[a/n: I have't forgotten you! I'm terribly busy rehearsing a new sketch comedy show. But this story will be completed, come heck or high water. I apologize for the brevity of this chapter, but it was techically filler so I could pass the day and get to some more exciting stuff. Kisses, all. I will update as soon as possible!]
Day Twenty-Four
.
.
.
You'd think a day off would be relaxing. No challenges, just a trip to Tribal Council tonight. But my stomach feels like it's been tied in a series of knots. Fortunately most of the chores are done, so I can just lie in the sun and think about my situation.
I can't talk to Malfoy. Pete is keeping a close eye on my movements, since he suspects there's something going on between me and Malfoy. Of course, there IS something, but a silent battle of wizarding wits is no kind of relationship that Pete would ever understand. Meanwhile, Malfoy is giving me something of a hurt puppy treatment. He's fully aware of our former tribe's alliance, but I know he doesn't understand why he was going to be the next to go.
And of course, I don't understand why he doesn't understand. After all, we've been enemies since we first met, a dozen years ago. One would think my obvious move would be to get rid of Malfoy as soon as possible. And of course, I keep trying to convince myself that as soon as I find out his motivations, I'll put his name down on that little slip of paper. Because I certainly don't enjoy having him around.
Well, except for the fact that he's a divine piece of eye-candy. And he's done nothing overtly devious or evil to me in the three-plus weeks we've been on Unknown Island. And when he's not being a smirking ass, he can actually be quite charming. And funny. And sexy.
Obviously I need to get out of the sun.
I get up and make my way back to the shelter, so I can lie with my thoughts in the shade. I drop my head so I can take sideways glances through a curtain of hair. Sure enough, Pete is watching me on the left, Malfoy on the right. I want to avoid talking to one of them, and he won't allow me to talk to the other.
The day crawls along. Eventually, it's time to get rounded up for Tribal Council. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Malfoy put the immunity necklace around his tanned neck. As we trudge through the undergrowth, Kiki makes her way next to me. I make brief eye contact, then she flicks her eyes to Toby, one of the former Fetia Rai members, and the only male left on that team besides the immune Malfoy. She's just reconfirming the choice we'd decided on last night, since the men are stronger and stand a better chance of winning physical challenges.
We enter the Tribal Council area, and it's the same schtick as every week. Marcus adds on the news that tonight's ejected player will be the first member of the jury, which will eventually grow to seven members. His script informs him to let us know how proud he is of us, that we've made it this far in the game. After a few softball questions, thankfully none of which are aimed at me, we take our turns voting.
The ballots emerge in the typical mixed fashion. Out of nine of us, five are former Miti Matai, four are former Fetia Rai. In shows of tribal solidarity, there are five votes for Toby, and four for Pete. As Toby leaves the group to have his torch snuffed, I glance at Pete. He's clearly shocked that the other tribe voted for him, but instead of surprise, I see scowling anger fall over his features.
On the way back to camp, I realize how tired this day has made me feel. And a big part of that was not being able to talk openly with my friends. God, I hope something happens in the next couple of days to break up this stalemate, because I don't know how much more of the constant watching I can handle.
It's only as I drift off to sleep that I hazily realize I've thought of Malfoy as one of my friends.
Day Twenty-Four
.
.
.
You'd think a day off would be relaxing. No challenges, just a trip to Tribal Council tonight. But my stomach feels like it's been tied in a series of knots. Fortunately most of the chores are done, so I can just lie in the sun and think about my situation.
I can't talk to Malfoy. Pete is keeping a close eye on my movements, since he suspects there's something going on between me and Malfoy. Of course, there IS something, but a silent battle of wizarding wits is no kind of relationship that Pete would ever understand. Meanwhile, Malfoy is giving me something of a hurt puppy treatment. He's fully aware of our former tribe's alliance, but I know he doesn't understand why he was going to be the next to go.
And of course, I don't understand why he doesn't understand. After all, we've been enemies since we first met, a dozen years ago. One would think my obvious move would be to get rid of Malfoy as soon as possible. And of course, I keep trying to convince myself that as soon as I find out his motivations, I'll put his name down on that little slip of paper. Because I certainly don't enjoy having him around.
Well, except for the fact that he's a divine piece of eye-candy. And he's done nothing overtly devious or evil to me in the three-plus weeks we've been on Unknown Island. And when he's not being a smirking ass, he can actually be quite charming. And funny. And sexy.
Obviously I need to get out of the sun.
I get up and make my way back to the shelter, so I can lie with my thoughts in the shade. I drop my head so I can take sideways glances through a curtain of hair. Sure enough, Pete is watching me on the left, Malfoy on the right. I want to avoid talking to one of them, and he won't allow me to talk to the other.
The day crawls along. Eventually, it's time to get rounded up for Tribal Council. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Malfoy put the immunity necklace around his tanned neck. As we trudge through the undergrowth, Kiki makes her way next to me. I make brief eye contact, then she flicks her eyes to Toby, one of the former Fetia Rai members, and the only male left on that team besides the immune Malfoy. She's just reconfirming the choice we'd decided on last night, since the men are stronger and stand a better chance of winning physical challenges.
We enter the Tribal Council area, and it's the same schtick as every week. Marcus adds on the news that tonight's ejected player will be the first member of the jury, which will eventually grow to seven members. His script informs him to let us know how proud he is of us, that we've made it this far in the game. After a few softball questions, thankfully none of which are aimed at me, we take our turns voting.
The ballots emerge in the typical mixed fashion. Out of nine of us, five are former Miti Matai, four are former Fetia Rai. In shows of tribal solidarity, there are five votes for Toby, and four for Pete. As Toby leaves the group to have his torch snuffed, I glance at Pete. He's clearly shocked that the other tribe voted for him, but instead of surprise, I see scowling anger fall over his features.
On the way back to camp, I realize how tired this day has made me feel. And a big part of that was not being able to talk openly with my friends. God, I hope something happens in the next couple of days to break up this stalemate, because I don't know how much more of the constant watching I can handle.
It's only as I drift off to sleep that I hazily realize I've thought of Malfoy as one of my friends.