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Neela allowed the last rays of sun to drench her face in warmth as she sat on the pebble beach observing the breath taking scenery. The sun was setting in the distance and casting an orangey pink glow across the sky which was reflected on the mirror like lake surface. She couldn't help think how beautiful it was and was glad that she didn't have to be in the city for once.
Abby was sitting beside her, sunglasses perched on her nose, also taking in the view but mostly she was watching Ray and Morris who were down by the water's edge skimming stones across the clear liquid.
Ray drew back his arm and thrust it forward; the smooth round edged stone flying from his grip and bouncing across the lake. It reached seven jumps before plopping below the surface leaving several rings spiralling from that point.
"Score! Beat that, Morris. Seven!" Ray grinned at his colleague.
"Ok," Morris released his own pebble which skimmed across the water before stopping at five bounces, "Damn."
"Ha."
"Hey, you two pricks," came a voice from behind the men and they turned in unison. Abby and Neela burst out laughing.
"They even answer to pricks, we have them trained well," Abby grinned and gestured for the men to come over, "Me and Neela are gonna head in, it's nearly ten so we think we'll get an early night."
"Ok, we might join you, shall we Morris?" Ray nodded. Why the hell am I asking Morris his opinion? He's not my bleedin carer!
"Yep," Morris agreed and the four of them headed into the wooden structure.
Ray yawned and sat up in his bed, running a hand through his hair. He hadn't had a shower for awhile. What had that moody woman said at reception? Oh yeah, communal showers. He glanced at his watch. It was six in the morning so he figured not many people would be using the showers.
Slithering from the duvet his feet hit the floor and he padded across the room in his boxers.
"Mommy!" Ray jumped and turned on the spot to where Archie had sat up in bed, eyes still closed but mumbling incoherently.
"Go back to sleep, Morris," Ray ordered, pulling on some shorts over his boxers and grabbing a towel from a rack and some shampoo from his bag. Damn! I forgot my gel, even after telling Neela I had it! Argh! What do I do without it?! Leave your hair un-gelled you dickhead. Ray answered his own question, shaking his head unbelievingly. Opening the door he headed out and down the corridor in search of the showers.
Neela woke at ten to seven feeling more refreshed than she ever had back in Chicago. Its either the fresh air or the fact I got several hours more sleep than I would've had I been on shift. Probably both. Rolling out of bed she dropped onto the floor and went in search of her clothes that were still in her suitcase. She looked out the window as she did so and saw that the weather did not look that warm today so she pulled on some jeans, a long sleeved stripy shirt and a sweatshirt that she was pretty sure didn't actually belong to her but Ray. Ah well, its warm and it smells of him. Why the hell should I enjoy the smell of him? Though it is rather nice, mix of aftershave and…Ray-ness. RAY-NESS? Geez, I have lost it!
"Neela what the fuck are you doing?" Abby asked, poking her head out from beneath her covers, frowning.
"Getting up, what does it look like?" Neela replied, pulling a brush through her tangled hair and wincing.
"But it's barely light," Abby mumbled.
"We have to be up by seven, remember?" Neela reminded her friend.
"Ah, stuff that, we're not at friggin' school, what they gonna do, give me detention?" Abby asked.
"I dunno, but I'm famished so food here I come," Neela tugged her hair into a bun and applied some make up before heading out the door.
"Well, I'm not coming," Abby retorted before burying herself back under the covers like a little animal in its nest.
"Fine, I'll go see if the boys are up," Neela waved at the wisps of hair sticking up from under the duvet before shutting the door behind her.
In the corridor Neela bumped into Ray – literally.
"Whoa, careful, roomie," Ray grinned. Oh my god. Neela's jaw dropped, "What? What is it?" Ray frowned, feeling very self conscious.
"Your-your…hair!" Neela choked back a hysterical laugh.
"What about it?" the young man looked uncomfortable, holding his head protectively. Neela couldn't help herself. She burst out laughing.
"I'm sorry, it's just…" Neela struggled to breathe.
Ray's usually perfect hair was…well frankly a mess. It is kind of cute though. Neela groaned inside. Why the hell am I acting like some bloody hormonal teenager with a crush? Without the gel to hold it in place Ray's hair had gone kind of…for want of a better word fluffy. Tufts of hair were sticking up randomly in different directions and he had one tiny curl coming down on his forehead.
"Thanks, Neela, I forgot my gel and you've made it a whole lot better," the rocker stated sarcastically.
"Aw, it's really not that bad. Kinda cute?" Neela said but then snapped her mouth closed her eyes wide.
"Did you just call me cute?" Ray caught on almost immediately. Damn, he was quick off the mark.
"Maybe, I was just trying to make you feel better," Neela gabbled.
"Sure." Ray felt his heart clench in excitement. Could this mean something? Was she admitting something? Or maybe it was just to make me feel better and I am going way too far with it.
"Anyway, I was heading down to breakfast, wanna join me?" Neela swiftly changed the subject which Ray noticed immediately but didn't comment on.
"Ok," the man nodded and followed her.
At eight o'clock Abby emerged from their room, a piece of paper clutched in her hand and she headed down to the canteen. When she arrived she spotted Ray, Neela and a very bedraggled Morris tucked in one corner. Morris was digging into a mountain of food and Abby felt her mouth water. She grabbed a tray, feeling like she was in school again and helped herself to some sausages and egg and orange juice before heading over.
"Morning, lazybutt," Morris greeted her pleasantly.
"You too, moron," Abby collapsed in a seat and began devouring her food, "Aren't you two eating?" She directed the question at Ray and Neela.
"Already have. What's that?" Ray snatched up the piece of paper Abby had placed by her.
"Ssslf toompf aktifites," Abby answered through her mouthful before swallowing, "It's a list of activities."
"Oh," Ray scanned it, "Seems this morning we have, horse riding. Fun. Then this afternoon biking…" He continued the list before reaching the end of the week, "So, we go back on Sunday."
"Well that sounds great," Abby deadpanned, "D'you think any of those activities include a cliff?"
"Why?" Ray frowned.
"So I can chuck myself off it at the first chance," Abby replied, her voice dead serious.
"I think I'll join you," Neela agreed, "And what the hell is that?" She pointed at a particular activity.
"Pine Wood Challenge?" Ray read, "Haven't a clue but what I can say is I don't want to do orienteering. I remember doing that as a boy scout and…."
"Wait, wait…you were a boy scout?!" Abby gaped.
"Yep," Ray said, "What's so surprising about that?"
"You just didn't strike me as the type."
"Hey, I was like nine years old, that was before I became a musician. Though I wasn't very good, I was like…the troublemaker."
"Now I can imagine that!" Neela smiled receiving an offended look from her roommate.
"Hey!" Ray pouted, "Why can't you imagine me as a good little boy scout?"
"It's just your character not to be well behaved."
"I resent that."
"You can resent it all you want, it's true," Abby joined.
"Yeah," Morris nodded.
"Why are you all ganging up on me?"
"Hey, guys, its nearly nine," Neela intervened, "Time to meet our instructor."
"Oh, yeah." The four doctors left the table.
"Please, Jesse!"
"No," the young man crossed his tanned arms.
"Aw, come on," Jason pleaded, "I'll pay you! Just please."
"You can't bribe me, Jas," Jesse shook his head.
"You don't know what she means to me, man."
"You've only just met her, dude, and if she's really as nice as your making her out to be I don't want you to be anywhere near her."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Jason frowned, his eyes narrowing.
"It means that you treat girls like dirt. Leave her alone, she's a doctor and way too good for you."
"How'd you know that?" Jason absorbed this new information immediately.
"Her whole group are all doctors, from Chicago," Jesse replied.
"So, I really like her, I won't treat her like dirt, please, just let me be their instructor!"
"Well…"
Hehe, will Jason get his wish?! Review to find out!
