Rachel's P.O.V.
After dinner (supper) we went to the "Wreck Room." I plopped down onto an old rugged couch with my drawing pad. I decided to look around for something to draw and my eyes rested on him. He was perfect for drawing...the angle...his cheekbones...Wow. I mean, not that I liked him or anything. I think his name was Magnet or something, yeah I'm pretty sure it was Magnet. He was hispanic. I started to draw only looking up every ten minutes. I had a mental picture in my head. I was getting into it when someone tapped me on my shoulder. "So, you draw?" It was Squid.
"Uhhh yeah I guess" I said.
"Oh I see, Diamond" he said, saying 'Diamond' dramatically. I smiled and he looked surprised, but why? "Who are you drawin?" He asked, sitting at least a foot away from me.
"Thats for you to know when I'm done," I said giving Magnet some ears.
"That's really good," he said looking at his feet.
"Really? You think? Well one time at school I won this self-portrait contest-" I stopped. Squid was staring at me toothpick, hanging from his mouth.
"Bye. I have to go," I blurted and ran out, past the showers and tents. Thorne and Rhythm were sitting on their cots talking and I slammed my book down.
"What's wrong?" Thorne said, rising. "Did they say anything to you?"
"Just leave me alone, please," I said sighing.
"Tell us," Rhythm said.
"Why should I? I'm not your friend, you're not my friend. I'm here for 18 months and then I'm out of here," I all but yelled. I collapsed on my cot and just lay there. I felt a gentle touch on my back. "Get your white, perfect hands off of me," I said calmly.
"How do you know it was me? What if it was Rhythm?" Thorne replied.
"I just know. Please leave me alone," I sighed. My pillow smelled like home and I terribly missed it. The next morning I was up before the alarm. I got my jumpsuit on and got in front of the shovel library. I grabbed a shovel and just stood there. Slowly people came up and took their shovels too. Magnet with his eyes closed, X-Ray with a cocky walk, and Twitch, well talking and twitching.
"Wow girl, you think you're gonna be the next X-Ray?" X-Ray asked.
"Well, we'll just have to see about that won't we?" I replied, smiling. He looked taken aback. What am I supposed to frown all the time? After we quickly ate our "breakfast" we started digging. I don't know how, or why, but I was digging like a maniac. Thorne was right beside me, gloves on perfect hands, digging a three by three hole. 'I am gonna beat that chick,' I thought. When lunch rolled around I sat by the trucks back right tire by myself. I slowly ate my 'bologna and cheese' sandwhich.
"Hey," a voice said from beside me. It was Magnet.
"Hi," I said trying not to choke on my sandwhich.
"I heard you, uh, drew me," He nonchalantly said. I looked him straight in his dark brown eyes.
"Really, you heard?" I said sarcastically.
"Yeah, I also heard it was pretty good, pretty, because I, of course, AM pretty," he said.
"I drew you because you have amazing cheekbones and bone struc-" I stopped. Magnet stared. Oh no, not de-ja-vu
"Really, you think that?" I wasn't listening. I was thinking about how embarassed I was. 'Oh lord help me now' I thought.
"Uh yeah, well, I'll talk to you later," I said jumping up and going back to my hole.
"Bye Diamond" He said, staring after me. Lunch was quick, and so was I. I almost beat Thorne, but I didn't. I beat X-Ray, Magnet, Zigzag, Armpit, Twitch, Caveman, Rhythm and Squid but not in that order. Someone who DID beat me was Zero. He was so fast. I hurried and showered and then at lights out, something interesting happened. "Rachel, Rachel, Rachel, RACHEL!" a voice whispered. Huh? I thought I was awake. I looked over beside me. Thorne was sleeping, her breathing rhythmic with the others. "RACHEL!" someone said, almost yelling. I glanced at the tent flap, there was Magnet staring in at me.
"What are you doing here? You'll get in trouble" I said feeling proud of myself for not saying 'I'll get in trouble'.
"C'mon Rachel," Magnet murmured.
"Fine, fine," I said putting on my slippers which just happened to be sitting by my bed. We both ran quietly, never speaking a word until we reached the steps at the Mess Hall. We sat in a corner on the rail. "Is anything wrong?" I asked.
"Nah, just wanted to talk" he replied.
"What time is it anyway?" I muttered, rubbing my eyes.
"One o'clock." I sighed. "Ra-Diamond, have you made any friends yet?" he asked.
"Yes...well...never mind" I said.
"Di, I know you're not used to this, I understand, but you should have tons of friends," He said.
"Excuse me?" I said smiling. Magnet laughed.
"You're a nice girl. I think I like you," He said.
"Really?" I sarcastically replied. Magnet moved closer. A very cold wind blew and I shivered. He handed me his thin jacket. "Thanks" I gently said pulling it over my shoulder. He put his arm around me. I scooted away quickly.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"I'm sorry, I-I can't," I stammered. "Listen, I like you but...just wait ok?" I muttered, giving him his jacket back. I quickly kissed his cheek and scampered back to my tent. Before I opened the flap, a voice startled me.
"And where have YOU been?" I turned around. It was Mr. Sir.
"Ummm, Mr. Sir...I'm sorry for waking you. I went to the bathroom, got lost, and ended up walking in a full circle," I blurted.
"Oh, I see, and you need Magnet's help to go to the bathroom and he got lost too? Right?" Mr. Sir asked sarcastically.
"Yes thats IT!" I agreed.
"Well, whatever you were doing, don't let it happen again" Mr. Sir replied.
"I promise. It won't happen again Mr. Sir," I said smiling. "Girl scout's honor." Mr. Sir gave me a fake smile.
"Goodnight," he said walking back to his office. When I opened the tent flap Thorne was sitting up on her cot.
"Oooooh, Sirry purry caught you with your guy" she said playfully.
"HE IS NOT MY GUY!" I said, angrily getting back into bed. Thorne laughed.
"Sure," she said lying back down on her cot, laughing. I hated that laugh...
