Change of Plans

Chapter VII

Hard Times Ahead

To be honest, I lost all interest for the girl as soon as she opened her mouth. We walked so slow towards the Mess Hall, and my attention span was floating off into la-la land. Maybe it went to join this girl's modesty.

She would have been so hot, too…

Amie shrieked on about the heat. I winced at the pitch--although she didn't notice. Couldn't notice. Her hand grazed my chest in an effort to flirt.

Sigh.

D-tent filed into the small room, where the benches were lined up yet again in 'meeting' formation. My partner, Lindsey, shuffled by Amie and I.

The Warden approached the front and cleared her throat none-too-conspicuously. The room silenced, and I was so thankful the droning voice of the girl beside me stopped.

"All right, boys and girls. I'm going to get this over with quick. Girls, you are now at Camp Green Lake, where we believe the best way to turn a bad girl good is to make her dig a hole."

Silence ensued. Boy, where the girls in for a nice treat.

"After this meeting, Mr. Sir, my advisor, will be outside the door handing each girl two sets of jumpsuits, as your boy counterparts are modeling for you." I could feel Amie's gaze on my outfit, and the following sneer.

"No way," she insisted. I snorted.

The Warden went on and on about the basic rules of Camp Green Lake. She reiterated the fact that there would be a huge-ass fence between our camps, but also mentioned that the gate would be unlocked until 8 o'clock every night. And if the tents weren't on the right sides, they got their asses kicked.

Well, the Warden worded it as "severe punishment to those who were found sneaking around." But my translation remains accurate.

Camp Green Lake did, in fact, gain two basketball hoops, which were located (oddly) on the girls side. More room that direction for them, I suppose.

Shower tokens. Uniform washing. The basics of our camp were the same for their half. It was old news to me.

"And that's it, ladies and gentlemen," the Warden closed sarcastically. "Now, let's get out there and begin our first digging session as a co-ed camp!"

The enthusiasm was definitely not necessary. Everyone began to get up--I remained seated as Amie shot up from her seat. "Let's go, Alan!" Wince. "You need to show me this 'digging' thing!" Another wince. My mouth opened to completely dishearten the girl, but another voice cut me off.

"Actually, Amie, if you don't mind, Squid promised me last night that he'd show me the ropes of the camp."

Lindsey. Was I ever so happy to see the girl. I knew there was a reason I picked her!

Amie gave the most shocked look. Mouth gaped open, she released an inhuman gasp. "What? No, he didn't. Alan prefers me."

"Actually," Lindsey smirked, "he picked me for a reason. But I'm sure you can have your turn after me."

My eyebrows raised. Ouch.

Amie's confused gaze shifted to me. I shrugged.

"She's right. I did pick her; remember?"

Another gasp. Was everything a matter of life or death for this girl? Her face contorted into rage. "Fine! Whatever. He'll just come crawling back to me anyway!" She stepped closer to Lindsey, and I was tempted to push her back. "This isn't over, girlie!"

Girlie? Who was talking? Amie turned on her heel…well…flipflop and…well, flopped…out of the mess hall.

Only a few people were still filing out of the door. "I didn't realize it had started," Lindsey mused. I chuckled.

"We're in for quite the treat. You ready?" Lindsey nodded, and together we walked out of the Mess Hall. After she acquired her new garments (which, unlike the boy's, were red), we walked to the Library.

"Lindsey, meet the Library. This is where the shovels are kept. Obviously," I added as Lindsey grabbed a shovel. We continued on as I kept explaining. "It's also your measuring device. The shovel's supposedly five feet long." A nod. Good. We were getting somewhere.

"At noon, the water truck comes around. There's a line that goes in order of importance. Just stand with me. And don't forget to eat when lunch comes."

Lindsey and I made it to the digging site. Many D-tenters were beginning their holes, and it seemed like the girls were clueless. I smiled at my partner. "How are you doing so far?"

She smiled, nodding. "Great. Thanks for the help…you really don't need to…"

"Nah, it's 'kay. It's what I'm here for. Oh," I adjusted the bill of my hat. "you have any loose fabric?"

Lindsey cocked an eyebrow. "Just trust me." I looked her up and down. "Your t-shirt. Hope you don't mind sleeveless." With that, I tore the sleeves off her shirt rather easily, and Lindsey surprisingly didn't give me a protest in return.

Carefully I tied the fabric around the palms of both her hands. "I wish I had a partner for me when I was starting. This'll help with the blisters. It won't prevent 'em, but at least it'll be bearable."

Another nod. This girl was putting her full trust in my leadership. Which was kind of scary. I mean, I could lie to the poor girl and she wouldn't have any clue.

"And you're ready," I decided, giving her a good pat on the shoulder.

"Thanks, Squid." I nodded this time, then taking my shovel to a spot near X-ray.

"Man, you are all over this opportunity, you know that?" Came his voice from my left. My eyebrows furrowed.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

X-ray grinned. "I bet you don't. Just admit it," he played, "you're using the partner idea to your full advantage." I bit my tongue. "It's okay," X continued. "She's pretty, you know."

I chuckled. "I know." I started my hole rather grudgingly. "But that's not it. She needs me, I think. Not necessarily in a dependant way. But if I can help her adjust, then why shouldn't I?"

X nodded. "Okay. I'll agree. Just cut the philosophical crap."

I snorted. "Well, no one else in this tent can do it. It may as well be me!"

"I think Magnet has the potential," X-ray disagreed. My head turned to Magnet at his digging site. Currently he was crouched down over a small rock.

"Dude, man! Come look at this! It looks like a turd!" Expectedly, I turned back to X, who looked down in disappointment.

"Wanna run that by me again?" I joked. He shook his head and grunted in defeat as we both continued our holes.

I tried not to glance at my partner. Usually, I failed.

end

So that's seven. Hope you enjoyed.

Review!