Chapter 9 Being different
Kendrix paused to watch as two counselors lay out two mats on the slope of the hill.
"We're going to have a water slide." Ashley said and Kendrix found her coming her way.
"A water slide?" Kendrix didn't see how two mats on a hill could be a water slide? Weren't water slides like sliding boards with water? That looked like a gym matt.
"Yeah, it's kind of like one of those slip and slide things
you see on TV.
Leo explained as he reached her.
"Let me guess you don't watch TV." Ashley said noting Kendrix's puzzled expression.
"They're going to have a hose; it will squirt the mat and who ever is sliding down it." Leo said and she frowned slightly.
"How would that be fun?"
"Gees you really have lived in a cave." Ashley muttered and stalked off.
"I have not lived in a cave, I'm just different." The little blonde said and felt
"Yeah like a freak." Kendrix heard the girl mutter.
"Forget her come on." Leo said and Kendrix was pulled over to one side where they watched as two hoses were set up.
"Leo, I don't know, maybe I should have gone to crafts, and you know, my ankle…'
"That's silly, Kendrix you've been fine for two and a half days. You really have to learn to fight back, when Ashley had made fun of you should have said "Well, some of us have lives." Not just said that you're different. It will get them to back off."
"Oh, she murmured thoughtfully and found herself following him once more.
Kendrix did find that the make-shift waterslide was actually quite fun. When it was time to get ready for rest hour she was a little sad. She settled for playing power rangers with Leo. It was funny, neither cared that they were too old to do so or about the other kids. Kendrix was the pink ranger while of coarse Leo was the red ranger. When Bailey and his pals started to chase them Leo just incorporated it into the make-believe. /It was surprising that Kendrix, when pretending was much braver and she even stood toe to toe with the bullies.
"Your not taking this planet you greasy blob!" Kendrix shouted and stomped hard on his foot.
"Why you little!" Tony bellowed and when he would have struck her she ducked and head butted him in the middle.
"You're dead blonde!" Bailey shouted and instead of taking off she stuck out her tongue.
Leo couldn't believe what she was doing; she was goading someone who could flatten her. Still she did what he'd told her, she ran.
Leo was too busy watching her and not Tony that's why he found himself caught. He cursed his stupidity knowing he was in for a real beating.
Kendrix reached the tree, and as quick as a cat swung up not the lowest hanging branch. Instead of taunting him from there she used it to climb up, branch by branch.
"You think a little height's going to stop me!?" Bailey shouted as he scrambled up after her. Kendrix just got to the highest possible branch.
"That's right block head keep coming." She grinned down on him knowing that the two branches closest to her were too weak to hold his greater weight. She didn't bother to tell him though and so when he reached the second lowest one she smiled, waited and then saw the shock on his face when he heard the crack.
Leo grunted with the blow and knew that Kendrix had to be in much worse shape than he was.
"What the?" One of the bullies shouted and the one holding him loosened his hold long enough to break free and run.
"Bailey!"
"You little…!"
"You should know better than to mess with the power rangers." She grinned and leapt down; running in the other direction, hoping Leo was alright.
Leo heard the feet coming, pounding, racing after her and he spotted Kendrix grinning as she ran. He didn't get up just grabbed her arm in passing and yanked her into his hiding spot behind a bush. They watched as Tony came running that way but when he couldn't find them ran passed.
"Now that was fun." She grinned and he saw the way her eyes sparkled and the way her cheeks were rosy from the exertion. He didn't know why but he wanted to kiss her, to press his mouth to her soft lips, to feel the tingling again…
"Leo?" She asked and he was doing it, leaning forward, and their lips were meeting.
"Leo?"
"Yeah?" He asked when he'd moved backwards.
"Was that for the others?"
"No why?"
"Because i9f you kiss me for their benefit would tell me?"
"Ok…" Why was she asking that? Did she think that's why he'd kissed her before? But it had been so why not.
"Kendrix, listen, I know I asked you to the…"
"Will all campers please return to their cabins to wash up for dinner?" The voice called over the camp PA system.
Leo tried again but she was grabbing his hand, pulling him to the others. He knew she didn't want the jerks to catch them alone in the open. Well, he'd just have to talk to her later…
TBC
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