.
Please review. I apologize for any grammar mistakes.
