"Could Ben and Summer please report to the Principle's office, please?" A voice rang over the intercom. I looked up to Kate. We both sat across from each other on my bed, painting each other's nails.
She shrugged her shoulders. "Wonder what I did this time." I sighed, getting up from my bed. "Don't finish without me." Kate nodded, looking back to her magazine. As soon, as I opened the door, Ben bumped into me. What a dork. We walked with each other down the stairs. "Any ideas?"
He thought for a few seconds. "Hmm.. maybe someone saw me in the girls' dorm." He suggested.
"But, no one was here? I never did get around to asking Kate where everyone went. I'll have to ask her later." I mumbled.
Ben laughed jokingly. "That is, if we aren't expelled." That would be awful. We would have no where to go. No family to go back to. Thanks a lot, Ben. Now I'm nervous. We walked into the main office. The secretary pointed us towards the Principle's office. When we entered, the Principle sat at his desk, a book in hand. Ben cleared his throat. "You wanted to see us, sir?."
He looked up from his book. "Yes, yes. Please do, sit down." He sat up straighter as we took our seats. "Now, down to business." I gulped slightly, feeling my palms begin to sweat. "It has come to my attention that there has been some inappropriate behavior going on under my nose." Ben shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I assume you two are familiar with Jack Shephard?" Wait, what? That was a complete one eighty from what I thought this conversation was going to be about. I glanced to Ben. His face hardened slightly. He is nervous. "I've been told from a numerous amount of people that there has been some conflict between you two and him and his group of friends. I called you both here to inform you that he and his friends have been expelled from The Ranger School. We no longer saw them fit to be Rangers. I see those qualities in the both of you. More recently in you, Ben. Whatever you are doing, continue with it." Ben nodded slightly. "Now, back to your activities. Thank you for coming in." He shooed us off.
I looked up to Ben's emotionless face. He stopped walking once we were around a corner. The halls were bare. "What's wrong?" I asked softly. "He is gone. We don't have to worry about him anymore."
He looked down at me, suddenly hugging me strongly. "Thank you." He whispered. W-what did I do? "Summer.. that could have been me. If you hadn't have changed me, I would still be hanging out with those pricks. I would have gotten expelled. There would be no where for me to go. Because of you, I'm still here."
He pulled away, leaning against the wall, his head hung low. "Hey, hey. Come on." I raised my hand to his cheek, caressing it gently. "You changed on your own. Be happy. You're still here, strong as ever. And you're going to stay that way. I know you will." I encouraged. He smiled, covering the hand on his cheek with his own. His warm hand felt good against my cold one.
"You're hands smell like nail polish remover." He laughed.
I smiled laughing quietly. "Kate and I decided to be extra girly and go the extra mile. Nail polish, makeovers, and hair styles."
Ben scoffed. "Sounds booooring." He exaggerated. My eyes lit up. His smile vanished. "Uh-uh. No way in hell. Absolutely not."
"Ben.. You look.. FABULOUS!" I squealed. Keith broke into laughter.
Kate tried to steady him. "Would you stop moving!" She barked. "You're going to make me mess up your eye shadow." He continued to laugh, trying to sit more still.
"So Kate, where was everyone yesterday?" I asked.
She pulled away from Keith's eyes. "It was like an entire school trip to town. Literally everyone went except you two." She laughed. Well that explains a lot.
I finished Ben's eye shadow. "Alright. Now for the eyeliner and mascara." He groaned. "If you don't move, it probably won't hurt." He groaned even louder. "Ohh, don't be such a baby. Now sit still." I scooted closer to him in the grass. The only way the guys let us do their makeup was under the condition that we did it outside so no one would be able to see. I carefully drew a straight line on his lid. "Okay, open your eye and look up." He did as he was told. I began drawing a straight line just under his water line. Suddenly, his nose crinkled up. "Ben, if you sneeze, you're going to get poked in the eye. He held it in. I finished with his right eye and went to the left. As I was about to finish, he let out a hellish sneeze. I gasped, my arm jerking.
"Oh my gods!" Ben hollered, grasping his eye. "You fucking stabbed me in the eye!" I broke into laughter, holding my stomach in pain, Kate and Keith doing the same. "How the hell do you girls do this all the time?"
Ben sat back up. I examined his eye. "You are a big baby. It's only a little bit red." He mumbled something under his breath. I sighed, leaning to his cheeks. My lips rested against his soft cheek. I heard a click and opened my eyes. Kate held a camera in her hands, pointing it at us. Heat rushed to my cheeks as I leaned against a tree trunk. Everyone laughed at my shyness.
Kate looked at the picture. "This is the cutest thing I've ever seen in my life!" She exclaimed. Ben and Keith got up to see it. Ben's mouth fell open.
"I look like a drag queen. Kate, make me a copy of this, then delete it." He ordered. She nodded her head, finishing her makeover on Keith. Ben sat back next to me, leaning against my shoulder. "Don't be such a party pooper. It was just a kiss on the cheek." He said nonchalantly. "Unless, you're feeling it." He winked jokingly.
My cheeks turned beet red. "If you all will excuse me." I said quietly, standing up and walking towards the school. I held my stomach uncomfortably. Why the hell am I so nervous? He just psychs me out so easily. A nap sounds really good right now.
I walked through the hallway, trying to weave my way to the dorms. The strange feeling of being watched loomed over me. Curiously, I stopped walking, hearing feet clatter behind me. Ohh great. I turned around, looking at a group of girls who were following me. "Can I help y'all?" I asked annoyed.
This one girl, with a fake ass orange tan, smiled. "Yea, Summer. We need to talk." I've seen her before. I just can't remember whom with. My arm was yanked to the side, as the girls lead me out of the building towards the lake where Jack.. Now I remember.. "So Summer, are you happy about getting Jack and all the guys expelled?" She growled.
A sigh escaped my mouth as I leaned against a tree. "Yeah, a bit actually. They were all kind of dicks." I countered, crossing my arms. "You are his 'girlfriend', right? What was your name again? He has been with so many girls, it's hard to remember."
"Bitch." She growled.
I laughed slightly. "Bitch? That's an odd name. Did your mom think you were a girl dog?" She lunged at me, only to be held back by her friends. "I think I outta be going now. Don't want your orange tan to rub off on me." Her eyes narrowed and her mouth fell open slightly.
"Hey, Summer!" She called as I walked away. "How are your parents?" She smirked.
With a smile plastered to my face, I turned to her. "They're dead. Thanks for asking!" I called and waved. They can't know how much that stung. My parents' death can't be another one of my many weaknesses. I already have too many as it is.
Chikorita made her way to my room by sneaking in through the window. At first I was startled because we are on the second floor but then I realized she can just use her vines. My brain is fried. Chikorita has just been laying with me, keeping me company. It's hard to believe Jack got kicked out. He deserved it and all, but that just puts a target on my and Ben's back for all the people who liked them. Just like the bitches today. Why can't things just be easy for once. There is always something complicating my life. Haven't I been through enough? Was my families death not enough? The only person I have left is Ben.
"Okay everyone. I have some good news and I have some bad news." Ms, April informed. I nudged Ben's shoulder, waking him up from his daze. "Let's start with the good news. You and the person you are sitting next to will be going to a selected ranger union in one of the many towns across the region." Chatter filled the room. Seems like everyone is pumped for it. "And on to the bad news. I regret to inform you all that I will be leaving the school for a while. I won't be back until next year. Your new teacher will be Mr. Gonzales." Everyone around me booed at the mention on him. "Shush, shush. I expect you all to be on your best behavior while I'm gone. Now, the person you will be going with to one of the ranger unions is the person you are sitting next to." Butterflies welled up in my stomach. Ben and I will be going together. Ms. April began reading down a list who was going where. "Kate and Keith, you two will be going to Green Ridge. The main ranger stationed there is Maurica. Treat her with respect. She is a loose cannon."
Keith raised his hand. "Ms. April, Green Ridge is around a two day walk from here. There is no way we can make it there today."
"In recent years, these internships have only been one day. This year is different. Your internship will be a week long. You all will have until tomorrow morning to reach your destination. The Ranger School will not be providing any help to its students. We believe you should experience going out there on your own without help. It will better prepare you for the real thing. Use your stylers for Pokemon assistance on getting there." She instructed, looking back down to her list. "Summer and Ben, the both of you will be going to Water's Edge. The main ranger's name is Achilles." I face palmed. Achilles, really? "Ben, don't get on his bad side. He isn't someone to go easy on newbies." She warned.
"Ma'am, have I ever let you down?" He grinned. Ms. April sighed and looked to me. I nodded, holding in a laugh.
The bell rang loudly. "Alright everyone, go pack and get outta here!"
Ben grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the classroom. "This is going to be great!" I nodded, trying to keep up with his fast pace. "Think of all the things we will be able to do!" He is such a child. he is acting like we are superheros. We made it to the lounge before anyone else. "Okay, hurry up and pack." He instructed.
I walked into my dorm room and began packing. All of a sudden, Chikorita came in through the window. "Hey, girl. Wanna come with me and Ben to the ranger union down in Water's Edge?" She jumped up and down on my bed. Okay, toothbrush, pajamas, extra clothes, personal hygiene items.. I'm all set. "Let's go." Chikorita hopped off the bed and followed me out the door. Ben was sitting down a couch with his backpack next to him. "Ready to go?" I asked, walking towards the stairs.
He groaned loudly. "Finally! You take forever to pack!" I looked up at the clock.
"Ben, it took me five minutes to pack." I sighed. Ben just shrugged his shoulders, following me down the stairs. We began our short journey to Water's Edge. "Have you been to this place before?" I asked, wanting to break the silence. Chikorita had fallen asleep on top of my head.
Ben stretched his arms above his head. "Yeah a few times. But I never knew rangers were stationed here. I would usually come here on the weekends to get away from everything going on at school." He trailed off. I nodded sadly, not wanting to press the matter further. We continued to walk in silence, our arms occasionally rubbing past each other. Goosebumps covered my arm each time. Finally, after about a half hour of walking, we arrived in town. People hustled about, in and out of different shops. A girl walked by me, ramming my shoulder. It was like she didn't even see me. Ben took hold of my hand. "Stay close. This is normal behavior for the people here." I nodded, walking closer to him. He lead me to the ranger union. We walked in to an empty lobby. "Hello? Intern Rangers here." He called out.
He released my hand, examining the front desk. "Ben! Stop being so nosy." I scolded. Chikorita hopped off my head, running next to Ben.
"Yeah, Ben. Why don't you listen to this beauty?" A deep voice spoke up. I turned around to an astonishingly attractive guy. He was about two feet taller than me with tousled beach blonde hair, dripping with water. He had a brilliant golden tan that complimented his deep green eyes. He had no shirt on, showing off his toned muscles. A surf board rested under his arm. He looked down at me, smiling gorgeously. "What's your name, Sweetheart?"
I cleared my throat, looking down at the ground. "Summer." I said quietly. The guy chucked softly.
"Summer? That's a real nice name." He took hold of my hand and kissed the back of it. My heart pounded in my chest. "The names Achilles. And I assume you are Ben?" He asked in a non-caring tone.
Ben grit his teeth, crossing his arms. "Well you know what assuming does. It just makes and ass out of-"
"Ben! Yes, that is his name." I scolded him once more.
Ben scoffed. "So what were you named after? A god or somethin'?" He challenged. Achilles opened his mouth to say something.
"Achilles was a demigod. Half god half mortal. He was a Greek hero during the Trojan War, most admired for his slaying of the Trojan prince, Hector." I growled, crossing my arms.
Achilles chuckled, resting his arm across my shoulders, earning a smile. "She knows her mythology. Maybe you should brush up on it." He challenged. Ben just rolled his eyes. "Anyway, sorry for my presence." He took off the velvet cuff attached to his ankle from the surfboard. Achilles, walked over to the front desk, placing the surfboard down. "I didn't expect my interns to get here so early. Thought I could catch a few waves before they got here."
"There is a beach around here?" I asked.
Achilles chuckled softly. "You've never been here before, have you?" I shook my head. "This town is legendary for it's waves. That's where the name 'Water's Edge came from. Surfers from around the world come here to surf in competitions." I nodded. "Ohh that remind me." Achilles reached for his swim trunks pockets. He pulled out four Pokeballs. "Alright everyone, say hello." He threw the balls up in the air. A Dratini, Magicarp, Vaporeon, and Kingdra appeared. My eyes lit up at the Pokemon. "When I was a few years younger than you two, I wanted to be a Pokemon trainer. I specialized in water Pokemon. Misty, Cerulean City's gym leader, and I are best friends and I helped her run the gym for a while since her sisters were always off doing shows. But then a few Team Rocket grunts ended up killing one of my most beloved Pokemon." His Pokemon instantly became sad, all crying out. "She was a Dewgong. I caught her as a Seel. She was my first Pokemon ever. When she died, I decided I wanted to devote my life to stopping organizations like Team Rocket. I came here with these Pokemon and I applied to be a Ranger. Now I'm the main Ranger in this town."
Ben and I gave each other sad looks. "Listen Achilles, I'm sorry for being a jerk." Ben apologized, holding out his hand. Achilles shook it firmly.
"Don't worry about it kid. Now, let's get this shit started." He smiled.
Alrighty, hopefully y'all enjoyed! -A (P.S. If anyone can figure out where I got the name 'Jack Shephard' from, you are pretty damn awesome!)
