Giving everyone a fair warning that this chapter contains mild sexual content. -Paradoxygen
An entire day had passed. They were on a long stretch of road leading north toward Colorado when disaster struck. Coach pulled over the bus as smoke poured from the hood. Everyone filed out and stood in the road, not worrying about any oncoming traffic. Ellis stood on a crate that Zack carried out for him and lifted down the hood unit, coughing and waving an arm as smoke continued to float into the sky even after the engine had been cut. He looked around once the smoke cleared while he waited for the parts to cool off enough to touch them.
"Here you go, El." Morgan smiled, holding up the small chest of tools he'd managed to aquire.
"Thanks, Em." He grinned, taking it from her hands. "Go ahead and sit down, this might be a while."
"Okay." She nodded, walking over to where everyone else was standing in a circle in the road.
"Coach, what do we do if he can't fix it?" Kaylee asked, her face concerned.
"Well..." Coach reached into his back pocket and pulled out his map. "This road looks like it goes on for quite some time before it reaches a town, and this map is old so the town might not even be there any more."
"How far is quite some time?" Rochelle asked, raising an eyebrow.
"On foot? About...a week maybe?" He guessed.
"A week?" Alan gasped. "We can't survive walking on this road in the heat for a week. Even if we brought as much food and water as we could carry, the physical toll on our bodies would be too much...especially if there is no town!"
"Now calm down." Coach said, lifting his hand. "I was looking at the map last night and there is another town here." He pointed, "Maybe three days on foot and we would be going through the woods rather than baking on the paved road."
"What kind of woods?" Kaylee asked. "I've been on hiking trails before but just tearing through uncharted forest seems...dangerous."
"It is the only chance we have if the mechanic over there can't get the Dozer running." Coach explained.
"I guess you're right." She shrugged.
"Wouldn't that leave plenty of shadows for us to get attacked from?" Nick questioned.
"We don't have to decide anything just yet." Morgan spoke up.
"That's very true." Coach nodded.
Ellis hopped down after a few minutes of poking around. "All right, guys. I got some good news and some bad news."
"What's the good news?" Nick asked.
"The oil doesn't need changed." Ellis smiled nervously.
Nick forrowed his eyebrows, "And the bad?"
"The belt and bearings are shot, the cooling system ain't working right, and I think there might be a dead bird wedged in there somewhere but I couldn't find it." Ellis explained.
"So what does that all mean, Ellis? I don't speak car." Rochelle asked.
"That bus ain't moving unless we push it."
"Can't you just fix it?" Nick asked, frustrated.
"Unless some 305C V-6 Clevite Cam Bearings fall out of your ass, no." Ellis replied.
"This is just great." Nick scoffed, walking back toward the bus.
"Coach, there was nothing I could do." Ellis frowned.
Coach patted the young man's shoulder. "It's all right, Ellis. You did your best."
"Then it looks like we have a decision to make." Morgan said.
"It seems like hiking through the woods is our only choice." Zack shrugged. "If we can carry enough stuff with us, we could pretend it is a camping trip or something."
"I like the way you think." Coach smiled, "Being positive for a change."
"When we finally get some real good supplies, we have to go and lose most of them." Rochelle sighed. "But, at least we have a choice."
Everyone returned to the bus, Nick already shoving his new suit jacket into one of their empty backpacks. It was a hot day, so he only wore his shirt, pants, and shoes. There were enough bags for everyone to have one, all of the guys taking a backpack. Even Alan took one, as well as his hefty medicine bag. The bottoms of the bags were lined with water bottles, with some canned food on top of those followed by any clothing items they had with knives and other small weapons or trinkets on the top layer or in the pockets. Each bag was rather heavy, but everyone had decided on being safe rather than sorry later.
Once outside again, Coach unfolded the map to try and get his bearings. "Based on the last mile marker we passed, I'd say we're about here, just barely crossing over Oklahoma borders. We want to go that way. Everyone stick together, we got about eight hours before night fall."
Ellis lifted Morgan's messenger bag off her shoulder as they walked and slipped it on to his, taking on the weight of her bag and his back pack.
"Ellis, I can carry my bag." She spoke, reaching back for it.
"Nope. You just carry your gun and wear your hat. Alan said you were still weak from the dehydration and the sickness and I don't want you getting hurt." He replied.
She sighed but smiled regardless. "Thank you, Ellis. But let me carry it after a while."
"I'll consider it."
The sun was at its highest point in the sky as they trekked across the hilly landscape toward mountains and thicker patches of trees. It was hard to say if they'd reach the forest today, but they'd had plenty of rest for the most part and chances were good. Coach remained their guide as they walked, often pulling out the map as he walked to try and check for land marks. Once or twice he tripped but caught himself. Kaylee walked beside Zack for a while, but when he reached for her hand she bumped him away with her hip and strode up between Rochelle and Nick.
"How are you holding up?" Kaylee asked Nick, looking at the grim expression on his face.
"As fine as a man can with limited back movement and a head ache."
"I'm sorry..."
He let out a sigh, "I don't mean to take out my pissy mood on you. I don't mind the constant drifting from town to town. I'm used to that. It's this damn heat and aches."
"You were a drifter then?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
"What did you do?" She asked, tucking her short hair behind her ears.
"Gamble. That's the short and sweet version." He replied.
"You don't like talking about yourself, do you?"
"Are you kidding?" Nick smiled, "I love talking about myself. But my past isn't something you need to be concerned with. It's in the past."
"Nick...were you...in the Mafia?" She asked quietly.
He let out a loud laugh, "Oh Sweetheart, I think I'm done answering your questions for the day."
"Let me guess." She smiled. "If you told me, you'd have to kill me? Give me some cement shoes and leave me to sleep with the fishies?"
His face hardened and he kept his soft gray eyes forward.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend y-"
"Save your breath."
Kaylee slowly pressed her lips together and lowered her head. "Okay."
"I was a news reporter." Rochelle smiled, gently bumping Kaylee's hip in an attempt to cheer her up.
"Oh?" Kaylee looked over at her.
"Yeah. I was covering the infection before it got so bad."
"That's so cool." Kaylee smiled. "I wish I could've seen you but I don't think we got your station back home."
"I'm sure you had someone covering it."
"Well yeah, but I didn't pay much attention." She sighed. "Like a lot of people, I'm sure. I laughed at the Bird flu and even harder at Swine flu. I guess I never thought things would get so..."
"Real?" Rochelle offered.
"Yeah. Real. Like everyone, I never thought anything bad would ever happen to me. Well, except dumb things that were my fault."
"I know what you're saying. I wasn't exactly the same but I think everyone feels a little indestructable sometimes." She shrugged.
"And look how fragile we are." Kaylee shook her head.
"Hey, Alan." Zack spoke up as he walked beside the Medic.
"Yeah?"
"Did you ever have a funeral for your sister? I never really asked..."
"No, but we had a service. She was taken in for treatment and they told us she didn't make it." Alan explained.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Did you get to say good bye?"
"Nope. When we finally got her help, she was already in a coma in the hospital. I don't think they treated her at all."
"That's a bummer. I guess I took for granted that I got to say goodbye."
"You did? To who?"
"My parents." He replied. "I'm an only child, and when they found out they both had the green flu, they said goodbye to me through those masks that CEDA handed out and left me with my grandma. They went on a train to seek treatment...but I don't think they got it either."
"What about your grandma?" Alan asked.
"Infected swarmed the neighborhood and attacked our house in the night. She pushed me up the attic stairs and made me close them. She was killed by the infected, but she gave me a quick goodbye too. She said she had lived a full life so it wasn't as bad." Zack explained sadly.
"An attic? Yeah...I remember that day. They say that they flooded in from the hospitals around town, right?"
"I don't know." He shrugged. "But I guess that makes sense. I made a run for saftey when the horde had died down when Kaylee almost hit me with her car. She would've run me over if Morgan wasn't there, you know."
Alan laughed, "I remember that day. From the very start, she had your back."
"They both did but with different intents. Kaylee wanted to cover it in tire treads." Zack smiled.
"You know I can hear you two." Morgan laughed, walking up close with Ellis beside her.
"You do look out for everyone." Alan smiled.
Morgan shrugged, "Really, I am just being human. Running over one of the few people alive in America is a waste of someone who could be fighting beside you."
"You're a softy and you know it." Zack teased.
"Don't let the other's catch wind." Morgan play-scolded.
"Our lips are sealed." Alan grinned, sliding his fingers across his lips.
"Ellis, we've been walking for a while now." Morgan spoke, looking over at him. "Let me carry my own bag for a while."
"I don't think so." He replied. "You still look tired to me."
"We all do. We've been walking."
"Let me take care of you for a change."
"All right, all right. But you're making me feel like a spoiled brat." She pouted.
"You'd walk yerself to death if I let you, so don't gimmie that one." Ellis smiled at her.
"At least I'd die pulling my own weight..."
As the scenery around them blended into trees and masses of rocks, they came upon a narrow river. After checking the map, Coach concluded just where they were. It was a lesser known river that connected to the Red river and opened up into a small lake a few miles from where they were. But twilight was starting to fall around them, and it would be wise to make a sturdy camp while they still had light to see.
Ellis set down his bags with the others. "Okay, men. Raise your hand if yer good with the outdoors! Our ladies need a shelter!"
Everyone but Nick raised his hand (to nobody's surprise).
"I've been camping my fair share of times." Alan explained. "I can build up a fire pit and get some heat going."
"Okay good." Ellis smiled. "You get that started. What about you two?"
"I was in boy scouts..." Zack admitted shamefully. "I can take the sheets Kaylee and Rochelle packed and make a few tents with these tree branches." He pointed. "Those ones there are hanging fairly low."
Kaylee and Rochelle dug into their bags and pulled out the large white linens they'd pilfered from the laundromat.
"We got some rope too." Coach offered, bending down to open his own hefty backpack. "Anything we can use as spikes?"
"There's nails in my tool box." Ellis grinned, rushing over to it.
"That'll have to do." Coach chuckled, pulling out the rope.
"We brought one pot with us." Rochelle spoke. "But I think I can whip up a good stew. Want to help me, Kaylee?"
"Of course! Will two cans of stew be good?"
"Yeah, I think so. We can add some meat to really give us juice to walk tomorrow." Rochelle agreed excitedly. "Oh it is just like camping!"
Morgan rolled up a nearby log near the fire and set down her hat on it. "It looks like you all have this covered. I'm going to head over to that river and wash off."
"Okay, but stay close. If the water is moving fast don't go in too deep. And take your gun!" Coach ordered.
"Yes, daddy." She smiled at him, pulling her shot gun over her shoulder.
He flashed a grin back and shook his head. "And don't be gone long or we'll come looking for you."
"I'll be fine." She waved.
Nick walked over to the log and sat down. It felt good to get off his feet and he didn't even feel bad about not helping. It looked like the little camping crew had their shit together and even seemed to be having fun doing it. He watched the man dig up the ground in a tidy circle and lay rocks around the perimeter. It was a fire pit if he had ever seen one.
"Ellis, will you come with me to get some fire wood?" Alan asked, standing back up and brushing his hands on his pants.
"Sure thing. You grabbed an axe right?" Ellis asked.
"Yep." Alan handed it over. "If you chop, I'll carry."
"Sounds good to me, buddy."
The pair walked off away from the river and toward the surrounding trees, looking for good dry wood that would catch and burn easily. While they did this, Coach and Zack struggled with the sheets trying to assemble the first tent. Nick couldn't help but laugh as Zack pulled too far on one side and Coach had to scramble to get his end back. There was plenty of cursing. He took a swig from his water bottle and set it down beside the log.
"Did you pack a spoon?" Rochelle asked, emptying the first can into the pot in preperation for the fire.
"Yeah, let me get it." Kaylee nodded, rushing back over to her back pack.
"Anything I can do?" Nick offered, only asking to be polite.
"We got it. You just rest your back." Rochelle smiled, patting the bottom of the can.
"All right." He stretched his arms and went back to watching Coach and Zack. By this point the two men were standing around the heap of sheets, trying to come up with a better game plan. After only a few minutes of watching, his bladder alerted him and he stood up to go find somewhere to pee. He walked out of immediate eye shot of the camp toward the river and found a large bush that would do well enough. He unzipped his fly and looked around, trying to remember if he'd ever been camping. The bush was tall and overgrown with many like it nearby, but he could see the river through it between the branches. The water floated by calmly, light sparkling on the dark ripples like diamonds. There was a small splash and he averted his gaze toward the sound, expecting mud men to come swarming out of the water while he stood defensless with his dick in his hand.
However, the creature that had surfaced was the exact opposite of undead beast. He watched with his mouth hanging open as Morgan broke the surface of the water. Her long blonde hair looked brown in its wet state as it hung down her back in a perfect straight line. She ran her hands down it, pushing the river water back to where it had come. It all seemed to be happening in slow motion, his eyes forgetting to blink. As her hands slowly pushed her wet hair from her face, her bare chest broke free of the flowing water and he got an entire eye full of her small but round breasts. Something that glittered like the water's surface drew his voyeuristic eyes toward her nipples, where he made out the faintest of little blue studs through each one. Oh God she has them peirced.
His face grew hot as he stood there paralyzed, having been done relieving himself some time ago. She continued to walk forward out of the water, a matching blue stud twinkling from her belly button. As she came dangerously closer to get her clothes on the shore, he tore his head away only to look down and see that what he had in his hand was now firm. If she catches me, this will look...oh fucking Hell! Fuck you, fate!
He stuffed himself back in, wincing a bit as he hobbled around a tree and snuck back to camp before she could see him. He sat down on the log, face flushed and hands shaking. Ellis and Alan walked back into camp, setting down the wood.
"Tents are looking good." Ellis admired, looking over at the one tent Zack and Coach had managed to construct.
Alan moved back to his fire pit, a few fresh logs in his arms. "Ellis, I think this wood is too big."
Nick sat wide-eyed, trying to ignore the conversation. Hopefully nobody would catch sight of the tent he was pitching.
"What do you mean?" Ellis asked, squatting down by him.
"This wood is too long. See how much smaller the pit is?"
"It'll fit. Just jam 'em in."
Nick bit his lip.
"That would be reckless. I don't want to start a fire."
"Maybe you can widen the pit?" Ellis asked.
"I can't just stretch it out with my hands, Ellis. It's a perfect size this way. If it was bigger, it wouldn't look right."
"All right, well hand me the wood back." Ellis sighed.
Nick ran his hands through his hair and tapped his foot, trying to focus his attention on Coach but he was too far away.
"How is the fire going?" Morgan asked from behind Nick.
Nick let out a weird yelp that almost sounded like a whimper, falling off the log and onto the ground next to the small wood pile.
"Did I startle you?" Morgan frowned, putting a hand over her mouth. "I am so sorry."
Ellis looked up at her and a lump caught in his throat. "Morgan, yer...all wet."
"Yeah, I took the once in a lifetime chance to have a bath." She laughed, folding her arms across her chest. "It was cold but nice."
Alan averted his gaze, trying to steady some of the smaller logs in the fire pit.
"You're wearing a white tank top." Ellis whispered in her ear.
"I know, Ellis." She giggled. "It's not a big deal. It'll dry fast and it will be dark soon."
Nick pulled himself up, gritting his teeth. How Ellis got -that- is beyond me. I wonder if it is too late to lay on the old Nick charm? Augh! What am I thinking? Coach is right. Stop getting hard-ons for the youngest girls here. Well...technically nineteen is older than eighteen. I wonder if I could get both at once...there has to be a few beers left around here...
"Hurry up and get that fire on." Rochelle spoke up.
"Sorry, ladies." Ellis smiled, picking the axe back up. "I just need to split a few logs for Alan and we can get dinner on."
"Morgan, how was the water?" Kaylee asked, walking over to her.
"Cold." Morgan laughed. "But it was calm enough to go out pretty deep."
Rochelle handed the pot to Alan. "You're in charge of getting that hot. I need to wash off before I kill someone."
"Morgan, are you coming with us?" Kaylee asked, digging though her bag.
"I already went."
"But did you use soap?" Kaylee asked, pulling out a bar of Irish spring.
"I didn't know we had any."
Rochelle took Morgan by the hand and led her back down to the water. "Come on, we are washing your hair at least."
"Okay okay!"
As the three ladies walked down to the river and disappeared behind the bushes, all the men seemed to look at eachother at the same time.
"We're all dirty." Zach pointed out, still holding onto his edge of the sheet.
"True, very true." Alan nodded in agreement.
"No sense being smelly if they're getting clean." Ellis declared.
Coach just shook his head and rolled his eyes. "Oh stop making excuses to be peeping Toms. It's pathetic."
"No harm in looking." Zack grinned deviously.
"Boy..." Coach began.
"Three hot girls washing each other in a river, at dusk, Coach! When does that chance come by again?" Alan protested. "We won't do anything!"
"We have to set up camp!" He barked.
All the young men scrambled up and grabbed sheets and rope, even Nick. Coach just stood with his arms folded as they erected the other two tents and got the fire started.
"You are all weak." He grumbled.
"Come on...we've been running for our lives for weeks." Zack moaned, "And we finally get a golden chance to see some boob and you say no?"
Nick remained quiet, afraid of seeming as over-eager as the rest of them when in reality he wanted nothing more than to run down to the water tearing off his clothes.
"Just take some soap and act like you're trying." He sighed, walking to the fire to get the food started. "But you better not-" When he looked up, all four of them were dashing down toward the rocky shoreline. He threw his hands up and muttered something before returning to dinner.
"Move over, Zack." Alan laughed, "I can't see anything."
They were huddled together behind a large section of water grasses and cat tails, trying to peek as quietly as possible at the girls. They had all stripped down to their boxers, intending to wash off once the girls left.
"I think they're in their underwear." Ellis whispered.
"Oh damn, Kaylee's are pink. I love that color on her..." Zack smiled.
"I...never noticed Rochelle's rack...fuck..." Alan spoke.
"Wait a second, Morgan is topless." Zack pointed out as she came up out of the water after rinsing the suds from her hair.
"She dosn't have a bra." Ellis explained quietly. "And quit lookin' at her. Look at them."
"Are those...?" Alan asked.
"Yeah, now stop lookin'!" Ellis whispered harshly, giving Alan a small shove. Alan shoved him back and Ellis lost his footing on the slippery river stones beneath. They both fell with a loud splash and the three girls froze and covered themselves, looking in their direction.
"You startled the Witches!" Zack whispered harshly, dunking Alan and Ellis once in frustration when they came up for air.
The three young men began to duke it out in the water as Nick laughed and backed away from them, running soap along his arms and chest. He only ventured in up to his waist, not wanting to get his bandages wet. From the corner of his eye, he glanced through the grass and saw the girls laughing. They had returned to their washing once they realized it was just the boys.
Ellis broke away angrily and scrubbed his messy brown hair with soap. "This was a dumb idea."
"Mad they were eying your girl?" Nick teased.
"That ain't my girl, Nick. That's my future wife."
"Does she know?" He asked.
"Well no, I'm waiting to pop the question. But I knew it would be her. It was love at first sight, I swear to you." Ellis explained, washing the grime off his face.
Alan and Zack had returned to the line of grass to try and get another peek before it became hoplessly dark.
"Marriage isn't all it is cracked up to be." Nick replied. "Once you get married, the sex stops after two months."
"Maybe for you." Ellis laughed, splashing him. "Morgan is different. We're soul mates."
"Right, like those exist. So... have you given it to her?" Nick smirked.
"A gentleman does not kiss and tell." Ellis replied, turning his head away.
"I knew you didn't have the balls."
"Well for your information, I did. Not that it is your business, Nick." Ellis huffed. He turned around and threw his soap at Alan. "Have some respect!"
Alan rubbed his head and turned around, "Hey! You were just as eager as me a few minutes ago!"
Ellis gave him a stern look but turned back, defeated. "I guess part of me is still a horny teenager..."
"Part of you?" Nick laughed. "Ellis, that's the only head you think with."
Alan and Zack waded back over to them. "The girls left." Zack frowned. "We're getting hell when we get back, you know."
"Maybe you will." Nick smiled. "They never saw me with you."
That night, the boys did recieve Hell. All four of them had to share one small tent while Coach had his own and the three girls shared one. Embers from the campfire popped and crackled, mostly extinguished. Nick had shoved everyone as far away from him as possible at first, but it didn't go over well. After much arguing, Nick was kicked out of the tent and left to sleep out on the ground.
He pulled on his jacket as he stood up and looked around the darkened camp site, hair messy and face frustrated. He didn't see why he had to be punished when he was only going along with the others. A devious smirked stretched across his face. Besides, I got a much better view than any of them already today.
Sitting down on the log and looking out at the river, he took a flask out of his pocket and took a sip of scotch. Nick coughed as it burned his throat but warmed him up. It was getting colder, that was certain. Her rubbed his hands together after returning the drink to his inside pocket. The moon was still making the river glimmer even while everything else was dark.
The leaves behind him stirred and he turned his neck back to look. He recognized Morgan's shadow as she approached and sat down beside him.
"Night mares?" He asked.
"Yeah, nothing terrible. I'm just not very tired." She replied. "What are you doing out here?"
"My room mates don't care for me." He smiled, leaning with his elbows on his legs as he looked at the inky river.
"I'm shocked." She laughed sarcastically. "But you dirty boys got what was coming to you."
"Hey, I wasn't part of that." Nick defended himself, straightening up.
"No, I know." Morgan replied, pulling out a cigarette and lighting up. The orange glow illuminated her pale face and bright red cheeks for a moment. He noticed the way her hands trembled.
"Those things will kill you, you know." He replied, slipping out of his jacket.
"I know." She sighed. "I figured I'd finish the pack though. Helps with my shakes."
"You're cold."
"That too but the damn virus still hasn't worn off completely." She explained, offering him her pack.
He drapped his jacket over her bare shoulders before accepting one. She lit it for him and returned the little metal lighter to her pocket.
"Thanks." She smiled, pulling it around her.
"No, thank you." Nick laughed quietly, taking a drag.
"I saw you earlier." She spoke.
He froze for a second before exhaling. "Um...what?"
"You know what I mean." Morgan smiled. "I won't hold it against you this time, but do try to resist in the future."
"It was an accident." Nick tried to explain. "I didn't even know you were down there until you came up."
Hearing noise outside, Ellis crawled on his hands and knees and peeked out of the tent. His eyes widened when he saw Morgan sitting with Nick smoking cigarettes and wearing his jacket. His heart began to pound in his chest as he clenched his fists together. Nick, you Son of a bitch...you're trying to get your filthy mits on her.
"I won't tell Ellis this time, okay?" Morgan replied, cutting him off with a raised hand.
Ellis' heart fell down into his stomach at her words and when she returned to her own tent, she hadn't even looked his way. Nick only continued to sit out there like the dirty con man he was. Ellis' lip trembled as tears reached the corners of his eyes.
He burst out of the tent and walked right over to him, pushing him hard on the back where he knew the bandages were. Nick yelled in pain and fell onto his hands and knees, lit cigarette falling into the brush.
"You Sum bitch!" Ellis yelled, kicking him in the ribs. "What did you do to her? I trusted you!"
"Ellis? What the fuck is wrong with you?" Nick yelled.
The tents all trembled as the campers inside all scrambled out to see what was going on. Coach pushed his way forward, trying to move to the fighters in the darkness.
"Get up so I can punch your face in!" Ellis yelled, grabbing Nick by the collar and forcing him to his feet.
"Let go of me you crazy Hick!" Nick roared, jabbing at Ellis' stomach with his fists.
Ellis slammed Nick's back against a nearby tree, making him scream in pain as the bark poked into his still healing flesh.
Coach got to them just as the cigarette lit the dry grass under their feet. Alan and Zack sprung into action, trying to stomp the flames out before they could spread. The fire burned their feet and Alan's boxers quickly ignited. He began smacking at it, yelling over the sound of Ellis cursing at Nick and Nick wailing. Coach was pulling Ellis away, taking all of his strength to do so. Zack grabbed Alan and forced him to the ground, rolling him in the dirt near the camp site. As the fire spread, Kaylee began to smother the flames with the thick jacket she grabbed inside their tent. Rochelle doused the rest of the small inferno near the tree with the water bucket they had prepared in case of such disaster.
Nick fell to his knees and Morgan helped him up onto the log as he wheezed and leaned into her shoudlers. He was mumbling obscenities that would make a sailor uncomfortable and Morgan tried to sooth him by running her hand on his back. It came back flecked with dark blotches she took for blood.
"Ellis!' Coach barked. "What the hell has got into you, boy?"
Ellis' face was full of hot-blooded anger but there were water stains down his cheeks. "Ask Nick! He's the one putting moves on her!" Ellis pointed as Coach held him back.
"What?" Morgan gasped, still holding onto Nick as he began to dry heave in pain.
"You're cheatin' on me! I heard you tell him you wouldn't tell me!" Ellis cried.
Kaylee stood there with her mouth opened. "What? Nick, what the hell? You flirt with me and then do this?"
Zack turned around from where he had successfully put Alan out, "Woah woah, what?"
Kaylee covered her mouth. "Oh no."
"Ellis, I haven't done anything!" Morgan defended, face hurt. "Ellis what you heard wasn't-"
"Save your lies for someone who'll believe them." Ellis pulled away from Coach but made no move to attack Nick.
Rochelle held her head. "Everyone just calm down for a minute before we burn down anything else!"
Ellis stood by the tree as Coach moved over to check on Nick. "Nick, you all right?"
"Do I look all right?" He yelled, lifting up his head.
Morgan stood up and rushed over to Ellis. "Please, just listen to me."
"Why should I?" He asked his voice choking up at the end.
Zack walked over to Kaylee and whispered harshly. "You're flirting with him?"
"He flirted with me. And we aren't together." She whispered just as harsh.
"We kissed!"
"I like kissing you! That doesn't mean I have a ring on my finger!"
"You want me to propose in the fucking woods and marry you?"
"No!" She yelled. "Stop begging for commitment. This is just like high school!"
"You're right!" He laughed, throwing his hands up. "You still won't grow up!"
"Excuse me? You're the one making a scene about flirting."
"You make me so mad." Zack growled.
"Well I hate you." She sneered.
"Everyone just go to bed!" Coach demanded. "Nick, you can sleep in my fucking tent if it will keep you out of trouble. Alan will look at your back in the morning."
Alan sat up, "Yeah nobody ask about Alan. I only just got my legs forceably shaved."
Rochelle walked over and offered him her hand. "Maybe you can make yourself a business: Bikini waxing and medicine."
He couldn't help but laugh as she helped him up. "I'll need a business partner."
"Easy tiger, I'm still bitter at you."
"Hey, you didn't set me on fire. Things are already going better than my other relationships."
Rochelle laughed, "I actually believe you."