I sit with ZigZag as he watches the static T.V. Stanley comes in and I wave him over. He starts coming to us but is pushed onto Lump.
"Watch it!"Lump growls while pushing Stanley away.
"You watch it man."Stanley says.
"What did you say?"Lump asks while kicking Stanley.
Stanley falls and it gets everyone's attention.
"I'm sorry man. I didn't mean to hit you."Stanley says accidently knocking the radio over.
While doing so,he falls back onto Lump.
"You're a dead man!"Lump yells.
I run in between them only to take a hit to the stomach.
"AH!"I yell falling to the ground.
I barely notice when I'm picked up from the ground. I open my eyes and see Squid has me in his arms and he's taking me to the tent.
"What're you doing?"I ask.
"I'm gonna help ya'."He says walking into the tent and laying my on his cot.
He grabs his canteen and lifts my tank up a little. He pours some water on my stomach and my pain is relieved by the coolness of the water.
He pulls my tank top back down and he helps me up.
"Thanks."I say to him.
"You're welcome,girlie."He says.
"By the way,I talked it over with the guys and your official nickname is Girlie."He adds.
"Oh joy."I say smiling.
He smiles and I kiss his cheek. He's shocked.
"Oh and...sorry about yesterday."He says.
"It's okay."I say standing.
I nearly fall so he balances me.
"I'll help ya' out."He says.
I nod before he gently wraps his arm around my waist. He helps me out and soon,I'm able to walk on my own.
But that doesn't mean I don't miss his arm around my waist.
I sit with D tent and Dr. Pendanski in the mess hall. Apparently they have these 'talks' every few nights.
I'm sitting with ZigZag and he's holding my hand and playing with my fingers. Squid glares at us as it happens.
"What about you Jose?What do you like?'Dr. Pendanski asks.
"I like animals."Magnet answers.
"That's what got Magnet sent here in the first place."X-Ray says making us laugh.
"Man,it's criminal the way they keep 'em locked up in cages."Magnet says.
"No Jose,what you did was criminal."Dr. Pendanski says.
"Nah,nah,tell 'em Magnet. They wanted a thousand bucks for just one puppy."Squid says.
"What?"X-Ray asks.
"Yeah man!I would've made it out...if my pocket didn't start barking."Magnet says making us laugh.
"You boys..."Dr. Pendanski is cut off by me.
"Ahem."I say.
"You boys and girl get one life and so far you've done a pretty good job of screwing it up!"Dr. Pendanski says.
Stanley(now dubbed Caveman)chuckles under his breath.
"So,you're Caveman now. Big shot,got a nickname. Well let me tell you something,'Caveman',you are here on account of one person. Do you know who that person is?"Dr. Pendanski asks.
"Yeah."Stanley says.
We all stare at him waiting for him to say something else.
"My no good,dirty rotten,pig stealing great,great grandfather,that's who it is!"Stanley says making us all laugh.
Even Zero shows a smile.
"No!You screwed your life up,Stanley Yelnats. And it's up to you to fix it. Now,it's not gonna be easy but you'd be surprised what you can accomplish once you set your mind to it. Even Zero here isn't completely worthless."Dr. Pendanski says.
"What about you,Zero?What do you like?"Dr. Pendanski asks.
Zero does nothing but stare at the floor.
"You just won't talk with me,will you?"Dr. Pendanski asks.
"Man,he only talks to Caveman,yo."Armpit speaks up.
"You think your better than all of this?"Dr. Pendanski asks Zero.
"I like digging holes."Zero says after a few minutes of silence pass.
"Then you're in the right place for it,buddy boy."Dr. Pendanski says.
I look at him with wide eyes.
What happened to the happy guy I met when I first got here?
I sit on Stanley's cot as he reads his letter from his mom and I read mine.
Mine says...
My dearest Angel,
I miss you so much. It's good to know that you've made friends. I'm not happy to know your the only girl there...especially after what Keith almost did. Anyways,we skipped our family trip since you aren't here. Gracie went into your room and saw your bow and arrows set and she bursted into tears. She really misses you. Hope is sick with meningitis so we're going to a hospital in Dallas. Do you like any of the boys from your tent?Tell me the truth!Anyways,please be safe and wear sunscreen baby girl.
Love your momma,
Allison
P.S.-Dad,Gracie,and Hope say hi!
P.S.S.-Don't get the flu from being in the water too much!
I sigh and fold up my letter. This is when I really need to be there for them. Stanley laughs.
"What're you laughing at?"I hear Zero ask.
"Oh,just something my mom wrote. She said,'I feel sorry for the little old lady who lived in the shoe 'cause it must've smelled really bad'."Stanley says before he and I laugh.
Zero just stares at us.
"You know,like the nursery rhyme?"Stanley says.
Zero stays quiet. What's wrong with him?
Stanley goes back to reading his letter and Zero looks over Stanley's shoulder at the letter.
"You know,I feel really uncomfortable with you reading over my shoulder like that so..."Stanley tells him.
"I can't read."Zero admits.
That must be terrible to not know how to read!
"Could you teach me?"Zero asks.
"Ya' know,I'm not a really good teacher and I get tired from digging all day. I just wanna come back and chill."Stanley says getting up from his cot.
He puts his hat on and walks outside.
"I'll teach you."I offer.
"Really?"Zero asks with a small smile.
"Really."I say.
"How about we start tomorrow after digging since you and I usually get done close to the same time?"I ask.
"Sure."He says smiling.
"Good."I say standing and side hugging him.
"I'm gonna go see the guys,you wanna come?"I ask.
"No,I'm gonna rest."He says.
"Okay well... come find me if you wanna hang out."I say smiling.
I leave and see Stanley with the rest of D tent. I go over and start clapping like Stanley while Armpit dances.
Armpit spins and raises his arms up.
"WOAH!"We all yell falling to the ground.
"Armpit,put it down!"We all yell.
ZigZag has to go over and push Armpit's arms down. He helps me and Squid up. We all laugh at Armpit and his confused face.
Maybe these next months won't be hard!
Please review and favorite and thanks to everyone who has! When this story ends, I will mention you all!