Different day, same shit with my aunt. Arguing, arguing, and more arguing. For some reason, she couldn't process in her head the fact that I was not going to wash her car. For one, that was a lot of work for a single person. And two, it was hot as hell out there, even while working with water.
"Natalia, you don't have a choice," she said with a hand on her hip.
"Um, actually I do," I shot back.
Lou gave a curt nod. "Alright you do. You can either wash my car and put it toward your community service, or you don't wash my car and start sleeping outside in a tent. That also means using the camp's facilities instead of mine."
I shook my head. "Wow. You would make your niece sleep outside in a tent with no security while criminal boys are walking around. You are so thoughtful."
"I've told you, those boys won't touch you."
"For some reason, I don't believe you." They're criminals for crying out loud! They don't care if they get yelled at or put through some labor. They're going to do what they want to do.
"I don't care what you believe," she said. "All I care about right now is your choice. So what's it gonna be?"
I rolled my eyes and groaned internally. I knew she wasn't joking when she said she would make me sleep outside in a tent. And that wasn't happening. That was scary and beneath me. Honestly, all of this was beneath me and I hated life right now. So I decided to do what she wanted me to, even though it was killing me and made me want to strangle her.
"I'll wash your ugly ass car," I finally said.
"Wise choice," she said, a smug smile playing on her lips. "Follow me, and watch that language of yours." She pointed at me before walking towards the door. I mumbled a few choice words under my breath as I followed her.
Being ever the so nice lady she was, she brought me the hose, bucket, soap, and other stuff that were needed to wash a car. "You know how to wash a car?" she asked while spraying water into the bucket.
"Duh," I said. Truthfully, I've never washed a car before. I've never even been to a car wash, but how hard could it be?
"Get started," she said.
I kept my arms crossed until she went back inside the cabin. Sighing, I picked up the hose and began spraying the vehicle. It didn't take long at all, about thirty minutes. Then again, I'll admit that I did a half-assed job. After I hosed it down, I simply took the soap and dumped it on different parts of the car. I took a sponge after that and did huge circles around it, not bothering to bend down to get the bottom or reach up across the top. Lastly I sprayed it down and I was finished. I was ready to change out of these wet clothes that were sticking to my body. Gross.
As I walked in, I saw her painting her nails on the couch. "Done," I announced.
She looked up and raised her eyebrows. "Already?"
"Yep," was my reply, continuing to my room. While I was changing, I heard the cabin door open and close. I assumed she was going to check on my work, and I had a tiny inkling that she wouldn't be satisfied. Of course because she hates me.
"Natalia!" I let out a frustrated noise as she called me. Couldn't she just leave me alone for like an hour?
I made my way out there, swinging open the doors with more force than necessary. "What?" I said when I reached her.
"There are still spots all over my car," she told me, like I didn't know. She proceeded to point them out as I watched with little interest. "Wash it again and do it correct."
"No," I almost whined. "It's too freakin' hot out here and it's too much work!"
"Remember what we discussed about earlier?" she asked, referring to my 'choices.'
"Yeah, I do, but I did wash your car," I defended myself. "Sorry if it wasn't as good as you would've liked."
"I wanted it washed to be cleaned. This isn't clean at all, Natalia."
Oh how I hated it when she said my name. I was about to argue back when Pendanski caught my eye. He was by a blue truck, looking as if he was getting ready to go somewhere. I suddenly remembered about his lunch routine.
"Can I go with Pendanski? And help him instead?" I asked, trying to lose my attitude.
Lou glanced behind her to also look at Pendanski then turned back to me. "Are you actually going to help?"
"Yes," I said honestly. Handing out lunches? Easy.
She turned around and shouted at Pendanski. He looked up as he went to get in the truck and Lou pointed at me. "Go," she said.
"Thank, God," I couldn't help but say. I hurried away from her and got in the passenger side of the truck. The interior was pretty worn and it was still really hot. I wondered if it was because the air wasn't on or if it simply didn't work. I hoped for the former.
"Good afternoon, Natalia," Pendanski greeted and smiled at me.
I ignored his small talk as we headed out into the desert. Huge holes began appearing and I couldn't help but think again how stupid the notion was. I also didn't understand why the boys put up with it. No way would my aunt get me out here.
A short while later I begin to see movement coming from the holes. It took me a good second with all the dust to realize that it was the criminals. They were digging up dirt and tossing it over their shoulders. Upon spotting the truck, they began climbing out.
Pendanski stopped the truck in-between a couple holes and got out. I stayed in the truck listening to him greet the criminals and inform them there was a 'special guest' with him. He looked at me through the dusty window and I rolled my eyes. Throwing my door open, I pushed myself out and went to stand beside Pendanski.
"Hey," I said when nobody said anything. They all muttered 'hey' back.
"This is Natalia," he informed them while he placed a hand on my shoulder. Uh, no. I shrugged it off and stepped away. "She'll be helping me with lunch and water breaks and perhaps a few other activities around camp." Or perhaps not.
"I definitely don't mind that," I heard one of them muttered. Boys. I was used to attention, I got it all the time back home. I realize how pretty I am. But I don't want a bunch of criminals eyeing me up.
"So if you boys want to line up, Natalia will fill up your water containers and I'll hand you your snacks." The criminals lined up like elementary school kids and the first one was the one who made the comment.
"How you doing?" he said. "Name's X-Ray."
My mind was already blown. First, he had the nerve to ask how I was doing. Second, X-Ray? What was up with that nickname? So I did the sensible thing and ignored him. I filled up his nasty container that he handed me and held it out.
"Another Zero," he muttered and snatched his water back. What the hell did that mean?
I glared at him as he went over to Pendanski. The next few boys in line introduced themselves (with their dumb nicknames) and I treated them in the same manner. A couple of them thought I was rude (like I care), one of them (Zigzag, I think?) said he didn't trust the quiet ones, and one criminal had the nerve to wink at me (Squid is by far the stupidest nickname ever; how does one go about getting that kind of nickname?). I wasn't impressed with any of them, so when I filled up the last criminal's water (Barfbag?!), I turned on my heel and went to get back in the truck, flipping my hair over my shoulder. When I looked out the window I saw them looking at me and snickering. Whatever.
A few minutes later Pendanski joined me and started the truck. "You might want to try and be sociable. You'll find that they're not bad boys."
My eyebrow raised at that. "They're criminals."
"That's not a very positive term we like to use," he said and began to explain why. So I tuned out.
He dropped me off at my aunt's cabin and thanked me. I didn't acknowledge him as my eyes narrowed in on my aunt who was coming out of the cabin with a grin.
"Great, you're back," she said, blocking my way inside. "You can start on my car."
My jaw dropped a little bit. "Excuse me?"
"You can get started washing my car properly."
I pointed at her accusingly. "You said-"
"I said you could go with Dr. Pendanski," she cut me off. "I didn't say you were off the hook." I gaped at her. "Get started." She turned and went back inside. I couldn't help the annoyed sound that escaped me.
Screw this!
A/N: So this is more of a filler chapter. I wanted to introduce the boys but not in an overwhelming matter. If that makes sense? But there will definitely be more interaction with them in the upcoming chapters. R&R! : )