Once I noticed that X-ray had always gotten the 'better deals' at camp, I realized that he was the leader. Like I said before, he wasn't the tallest or the strongest, and his vision had definitely lowered him on the intimidating scale. But I quickly learned that he got around by his confidence and his smile. X-Ray had the kind of smile that kept you from hating him no matter how annoying he was. When he smiled, it made you feel like everything was going to be alright. And he was always cool, even while digging in the hot sun. He didn't need to be tough. He had Squid and Armpit by his side. They would do his dirty work if necessary, but it was hardly ever necessary. It seemed like everyone wanted to stay on X-Ray's good side. Even me. He would do things for you - get you an extra piece of bread or a clean pair of socks. Of course, X-Ray never did anything for anybody unless he got something for himself too. Like the fifth day I was at Camp Green Lake; he somehow saved Zigzag from getting into a fight with the B-tent boys and got everyone in the D-tent an extra carton of orange juice.
I also learned how Alan got his nickname; he loved talking about marine biology. And I know he was most likely given his name for his 'sticky' hands which resembled squid-like tentacles, but I liked to think it was because of his interest in the ocean. The first week I was at Camp Green Lake, he would only talk to me when it included jokes or harassment, and would always tease me for flinching or being too slow (sometimes even too fast) when digging. But eventually, when we were alone in our tent before dinner, he picked up a rubber octopus from his crate and started chuckling. After I asked him what he was laughing at, he went into a long spill about how he always wanted to study marine biology once he got out of camp. And how his favorite animal was an octopus. But once the dinner bell rang, he threatened me; saying that if I told anyone he would personally "shove my head up my ass." Even after that day though, he would still ramble on about the ocean and sea life when we were alone.
I learned much more about all the other campers too. Like how Theodore kept a catchers mitt in his crate since baseball had always been his favorite sport. And how José wanted to be a veterinarian when he 'escaped' from camp, even though I told him that they most likely wouldn't hire an ex-convict who didn't serve his whole time at Green Lake. Zero started talking to me more and more each day, but still, I barely knew anything about him. He told me that his name was actually Hector and that he didn't talk because he "didn't like answering stupid questions."
Ricky, however, was a whole bag of tricks. In his crate, he always kept a TV guide dating back to March 1999. He read it constantly, and when he flipped to the last page, he would start it all over. If someone asked him what was playing on TV at 4:00 P.M on that exact day, he'd definitely be able to tell them with no hassle. He also always knew what day of the week it was - probably because of his TV schedule. "Supply trucks comin', it's been two weeks," he would say. It was nice to actually know what day it was instead of wandering around as if you were in some time warp. But when he wasn't reading or telling us what day it was, he was placed in front of the television watching the static and blurred screen. He'd sit there all day, even if the audio was too muffled to make out what was being said or if the screen was completely black and white. He'd just sit and stare. I learned that nobody would mess with him while he was watching TV. It was like the television was his lifeline - and you should never try and cut someone's lifeline.
One time, he was in his usual spot on the sofa when a boy from E-tent plopped down next to him. Minutes passed and the boy continuously laughed loudly and nudged Ricky multiple times. Ricky hated being touched as well, and never showed reaction to what he was watching. It was just how he was. He ignored Easy, trying to enjoy the relaxation time he had after digging in the hot sun all day. Eventually, the boy went to change the channel but Ricky stopped him, telling him that he was there first. Instantly, the two started bickering back and forth and campers from other tents began to get involved.
"Show him how it's done, Easy!"
"Ziggy's always hoggin' the TV set!"
"Change the channel!"
Me and the others hurried to the scene, only to see that Easy had his hand on the television knob. As he smirked lightly and went to turn the channel, Ricky quickly grabbed his hand and stopped him from dialing the knob. In a dangerously quiet voice, he said, "I'm not done watching it."
Now, Ricky didn't seem particularly threatening. He was just that one tall, skinny boy with crazy hair and paranoia issues. But Easy knew better than to mess with the ones who were 'crazy.' I could see Easy's eyes dart back and forth between his tent mates and the wide-eyed boy grasping his hand tightly, contemplating on what he should've done next. I could tell he was about to drop the issue, but his friends hollering from the back of the rec. room urged him on.
"Back off, asshole. I don't care - I wanna' watch somethin' else," he spat, going to turn the knob. But before he could, Ricky squeezed his hand even harder to keep him from changing the channel. It was quiet for a few seconds, then a shriek from Easy echoed throughout the room. He yanked his hand back and stepped away.
"You're crazy!" he shouted. On his hand, the dialing knob was clearly imprinted into his palm from where Ricky had squeezed his hand so hard. The numbers even had some blood oozing out of them. Easy held his hand and quickly left the rec. room, his other tent mates following behind him. Later that day, when his counselor asked him what had happened to his hand, he said he'd bashed it on the tent door.
I learned that at Camp Green Lake, you didn't snitch. So after every fight and wound, the campers would blame the tent door, even though the door were just flaps of fabric.
I took a bite out of the syrup-covered tortilla, my shovel propped up against my shoulder as I walked alone. Mostly everyone was ahead of me since I was walking so slowly.
I was exhausted. But I realized that I'd be exhausted everyday, no matter how much rest I got or how much water I drank. It was just a feeling I had to get used to.
"Yall' ready to dig?" Rex asked in a teasing tone, obviously knowing the answer. The rest just groaned or remained silent and continued walking until they were at the spot where they were going to dig.
It was the same process everyday. I'd dig for a while then grow tired and lean against the wall of my hole. The others would pick fun at me, especially Squid and Rex, and Ricky would try watching me pee in case I was planting 'cameras and microphones' down into their holes. The water truck came and Mr. Sir continued repeating "This ain't the Girl Scouts." while Dr. Pendanski would try creating conversation with each camper during lunchtime. Hector was always the first one to finish, Rex or Alan usually coming in second.
After finishing my hole, I spat in it, picked up my shovel and canteen, and sluggishly walked back to camp. After about three minutes of walking, I realized that Ricky had been trailing behind me.
"How long have you been there?" I asked after glancing over my shoulder, only to focus back on the ground in front of me. I had to make sure not to fall or trip on any of the rocks or sunken in holes. I had done that several times the first week I was at Camp Green Lake and about snapped my ankle in half each time.
"Since you got done diggin'," he replied casually. His hair was a mess, like usual, but had dirt caked into the strands. He squinted down at the ground, probably trying to avoid tripping like me or just wanting to shade his eyes from the sun. I slowed down my pace and waited until he caught up with me, then continued to walk once we were side by side.
I had to admit, Ricky was cute. I mean, when he wasn't suspecting me as a Russian Spy or teasing me for the way I laughed. I clenched my jaw and swallowed, hoping that the feeling was just because of my dehydrated and tired state.
"Question," I spoke suddenly, noticing him quickly glance up and stare at the side of my face, "Does the Warden ever come out of his cabin?" I looked over at him with furrowed eyebrows but all he did was chuckle softly.
"For one, he's a she."
I widened my eyes.
"Really? But everyone always acts so afraid of 'em. Like they're really mean and scary or something."
"Girls can be mean and scary too - especially the Warden. I've only seen her 'bout once or twice since I got here. She never leaves her cabin unless there's a fight or someone finds somethin'," he explained, occasionally glancing up to see how far we had left until we reached the camp.
I suddenly remembered what I had came there for. I probably had forgotten my original plan after the fourth day. Digging holes really messed with your mind.
"Well then, hope I don't have to meet her," I nodded with a pursed smile. Ricky didn't reply. Instead, we just walked in silence for the rest of the time. Once we reached the camp, he chucked his shovel over into the pile near the library. I strayed from his side and picked up his dirty shovel, walking back to the library and placing both mine and his inside of the shack.
Just to make it easier on whoever is cleaning up those shovels.
I quickly headed back to our tent. I needed to take a shower and since it was clothes-washing day, my work clothes smelt like garbage. Even my relaxation suit began to smell. Maybe because Squid 'accidentally' spilt his beans onto my chest during dinner the day before.
I opened the flaps of the tent and entered, quickly heading for my crate, which was next to my bed, and grabbing some clothes for me to change into.
I grasped my shower token as I began undressing myself, keeping my boxers on like usual. After the first few minutes of my shower, I pulled down my undergarments to rinse off.
"Aye, Torero!" a voice shouted.
I immediately stood up and focused on who it was, not even thinking to pull my trousers back up.
Shit. I just blew it.
It was Rex. But he didn't have his glasses on.
Shit. Maybe I didn't just blow it.
As he grew closer, I noticed that he had a towel slung over his shoulder along with his extra clothing. I quickly tugged on my boxers, praying to God that his vision was as bad as I had made it out to be.
"Ya' hands finally all heeled up?" he asked casually, standing underneath the shower head two spots away from me.
I was glad that they never showered near me. They pretty much always showered with gaps between them - no matter who it was.
"Y-yeah. Yeah," I stuttered, still in shock that I had almost blown my cover. I sighed happily when the water stopped coming out of my pipe. "The gloves work nicely."
I grabbed my towel and wrapped it around myself before quickly exiting the shower area. "See ya' X!" I called back.
I honestly needed to be more careful. If that wasn't Rex and one of the other campers with better vision, everything I'd worked for in the past two weeks would have been wasted. I was not about to just let those days go to waste. My body was still sore and my tastebuds were shot from all of the horrible food. I was going to make this last.
I trudged along with my tray in hand, heading for the table where D-tent always sat.
"You're never gonna' get outta' here, man. How're you gonna' jump on a moving truck?" Theodore asked, shaking his head as Ricky set his elbows onto the table counter.
"It's no problemo, alright? You see, I'll be down at the drainage ditch and the supply truck moves right over it," the blonde explained, just as I sat down between him and Magnet, "And boom. I'm on my way to freedom. See now, when you boys are diggin' holes, I'll be sittin' on the beach - a babe on each side."
A playful smirk crept onto his face as all the others laughed and nudged him. I only rolled my eyes and began gnawing on my piece of bread. I couldn't tell if it was just jealousy or annoyance from working out in the sun all day - but his 'babe' comment ticked me off. Theodore pounded his fist just as I heard Magnet say, "Lemme' guess. Your aunt and your grandmother, huh?" Everyone laughed even harder, including me, and Ricky just smiled and shook his head.
"What 'bout you, Torero?" Squid asked, his voice clearly audible since there wasn't a piece of wood stuck between his teeth. I glanced up from my beans and raised my eyebrows.
"What do you mean?"
"You got any fine ladies waitin' for you back home?"
I heard several chuckles erupt from the table before Rex laughed out a "Probs' not."
This time, I didn't know if it was just cockiness or the fact that Ricky laughed and agreed with Rex as if I wasn't attractive enough to get a 'girlfriend' - but I couldn't help but retaliate back.
"I do, actually," I nodded in an arrogant tone after shoving a spoonful of beans into my mouth. The laughs silenced and Theodore said, "Dog, for real."
"I do." I swallowed the food and wiped my mouth with the sleeve of my jumpsuit. I placed my hands on my knees and leaned up, looking around at each person at the table. Ricky was doing the same thing he did on the first day I arrived, which was stare intently at the side of my face.
"What she like then? What's her name?" Rex asked in a tone that meant 'you're lying.'
"Well," I started, in a short breathe, "Her name's Jennifer, she's short-"
"Shorter than you?" Magnet piped up, his joke earning a roar of laughter. I sent them all a sarcastic smile that only lasted about one second before I continued to describe my imaginary girlfriend.
"She got long blonde hair, big eyes. You know, the usual."
"She got a nice ass?" Theodore asked casually. Rex nudged him with a smirk, probably happy that he asked the question.
"Oh, yeah," I nodded in an arrogant tone, even though I wanted to roll my eyes and scold them for being so perverted, "But an even nicer personality."
They all groaned at my comment but I only laughed. I hated it when men viewed women as sexual objects. And these particular men hadn't even seen a woman in God knows how long.
