CHAPTER 4

Discussion

Later that night, Carrie attempted to sleep on the musty smelling cot. She flipped over onto her other side, opening her eyes to see she was facing Zero. That was when she realized that she wasn't the only one affected by insomnia.

"Hey, you guys asleep?" asked a voice sounding like X-ray's.

A few exhausted groans responded.

"How about Bear?"

Carrie hurriedly shut hr eyes and struggled to make her breathing even. She heard footsteps stomping lazily across the tent, felt the presence of someone standing above her, and then heard him stomp back to his cot.

"She's asleep," Squid drawled with a yawn.

"Good." X-ray paused for a moment. "So, what do you guys think?"

All 6 boys began to talk at once.

"Man! For not seeing a girl in so long she sure is a sight for sore eyes," Armpit stated.

"She's so hot! I was almost sure I was drooling!" Magnet said in his Hispanic accent.

"She's not only hot, she's smart... funny... I think I'm falling for her!" Squid laughed.

"Well, hey, that makes two of us," Twitch whispered. Carrie was pretty sure that she was the only one who heard him.

"Dude, you guys are pathetic," X-ray laughed.

"Hey! Not me! She's cute, great funny, sweet, but I have no romantic interest in her... yet." Zigzag protested.

"Hey, why don't we go to sleep? We gotta dig tomorrow. "Armpit stopped the conversation. Carrie sighed, silently agreeing with Armpit.

"Whatever. 'Night." Twitch said.

Carrie laughed to herself. Guys were such idiots. She looked up at Zero and looked into his eyes. She was surprised to find tears.

"It's OK," She whispered, grabbing his hand. She didn't know why, but she felt very protective of this quiet boy. "It's gonna be OK."

He gave her a tentative smile, which Carrie returned. Carrie didn't bother to ask why he was crying. She knew it wasn't any of her business, and she knew she was doing what she could, lying there, listening to him cry, and holding his hand through it all.