Chapter 31

Day 10 – Afternoon

Zeke woke up feeling the same way he felt yesterday. He was stiff, overheated, and hungry. But this time a new feeling was tacked on: boredom. He was sick of sleeping and letting Martha take care of him. His stomach stopped hurting and it had been more than twenty-four hours since he last threw up. He was healthy now.

It's time to get up.

He sat up and the little brown dots fogged over his vision. He waited a second, and they disappeared, letting him see again.

He got up carefully and exited the tent. He inhaled deeply. He hadn't been outside in what felt like forever. He noticed Martha sitting by the fire a walked over to sit by her, realizing he felt a little shaky.

"Are you tending the fire? 'Cause I can help."

"Zeke? You're up!" Martha squealed, "Are you ok?"

"I'm a little stiff, but it feels good to be moving around. Do you need help?"

"Oh, I actually wasn't doing anything. I just really don't feel good. I though sitting down would make me feel better, but I still have this horrible stomach ache. I'm worried I got something from you."

"Oh, that's not good. I'm sorry if you did. I really appreciate you helping me, though."

"No problem," she said softly.

HSM HSM HSM HSM

Late Afternoon

Trent and Kelsi were walking along the beach picking up driftwood to burn for fire.

"How's your ankle doing?" Trent asked.

"Much better. I can walk with out limping, obviously. It only hurts a little."

"That's good."

They walked in silence for a moment.

"So, when do you plan on telling everyone the truth?"

Trent stopped, "Who said I was telling anyone."

"Me. Remember?"

He grimaced.

"Oh c'mon! We went through this already! You have to tell them!"

"I don't have to do anything!"

"Look, it's better to tell them now before someone finds out. The longer you wait, the worse it'll be."

"Oh, so you mean their reactions will already be bad?"

"Well I'm sure they'll all be a little scared at first. I mean, I know I was. But then they'll realize you've done no harm to us and you're ready to put the past behind you. Well, most of them anyway."

"Look, I don't see the point in letting them know. I barely like any of them!"

"Just keep thinking about, ok. You'll make the right choice eventually."

"Whatever," he mumbled, grabbing another piece of wood.

HSM HSM HSM HSM

Jason VD:

Kelsi and Trent are out getting firewood. Again. I'm starting to wonder if that's all they do when they're together. That used to be me spending all that time with her. I need to talk to Kelsi. Now.

HSM HSM HSM HSM

Kelsi and Trent came back a few minutes after Jason put the camera away. After they put the drift wood with the rest of the firewood stack, Trent went out to help find food. Kelsi stayed behind leaving Jason with the perfect opportunity to talk to her.

"Look, I'm just gonna come right out and say it. What's going on with you and Trent?" he asked nervously.

Crap Kelsi thought does he know?

"Nothing," she managed to say. She hated lying to people's faces, especially to good friends of hers like Jason.

"You're sure? Nothing at all?"

"Positive," she smiled, but felt her face getting hot. She hoped he didn't notice.

"Alright. Just wanted to know."

Gosh, that was too close she thought. Trent better hurry up and tell them.

So I guess I was wrong, Jason thought, they're nothing but friends. I mean, Kelsi wouldn't lie to me, right?

He glanced over at Kelsi and realized she was walking over to the tents.

Ok then.

HSM HSM HSM HSM

Kelsi hurried over to the tents and the fire pit. She felt bad about just leaving him there, but she needed to get away before he could ask anymore questions. She didn't want to lie, abut she couldn't tell the truth. The best she could do was avoid the subject altogether.

She thought about this until she noticed Zeke tending the fire.

"Zeke! You're up!" she exclaimed.

"Hey Kels! Yeah, I feel so much better. It's nice to get a little fresh air. Of been able to eat a little bit, too."

"That's great!"

"Yeah, but I think I might have got Martha sick."

"Oh, that's not good."

"Yeah, she's lying in the tent now trying to sleep."

"Has she… um… thrown up at all?"

"No. Not yet, anyway."

"Well than don't start calling her sick yet. For all we know, it's all in her head and she's completely healthy."

Zeke thought for a moment, "I guess that could happen."

"Let's hope that's the case."

Just then, Ryan and Sharpay walked into camp holding bundles of fruit.

"Zeke! You're up!" Sharpay dropped all of her fruit and ran over to him. Kelsi laughed and went to help Ryan who was trying to pick it up without dropping his own.

"Are you ok? Do you still feel sick?"

"I'm fine. I feel great, actually."

Sharpay gave him a big bear hug, "I was so worried. I thought you were gonna…" she trailed off not even wanting to think about what could've happen.

"Well I'm here now. And healthy."

"Now that I know you're ok, I don't have to work to get my mind off of you!" she squealed.

Kelsi rolled her eyes.

"It was good while it lasted," Ryan whispered to her.

"What do you mean?" Zeke asked.

"When you were sick I got so worried and it was like I got hit with all the bad things that could happen here and I couldn't take it. I decided to do some work so I wouldn't think to much about it, but now that I know you're ok I realize that whatever bad thing gets thrown in our way, we'll pull through. So I have nothing to worry about."

"That doesn't mean you shouldn't keep helping around camp."

"But it doesn't mean I should either."

Zeke chuckled, "How about this? Help me with whatever little chores I have to do until I'm completely healthy."

"Deal."

A/N- I thought I'd write a long chapter. It's just over a thousand words so I'm satisfied, and hopefully you are too. On another note, I've broke 100 reviews!! Charmarctravis took the time to review all 30 chapters in a row, so thanks for that and thanks to everyone else who takes the time to review. Continue reviewing!!