A/N: This chapter came to be a LOT longer than I anticipated.. I just start writing and can't stop! ;-) Get ready for a small bit of Otto, some Otto and Audrey, and then a bit of Reggie and Twister! But any way you want to put it, there's a LOT of conversation goin' on. The chapter awaits you.. ((If you're obsessed with romance fics and are looking to read about some hot action between the characters, see the author's note at the end of the chapter.. ;-) ))
***
Getting There
By Taryn
Chapter 2: First Impressions
***
"The goal of this competition," Rahiki's voice boomed loudly, echoing off the walls of cabin 17D, "as you should all already know, is to find a new undiscovered athlete to be sponsored by RE-PLAY extreme sports."
The meeting was now officially in session. Cabin 17D was rather large - large enough to accomodate the thirty or so competitors, as well as Rahiki and the parents and other adults who were there for the competition as well. Otto had taken a seat toward the back between Reggie and Sammy, careful to sit as far from Theodore as humanly possible.
"As the adult supervisors for the competition," continued Rahiki, waving his hand as to indicate himself and the other adults, "it is our responsibility to inform and educate you about what is expected of you all over the next few days. Now don't get me wrong, this competition is going to be extremely fun, but there are a few issues we need to cover first and foremost. Let's start with safety. You will all be required to wear a helmet in any races which involve.."
Otto was trying somewhat to listen to what Rahiki was saying, but he couldn't help averting his eyes slightly to his lower left, where Theodore sat with Audrey and a blonde haired boy he hadn't met yet. He still couldn't get over how rude Theodore had just been to him.. What a freak.. Otto made a mental note to try extra hard and make sure he beat Theodore by a longshot in every race. He had a feeling that this kid's mouth was, as Tito would say, 'writing checks that his body couldn't cash.' And what's worse, it looked as though Audrey was friends with him.
What if they were more than friends? Otto suddenly thought as a stab of panic hit him abruptly in the pit of his stomach. He had met Audrey only half an hour ago and immediately knew that he liked her.. The first girl he'd ever really had the slightest bit of interest in ever since Twister's cousin Cleo had visited Ocean Shores, equipped with plenty of new athletic skills that had really attracted Otto to her.
But the last person on Otto's mind at the moment was Cleo - she was only a distant figure in his past. Otto sighed with content as he fixed his gaze on Audrey, who was leaning forward onto the desk she sat at, her hand propping up her chin, and looking quite bored.
Audrey is so cool, Otto thought dreamily.
Suddenly Otto felt a sharp poke in between his ribs that made him jolt back into reality. He wildly whipped his head around to look at Twister, who had been the one that touched him.
Twister leaned forward toward Otto and jerked his head towards the front of the room. "Rahiki's talking to you, dude!" he hissed.
Otto looked quickly at the New Zealand native, who was looking questioningly at him from the front of the room. "Huh?" Otto asked loudly, and he immediately knew he sounded stupid. There was a quiet rustling sound as every head in the cabin turned to look directly at Otto.
"I was merely asking you, Mr. Rocket," Rahiki said slowly, "what country you traveled from to be here with us today. Perhaps you could have answered me if you hadn't been so busy staring at Miss Parker?" he asked casually.
A few people in the room snickered, and Otto could feel a tremendous amount of blood rushing to his face. He saw from the corner of his eye that Audrey's big hazel eyes had become even rounder in embarassment. She merely looked down at her hands, blushing furiously. Theodore's mouth had dropped open in what looked like a mix of surprise, anger, and satisfaction.
"I, uh," Otto stuttered for a moment, avoiding eye contact with Rahiki. He didn't dare look at his father or Mr. Parker. Instead he glanced sideways at Twister, who was staring at him expectantly.
"No, sir, I actually wasn't," Otto said firmly, looking up and meeting Rahiki's eyes.
"Then would you care to tell us why you didn't answer my question, without wasting any more of our time?" Rahiki asked swiftly.
"Yes, sir - I was just so overcome by Mr. McGill's ugliness that I couldn't tear my eyes away from his sorry-looking excuse for a face," Otto answered loudly. At that, the room burst into a fit of laughter. Twister, Reggie, and Sammy, who didn't yet know who Theodore was, merely looked confused.
Otto clamped his hands over his mouth - he had said the words before he really had time to think. He looked back towards Audrey, who had stopped blushing and was looking directly at him, frowning slightly. Even from across the room, Otto could see that something had changed in her eyes.. And Theodore looked as though he'd like nothing more than to chop Otto to pieces with a machete. This time, Otto dared to look at Ray and Tito in the front of the room. Tito's usually cheerful face was so grave that it was scary, and Ray's face showed nothing but disappointment.
"Well," said Rahiki after a moment, letting the kids' laughter die down, "I think we have no more to cover in this meeting. You'll find out the rest of the rules on a need-to-know basis. I was planning to tell you the activities involved in each race from here on out to help you prepare, but thanks to Mr. Rocket, you won't get that chance. Clear out, please, and enjoy the rest of the day. First race starts tomorrow."
The sound of chairs being brushed against the floor as all the race participants got up from their seats filled the cabin suddenly. Otto numbly got out of his chair and proceded to the exit door of the cabin with Reggie, Twister, and Sam, unaware of all the glares he was getting from the other kids.
As Otto reached the threshold of the door, Rahiki cleared his throat loudly. "Mr. Rocket, will you stay behind for a moment, please?"
Otto stopped so abruptly that Twister bumped right into him. "Sorry, dude," Otto muttered distractedly as he made his way around his best friend and towards Rahiki and the rest of the adults, who had remained in the cabin as well.
Twister shot a hesitant look at his best friend and reluctantly left the cabin, closing the door behind him and leaving Otto alone to face Rahiki and the small army of people who stood solidly behind him.
"I dont understand.. He's not normally like this," Ray was whispering to Kyle, who was looking at Otto reproachfully. The other adults were all looking at Otto in a similar manner of distaste, and he could once again feel the color rising in his cheeks.
"Mr. Rocket," Rahiki said firmly as he folded his arms across his chest. "I have to admit that I'm quite surprised at what happened just now. Are you aware of the fact that you said something completely inappropriate to Theodore McGill?"
"Yes," Otto mumbled, looking at the floor. He felt like he was back in preschool.
Rahiki's frown became even more pronounced. "I had read a great deal about you in the New Zealand Press, Mr. Rocket," he continued in the same harsh tone. "I was really anticipating your arrival, and anxious to see how you would perform in the competition. But I have to say I'm more than a little disappointed. I am a very firm believer of the fact that you judge a person when you meet them. I've just met you, and I am not impressed."
All Otto could do was continue to look at the floor. He was such an idiot - an hour after they arrive in New Zealand, he blows his chances with all the people who matter in the competiton. There was only one thing to say. "I'm sorry," Otto mumbled. "I got carried away."
"First impressions are very important, Mr. Rocket," Rahiki carried on, but his voice had gotten softer. "Mr. McGill's father is a very high ranked executive at the RE-PLAY company, and he is in this room." Otto's heartbeat quickened, but he still didn't dare look up to try and spot Mr. McGill. "Just remember this, Otto - success in life comes from more than just skills, talent, and ability. You need to have the right attitude. Without that, you'll won't get anywhere. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir," Otto said soberly, forcing himself to look up and meet Rahiki's eyes.
"Good," said the native in a much more cheerful tone. "Then I am going to forget your little remark. It never happened. But just let this be a warning to you, Otto," he said, waving a finger threateningly in his direction. "No more rude comments, or we may have to rethink your placement in this competition."
"Absolutely, sir," Otto said, nodding his head.
"You may go."
Without another word or so much as a backward glance toward any of the adults, Otto spun around and flew out the door, slamming it and leaving an echo to ring throught the walls of the cabin.
* * *
The time had flown by very quickly that day, and the sun had started to set before anybody had taken the time to give the sky a second glance. Most of the competitors were outside on the main campground, which was a circular stretch of land with a humongous stone-borderd fire burning in the center. There was apparently some sort of show going on at the moment, featuring a group of native New Zealand tribe dancers. But Otto wasn't quite sure of the details, because he had not left his cabin since earlier that day.
Right after the meeting, he had walked right past Twister, who had been waiting for him, without a word. He was more in shock than anything. Idiot, idiot, idiot, he had kept telling himself, so much so that he hadn't even been aware of Twister on his heels all the way back to the cabin they would be sharing, asking him repeatedly what had happened. Otto had slammed the door to his cabin behind him and had been slowly, absentmindedly unpacking his things ever since. Eventually, after about an hour, he got tired of Twister pestering him and told him what Rahiki had said. Twister hadn't made too big of a deal about it, but that was because he made an idiot of himself like that at home all the time, after all.
And now, it was about seven o'clock in the evening. Otto was unpacking his socks, one by one, into a wicker dresser in his cabin, and Twister was sitting on his bed, watching him skeptically.
"Dude, when are we gonna go outside?" he asked finally, bouncing up and down slightly on Otto's bed. "We've been couped up in here for, like, four hours!"
Otto didn't take his eyes off of his socks and merely shrugged. "You can go if you want, dude," he said, "But I'm staying in here. I've got unpacking to do."
Through the corner of his eye Otto could see Twister staring at him like he had no idea who he was. "Dude," he said incredulously. "Listen to yourself talk! I don't think I've ever seen you stay in one place this long in your life!"
"I can't go out there!" Otto said finally, whipping the sock he was putting away across the room so that it hit the door with a soft thud. "There's no way I can face Raymoundo, or Audrey, or her dad, or even Theodore! Dude, did you know his dad was in that cabin?! He could really let me have it-"
Twister sighed. "It's not that big of a deal, Ottoman."
"You're just saying that because you weren't the one who called Theodore ugly in front of the whole camp!" Otto shouted.
"I don't even know the guy - and how do you know him?"
"We met outside, when me and Audrey were heading to the cabin," Otto muttered miserably, going back to unpacking socks. "He was a jerk, and I was pissed at him, so.."
"Oh, man," Twister muttered, grinning slightly.
"What?" Otto demanded, looking up at his best friend.
Twister shrugged. "I dunno. I just think this whole thing is kinda funny. I mean, if you really think about it, how you just got here and already the whole camp hates you.."
"Oh, gee," said Otto loudly, completely abandoning his folding and turning to face Twister. "You really made me feel better, dude!"
"Come on!" said Twister encouragingly, rising from the bed he was sitting on and beckoning for Otto to get up as well. "Let's go out there and see what's going on. Force yourself, dude! You'll get a chance to talk to Audrey," he added hopefully, noticing that Otto was about to protest. "And maybe tell her you're sorry..?"
Otto's forehead scrunched up in confusion, although he wasn't really confused at all. "What makes you think I want to talk to Audrey?" he asked rather nervously, thinking that maybe Twister knew something.
But he merely shrugged and grinned. "Uh, well, you were staring at her at the meeting, you know that, right?" And with that, Twister walked over to the cabin door, opened it, and strolled out, not even turning back to wait to for Otto to follow him. But Otto did.
Otto wasn't sure whether to thank or smack Twister for getting him outside. On the brighter side, the campsite was absolutely amazing. Otto had had no idea that so much was going on. There were about fifty dancers dressed in hula-type skirts and covered in face paint. Some were dancing around the huge campfire in the center, accompanied by a cheering crowd, and others were walking around and chanting loudly. Otto noticed that Sammy had taken a great interest in the dancing natives and had soon joined in, much to his amusement. It looked like a really happy and carefree environment.
On the other hand, Otto saw out of the corner of his eye that many of the adults from earlier that day were eyeing him cautiously, including Rahiki and Tito. He did not even look in Raymoundo's direction. Instead, he surveyed the rest of the campsite. Audrey and Theodore were not there, but the blonde-haired boy they had sat with earlier in the meeting was lounging near the fire.
"Oh, hey, there's Reggie!" Twister exclaimed rather happily, indicating Otto's older sister, who was sitting very close to the fire and toasting a marshmallow. "I'm gonna go say hi, alright?"
Otto merely nodded, still looking around the camp hesitantly as Twister walked away. Now with him nor Audrey around to say anything to, Otto was about to head back to his cabin. But just as he turned to leave, he noticed something - a very narrow stone path located to the side of the main campground, bordered by thick bushes and many trees. It was the perfect place to take a stroll and clear his thoughts, Otto decided. So as quickly and quietly as he could, he weaved around a large crowd and began to stoll casually down the path.
As a breeze came out of seemingly nowhere and gently brushed across Otto's face, he thought that for the first time that week he actually felt relaxed. He still could not stop thinking about how he had been such an idiot earlier that day in the meeting, though. He got a horrible feeling of embarassment in the pit of his stomach every time he thought about it. But then his thoughts changed suddenly to Audrey. Otto was still surprised at himself for liking her so much - he was just mysteriously drawn to her. However, he musn't dwell on her for too long, at least for the next few days, Otto thought firmly to himself. He couldn't let anything, or anybody, distract his concentration for the upcoming races. Even if it was something as beautiful as Audrey.
Otto couldn't help but feel slightly bad for Audrey. When Rahiki had announced that Otto had been staring at her, it had been embarassing for her as well. And Otto remembered suddenly that she had looked slightly affronted when he'd insulted Theodore. She sure got a great impression of me, Otto thought miserably as he continued to walk on the path. She must think I'm a real jerk, being so rude in front of everyone..
Otto had to admit to himself that he had absolutely no idea as to what to do about Audrey. He obviously had a crush on her, no matter how hard a part of him would try to deny it.. So what now? Should he make the first move, even though she might be slightly mad at him? Or was it too late - did she already think so little of him that she'd never give him a chance? Or worse - did she already have a boyfriend? And even worse than that - was it Theodore? But then again, Audrey had seemed like she was rather serious when it came to sports.. Maybe she didn't have time for a boyfriend, and just wanted to concentrate on doing well in the competition. Otto didn't have the slightest idea.
As he walked deeper and deeper into the wooded area that the path led him to, he could see through the tops of the trees that the sun was starting to go down. He was just about to turn back, when he noticed something toward the end of the path. It was something very, very large.. Large and white.. Otto squinted his eyes and took a few steps forward. It was a moment before he realized that it was a gigantic ice skating rink.
Otto's mouth dropped as he now walked in large steps toward the skating rink that lay before him. It was surrounded by trees and a few sets of old bleachers, and it looked as though the rink itself was only accessible through the path that Otto was on, unless somebody wanted to walk through the forest and get cut up. It was the perfect secret spot. Rahiki had never mentioned it at the meeting.. Otto wondered why he didn't tell the campers about a secluded area that was part of the campground - but then again maybe he would have, if it hadn't been for Otto's big mouth..
Otto eyed the rink more closely, and it took a moment for him to realize that there was somebody else there - somebody else who was ice skating. Otto, now alarmed, leapt behind the nearest tree and peered cautiously again at the person, trying to get a closer look. He narrowed his eyes to get a good image of the face of the person who was gliding so gracefully and naturally on the ice; Slim.. Chestnut brown hair.. Distinguishably hazel eyes.. It was Audrey.
Otto's heartbeat had quickened now as he whipped his head back behind the tree. Maybe it's a sign, he thought with a groan. Maybe I should go over and talk to her. But Otto did not want to talk to Audrey right now - quite frankly, the thought terrified him. What if she was mad at him? After a minute Otto decided that he would stay a little longer and watch Audrey skate, but he wouldn't go and talk to her. He'd just leave quietly..
Otto craned his head from behind the tree once more to get a view of Audrey. She was gliding on the ice and had one leg slightly raised, as though preparing to do something. Suddenly, she flew into the air and turned three times, and before Otto could blink she was back on the ground in a graceful landing. He didn't know much about ice skating, but he knew enough to realize that Audrey was good at it. Otto remembered briefly that Twister's cousin, Cleo, had liked to ice skate as well. He also remembered that her routines were incredibly lame - with frilly tutu costumes and moves that even Sammy could do. But when Audrey skated, she made it look.. cool.
Otto decided it was time to leave. He wanted to get home before the sun set - the last thing he needed was to draw more attention to himself by getting home late and breaking some sorf of curfew. Otto turned to leave so abruptly that his foot had gotten entangled in a huge tree root and he fell flat on the earth - hard. Before he even realized what had happened, his face had slammed against the dry dirt ground. And then - Otto had no idea how she had gotten there so quickly - he could feel Audrey's hands on his back, pulling him up slowly.
"Otto - Otto! Are you alright? Look at me for a minute!" she kept insisting over and over, but in a calm sort of way. The next thing Otto knew, Audrey had knelt down beside him and pulled his head upwards so that it was only inches from hers. Otto saw her hazel eyes surveying his face.
"Audrey, what's wrong?" Otto asked after a moment, his face still firmly in her hands.
"Your nose is bleeding," she said quietly as she removed her hands. "It looked like you fell pretty bad just now, huh?"
Otto's hands immediately went to his face and groped his nose. When he looked at his fingers, they were covered in blood.
"Otto?" Audrey asked gently. "Are you okay?"
With a sudden stab of panic, Otto realized that he had taken one of the most embarassing falls of his life right in front of Audrey. And what's worse - she'd caught him spying on her..
"Uh.." he muttered getting up slowly from the ground, ignoring the throbbing pain coming from his nose. He avoiding her eyes. "I think so."
Audrey got up as well, brushing the dirt off of her jeans. She stared at Otto for a moment. "Let me go get some paper towels or something," she said finally. And before Otto could protest, she had walked rather awkwardly, her ice skates still on, to a duffle bag she had set on the bleachers, returning moments later with a few napkins which she pressed firmly onto Otto's nose. It hurt like crazy, but of course Otto didn't even flinch.
"It's not broken," Audrey muttered, tilting her head to look at his nose. Then she looked at him. "Does it hurt?"
"No," Otto lied quickly.
Audrey smiled softly up at him. He was a bit taller than she was. "How about we head back to camp then?" she asked gently. "Here, hold these to your nose," she said, indicating the paper napkins.
Otto gratefully pressed the napkins to his nose and felt as they soaked up the blood that was now oozing grossly from it. He stood motionless as he watched Audrey hobble back over to the bleachers in her ice skates, sit down, change into gym shoes, and pack the rest of her things into her large duffle bag. She made her way back over to him, the large duffle bag swung over her shoulder.
"Let's go," she said quietly when she was within five feet of Otto. Together they made their way back to camp - Otto holding the now-soaked napkins up to his nose, and Audrey staring at the ground silently. Finally, Otto figured he should say something to her.
"Audrey?"
"Hm?"
Otto hesitated. He wasn't really sure what to say to her without sounding awkward or stupid. "Er.. I just wanted to tell you that I'm, uh, sorry. About what happened earlier at the meeting.. I just don't want you to get the wrong impression of me or anything.."
"Well that's kind of hard to do," she said rather loudly, looking over toward Otto with dangerous eyes. "Seeing as how you managed to embarass me and Theodore in front of a whole room of people, ruin your reputation at the camp, spy on me ice skating, and get a bloodly nose all in the first twenty-four hours that you're here. What exactly am I supposed to think of you, Otto?" she demanded. Although she spoke the words, Audrey was surprised to find that she wasn't really angry with Otto at all. Ever since she had seen him.. She had just had some mysterious attraction to him despite all the imperfections that he's shown that day, and it was driving her crazy.
Otto froze. This was exactly what he had been dreading. He didn't know why he had listened to Twister in the first place.. Why had he ever left his cabin? It just made things so much worse. "Audrey..," he stuttered for a moment, trying to find something to say. "I'm sorry.."
"No, don't apologize," Audrey mumbled quickly, looking back down at the ground. "I just got carried away. Look, Otto," she said as she reshifted the weight of the duffle bag on her shoulder, "the only reason I said that just now is because, well, I guess I was just a little disappointed."
"Disappointed?" Otto looked sideways at Audrey, confused.
Audrey shrugged. "It's just that, well, I only met you a few hours ago, and at first we seemed to get along great. We were into the same sports, we were both cool with each other.. But then you meet Theodore." She said the boy's name like it was some sort of deadly disease. "I was hoping that he would just brush you off, but he didn't."
"Is he your boyfriend?" Otto blurted out suddenly, but he instantly regretted his outburst for the second time that day. What on earth was wrong with his mouth?
But Audrey didn't look affronted at all. "No," she said simply. "But the problem is, he thinks he is. We've been friends for as long as I can remember, and lately he's been interested in, er, well, getting closer. And I'm not interested in him," she said flatly. "I never will be."
That was such an immense relief to Otto that he nearly felt like dancing.
"But anyway," Audrey continued, seeming a bit eager to change the subject, "I know that Theodore just had to be a jerk when he met you, automatically assuming all kinds of crazy things, and I know he insulted you first. And that's one of the things I really hate about him - how he can be so unbelieveably inconsiderate toward other people. But I was just so disappointed that you, well, had to stoop to his level and insult him back, and in front of a big group of people, of all things.."
Otto suddenly understood now. Audrey didn't want him to act like Theodore because she didn't like Theodore.. The thought relieved Otto even more.
"And plus," Audrey muttered, rather shyly, "I had liked it better when Rahiki accused you of staring at me." Audrey couldn't believe she had just said that. She found herself amazed at her own courage. She glanced sideways at Otto.
Otto's face showed extreme surprise, but then he quickly composed himself. There were about a million hopeful thoughts zooming around in his mind at the moment. He didn't know what to say next to this girl he barely knew.. "Oh.. So, uh, you like ice skating, huh? I saw you back there - you're really awesome at it!"
"Thanks!" Audrey said quickly. She was somewhat relieved that Otto changed the subject. "I've been doing it for about ten years, and it's sort of like a secondary extreme sport to me."
"That's cool. Do you ever play ice hockey? I'd bet you'd be good at it.."
"Yeah, I do. I'm on a team with Theodore and Jason."
"Who's Jason?"
"Oh, uh, nevermind.."
There was a brief moment of silence that passed as Otto wondered if Jason was the blonde-haired boy Audrey and Theodore had been with earlier. He wondered how Audrey knew him..
"Do you like surfing?" Audrey asked suddenly, with a hint of curiosity in her voice.
"Oh - uh - yeah!" Otto exclaimed after a minute. "That's practically all I do back in Ocean Shores! We live right by the beach."
"Awesome..," muttered Audrey, and she seemed as though she wanted to ask Otto something. After another brief moment of silence, she did. "So, then, maybe, I mean, if you don't have race warm-ups to do or anything, um, there's this really awesome surf spot near here. It's got the best waves you're ever gonna see in New Zealand.. Would you want to hang out there some time before the competition ends?" she finished the question looking somewhat flustered.
"Sure!" Otto said casually, but inside his heart was racing. Had Audrey just asked him out? No, he decided, she was just offering to show him a surf spot. And girls don't ask guys out anyway..
They continued to walk down the worn stone path, but with slightly more difficulty as it was getting darker. The sun had seemed to set rather abruptly, leaving the forest blanketed in a gentle darkness. The campsite was now visible from where they were walking, and the distant chanting of the New Zealand natives could be heard from that direction.
Otto stopped and turned to Audrey just before the path ended. "Look," he said to her, finally removing the blood-drenched napkins from his nose, which had stopped running. "I'm really glad you're not mad at me or anything, Audrey.."
"Oh, whoever said I wasn't mad?" Audrey asked, but with a hint of playfulness to her voice. "You messed up, Otto, and you're going to need to make it up to me if you want to be able to hang around with Audrey Parker at will," she said, her voice now full of sarcasam.
"Oh yeah?" Otto said, playing along. "What do I need to do?"
Audrey smiled up at him. "You need to try hard in these upcoming races. I don't want to beat you because your concentration is thrown off; I want to beat you when you're fully into it, fair and square."
"Is that so?" Otto asked, smiling too. "We'll see, Audrey.."
"Kids - kids! Is that you?" came the extremely panicked voice of Raymoundo. Otto looked up with great displeasure as he saw his father jogging up to them from across the main campground. He stopped next to them and bent over with his hands on his knees, panting. When he finally recovered he rounded on Otto. "Where were you?" he demanded. "First I go looking for you and find that you're not in your cabin, then Twister tells me he left you at the main campground, and an hour passes by and you're nowhere to be found! What on earth is wrong with you-"
"He was with me, Mr. Rocket," Audrey interrupted quickly, looking innocently up at Otto's father. "I, er, wanted to show him.. something," she finished rather lamely.
Raymoundo didn't look convinced at all. Instead, he merely looked skeptically at Otto, then at Audrey, and back and forth for a moment. Finally he threw his hands up in the air. "Fine," he said. "But the next time you kids want to disappear like that, let me know. And you," he muttered, indicating Otto and speaking so softly that only his son could hear, "are in big trouble, mister. We need to talk about what happened earlier today, as soon as Audrey goes to bed. I am going to make you regret every rude word that came out of your mouth." With that, Ray Rocket spun around and walked away.
Otto sighed and just looked at Audrey. "Let's go then, shall we?"
Audrey just nodded.
Meanwhile, not far from Otto and Audrey on the main campground, were Twister and Reggie. An hour had passed since Twister had left Otto to sit with Reggie, and the two had been enjoying the night just fine.
Twister had actually been aching to spend some time along with Otto's older sister ever since last December.. He remembered that up until Christmas he had thought of Reggie as nothing more than a friend, a buddy, just one of the guys.. But that had all changed on December 25th. That day was still crystal clear in his memory.. It was snowing furiously, and he, Otto, Reggie, Sammy, and Raymoundo were all at the Rocket house late that afternoon to exchange gifts, after opening presents with their families. Twister was trudging through the snow toward Otto's house and carrying some gifts with great difficulty. When he rang the doorbell, Reggie had opened it, with her hair curled elegantly, a light touch of makeup on her face, and a short skirt that Twister had never seen her in before.
"Hey, Twist," she had said casually when she opened the door.
"Hi, Reggie," Twister had said as usual. He was just about to go inside the house, but his head brushed into a long mistletoe plant that was hanging in the doorway. He'd thought Raymoundo had put it there as a joke, but what he never knew was that Reggie had put it there in hope of getting a chance to kiss Sammy, whom she currently had a crush on.
Reggie noticed the mistletoe as well. She blushed when she realized the situation she had just but both of them in. But nevertheless, before she could stop herself, she had bent down slightly and given Twister a light peck on the lips.
"Well, come on," she'd said rather quickly, beckoning him inside. "We've got gifts to open.."
And ever since then Twister had seen Reggie in a whole new light. Looking at her now, sitting so close to him and lazily toasting a marshmallow by the fire, Twister remembered that day. It still sent chills up his spine - good chills.
Reggie's marshmallow suddenly turned dark black, shriveled up, and fell off her stick and into the large campfire. "Oh crap," she muttered, leaning forward toward the fire to get one last look at her doomed marshmallow.
"Her, Reg, you can have mine," Twister said quickly, extending his own perfectly-toasted marshmallow on a stick to her.
"Are you sure, Twister?" she asked, somewhat startled. Twister never was a very generous person.
"Yeah, no problem," he said casually.
Reggie plucked the marshmallow off the stick. "Thanks," she said with a grin. "I owe you one."
Twister saw out of the corner of his eye that Sammy was playing a card game with Tito. The Squid kept looking jealously over at Reggie and him, and it made Twister smile with a satisfied pleasure. He looked around some more, and noticed Otto and Audrey off to the side of the campground, near some bushes and a stone path. He tried to get Otto's attention by waving him down, and watched as his best friend and Audrey made their way toward him.
"Hey dude," Otto muttered when he was closer to Twister. He eyed him and Reggie for a moment. "What've you two been up to?"
"Just toasting marshmallows," Reggie said casually, looking up at her brother from where she was sitting.
"Where have you been, Ottoman?" Twister asked curiously. "Raymoundo came over here earlier all freaked out and asking if I knew where you were."
"Me and Otto were just walking around," Audrey answered for him casually.
"Oh, cool," Twister said, although from his tone Otto could tell that he thought something else was going on.
Audrey stifled a large yawn and streched her arms out behind her back, glancing at her watch. "Well, you guys, it's getting sort of late, and I really should hit the sack. Big day tomorrow - the first race!"
"Yeah!" exclaimed Reggie, perking up slightly. "I can't wait!" She turned to look up at Audrey. "Did you know that we have the same cabin?" she asked happily. "I saw it on the camp schedule!"
"Awesome!" Audrey said enthusiastically. "Well I'll see you guys in the morning, okay?" she said, referring to Otto and Twister.
"G'nite, Audrey," Twister said.
"Yeah, good night," Otto muttered to her, looking into her hazel eyes. "Sleep well." She just smiled at him for a moment, and then walked off.
"You gonna join us, then, Ottoman?" Twister asked hesitantly.
"Naw," Otto said, waving a hand. "I ought to get to bed too. I'll need a lot of rest for tomorrow.."
"Okay," said Twister rather quickly. "See you later tonight, then."
As Otto walked back to his cabin for the first time that night, he noticed that Twister didn't seem too disappointed that nobody else could join them. He wondered briefly if Twister had a serious crush on his sister. No, he decided, My own best friend would have told me something like that.
Otto was about to open the door to his cabin when, to his great surprise, a dark figure appeared in front of him. He didn't know quite what to do.. It was kind of hard to see who the figure was, because it was almost 10:30 at night. But as he looked closer, he noticed the chocolate-brown hair on the person's head that could only belong to Theodore.
"We need to talk, Rocket," said the boy coldly. He went over to a tiki torch that was stuck into the ground nearby and lit it.
For a moment Otto considered just walking in to his cabin and slamming the door in Theodore's face, but he was somewhat curious as to what he had to say. "I don't want to talk to you," Otto said automatically, trying to avoid a conflict. The last thing he needed was for Theodore to go and tell Audrey something.. Otto decided he should just go, and started walking to his door, but Theodore cut him short.
"I saw you walking with Audrey today," he said. "And I heard everything you said to her. You've got her feeling sorry for you and everything! What are you trying to pull?" he demanded angrily.
Otto's eyes narrowed. "You were spying on us?"
"If that's what you Americans call it," said Theodore, folding his arms.
"You're not making any sense," said Otto, getting annoyed. "If you heard enough of what we said then you should know that Audrey doesn't like you! So just back off."
"No, why don't you back off?" said Theodore loudly, taking a step toward Otto.
"You can't make me," said Otto, rather indignantly.
"You'd be surprised what I can do," Theodore whispered evilly.
Otto hesitated. "Is that a threat?" he asked quietly, glaring at him through the dark.
"May be," said Theodore coolly. "See you at tomorrow's race, Rocket." And with that, he strolled in the opposite direction, toward his own cabin.
"Loser," Otto muttered to himself. He walked into his cabin and slammed the door. Theodore was obviously jealous. But Otto couldn't help but think about what he had said: You'd be surprised what I can do. What on earth was that supposed to mean? Theodore wasn't worth a second thought - Otto knew that much. However, he couldn't help but dwell on his words. Well, so much for beauty sleep, Otto thought with a frustrated sigh as he flipped on the light to his cabin.
It was going to be a long night.
* * *
Note: There's a big story to tell here.. I hope you're up for a lot of reading! Oh, and for all you people who are waiting to see some lovin' between Reggie and Twister or Reggie and Sammy or even Otto and Audrey (although I doubt you've gotten very attached to Audrey thus far), be patient. Good things will come to those who wait.. XD Please review as usual - thanks!
***
Getting There
By Taryn
Chapter 2: First Impressions
***
"The goal of this competition," Rahiki's voice boomed loudly, echoing off the walls of cabin 17D, "as you should all already know, is to find a new undiscovered athlete to be sponsored by RE-PLAY extreme sports."
The meeting was now officially in session. Cabin 17D was rather large - large enough to accomodate the thirty or so competitors, as well as Rahiki and the parents and other adults who were there for the competition as well. Otto had taken a seat toward the back between Reggie and Sammy, careful to sit as far from Theodore as humanly possible.
"As the adult supervisors for the competition," continued Rahiki, waving his hand as to indicate himself and the other adults, "it is our responsibility to inform and educate you about what is expected of you all over the next few days. Now don't get me wrong, this competition is going to be extremely fun, but there are a few issues we need to cover first and foremost. Let's start with safety. You will all be required to wear a helmet in any races which involve.."
Otto was trying somewhat to listen to what Rahiki was saying, but he couldn't help averting his eyes slightly to his lower left, where Theodore sat with Audrey and a blonde haired boy he hadn't met yet. He still couldn't get over how rude Theodore had just been to him.. What a freak.. Otto made a mental note to try extra hard and make sure he beat Theodore by a longshot in every race. He had a feeling that this kid's mouth was, as Tito would say, 'writing checks that his body couldn't cash.' And what's worse, it looked as though Audrey was friends with him.
What if they were more than friends? Otto suddenly thought as a stab of panic hit him abruptly in the pit of his stomach. He had met Audrey only half an hour ago and immediately knew that he liked her.. The first girl he'd ever really had the slightest bit of interest in ever since Twister's cousin Cleo had visited Ocean Shores, equipped with plenty of new athletic skills that had really attracted Otto to her.
But the last person on Otto's mind at the moment was Cleo - she was only a distant figure in his past. Otto sighed with content as he fixed his gaze on Audrey, who was leaning forward onto the desk she sat at, her hand propping up her chin, and looking quite bored.
Audrey is so cool, Otto thought dreamily.
Suddenly Otto felt a sharp poke in between his ribs that made him jolt back into reality. He wildly whipped his head around to look at Twister, who had been the one that touched him.
Twister leaned forward toward Otto and jerked his head towards the front of the room. "Rahiki's talking to you, dude!" he hissed.
Otto looked quickly at the New Zealand native, who was looking questioningly at him from the front of the room. "Huh?" Otto asked loudly, and he immediately knew he sounded stupid. There was a quiet rustling sound as every head in the cabin turned to look directly at Otto.
"I was merely asking you, Mr. Rocket," Rahiki said slowly, "what country you traveled from to be here with us today. Perhaps you could have answered me if you hadn't been so busy staring at Miss Parker?" he asked casually.
A few people in the room snickered, and Otto could feel a tremendous amount of blood rushing to his face. He saw from the corner of his eye that Audrey's big hazel eyes had become even rounder in embarassment. She merely looked down at her hands, blushing furiously. Theodore's mouth had dropped open in what looked like a mix of surprise, anger, and satisfaction.
"I, uh," Otto stuttered for a moment, avoiding eye contact with Rahiki. He didn't dare look at his father or Mr. Parker. Instead he glanced sideways at Twister, who was staring at him expectantly.
"No, sir, I actually wasn't," Otto said firmly, looking up and meeting Rahiki's eyes.
"Then would you care to tell us why you didn't answer my question, without wasting any more of our time?" Rahiki asked swiftly.
"Yes, sir - I was just so overcome by Mr. McGill's ugliness that I couldn't tear my eyes away from his sorry-looking excuse for a face," Otto answered loudly. At that, the room burst into a fit of laughter. Twister, Reggie, and Sammy, who didn't yet know who Theodore was, merely looked confused.
Otto clamped his hands over his mouth - he had said the words before he really had time to think. He looked back towards Audrey, who had stopped blushing and was looking directly at him, frowning slightly. Even from across the room, Otto could see that something had changed in her eyes.. And Theodore looked as though he'd like nothing more than to chop Otto to pieces with a machete. This time, Otto dared to look at Ray and Tito in the front of the room. Tito's usually cheerful face was so grave that it was scary, and Ray's face showed nothing but disappointment.
"Well," said Rahiki after a moment, letting the kids' laughter die down, "I think we have no more to cover in this meeting. You'll find out the rest of the rules on a need-to-know basis. I was planning to tell you the activities involved in each race from here on out to help you prepare, but thanks to Mr. Rocket, you won't get that chance. Clear out, please, and enjoy the rest of the day. First race starts tomorrow."
The sound of chairs being brushed against the floor as all the race participants got up from their seats filled the cabin suddenly. Otto numbly got out of his chair and proceded to the exit door of the cabin with Reggie, Twister, and Sam, unaware of all the glares he was getting from the other kids.
As Otto reached the threshold of the door, Rahiki cleared his throat loudly. "Mr. Rocket, will you stay behind for a moment, please?"
Otto stopped so abruptly that Twister bumped right into him. "Sorry, dude," Otto muttered distractedly as he made his way around his best friend and towards Rahiki and the rest of the adults, who had remained in the cabin as well.
Twister shot a hesitant look at his best friend and reluctantly left the cabin, closing the door behind him and leaving Otto alone to face Rahiki and the small army of people who stood solidly behind him.
"I dont understand.. He's not normally like this," Ray was whispering to Kyle, who was looking at Otto reproachfully. The other adults were all looking at Otto in a similar manner of distaste, and he could once again feel the color rising in his cheeks.
"Mr. Rocket," Rahiki said firmly as he folded his arms across his chest. "I have to admit that I'm quite surprised at what happened just now. Are you aware of the fact that you said something completely inappropriate to Theodore McGill?"
"Yes," Otto mumbled, looking at the floor. He felt like he was back in preschool.
Rahiki's frown became even more pronounced. "I had read a great deal about you in the New Zealand Press, Mr. Rocket," he continued in the same harsh tone. "I was really anticipating your arrival, and anxious to see how you would perform in the competition. But I have to say I'm more than a little disappointed. I am a very firm believer of the fact that you judge a person when you meet them. I've just met you, and I am not impressed."
All Otto could do was continue to look at the floor. He was such an idiot - an hour after they arrive in New Zealand, he blows his chances with all the people who matter in the competiton. There was only one thing to say. "I'm sorry," Otto mumbled. "I got carried away."
"First impressions are very important, Mr. Rocket," Rahiki carried on, but his voice had gotten softer. "Mr. McGill's father is a very high ranked executive at the RE-PLAY company, and he is in this room." Otto's heartbeat quickened, but he still didn't dare look up to try and spot Mr. McGill. "Just remember this, Otto - success in life comes from more than just skills, talent, and ability. You need to have the right attitude. Without that, you'll won't get anywhere. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir," Otto said soberly, forcing himself to look up and meet Rahiki's eyes.
"Good," said the native in a much more cheerful tone. "Then I am going to forget your little remark. It never happened. But just let this be a warning to you, Otto," he said, waving a finger threateningly in his direction. "No more rude comments, or we may have to rethink your placement in this competition."
"Absolutely, sir," Otto said, nodding his head.
"You may go."
Without another word or so much as a backward glance toward any of the adults, Otto spun around and flew out the door, slamming it and leaving an echo to ring throught the walls of the cabin.
* * *
The time had flown by very quickly that day, and the sun had started to set before anybody had taken the time to give the sky a second glance. Most of the competitors were outside on the main campground, which was a circular stretch of land with a humongous stone-borderd fire burning in the center. There was apparently some sort of show going on at the moment, featuring a group of native New Zealand tribe dancers. But Otto wasn't quite sure of the details, because he had not left his cabin since earlier that day.
Right after the meeting, he had walked right past Twister, who had been waiting for him, without a word. He was more in shock than anything. Idiot, idiot, idiot, he had kept telling himself, so much so that he hadn't even been aware of Twister on his heels all the way back to the cabin they would be sharing, asking him repeatedly what had happened. Otto had slammed the door to his cabin behind him and had been slowly, absentmindedly unpacking his things ever since. Eventually, after about an hour, he got tired of Twister pestering him and told him what Rahiki had said. Twister hadn't made too big of a deal about it, but that was because he made an idiot of himself like that at home all the time, after all.
And now, it was about seven o'clock in the evening. Otto was unpacking his socks, one by one, into a wicker dresser in his cabin, and Twister was sitting on his bed, watching him skeptically.
"Dude, when are we gonna go outside?" he asked finally, bouncing up and down slightly on Otto's bed. "We've been couped up in here for, like, four hours!"
Otto didn't take his eyes off of his socks and merely shrugged. "You can go if you want, dude," he said, "But I'm staying in here. I've got unpacking to do."
Through the corner of his eye Otto could see Twister staring at him like he had no idea who he was. "Dude," he said incredulously. "Listen to yourself talk! I don't think I've ever seen you stay in one place this long in your life!"
"I can't go out there!" Otto said finally, whipping the sock he was putting away across the room so that it hit the door with a soft thud. "There's no way I can face Raymoundo, or Audrey, or her dad, or even Theodore! Dude, did you know his dad was in that cabin?! He could really let me have it-"
Twister sighed. "It's not that big of a deal, Ottoman."
"You're just saying that because you weren't the one who called Theodore ugly in front of the whole camp!" Otto shouted.
"I don't even know the guy - and how do you know him?"
"We met outside, when me and Audrey were heading to the cabin," Otto muttered miserably, going back to unpacking socks. "He was a jerk, and I was pissed at him, so.."
"Oh, man," Twister muttered, grinning slightly.
"What?" Otto demanded, looking up at his best friend.
Twister shrugged. "I dunno. I just think this whole thing is kinda funny. I mean, if you really think about it, how you just got here and already the whole camp hates you.."
"Oh, gee," said Otto loudly, completely abandoning his folding and turning to face Twister. "You really made me feel better, dude!"
"Come on!" said Twister encouragingly, rising from the bed he was sitting on and beckoning for Otto to get up as well. "Let's go out there and see what's going on. Force yourself, dude! You'll get a chance to talk to Audrey," he added hopefully, noticing that Otto was about to protest. "And maybe tell her you're sorry..?"
Otto's forehead scrunched up in confusion, although he wasn't really confused at all. "What makes you think I want to talk to Audrey?" he asked rather nervously, thinking that maybe Twister knew something.
But he merely shrugged and grinned. "Uh, well, you were staring at her at the meeting, you know that, right?" And with that, Twister walked over to the cabin door, opened it, and strolled out, not even turning back to wait to for Otto to follow him. But Otto did.
Otto wasn't sure whether to thank or smack Twister for getting him outside. On the brighter side, the campsite was absolutely amazing. Otto had had no idea that so much was going on. There were about fifty dancers dressed in hula-type skirts and covered in face paint. Some were dancing around the huge campfire in the center, accompanied by a cheering crowd, and others were walking around and chanting loudly. Otto noticed that Sammy had taken a great interest in the dancing natives and had soon joined in, much to his amusement. It looked like a really happy and carefree environment.
On the other hand, Otto saw out of the corner of his eye that many of the adults from earlier that day were eyeing him cautiously, including Rahiki and Tito. He did not even look in Raymoundo's direction. Instead, he surveyed the rest of the campsite. Audrey and Theodore were not there, but the blonde-haired boy they had sat with earlier in the meeting was lounging near the fire.
"Oh, hey, there's Reggie!" Twister exclaimed rather happily, indicating Otto's older sister, who was sitting very close to the fire and toasting a marshmallow. "I'm gonna go say hi, alright?"
Otto merely nodded, still looking around the camp hesitantly as Twister walked away. Now with him nor Audrey around to say anything to, Otto was about to head back to his cabin. But just as he turned to leave, he noticed something - a very narrow stone path located to the side of the main campground, bordered by thick bushes and many trees. It was the perfect place to take a stroll and clear his thoughts, Otto decided. So as quickly and quietly as he could, he weaved around a large crowd and began to stoll casually down the path.
As a breeze came out of seemingly nowhere and gently brushed across Otto's face, he thought that for the first time that week he actually felt relaxed. He still could not stop thinking about how he had been such an idiot earlier that day in the meeting, though. He got a horrible feeling of embarassment in the pit of his stomach every time he thought about it. But then his thoughts changed suddenly to Audrey. Otto was still surprised at himself for liking her so much - he was just mysteriously drawn to her. However, he musn't dwell on her for too long, at least for the next few days, Otto thought firmly to himself. He couldn't let anything, or anybody, distract his concentration for the upcoming races. Even if it was something as beautiful as Audrey.
Otto couldn't help but feel slightly bad for Audrey. When Rahiki had announced that Otto had been staring at her, it had been embarassing for her as well. And Otto remembered suddenly that she had looked slightly affronted when he'd insulted Theodore. She sure got a great impression of me, Otto thought miserably as he continued to walk on the path. She must think I'm a real jerk, being so rude in front of everyone..
Otto had to admit to himself that he had absolutely no idea as to what to do about Audrey. He obviously had a crush on her, no matter how hard a part of him would try to deny it.. So what now? Should he make the first move, even though she might be slightly mad at him? Or was it too late - did she already think so little of him that she'd never give him a chance? Or worse - did she already have a boyfriend? And even worse than that - was it Theodore? But then again, Audrey had seemed like she was rather serious when it came to sports.. Maybe she didn't have time for a boyfriend, and just wanted to concentrate on doing well in the competition. Otto didn't have the slightest idea.
As he walked deeper and deeper into the wooded area that the path led him to, he could see through the tops of the trees that the sun was starting to go down. He was just about to turn back, when he noticed something toward the end of the path. It was something very, very large.. Large and white.. Otto squinted his eyes and took a few steps forward. It was a moment before he realized that it was a gigantic ice skating rink.
Otto's mouth dropped as he now walked in large steps toward the skating rink that lay before him. It was surrounded by trees and a few sets of old bleachers, and it looked as though the rink itself was only accessible through the path that Otto was on, unless somebody wanted to walk through the forest and get cut up. It was the perfect secret spot. Rahiki had never mentioned it at the meeting.. Otto wondered why he didn't tell the campers about a secluded area that was part of the campground - but then again maybe he would have, if it hadn't been for Otto's big mouth..
Otto eyed the rink more closely, and it took a moment for him to realize that there was somebody else there - somebody else who was ice skating. Otto, now alarmed, leapt behind the nearest tree and peered cautiously again at the person, trying to get a closer look. He narrowed his eyes to get a good image of the face of the person who was gliding so gracefully and naturally on the ice; Slim.. Chestnut brown hair.. Distinguishably hazel eyes.. It was Audrey.
Otto's heartbeat had quickened now as he whipped his head back behind the tree. Maybe it's a sign, he thought with a groan. Maybe I should go over and talk to her. But Otto did not want to talk to Audrey right now - quite frankly, the thought terrified him. What if she was mad at him? After a minute Otto decided that he would stay a little longer and watch Audrey skate, but he wouldn't go and talk to her. He'd just leave quietly..
Otto craned his head from behind the tree once more to get a view of Audrey. She was gliding on the ice and had one leg slightly raised, as though preparing to do something. Suddenly, she flew into the air and turned three times, and before Otto could blink she was back on the ground in a graceful landing. He didn't know much about ice skating, but he knew enough to realize that Audrey was good at it. Otto remembered briefly that Twister's cousin, Cleo, had liked to ice skate as well. He also remembered that her routines were incredibly lame - with frilly tutu costumes and moves that even Sammy could do. But when Audrey skated, she made it look.. cool.
Otto decided it was time to leave. He wanted to get home before the sun set - the last thing he needed was to draw more attention to himself by getting home late and breaking some sorf of curfew. Otto turned to leave so abruptly that his foot had gotten entangled in a huge tree root and he fell flat on the earth - hard. Before he even realized what had happened, his face had slammed against the dry dirt ground. And then - Otto had no idea how she had gotten there so quickly - he could feel Audrey's hands on his back, pulling him up slowly.
"Otto - Otto! Are you alright? Look at me for a minute!" she kept insisting over and over, but in a calm sort of way. The next thing Otto knew, Audrey had knelt down beside him and pulled his head upwards so that it was only inches from hers. Otto saw her hazel eyes surveying his face.
"Audrey, what's wrong?" Otto asked after a moment, his face still firmly in her hands.
"Your nose is bleeding," she said quietly as she removed her hands. "It looked like you fell pretty bad just now, huh?"
Otto's hands immediately went to his face and groped his nose. When he looked at his fingers, they were covered in blood.
"Otto?" Audrey asked gently. "Are you okay?"
With a sudden stab of panic, Otto realized that he had taken one of the most embarassing falls of his life right in front of Audrey. And what's worse - she'd caught him spying on her..
"Uh.." he muttered getting up slowly from the ground, ignoring the throbbing pain coming from his nose. He avoiding her eyes. "I think so."
Audrey got up as well, brushing the dirt off of her jeans. She stared at Otto for a moment. "Let me go get some paper towels or something," she said finally. And before Otto could protest, she had walked rather awkwardly, her ice skates still on, to a duffle bag she had set on the bleachers, returning moments later with a few napkins which she pressed firmly onto Otto's nose. It hurt like crazy, but of course Otto didn't even flinch.
"It's not broken," Audrey muttered, tilting her head to look at his nose. Then she looked at him. "Does it hurt?"
"No," Otto lied quickly.
Audrey smiled softly up at him. He was a bit taller than she was. "How about we head back to camp then?" she asked gently. "Here, hold these to your nose," she said, indicating the paper napkins.
Otto gratefully pressed the napkins to his nose and felt as they soaked up the blood that was now oozing grossly from it. He stood motionless as he watched Audrey hobble back over to the bleachers in her ice skates, sit down, change into gym shoes, and pack the rest of her things into her large duffle bag. She made her way back over to him, the large duffle bag swung over her shoulder.
"Let's go," she said quietly when she was within five feet of Otto. Together they made their way back to camp - Otto holding the now-soaked napkins up to his nose, and Audrey staring at the ground silently. Finally, Otto figured he should say something to her.
"Audrey?"
"Hm?"
Otto hesitated. He wasn't really sure what to say to her without sounding awkward or stupid. "Er.. I just wanted to tell you that I'm, uh, sorry. About what happened earlier at the meeting.. I just don't want you to get the wrong impression of me or anything.."
"Well that's kind of hard to do," she said rather loudly, looking over toward Otto with dangerous eyes. "Seeing as how you managed to embarass me and Theodore in front of a whole room of people, ruin your reputation at the camp, spy on me ice skating, and get a bloodly nose all in the first twenty-four hours that you're here. What exactly am I supposed to think of you, Otto?" she demanded. Although she spoke the words, Audrey was surprised to find that she wasn't really angry with Otto at all. Ever since she had seen him.. She had just had some mysterious attraction to him despite all the imperfections that he's shown that day, and it was driving her crazy.
Otto froze. This was exactly what he had been dreading. He didn't know why he had listened to Twister in the first place.. Why had he ever left his cabin? It just made things so much worse. "Audrey..," he stuttered for a moment, trying to find something to say. "I'm sorry.."
"No, don't apologize," Audrey mumbled quickly, looking back down at the ground. "I just got carried away. Look, Otto," she said as she reshifted the weight of the duffle bag on her shoulder, "the only reason I said that just now is because, well, I guess I was just a little disappointed."
"Disappointed?" Otto looked sideways at Audrey, confused.
Audrey shrugged. "It's just that, well, I only met you a few hours ago, and at first we seemed to get along great. We were into the same sports, we were both cool with each other.. But then you meet Theodore." She said the boy's name like it was some sort of deadly disease. "I was hoping that he would just brush you off, but he didn't."
"Is he your boyfriend?" Otto blurted out suddenly, but he instantly regretted his outburst for the second time that day. What on earth was wrong with his mouth?
But Audrey didn't look affronted at all. "No," she said simply. "But the problem is, he thinks he is. We've been friends for as long as I can remember, and lately he's been interested in, er, well, getting closer. And I'm not interested in him," she said flatly. "I never will be."
That was such an immense relief to Otto that he nearly felt like dancing.
"But anyway," Audrey continued, seeming a bit eager to change the subject, "I know that Theodore just had to be a jerk when he met you, automatically assuming all kinds of crazy things, and I know he insulted you first. And that's one of the things I really hate about him - how he can be so unbelieveably inconsiderate toward other people. But I was just so disappointed that you, well, had to stoop to his level and insult him back, and in front of a big group of people, of all things.."
Otto suddenly understood now. Audrey didn't want him to act like Theodore because she didn't like Theodore.. The thought relieved Otto even more.
"And plus," Audrey muttered, rather shyly, "I had liked it better when Rahiki accused you of staring at me." Audrey couldn't believe she had just said that. She found herself amazed at her own courage. She glanced sideways at Otto.
Otto's face showed extreme surprise, but then he quickly composed himself. There were about a million hopeful thoughts zooming around in his mind at the moment. He didn't know what to say next to this girl he barely knew.. "Oh.. So, uh, you like ice skating, huh? I saw you back there - you're really awesome at it!"
"Thanks!" Audrey said quickly. She was somewhat relieved that Otto changed the subject. "I've been doing it for about ten years, and it's sort of like a secondary extreme sport to me."
"That's cool. Do you ever play ice hockey? I'd bet you'd be good at it.."
"Yeah, I do. I'm on a team with Theodore and Jason."
"Who's Jason?"
"Oh, uh, nevermind.."
There was a brief moment of silence that passed as Otto wondered if Jason was the blonde-haired boy Audrey and Theodore had been with earlier. He wondered how Audrey knew him..
"Do you like surfing?" Audrey asked suddenly, with a hint of curiosity in her voice.
"Oh - uh - yeah!" Otto exclaimed after a minute. "That's practically all I do back in Ocean Shores! We live right by the beach."
"Awesome..," muttered Audrey, and she seemed as though she wanted to ask Otto something. After another brief moment of silence, she did. "So, then, maybe, I mean, if you don't have race warm-ups to do or anything, um, there's this really awesome surf spot near here. It's got the best waves you're ever gonna see in New Zealand.. Would you want to hang out there some time before the competition ends?" she finished the question looking somewhat flustered.
"Sure!" Otto said casually, but inside his heart was racing. Had Audrey just asked him out? No, he decided, she was just offering to show him a surf spot. And girls don't ask guys out anyway..
They continued to walk down the worn stone path, but with slightly more difficulty as it was getting darker. The sun had seemed to set rather abruptly, leaving the forest blanketed in a gentle darkness. The campsite was now visible from where they were walking, and the distant chanting of the New Zealand natives could be heard from that direction.
Otto stopped and turned to Audrey just before the path ended. "Look," he said to her, finally removing the blood-drenched napkins from his nose, which had stopped running. "I'm really glad you're not mad at me or anything, Audrey.."
"Oh, whoever said I wasn't mad?" Audrey asked, but with a hint of playfulness to her voice. "You messed up, Otto, and you're going to need to make it up to me if you want to be able to hang around with Audrey Parker at will," she said, her voice now full of sarcasam.
"Oh yeah?" Otto said, playing along. "What do I need to do?"
Audrey smiled up at him. "You need to try hard in these upcoming races. I don't want to beat you because your concentration is thrown off; I want to beat you when you're fully into it, fair and square."
"Is that so?" Otto asked, smiling too. "We'll see, Audrey.."
"Kids - kids! Is that you?" came the extremely panicked voice of Raymoundo. Otto looked up with great displeasure as he saw his father jogging up to them from across the main campground. He stopped next to them and bent over with his hands on his knees, panting. When he finally recovered he rounded on Otto. "Where were you?" he demanded. "First I go looking for you and find that you're not in your cabin, then Twister tells me he left you at the main campground, and an hour passes by and you're nowhere to be found! What on earth is wrong with you-"
"He was with me, Mr. Rocket," Audrey interrupted quickly, looking innocently up at Otto's father. "I, er, wanted to show him.. something," she finished rather lamely.
Raymoundo didn't look convinced at all. Instead, he merely looked skeptically at Otto, then at Audrey, and back and forth for a moment. Finally he threw his hands up in the air. "Fine," he said. "But the next time you kids want to disappear like that, let me know. And you," he muttered, indicating Otto and speaking so softly that only his son could hear, "are in big trouble, mister. We need to talk about what happened earlier today, as soon as Audrey goes to bed. I am going to make you regret every rude word that came out of your mouth." With that, Ray Rocket spun around and walked away.
Otto sighed and just looked at Audrey. "Let's go then, shall we?"
Audrey just nodded.
Meanwhile, not far from Otto and Audrey on the main campground, were Twister and Reggie. An hour had passed since Twister had left Otto to sit with Reggie, and the two had been enjoying the night just fine.
Twister had actually been aching to spend some time along with Otto's older sister ever since last December.. He remembered that up until Christmas he had thought of Reggie as nothing more than a friend, a buddy, just one of the guys.. But that had all changed on December 25th. That day was still crystal clear in his memory.. It was snowing furiously, and he, Otto, Reggie, Sammy, and Raymoundo were all at the Rocket house late that afternoon to exchange gifts, after opening presents with their families. Twister was trudging through the snow toward Otto's house and carrying some gifts with great difficulty. When he rang the doorbell, Reggie had opened it, with her hair curled elegantly, a light touch of makeup on her face, and a short skirt that Twister had never seen her in before.
"Hey, Twist," she had said casually when she opened the door.
"Hi, Reggie," Twister had said as usual. He was just about to go inside the house, but his head brushed into a long mistletoe plant that was hanging in the doorway. He'd thought Raymoundo had put it there as a joke, but what he never knew was that Reggie had put it there in hope of getting a chance to kiss Sammy, whom she currently had a crush on.
Reggie noticed the mistletoe as well. She blushed when she realized the situation she had just but both of them in. But nevertheless, before she could stop herself, she had bent down slightly and given Twister a light peck on the lips.
"Well, come on," she'd said rather quickly, beckoning him inside. "We've got gifts to open.."
And ever since then Twister had seen Reggie in a whole new light. Looking at her now, sitting so close to him and lazily toasting a marshmallow by the fire, Twister remembered that day. It still sent chills up his spine - good chills.
Reggie's marshmallow suddenly turned dark black, shriveled up, and fell off her stick and into the large campfire. "Oh crap," she muttered, leaning forward toward the fire to get one last look at her doomed marshmallow.
"Her, Reg, you can have mine," Twister said quickly, extending his own perfectly-toasted marshmallow on a stick to her.
"Are you sure, Twister?" she asked, somewhat startled. Twister never was a very generous person.
"Yeah, no problem," he said casually.
Reggie plucked the marshmallow off the stick. "Thanks," she said with a grin. "I owe you one."
Twister saw out of the corner of his eye that Sammy was playing a card game with Tito. The Squid kept looking jealously over at Reggie and him, and it made Twister smile with a satisfied pleasure. He looked around some more, and noticed Otto and Audrey off to the side of the campground, near some bushes and a stone path. He tried to get Otto's attention by waving him down, and watched as his best friend and Audrey made their way toward him.
"Hey dude," Otto muttered when he was closer to Twister. He eyed him and Reggie for a moment. "What've you two been up to?"
"Just toasting marshmallows," Reggie said casually, looking up at her brother from where she was sitting.
"Where have you been, Ottoman?" Twister asked curiously. "Raymoundo came over here earlier all freaked out and asking if I knew where you were."
"Me and Otto were just walking around," Audrey answered for him casually.
"Oh, cool," Twister said, although from his tone Otto could tell that he thought something else was going on.
Audrey stifled a large yawn and streched her arms out behind her back, glancing at her watch. "Well, you guys, it's getting sort of late, and I really should hit the sack. Big day tomorrow - the first race!"
"Yeah!" exclaimed Reggie, perking up slightly. "I can't wait!" She turned to look up at Audrey. "Did you know that we have the same cabin?" she asked happily. "I saw it on the camp schedule!"
"Awesome!" Audrey said enthusiastically. "Well I'll see you guys in the morning, okay?" she said, referring to Otto and Twister.
"G'nite, Audrey," Twister said.
"Yeah, good night," Otto muttered to her, looking into her hazel eyes. "Sleep well." She just smiled at him for a moment, and then walked off.
"You gonna join us, then, Ottoman?" Twister asked hesitantly.
"Naw," Otto said, waving a hand. "I ought to get to bed too. I'll need a lot of rest for tomorrow.."
"Okay," said Twister rather quickly. "See you later tonight, then."
As Otto walked back to his cabin for the first time that night, he noticed that Twister didn't seem too disappointed that nobody else could join them. He wondered briefly if Twister had a serious crush on his sister. No, he decided, My own best friend would have told me something like that.
Otto was about to open the door to his cabin when, to his great surprise, a dark figure appeared in front of him. He didn't know quite what to do.. It was kind of hard to see who the figure was, because it was almost 10:30 at night. But as he looked closer, he noticed the chocolate-brown hair on the person's head that could only belong to Theodore.
"We need to talk, Rocket," said the boy coldly. He went over to a tiki torch that was stuck into the ground nearby and lit it.
For a moment Otto considered just walking in to his cabin and slamming the door in Theodore's face, but he was somewhat curious as to what he had to say. "I don't want to talk to you," Otto said automatically, trying to avoid a conflict. The last thing he needed was for Theodore to go and tell Audrey something.. Otto decided he should just go, and started walking to his door, but Theodore cut him short.
"I saw you walking with Audrey today," he said. "And I heard everything you said to her. You've got her feeling sorry for you and everything! What are you trying to pull?" he demanded angrily.
Otto's eyes narrowed. "You were spying on us?"
"If that's what you Americans call it," said Theodore, folding his arms.
"You're not making any sense," said Otto, getting annoyed. "If you heard enough of what we said then you should know that Audrey doesn't like you! So just back off."
"No, why don't you back off?" said Theodore loudly, taking a step toward Otto.
"You can't make me," said Otto, rather indignantly.
"You'd be surprised what I can do," Theodore whispered evilly.
Otto hesitated. "Is that a threat?" he asked quietly, glaring at him through the dark.
"May be," said Theodore coolly. "See you at tomorrow's race, Rocket." And with that, he strolled in the opposite direction, toward his own cabin.
"Loser," Otto muttered to himself. He walked into his cabin and slammed the door. Theodore was obviously jealous. But Otto couldn't help but think about what he had said: You'd be surprised what I can do. What on earth was that supposed to mean? Theodore wasn't worth a second thought - Otto knew that much. However, he couldn't help but dwell on his words. Well, so much for beauty sleep, Otto thought with a frustrated sigh as he flipped on the light to his cabin.
It was going to be a long night.
* * *
Note: There's a big story to tell here.. I hope you're up for a lot of reading! Oh, and for all you people who are waiting to see some lovin' between Reggie and Twister or Reggie and Sammy or even Otto and Audrey (although I doubt you've gotten very attached to Audrey thus far), be patient. Good things will come to those who wait.. XD Please review as usual - thanks!
