"I guess this kind of thing is easy pickings for you Planeteers?" Laura jokes, as we stand at the foot of the steep, rocky hill we intend to climb.
"You overestimate our abilities, Laura," Kwame says modestly.
I glance at Kwame, at his affable grin, puzzled. Even though the two Americans excluded the rest of us from their conversation the whole way here, no one else seems to think they have been rude. I don't mind that Wheeler is enjoying someone else's company, and I appreciate how difficult it is living so far away from home that you cling to anything and anyone that reminds you of it. But still…I don't think I like this girl if this in any indication of her character. I would have expected her to at least make an effort to welcome the rest of us, too.
"I dunno, Kwame," Wheeler says, a familiar look of mischief playing across his face. "Some of the stuff we can do is pretty cool. Like this… FIRE!" A jet of flame shoots out of his ring and sets a nearby bush alight.
"Wheeler!" I cry. It's not unlike him to do something silly to impress a girl, but this is plain irresponsible. "That was really-"
"Gi's got it," Wheeler interjects, barely sparing me a glance.
"Water," Gi says calmly, instantly extinguishing the flames.
"That was pretty cool," Laura says appreciatively. I look around at my fellow Planeteers but none of them seems even vaguely disturbed by Wheeler's blatant misuse of his powers. Even Kwame appears totally unperturbed as he checks his rock climbing gear.
"So now we can just use our powers whenever we-" I begin, slightly irritated.
"Linka, just let it go, for goodness sake!" Wheeler exclaims, rolling his eyes. "You don't have to make a big deal out of everything!" My mouth drops open. So he is still annoyed at me. I know I probably did overreact on that first day in the hotel but I was sure he would just brush it off as usual. Apparently not. Well, I would apologise if I could get a minute alone with him, in between him avoiding me and his new-found close friendship with Laura…Still, just because he's upset with me is no excuse for abusing his power.
"Wheeler, I'm just saying-" I begin, forcing myself to keep a neutral tone.
"Come on guys, no more fighting," Gi jumps in. I purse my lips and swallow back my words. Gi is right. Wheeler and I should not ruin what has been an amazing holiday so far.
"I'm sorry," I back down. There is silence but no apology is forthcoming from Wheeler. No one else seems to be waiting for one, either. Fine, I think, maybe it's me being strange…
"That looks pretty heavy," I hear Wheeler say. I turn and see that he is lifting Laura's backpack off her shoulders. "Here, let me take some of your stuff for you."
There is no offer to help me –or anyone else– with my things. Not that I need the help. It's just nice to be asked… I don't mind him ignoring me so much; I just don't like knowing he's angry at me.
"Ok, we're going to have to partner up for safety," Kwame says. "Gi?"
"Sure, I'll go with you," Gi nods.
This is unsurprising. As usual, the other Planeteers are colluding to leave me and Wheeler paired together…Well, at least it will give me the chance to apologise, which I have resolved to do, even if only for the sake of keeping this a great holiday for everyone.
"Great, I'll go with Laura," Wheeler says quickly. What? I turn to him, eyes wide, slightly taken aback by the eagerness in his voice. But you always want to go with me…
Is this his way of showing me he's still angry? By trying to hurt my feelings? Well, if so, he's definitely failing. Because I'm not at all hurt that he's not jumping at the chance to be alone with me. The only reason I would be upset is if I were jealous, but why would I be? He can do what he likes, and be partners with whomever he wants. Anyway, I haven't spent time with Ma-Ti in ages so I'm happy with the arrangement.
"That leaves me and you Linka," Ma-Ti grins, and I smile wanly back.
"I think you should be more worried about me causing you harm than these rocks," Laura jokes to Wheeler, placing a hand against the jagged surface of a rocky outgrowth.
"Don't worry; I'll catch you if you fall," Wheeler grins. I roll my eyes. He's so predictable sometimes. I should be grateful to Laura, I suppose, because at least now I don't have to deal with the constant flirting. She, at least, seems to not mind. Good for her.
I clamber up a smooth rock carefully, looking for footholds. I hear Laura laughing again and out of the corner of my eye see her climbing slowly, with Wheeler's hand on the small of her back for support. This moment of distraction costs me dear as my foot slips on a patch of moss. I fall the few feet back to the ground, scraping my knee on the way down.
Wheeler looks over at me.
"You ok?"
"Yes, fine," I reply stiffly, hoping no-one has noticed what had distracted me. "I grazed my knee. Just a little blood; nothing to-"
"Ok, cool," he interrupts. He turns back to Laura, his moment of concern gone as quickly as it had come.
Ok, he's definitely very angry. Normally he's all over me if I so much as break a fingernail. Oh well, I think, pulling out the first aid kit from my backpack, I'm enjoying this freedom. It's nice that he's keeping his distance, not constantly smothering me with his affections. Now I can really enjoy our time off.