Day Eight
I've spent the last two nights tossing restlessly, and the last two days deep in thought. I know I should be paying more attention to this game, but I can't stop thinking about Malfoy.
He obviously isn't concerned in the least that I'm here. His flirtatious demeanor has me convinced of that. But not only does it make winning the game a little more difficult, it makes me angry as well. Obviously, if he's not concerned about my presence, he's also not concerned about being able to beat me at this game.
I was dangerously close to being antisocial yesterday. Kiki took me aside to ask what was wrong; apparently I've set myself up as being a friendly and amusing person, and I was, as she put it, "eerily quiet" at lunch. I made up an excuse about not sleeping well the night before, which was not that far from the truth. I felt like I woke up every few minutes with the lingering dream image of a pair of silver eyes staring at me, then I would lay awake listening to the ballad of Bob's snores until exhaustion claimed me again.
Was it just three days ago I was eagerly anticipating seeing Malfoy? So I could give him my superior smile and make him quake in his sandals? And all it took was a wink, a few looks, and an eye-undressing to make me loath to see him again. Oh, I want to see him again. But only if he's placed on the sand, wearing only his swim trunks, with a blindfold on. His eyes have lost none of their piercing quality over the years, and his body has gained many, many positive attributes. Then again, I'm hardly the ugly duckling I used to be in school; the Granger determination has helped me exercise away any physical flaws. I certainly don't have the perky cuteness of a Ginny Weasley, or of Kiki, for that matter. But I've made a head or two turn in my day. Of course, making the head turn has never been worth a million in cash before.
Anyway, since planning ahead hasn't helped me so far, I've decided that whatever Malfoy throws at me, I'll just throw right back. And I can't let myself worry about him. Which means trying not to think about him. Which is becoming something of a personal Mission Impossible.
Today's reward challenge is a mental one: assembling a huge puzzle on the sand. Malfoy's team is there before us, for the first time. He's watching me from the moment we step into the clearing. I made the decision to wear just my bikini top and low-rise shorts, which was apparently a good move. He's looking at me like I'm a steak and he's a starving man. It's an almost ironic coincidence, since we've been eating mostly rice for the last week, and we're competing today for a feast of fruits, cheese, crackers, and cans of the Sponsor Carbonated Beverage. The food looks good, and I'm torn whether or not to use magic to win this one. I'd love to eat, but keeping my teammates hungry will make them easier to beat later. Not that I'm less hungry, but I've trained myself to keep a clearer head on fewer calories. I decide to let the fates decide. If Malfoy needs to cheat on this one either way, I'll let him.
Marcus gives us the go, and we start assembling the puzzle. I keep an eye on the progress of the other team, and we seem fairly well matched on this one. It helps to have Marcus giving a continuous running commentary on both teams' progress. I'm also watching Malfoy to figure out if he has his wand, and if so, where he's hiding it, and also if so, if he's using it. I realize I was foolish to not include magic trackers in my training and spell casting regimen. But how was I to know there would be anyone here but Muggles? I'd give half of the winning million right now for a time-turner, so I could arm myself better against Malfoy. It would be immensely helpful to know if he's casting anything, and what particular spells he's using. I can only hope that he's equally unprepared.
Marcus suddenly yells out that Fetia Rai has won the challenge. We drop the puzzle pieces in our hands and politely applaud their victory. Their team practically attacks the trays of food, grabbing whatever is nearest. Malfoy looks up over the heads of his feasting teammates and finds my eyes. He slowly puts a drippy slice of peach in his mouth, then licks the juice off his fingers, all the while holding my gaze.
I suddenly feel very hot. It must be the exertion from the challenge. Or the heat of the day.
Definitely the heat of the day.
I've spent the last two nights tossing restlessly, and the last two days deep in thought. I know I should be paying more attention to this game, but I can't stop thinking about Malfoy.
He obviously isn't concerned in the least that I'm here. His flirtatious demeanor has me convinced of that. But not only does it make winning the game a little more difficult, it makes me angry as well. Obviously, if he's not concerned about my presence, he's also not concerned about being able to beat me at this game.
I was dangerously close to being antisocial yesterday. Kiki took me aside to ask what was wrong; apparently I've set myself up as being a friendly and amusing person, and I was, as she put it, "eerily quiet" at lunch. I made up an excuse about not sleeping well the night before, which was not that far from the truth. I felt like I woke up every few minutes with the lingering dream image of a pair of silver eyes staring at me, then I would lay awake listening to the ballad of Bob's snores until exhaustion claimed me again.
Was it just three days ago I was eagerly anticipating seeing Malfoy? So I could give him my superior smile and make him quake in his sandals? And all it took was a wink, a few looks, and an eye-undressing to make me loath to see him again. Oh, I want to see him again. But only if he's placed on the sand, wearing only his swim trunks, with a blindfold on. His eyes have lost none of their piercing quality over the years, and his body has gained many, many positive attributes. Then again, I'm hardly the ugly duckling I used to be in school; the Granger determination has helped me exercise away any physical flaws. I certainly don't have the perky cuteness of a Ginny Weasley, or of Kiki, for that matter. But I've made a head or two turn in my day. Of course, making the head turn has never been worth a million in cash before.
Anyway, since planning ahead hasn't helped me so far, I've decided that whatever Malfoy throws at me, I'll just throw right back. And I can't let myself worry about him. Which means trying not to think about him. Which is becoming something of a personal Mission Impossible.
Today's reward challenge is a mental one: assembling a huge puzzle on the sand. Malfoy's team is there before us, for the first time. He's watching me from the moment we step into the clearing. I made the decision to wear just my bikini top and low-rise shorts, which was apparently a good move. He's looking at me like I'm a steak and he's a starving man. It's an almost ironic coincidence, since we've been eating mostly rice for the last week, and we're competing today for a feast of fruits, cheese, crackers, and cans of the Sponsor Carbonated Beverage. The food looks good, and I'm torn whether or not to use magic to win this one. I'd love to eat, but keeping my teammates hungry will make them easier to beat later. Not that I'm less hungry, but I've trained myself to keep a clearer head on fewer calories. I decide to let the fates decide. If Malfoy needs to cheat on this one either way, I'll let him.
Marcus gives us the go, and we start assembling the puzzle. I keep an eye on the progress of the other team, and we seem fairly well matched on this one. It helps to have Marcus giving a continuous running commentary on both teams' progress. I'm also watching Malfoy to figure out if he has his wand, and if so, where he's hiding it, and also if so, if he's using it. I realize I was foolish to not include magic trackers in my training and spell casting regimen. But how was I to know there would be anyone here but Muggles? I'd give half of the winning million right now for a time-turner, so I could arm myself better against Malfoy. It would be immensely helpful to know if he's casting anything, and what particular spells he's using. I can only hope that he's equally unprepared.
Marcus suddenly yells out that Fetia Rai has won the challenge. We drop the puzzle pieces in our hands and politely applaud their victory. Their team practically attacks the trays of food, grabbing whatever is nearest. Malfoy looks up over the heads of his feasting teammates and finds my eyes. He slowly puts a drippy slice of peach in his mouth, then licks the juice off his fingers, all the while holding my gaze.
I suddenly feel very hot. It must be the exertion from the challenge. Or the heat of the day.
Definitely the heat of the day.