I was walking down a hallway, to the door at the end. Subconsciously I checked behind me. Just instinct. I opened the door. Or I suppose it was my eyes. The first thing I saw was X-ray. He was looking at me, clearly worried. Then I saw Mr Pendanski, also worried. I sat up and put a hand on my head. It hurt. Then I noticed I was inside.
"What happened?" I asked.
"You fainted, and X-ray carried you back. Are you ok?" Mr Pendanski asked.
"Yeah," I said, standing up and swaying wildly, "How long was I out?"
"Not long. Only about half an hour," X-ray said. He had also stood up, and was ready to catch me if I fell.
"I'm fine," I insisted, getting annoyed at them.
"Glad to hear it," Mr Sir said. I hadn't heard him come in, "Now, what's all this on your bed?"
"On my bed?" it was then I noticed we were in the 'bedroom' and I was on X-ray's bed. Mr Sir was at mine, looking at all the stuff I'd taken from his office, "I don't know, never seen it before,"
"Don't lie to me, your bag's here,"
"Ok, I've seen the bag, but never the other stuff," he looked at me, "Oh come on! You don't think I'd be as stupid as to putting it on my own bed! Give me some credit!"
"Well, you were caught," he said. My blood started to boil and I opened my mouth to reply, but I saw X-ray shaking his head discreetly from the corner of my eye. I shrugged and Mr Sir walked out, with all the stuff.
"I really am fine," I told Mr Pendanski. He nodded and walked out too.
"That was close," X-ray said, "You've got to watch your temper,"
"I wasn't going to tell him," I said, though I was, "I'm not that proud," though I am.
"Whatever," he muttered, "You're welcome,"
"Thank you," I said, and headed toward the wreck-room. There were some other boys in there, but no girls.
"Camp D sits there," X-ray said, pointing to the corner. Two boys were sitting there talking. I headed over to them and sat on the sofa. They both stopped talking to look at me.
"What?" I asked.
"Jodie, right?"
"Right,"
"I'm Magnet," said the first boy. He was the one who would be sleeping next to her.
"I'm Zigzag,"
"Hey Zig," X-ray said, "Swap with me,"
I glared at him. Zigzag was closet to me. But he stood up and X-ray took his seat.
"What happened to 'it leads to nothing'" I muttered when Magnet and Zigzag had struck up their conversation again.
"This isn't about us, it's about you," he muttered back, "Zig is crazy,"
"Oh," I said, leaning back in my chair. He watched me, and it really creeped me out, but I tried not to think about it too much.
After about an hour all of camp D was here.
"Are you a lesbian?" asked someone on the floor next to me.
"No," I said, laughing. X-ray laughed with me, and muttered something to Magnet. He looked at me, surprised, and I blushed and thumped X-ray.
"What?" Someone asked.
"Nothing," X-ray said, but Magnet was already whispering.
"Oh damn it! X-ray!" they shouted. I was about to protest when he led me outside.
"What the hell!" I shouted, "I'm going in there to tell them it meant nothing. I tried to get past him, but he blocked the door.
"If you do that, they'll all want a go," he said, "You just have to pretend you're mine, or it won't end well for you,"
"Why the hell did you tell?" I asked, furious. He shrugged,
"Pride," he said, smirking. And then I hit him. Only, X-ray must have seen this coming, because he blocked it, "Sorry, baby, but you're mine. Go on, try it. I dare you,"
I groaned, "I hate you," I said, he shrugged and put a hand around my waist, "No," I said, stepping away from him. He shrugged and they walked in. Someone had taken my seat, but X-ray's hadn't been touched. I sat on the ground, and he pulled me over to his feet. He played with my hair as everyone talked. I didn't really pay attention; I was trying to think of ways to get out of this.
People started to leave, until it was just me, X-ray, Magnet and Armpit in the room. I had worked out that these were his second and third in command. So what was I? His bitch? No way? I would not be looked at like that.
"So Jodie," Armpit said. I looked up, "Why X-ray,"
I shrugged and they laughed.
"It was instant, wasn't it?" X-ray said. I looked up at him, eyebrows raised. But I kept looking. I hoped it would look like I was gazing into his eyes for the other two, but X-ray knew I was giving him a warning.
"Hey, Magnet?"
"Yeah?"
"Can we swap beds?" I froze.
"Sorry, no can do, mom's keeping a close eye on me," I relaxed. Too soon.
"I'll swap with Jodie," Armpit said. I looked up at him. He was grinning at me, and I smiled back.
"Perfect," he started talking, but I zoned out.
I was tired and leant my head back onto X-rays legs.
"Jodie," Someone said, "Baby, come on," I opened my eyes to find everyone waking up.
"I don't remember going to bed," I said.
"I carried you through," I glared at him, "It' not my fault you're so light," he protested. I groaned and got up.
Getting up early isn't a problem for me. It's natural. I've been up way earlier than half four. So I got changed quickly, and joined the boys to get their shovels.
When we were digging, X-ray wandered over to me, "If you find anything, give it to me,"
"No," I said, and kept digging. He jumped into my three foot hole.
"What?" he asked.
"No," he came towards me slowly. When he reached me, he wrapped his arms around my waist.
"Pardon?"
"No," I said, smiling sweetly at him. He backed us against the edge.
"Everyone gives me stuff,"
"Not me," I said. And he kissed me. I knew I couldn't pull away or the others would 'want a turn', but it didn't mean I had to like it. I stood on tiptoe and put my lips to his ear and whispered, "Stop it," I felt him smirk against my cheek.
"No," he said, and kissed me harder. I had no choice but to kiss him back. I heard cattercalls from all around us and stood up to whisper in his ear.
"You're just showing off,"
"Can you blame me? I have an insanely hot girlfriend," I blushed and thumped him arm.
"Go and dig your hole,"
"I'd like to dig your hole," he murmured in my ear.
"Be my guest, though I'd probably be quicker myself,"
He laughed and climbed out. I heard him exchanging hi-fives with the other boys. I sighed and continued digging.
It was only half an hour later when X-ray came back. One minute I'm digging, the next I feel two hands on my hips, guiding. I giggled and spun around. This relationship was actually quite fun.
"Hello," I said, "Goodbye,"
"You can't keep sending me back if you're going to drive me wild,"
"How so?"
"Have you any idea how tight that suit is? Or how hot you look when you bend over?"
"Nope," I said, "Goodbye," and I shoved him. He frowned and climbed out.
After an hour, I was finished. I was about to walk away when X-ray told me to spit in it. I shrugged and did so. Of course, I was first back so had my quick shower.
I was getting changed into my other suit when X-ray came in. His strong arms fastened around my torso.
"X-ray," I said, "You know this isn't real," I felt him shrug and kiss down my back. I sighed and leant back into him. He smirked against my skin.
"Isn't it?" he asked. I had been asking myself the same question over and over. But it wasn't, I had decided.
"No," I said, pulling up my boiler suit. He pouted and I laughed.
"Where are the rest of them?"
"Digging. My hole, and theirs,"
"Man, you guys are slow,"
"Do you like it fast?" he asked innocently. I laughed and walked over to the wreck room. I'm sure X-ray would have continued the act if mom hadn't been there.
"Hello Jodie," he said.
"Hey," I replied, sitting on the sofa. X-ray sat next to me.
"How's it going?" he asked me. I shrugged.
"Fine,"
"She can dig, mom,"
"So I've seen," mm said, "As can you,"
"Not as fast,"
"True,"
"Hey mom," X-ray said, "Any chance of something to eat, I'm starving,"
"Well, not officially," he said. But he left, and then came back with two plates of curry.
"Thanks mom!"
"It's our secret," he said, handing me the second plate. I ate it hungrily. When I was done I looked up to see two shocked faces.
"Incredible,"
"What?"
"Where does it all go?" I laughed,
"Did you expect me to eat nothing?" they nodded.
"I was even going to force feed you!" mom said. I laughed as X-ray finished his plateful. Then mom left. I got up and went to brush my teeth. When I got back, Armpit and Magnet were on the chairs. I took the seat next to X-ray. I snuggled into his chest as the other two look as him enviously.
"How did you get a girl like that?" Magnet asked.
"Um... hello? Still here?" I said.
"Yeah, Magnet, learn some respect," X-ray said, miming horror. I laughed and swatted at him. He caught my hand and kissed it. I closed my eyes. Finally he let it go and kissed my lips. I pulled away before it got too serious, and saw Magnet and Armpit staring at us.
Zigzag came in then.
"You're in my seat!" he yelled at me.
"Calm down mate," X-ray said, and pulled me onto his knee. I looked at him questioningly, but he shook his head and whispered in my ear, "Told you he's crazy,"
That wasn't the end of it. I didn't want to be carried to bed again, so I got up to leave with X-ray. Only I accidently touched Zigzag. He screamed and hit me across the head. X-ray got up to hit him back, but I was faster. I slammed my fist into his face and heard a satisfying crunch. X-ray stared at me open mouthed. As did Armpit and Magnet.
"Well," Armpit said, "You can handle yourself. So we know you're not with him for protection,"
"Magnet, Armpit," X-ray said, "Sort him out," he nodded towards Zigzag, then pulled me out of the room by my hand. When we were outside, I let go, "Are you ok?" X-ray asked.
"I'm fine, I've had worse," X-ray winced, and touched the top of my head. He pulled his hand away, and it was covered in blood.
"No, you're going to see mom," and I didn't even get to walk there, in case I fell. Instead, X-ray carried me.
"X-ray put me down, I'm fine," I said as we neared the councillors tent, but he just shook his head and sped up. They were there in a matter of seconds, even though it was a good five hundred meters away.
"Mom?" X-ray said at the entrance, finally putting me down. I swayed, and he put a hand on the small of my back the steady me, "Mom? You in there?"
"What is it?" he asked gruffly, coming out.
"Jodie, she's hurt herself," mom came right out.
"What did you do?"
"Fell over," I mumbled. X-ray frowned at me, but didn't say anything.
"It'll need some stitches," he said, after he'd inspected it, "And you didn't fall over,"
"No,"
"Who hit you?"
"I'm sure you'll find out soon enough," X-ray said. Mom looked at him, but didn't say anything. When I was finished, he told me to go and have a shower, to get rid of the blood.
Sure enough, when we went out, Armpit and Magnet were carrying Zigzag.
"You ok, Jodie?" Magnet wheezed.
"Yeah," I said, "Let me help you," they smiled, but X-ray frowned. We weren't far from the tent, so I slung him over one shoulder and walked easily to the tent. Magnet went in front, to tell mom, and Armpit behind, to catch me.
When I got there, mom was watching from the doorway.
"Bring him in!" he called. I walked through the door and put him on the table.
"Night, mom," I said, walking through the door.
"Ok, so it's not for the strength," Armpit said, laughing. But his voice sounded distant. Everything started spinning. Then I was looking at the desert side on.
"Jodie!" someone called. And then it all went black.