(A/N: Wow, took me a long time to update this story too...sorry about that. I hope you all like this chapter, and thanks for the reviews!
Nosilla-Thanks for the review, Claire is getting in over her head lol.
EosRaven-Thanks for the review! Summerland rocks, so does the new season lol. Stinks though that you could only see half the episodes. Hope you like this chapter!
RiRiana-Thanks for the review! Hope you like this chapter!
Andrea-Thanks for the review, glad to hear you like my story! Hope you like this chapter!
Shybaybee-Thanks for the review! Hope you like this chapter!
Blueskiezrusty-Thanks for the review! Claire is a cool name, and I know, it's like really weird to read something with your name in it lol! Hope you like this chapter!
Hope everyone likes this chapter, and please review!)
Disclaimer: I do not own Holes or any of the characters.
"Claire!" A voice whispered. I opened my eyes and saw a shadow standing above me. It was Smoke. "Claire, you gotta get up, c'mon, we have to get breakfast ready. "Claire!" he lightly shook my shoulder.
"I'm up, I'm up…" I said sleepily.
"I'll wait outside so you could change, okay?"
"Yea…thanks."
He left and I dragged myself out of bed. I pulled out my clothes suitcase and took out my next out fit. It was a mini and a bare-midriff tank top. 'I can't wear this,' I thought to myself. 'Oh what the heck.'
I was about to change, when I realized that I was in a tent full of boys. Anyone of them could be watching me, while fake sleeping. I couldn't change. I took my clothes and snuck out the flap.
"Okay, c'mon…wait, you didn't change," Smoke said, looking at me.
"I know," I whispered, "I can't change in there, I don't know if they're all even really sleeping."
"I see…then just…I don't know. Go behind the tent, I'll keep watch."
"Good idea." I ran behind the tent and quickly changed. I then ran into the tent and threw my old clothes on the cot. I figured I'd put it away later. Smoke and I quietly ran towards the kitchen, where we met up with J.D. and Farmer. We worked in silence, each deep in thought. Actually, I wasn't really thinking about much, just wondering when the others had to wake up and such.
Meanwhile in D-Tent
"C'mon boys, rise and shine!" Pendanski yelled through each tent. The D-Tent boys groaned and dragged themselves out of bed, eyes half closed, trying to get into their orange jumpsuits. Nobody noticed Clara was gone until someone turned on the oil lamps and Squid glanced over at her cot, seeing if she was awake. To his surprise, her cot was a mess, and her clothes were in a lump on her bed.
"Holy shit, where's Claire?" he yelled, frantically looking around. He was halfway in his jumpsuit and practically fell over it. He tied the arm sleeves around his waste and didn't bother putting a shirt on. The other boys looked alarmed, as Squid ran out of the tent. He ran into each tent looking around for Claire, scaring the boys who were changing, only it didn't bother him. "Claire!" he kept yelling.
Back in the kitchen
'Is someone calling me?' I wondered as I heard my name being called. It was Squid!
I stuck my head outside and saw Squid running around like his head was chopped off, screaming my name.
"What are ya doin?" I yelled. Squid stopped short and stared at me. I couldn't help but notice that he had no shirt on, and he looked pretty…well…hot. He ran up to me.
"Holy shit Claire, why are you in there?" he asked, glancing into the kitchen.
"I'm making breakfast…"I replied, noticing his eye turned a deep purple from last night. His cut had dried up though into a scar, and I wished that I had washed it for him.
"I…I," He gasped, out of breath. "I saw your clothes on your cot, and your cot was all messed up…I don't know..."
"Oops…didn't mean for that to scare you, I just didn't want to wake everyone up dragging out my stuff and all…sorry."
Squid smiled. "It's okay."
I smiled back, then went back into the kitchen, only to run into J.D., Smoke, and Farmer.
"Whoa," I said, stepping back. They all scurried off sheepishly, and I realized that they were listening to me and Squid. "Gawd, you boys love gossip more than girls here," I said sarcastically. Smoke shook his head.
"We were just making sure he wasn't picking on you or anything," he said, shrugging.
"Oh, well thanks, but I don't think Squid, or anyone, would want to pick on me," I said, smiling to myself. "Besides, you're all here to protect me." I glanced at Smoke and saw that he had a worried expression on his face, but it quickly disappeared when he saw me staring. We went back to work, and about five minutes later the campers started coming in. I hate to say this, but I actually got more stares. I shouldn't have worn this outfit. I shook my head and went behind the metal serving tray, standing next to Smoke. He stepped closer to me and bent down and whispered in my ear.
"Don't worry about them, they're just upset because they know they don't have a chance with such a beautiful girl like you."
I smiled and turned to look at him. Our faces were two inches apart. It was that moment when everything feels so perfect, so in place. He leaned closer to me, and I knew he was going to kiss me, only I didn't know if I wanted to kiss him. I didn't really want my first kiss to be at a delinquent camp in front of all these delinquents. Smoke must have felt my uncertainty because he went and kissed me on the cheek. Right when Squid walked in. Just my luck, right? I stared down, but I felt Squid's eyes boring into me. I glanced up once but realized that he wasn't staring at me, he was staring at Smoke. Smoke was too busy serving food to notice. I was pouring the drinks, this time I was sure it was orange juice, and setting them on the trays. Smoke would glance down at me occasionally and smile at me, and I would smile back. Then Squid came up and was staring daggers at Smoke, who just looked at him casually and went on serving food. Squid shook his head when I put a cup on his tray, and looked at me. If looks could kill, I would've been six feet under. I went on pouring drinks, thinking about what to do now, when I noticed the kid standing in front of me wasn't moving. I looked up and saw that it was that kid from last night.
"What?" I asked, staring at the kid.
"Nothing. The suns not out yet, so I'm just basking in your beauty," he said smiling.
"Ugh, get away," I said. I was getting mad that this kid kept doing this to me. I was gripping one of the cups so tight, my knuckles were turning white. The kid puckered his lips at me. I picked up the cup and threw it at him. The orange juice got all over his face, and the cup hit him on his head. He got mad. Really mad.
"What the hell," he growled, then swiped everything off the table. There was orange juice everywhere, and one of the pitchers shattered. He lunged towards me, but I fell back. By now Squid had shot up and was holding the kid back and whispering something in his ear. The kid pulled away and stalked out of the cafeteria, and Smoke helped me up. Squid just looked at me then went back and began eating again. I was going to clean up the stuff, but Smoke shook his head when I went to clean it, so I just stood there as the boys got there food.
"Where's my drink?"
"On the floor."
"Clara, be quiet."
"Sorry."
"What do you want me to do?"
"I don't know…why don't you just go eat."
"Fine."
I took a tray then went to sit down. I was going to sit next to Squid, but when I got near the table, he got up and left. I sighed. I didn't know what to do, and I never thanked him for getting rid of that kid, so I put down my tray and went to follow him…
"Squid!" I yelled, running towards him. He glanced behind him and slowed his pace, until I was next to him. "Hey…" I said, not knowing what to say next.
"Hey," he mumbled, sounding mad. Oops…?
"Thanks for…before. I appreciate it and all, ya know."
"Whatever…"
"Are you mad at me or somethin…?" I asked, quietly.
"Hmm…lettme think…yea."
"Why?" He looked at me.
"Because you kissed him!" He yelled, then right away his eyes grew wide and he sucked in his breath. He let it out slowly in a sigh, then went on walking faster. I had to jog to keep up with him.
"Wait a minute…I didn't kiss anybody, he only kissed me on the cheek, it's not the same."
Squid scowled at me. "That's not the point. Why…how could you like him? You don't even know him…"
"So, you want me to like you instead? I don't know you either." His cheeks grew red.
"No, but you could get to know me, that kid's going home soon anyway." I stopped walking.
"What?"
"He didn't tell you…? My bad…"
I didn't say anything.
"You okay?" I shook my head, then started running towards the kitchen. "Claire, wait! Stop!" Squid was calling after me, and he was running after me, but I couldn't stop. I wouldn't stop.
I got into the kitchen, and ran to Smoke, who was stacking trays. The other boys were already leaving, so it was empty.
"Hey," Smoke said, smiling. I looked at him, but didn't smile back.
"Why didn't you tell me you're going home soon?" I asked quietly. His jaw kind of dropped.
"Who told you?"
"That doesn't matter, you could've told me."
He sighed. "Look, I didn't want to tell you, because I didn't want to go home, which I find very weird, considering that I was counting down the days from the first day I got here. But then you came here yesterday, and all of a sudden I didn't want to leave. The minute things go right, something happens and I get screwed…"
"Are you saying I screwed up you're life?" I asked, close to tears. It was pathetic.
"What? No! Damn, that came out wrong. What I meant was, I was happy for being able to go home, but now I'm not."
"Oh…so when are you going home exactly?"
"…Tomorrow…" he said sheepishly. I looked at him.
"And when exactly were you planning on telling me this?"
"Well actually, I was going to tell you today…tonight actually, but I guess I can't now, since you already know, thanks to your friend, who I really don't-" He was babbling.
"Oh, well…I'm gonna miss you I guess." I said, cutting him off.
"You guess?"
"I'll miss you." I tried to smile.
"I'll miss you too…I'll write to you, okay?"
"Okay…"
"So, I gotta go fill up the water canteens, you wanna come?"
"Sure…"
5 Minutes later
"You could drive?" I asked, eyeing the water truck. Smoke smiled.
"Yeah, I taught myself how to," he said proudly. I laughed "What?"
"Nothing…" I said, then went and sat in the passenger seat of the truck. Smoke got in next to me, and took the keys out of this little compartment. I raised my eyebrows questioningly. "You keep the keys right there…can't anyone just take them?"
"Nah, nobody here's smart enough to know that's where I put 'em."
"Oh."
He started the engine and drove out of the little circle of tents and into the desert, smoothly making his way around the holes.
"So…how do you like it here so far?" he asked me, his eyes darting between me and the desert. I shrugged.
"It's okay…I just miss my family and all."
"Yea, I got pretty homesick too when I first got here."
Aww! How sweet!
"So why did you come here exactly?" I asked quietly.
"'Cause I liked to put stuff on fire, like I told you yesterday, and it kind of got out of hand once."
"I see."
"Why'd you come here?"
"It wasn't my fault." Smoke smirked.
"That's what they all say."
"Yea, well I'm telling the truth. I was sent here because people thought I stole and junk…I didn't though, but they said all signs point to me. So I was sent here."
"You didn't do it though?"
"I didn't. Nobody believed me except my best friend…and my parents."
"Oh…"
"Did you commit the crime you were convicted of?"
"Yea," he said, smiling shyly. "It was actually and accident, I mean, I didn't know the waste gutter was right behind me when I dropped the match…" I laughed.
"Wow…"
"What?"
"Never mind," I said, as he slowly stopped the truck. There were about ten boys scattered around, throwing shovelfuls of dirt up. I watched them silently, as they all grabbed these canteens and got in line. I slouched down in my seat so no one would see me.
I heard Smoke turn on the water and fill up the canteens. Soon he was back in the truck, and we were headed on to another cluster of boys. He stopped the car, "You coming?" he asked me.
I looked out the window. Aw heck, why not? "Sure." I got out the car and walked around and stood in front of the car. I saw that the boys all looked tired and didn't even take a second glance at me, thank gosh.
Soon I got into the routine of driving a few feet, getting out of the car and walking around the area, getting back into the car, etc. It was kinda interesting actually, I always wanted to dig a really big hole. Only with my luck I'd probably fall into one.
When we reached D-Tent's digging spot, I decided to stay in the car. I glanced in the rear view mirror and saw Squid giving Smoke a death look, while clenching his fists. Oh great, now there's going to be a huge brawl in front of a water truck.
I got out of the car and slid next to Smoke, watching him fill the canteens. I glanced up at Squid and saw that he was purposely avoiding eye contact with me. When it was his turn to get his water I spoke up.
"Hey Squid," I said as nice as I could. He glared at me.
"Hey," he drawled, then hacked a hoogie at the ground right next to where Smoke was standing.
"Ew," I said, scrunching up my face, "that's disgusting."
Squid smirked, then looked at Smoke. "So Nate, excited about leaving tomorrow?" he took his canteen and stood to the side so ZigZag could get his water. Smoke forced a smile.
"Actually, ever since yesterday, I'm starting to regret it," he glanced at me. I scowled at him.
"Yea well, we're all gonna miss you. Really miss you," Squid glanced at me. "Right Claire?"
I smiled and leaned closer to Smoke. "Yea, I really am," I said staring straight at Squid, who stared right back. Finally I broke my stare and went back into the truck, and soon Smoke was in there sitting next to me. He geared up the truck and made a turn around a hole, then we headed back to the campsite. I glanced out my window and could see Squid watching the car. I sighed.
"So now what," I asked tiredly. Smoke looked at me weirdly. "What?"
"You didn't have to come out ya know," he said, staring into the desert. I rolled my eyes. "Really, all that could've been avoided."
"Yea, and maybe instead a big fight would've broke out and I'd be sitting out here feeling guilty for the next six weeks."
Smoke couldn't help but smile, "Well thanks I guess."
"No prob…"
We finished making the rounds with the water truck, then went back to the campsite.
I went to the tent and sat on my bed, opening my diary.
'Day 2 at CGL,' I wrote,
'I found out today that Smoke is leaving tomorrow. I was pretty pissed when I found out, but now I just figured that it's all due to my lack of luck. At least I know him and Squid won't get into anymore fights right now. Speaking of Squid, he was acting like a real ass before when Smoke and I went to fill his canteen. He seemed all smug, saying stuff to Smoke. I don't know, it's so screwy here. Well, I better get going, it sounds like there's a commotion going on outside of my tent.'
And there was, I peeked my head out of the tent to see Smoke and Squid yelling at each other. There was a small crowd gathered around them, and I noticed that Farmer and J.D. were both members in it, but no one in D-Tent. Where were they? I had no time to look for them, Squid and Smoke were both clenching their fists, and I knew that someone was going to get knocked out. I just didn't know that someone was going to be me.
Ok, so what happened was I made my way through the thin crowd, and stood directly behind Smoke. I heard them saying stuff to each other, a long string of cuss words, before I yelled, "You guys, stop it!" Smoke turned around to look at me, and Squid stared at me from over Smoke's shoulder.
"Stay out of this, Claire," Squid growled, and Smoke turned to face him.
"You know, I think she's right, this is my last day here and I'm not getting into a stupid fight," Smoke said.
That's when Squid's fist flew out to hit Smoke, only Smoke saw it coming and ducked. That left me, and Squid's fist connected with my forehead, and before I knew what was happening, I was falling back into the crowd.
(A/N: Sorry for the cliffhanger...hehe
Hope you all liked this chapter, kinda long, but it took me a while to write. Hopefully I'll have the next chapter up sooner! Please review!)
