Another chapter! Enjoy my faithful readers ;D
Monday: June 3rd, 2010 – 12:00 P.M. (Deserted Island: Barnyard)
The song that Mr. Eikner had played over the intercom began to become orchestrated with the rumbling thunder as well as the pit-patting of the rain as it met the ground. However, Drake literally couldn't believe what he was hearing as the song, Raindrops Are Falling On My Head by BJ Thomas continued to ring in a harmonious fashion.
Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed
Nothin' seems to fit, those
Raindrops keep fallin' on my head, they keep fallin'
…
The cheery song echoed through the wavering trees and soared past the beaches to leave a disturbed feeling of optimism. As if there even was any…let alone sanity. "Good Afternoon my little warriors!" Mr. Eikner cheered while humming to the song as he reduced the volume so that he could be heard properly. "Oh my, this song is fantastic! Just thought I'd play it for you all to get your motivation gears grinding because after seeing the death toll…heh, I wasn't so pleased with the turn out."
Drake merely stood there in the pouring rain as if someone were dumping buckets of ice cold water onto his body; listening with a feeling of hatred within his heart. "F-Fucker…" he groaned with his eyes still fixed on the gray clumps he made out to be clouds as if the twisted teacher was hiding within them.
Mr. Eikner began to clear his throat as he began to shuffle a few papers as if getting ready to recite a speech. "Alright…let's see who died shall we little warriors? Okay…" after scanning the list for a few tense seconds with nothing but the sound of a joyous trumpet from the song being heard, he began to sigh in great disapproval. "Hmph…only one. I swear! If it were up to me-" before he could even finish his hateful comment filled with spite and frustration, a lieutenant began to whisper in a frantic manner with a few soothing sounds attached in order to calm him down.
"Sir! Don't!" he hissed in an upset as the song began to come to a rather positive close, leaving Drake with nothing to listen to, but the roaring sound of the thunderous skies as well as the rain. He heard a few grunts over the intercom as well as a frightening sound…like a remote being fumbled. Was he going to detonate their collars? It didn't matter, the lieutenant seemed to have calmed him down just in time.
Pit-Pat-Pit-Pat… The rain continued to pour endlessly onto the road Drake was standing stiffly on and he watched streams of it rush down the sides of the street into the gutters.
The sound of Mr. Eikner taking in a deep breath of air became emitted from the speaker in the form of uncomfortable feedback. "Okay…I'm fine. Look, let's just get on with the lovely announcements shall we?" he switched his entire tone of voice completely like some light switch and began to chuckle merrily. "Now…here's the unlucky victim! Our Lord of the Dorks! Boy # 20…Josh Nichols."
"Huh…" Drake whispered with his eyes gradually going wide like a balloon expanding with air. His brother's name hung in the dead air for what seemed like hours while Drake stood there in a complete, dumbstruck state. "No…he-No! He was…h-he c-couldn't have…" he couldn't even speak and he jerked his head down so that he was facing the ground and shook it with great force like he was trying to shake some bad dream. "No! He-He…J-Josh he- He said that…Josh…Josh!" Drake began to turn a shade of hot red as hysteria began to overtake his frail body. He fell to his knees in an upset as his entire mouth trembled madly from the sobs spilling from it. Snot and tears were freely flowing from all the crevices on his dripping face.
"Drake?"
"What up?"
"I want you to handle this,"
"What?"
"Definitely, you were always the one with a knack for guns. I don't even know where the safety is on this thing. It's better off in the hands of a genius musician who's a pro with his hands…don't you think? Besides, I'm a gamer. The only gun I've ever fired was one in Call of Duty…"
"Gamer…Call of Duty…damn it Josh! Why you!? Y-You…No! Not you! You can't be dead!" Drake screeched to the heavens above with his eyes burning with tears. "You didn't deserve this…No one deserves the shit this game, or whatever the hell this is, has to offer! Fuck it all!"
"So, Josh. I was thinking of taking Amanda McKay out on a second date…" Drake began to slowly say as if he were about to lead up to something that concerned Josh. It was freshman year, and they were both had opposite plans for the weekend. "And she offered to let you come along on a double date," he finished with a sly grin. Josh simply smiled with a shake of the head before sitting down on his queen sized bed.
"I don't think so Drake," he sighed calmly before reaching under his soft pillow to retrieve his beloved Galaxy Wars comic. This had to be tenth time he's read this specific issue where Princess Oblongata is kidnapped and has to maneuver out of her captor's grip on her own. It was actually pretty good, but Josh couldn't wait for the next one to be released along with many other crazed fans.
"Josh!" Drake sighed in disappointment before walking over to his brother's plush bed. His hands were deeply tucked into his skinny jeans pockets as he took a seat next to his dorky stepbrother who was deeply invested in his comic. "C'mon man, double date! That has to mean something to you…I think she's bringing Kacey along." He grinned while tugging on the boy's comic and bringing it down to reveal his pale face.
"Yeah," Josh began with an irritated sigh. "Kacey is pretty…"
"Pretty? More like super hot!" Drake exclaimed with a wide smile. "Now get your shoes on and let's roll-"
"Drake! I told you that I wasn't interested…look, you go. I'm sorry for being such a downer," Josh groaned while shaking the comic from his carefree brother's pinching grip and bringing it up to mask his face. Drake only sat there for a few seconds as the smell of their mother's cooking drifted through the vents and into their cozy loft. Drake's high elevated bed contained a mess spread of CDs from his favorite bands as well as a few sheets of paper that contained at least twenty girls' phone numbers on each one.
"Josh, I didn't mean to…why are you being all defensive bro?" Drake whispered with an arched brow. Josh merely shrugged his shoulders with his face buried deeper in the comic book pages.
"It's nothing Drake," Josh grumbled which was rather rare in Josh's case. He had to be extremely upset about something in order to be this grouchy.
"It's obviously not 'nothing', now what's going on?" Drake said with a concerned tone as he placed his hand on Josh's broad shoulder. The faint sound of slow rock music was filling the room from Drake's expensive boom box as the tense silence hung over them.
"I…I just don't…I just can't actually. I can't tell you," Josh whispered with his voice becoming vulnerable like before.
"What? Why not? C'mon Josh we're brothers."
"It's just…It's so embarrassing. I haven't even told my dad this."
"Whoa! Dude…are you gay?"
"What!? No! I-I…Jeez Drake…It's just something I've never had the courage to talk about."
"What then? You can tell me…I won't tell anyone I swear," Drake gave an encouraging smile as he squeezed the nerdy boy's trembling shoulder. Why was he shaking? He must have a horrible secret if he's shivering this much.
Josh drew in a deep breath as he gathered his courage, and pursed his lips before saying his next sentence," When I was seven…my aunt she…" Josh only felt his throat tighten as he spoke and his voice almost broke instantly.
'Aunt Cindy? Why are you making me do this?'
'Because…this is how you show love…this how I show my love for you and this how you show your love for me.'
"Josh? Your aunt? Aunt Cindy? Your dad's sister? Josh…what's going on? What did she do?" Drake asked with a careful whisper as he spotted the break in his brother's voice.
"S-She…um…She," Josh just couldn't say it. It felt horribly painful every time he thought about those memories. "She molested me…"
"What?" Drake almost felt his insides lurch after hearing this horrific statement.
"Yeah. She walked in on me when I was taking a bath and…she did things and…I guess it kind of screwed me up when it comes to liking girls. I guess I just can't without thinking about her…"
"Josh, dude I'm so sorry. If you want, I can stay here and we can just…talk," Drake suggested with a comforting grin.
Josh simply put on his best smile that spilled over with kindness. "No, it's okay. You go have fun…I'll just go down and help mom with dinner, and catch some Oprah on the TV in the living room."
"Oprah? Oh…DVR?"
"You know it brotha," Josh gave a joyous laugh while he lifted himself off of his comfortable bed. He threw his arms around his closest friend known as Drake Parker with a beaming smile on his calm face. "I couldn't ask for a better brother…"
"Ditto…we'll always be bros…always," Drake laughed whole-heartedly.
"Yeah…"
Drake nearly felt his insides die out like flickering light bulbs in the pitch black dark. The sound of Mr. Eikner's cheery voice sounded like a muffled series of noises as if Drake's damp ears were plugged. He was probably announcing those pesky danger zones right now, or maybe he was cracking a bunch of psychotic jokes…or maybe he was poking fun about Josh and his death. Drake didn't care, all he thought about was his brother. Even if he missed the danger zones and when they would be put into effect. He didn't care…he would rather die anyways now that he had no one to turn to.
"Damn!" he hissed with his teeth barred in overwhelming frustration. "That bitch…Lucy! That fucking bitch! She killed him! Damn it all!" he began to pound his fist into black tar of the road he was on; murky puddles of water were splashing violently from the punches. As he continued to do so, his knuckles began to bleed from the contact and pain surged through his hand.
I'm gonna miss you man," Drake smiled with tears in his sad brown eyes as they continued to share their family moment. Josh smiled peacefully as well with a look of nostalgia on his face while Drake squeezed him a bit tighter as they ended their embrace.
"Me too, but don't worry…this isn't truly goodbye okay?" Josh gave a kind and warm smile as he held Drake by his skinny arms. "We'll meet up again…okay?"
He knew…he knew that if he hadn't left Josh with Lucy, he would still be here. If he only shot the disturbed, red-streak haired murderess when he had the chance!
"Why didn't I just pull the trigger? She would be dead and Josh would still be here if I just pulled the damn trigger!" Drake continued to screech into the raining skies while Mr. Eikner finished up the announcements like some weird deranged principal greeting his students in the morning.
"Well, Well…As long as you all get the game finished by the time limit, all should be swell. Now! Make me proud my little stars! The audience is going to be watching when this all gets released next week and they want a good show, so…give it to them! When I come back in six hours I expect to see more names racked up on my death sheet! Oh, And Remember To Have fun!" with that, the twisted teacher signed off and the sound of rain hitting the ground became the only thing audible.
Drake heard crows cawing above as he started to walk forward with his fists balled in rage. He slowly strutted past True's body once again and down the road as the puddles of water splashed underneath the soles of his shoes. Where to now? Was the only question he could think of as the drops of rain slammed against his pale face and chocolate brown hair.
16 Students remaining
Monday: June 3rd, 2010 – 12:10 P.M. (Deserted Island: Farmhouse)
Felix's POV
How nice…a warm house with no one inside. Just peace and tranquility, and those damn raindrops! I hear them slam against the roof of the house while I pack my bags once again after spending the remainder of the night in this lovely abode. At first, I smelt beans of some sort…it was disgusting. Vulgar meals for vulgar roaches, not me. Oh hell no…I will never eat such slop!
Luckily, I packed an arrangement of lobster tail as well as a fine dish of caviar that I could enjoy after I managed to get in this establishment. It was securely locked up, but thankfully I was able to pry the door open with a crowbar lying outside near the barn. Hm…
I place my velvet coat inside my leather bag from home as well as a few other essentials. The light is fairly dim considering the only light source I could find was a dingy candle! However, the gray bits of light from the outside are still leaking in through cracks that the tarp has made. My leather bag sits eloquently on the salmon colored couch as I begin to fasten and zip it up. I sling it over my shoulder with Jade's magnum in my hand…actually I haven't a clue who this gun originally belonged to. It might have been someone else's…bah! Who cares!? It's mine now, and just like those hideous losers. Andre, Hayley and Jake…Jake, perfect definition of vulgarity! I can't wait to rid this island of scum!
According to the last report only ten minutes ago…that video game nerd died, hmph! Good riddance…only fifteen others to watch for. One of them being Beck. Damn! That moronic Martial arts expert just had to get involved didn't he! No matter. After I find them…they're as good as dead.
I snicker satisfyingly before grasping the gun with a tight grip on the handle and move over to ocean blue door that would lead to the front of the house. Was that screaming I heard a few minutes ago? I think it was…maybe going out the front isn't a great idea. I feel the weight of my bag pull down on me thanks to the precious weaponry I have inside it. An Uzi…now that is the weapon I should have had in the first place…a Katana (who did that belong to?)…a few grenades…and a large supply of that horrible bread and a few bottles of water. Oh, and let us not forget my original weapon. My bulletproof vest!
I pat my stomach as if I were a tribal man from within the jungles and look around and over my shoulder to see the dim lit kitchen. There has to be a back way out…I manage to shimmy my way out of a window and after dressing myself properly for the rainy weather (An expensive leather jacket my father bought me from a high end store in Manhattan) I creep along the backside of the house. I pull the hood up over my head to keep my gelled hair from being utterly ruined before I fix my semi-broken glasses.
Who was the moron responsible for those ridiculous screams? It couldn't have been the stupid dancing dreamer, True! That bitch is long gone! I laugh to myself as I spot her body lying on the road. I crouch down in absolute caution as I slowly walk along the lonely road- wait, isn't that from a song? Oh like it matters.
I feel the puddles of disgusting rain water seep into my nice dress shoes which does nothing but make me sigh in annoyance. I could be at home right now enjoying a nice glass of wine in the foyer! But, no…I'm with these horrid fools on this filthy, animal infested island. Oh well, I'll be home soon enough after I kill the rest of these vermin. I clutch the gun and point it at the ground as I walk down the road with the rain and mist hiding the scenes up ahead. What is up there…or rather, who is up there? Like I should care. I have this as well as a whole assortment of beautiful weapons and a Kevlar vest to top it all off. I'm unstoppable.
I move a bit closer and seem to make out a figure…a person! Well then, how quaint…
I watch this gentleman walk right in front of me as if he has no clue of where he is going. Perfect. He can be my…fourth kill. I see him stop suddenly. Maybe he's stopping to check his map or something. Anyways, I slowly sneak up with his body becoming more and more visible with each creeping step. Brown hair, thin like a twig…who is this imbecile? Oh well…
I'm literally six feet away from him at this point and I feel my finger rest against the slippery trigger as I bring the gun up so that it is pointed at his head. Felix Garcia, never let these fools get away! They deserve nothing but the depths of hell! All of them…deserve death.
Without another second going by, I pull the trigger and feel the rebound of the gunshot surge through my arm. The nozzle of the magnum spews out a blue and red flame as the sound of the ear aching shot fills my ears and beats my ear drum. Well then, looks like I only have fourteen to worry about now…
As I smile with satisfaction, I slowly bring the gun down so that it is facing the street, but something doesn't seem right. Where is the damn body? I look back and forth with a feeling of confusion arising in my mind as I look all around me. Where did that piece of shit run off to!?
"Nice try," a voice bluntly says behind me. What? What the hell? How did- no…Damn this piece of crap! How dare he! I slowly turn around with a feeling of anger as I see this fool's drenched face. It's that rock star doofus, Drake…Drake Parker! I look and see that his face is red…why in the hell is his face red? Is he angry or something? Oh, that's right. His pathetic brother died…aw, boohoo how sad…not my problem jackass.
Wait? Where's my gun?
"Nice piece Felix," I hear him mutter with a grin as he points…my MAGNUM AT ME! That fucking asshole! He stole my gun! No, compose yourself Felix. This one cannot get away. Not like Beck…
"No!" I cry out with pity. This one has to die…convince him you're just a petty piece in the game who's scared out of their senses. "Don't shoot! I thought…Drake? I thought you were…I'm not…I'm not playing!"
Drake's POV
This lying sack of shit! He fired the gun at me! How can this spoiled little piece of crap sit there and tell me he's not playing? Thankfully, I heard him coming and was able to dive to the right just when he fired his gun. Oh man…I can't handle this game anymore. Wait? Why am I calling this a game? Screw that! It's a death sentence! A death sentence for forty-one kids…A death sentence that my bro did not deserve.
Felix…the dick who thought he was better than everyone else. He can't go…I won't let him! Not like Josh…I let Lucy go and she killed him…If I just pulled the trigger he would still be here. No more chances…no more.
"I didn't know if you were playing!" I hear him yell at me with regret on his face whilst the rain drenches me, but it rolls off of him due to his nice looking jacket. "Wait! Oh my…you are playing aren't you!? Y-You have the gun pointed right at me!" he hollers with his eyes glued to the gun in my hands. I took it from him while I was dodging the gunshot and he was too preoccupied with missing me to have noticed…
"No…I'm not," I seethe through my teeth with my eyes closed. Too much lying…all this lying…it's just pissing me off!
"Really!? But…he was playing too! I saw him kill her! True! I saw him shoot her down and…Drake! Please don't kill me!" he cries with his lips quivering from the cold, or it might be from the emotions he's feeling. Blah! I don't give a shit…why should I? No one cared about my bro and how he felt…so why should I care about this prick? Tell Me Why?
"Please Drake!" he continues to scream at me with a red as hell face. "Don't do this! Not me! Please! How can you do this! Oh God! Was it you!? Did you kill True?"
Is he serious!? He's accusing me of True's death! I would never hurt her! I wouldn't hurt any of them! Well…anyone except Lucy…and maybe him.
"No," I grunt in irritation as I narrow my eyes at him while thunder boasts above us. I see a flash of lightning up ahead through the foggy mists as an image of Josh enters my head.
"Josh, dude I'm so sorry. If you want, I can stay here and we can just…talk."
"No, it's okay. You go have fun…I'll just go down and help mom with dinner, and catch some Oprah."
"Oprah? Oh…DVR?"
"You know it brotha."
If only…I pulled the trigger…he'd still be here! Would I have…Would you have done the same for me Josh? Would Lucy still have killed you if I stuck around? Why in the hell did I leave you? Damn!
"I…No more…for J-Josh…for him only!" I grumble in anguish after seeing his smiling form in my head. Felix merely looks at me with his eyebrow arched in confusion as I say these things…
I don't know. Would killing Felix bring him back? Of course not…but will letting him live be a better choice? Maybe. Wow Drake…always have to answer the hard questions with maybe. Maybe this and maybe that. Always a maybe…Why are decisions like these always the hardest?
Ha…who knew that the choices and decisions we make in a situation like this would be harder than Mrs. Hayfer's tests. Yeah, I always failed them…miracle that I was able to graduate.
Hated tests with a passion…but this is a test I cannot fail!
16 Students Remaining
Monday: June 3rd, 2010 – 12:38 P.M. (Deserted Island: Lighthouse)
Zander had promised Kendall and the others that he would stop by here and there in order to check in and see if everything was okay. At the moment, he was sitting in an uncomfortable folding chair that James had found in the supply closet downstairs and had a nice hot cup of cocoa in his freezing hand that Carly had fixed for him…that girl was just too sweet for words. He was observing Beck's sleeping form with a calm expression on his pale face as the rain drizzled down the window just overhead. He checked his shining tracker's screen in his unoccupied hand as it continued to blink rapidly with seven other dots flashing all in one spot at a quick pace. Those seven dots were Kendall, James, Logan, Carlos, Carly and Cat…Beck too. He had to find someone else though. He had to before it was too late, then he would meet up with the lighthouse gang once again so Beck can take them to Katniss and Tori…They'd finally escape…no more of this nightmarish game.
"Hey!" a voice friendly laughs from the doorframe causing Zander to turn his head around in one swift motion. It was the tallest boy in their class as well as on the basketball team, James Diamond. His perfect smile shining like the positive sun as he leaned against the door frame in a casual manner. "We're going to be fixing Dinner pretty soon, and you know how Carly is with her spaghetti tacos."
Zander gave off a shy smile as James began strut over to him with a boyish grin. "Spaghetti tacos?" Zander chuckled with his tired body still slumped in the folding chair. In all honesty, Carly's famous Spaghetti Taco dish was a five-star delicacy in their class. Everyone loved them…especially Cat. It was actually Carly's older and artistically gifted brother, Spencer who taught her to make them. He probably misses her to death…making yet another sculpture in her honor and hoping that she comes back to their crazily decorated apartment.
"Yeah!" James enthusiastically beamed as he plopd down on the opposite bed from Beck that seemed dull due to the pale gray light coming in from the window. "It's gonna be delish!"
"I bet…" Zander sighed with a faint smile before taking a longing sip of the melted chocolate. "Wow…this is great. You all must be pretty stocked up, huh?"
James nodded with a great big smile before leaning forward with his forearms resting on his knees. "Duh! Of course, but Zander…you can stay too you know. You don't have to go out…there you know? It's safe here. Kendall has it all figured out…yeah, the leader of the pact! Kendall's always been there for us!" the charming boy laughed with his soft bangs swooping over his amazing brown eyes. The room seemed dim thanks to the rain obscuring the sunlight and the only sound that was audible was the rain tapping against the window pane as well as the thunder blasting from the skies.
"I wish I could James, but I just can't. I have to find someone…someone I've known for a very long time. I have to make sure their safe," Zander spoke with determination in his voice while he clenched the handle of the piping hot cup he was holding.
James merely titled his head to the side like a confused dog before letting a comforting grin come onto his face. "Who is it?" James asked with a friendly smile. "Wait, I know it's a girl…but who is it?" The room nearly sounded dead…the voices of the five other lighthouse inhabitants were silenced due to Kendall closing the vents to keep the cold air from outside out of the building.
"Kacey…Kacey Simon," Zander answered with a shy smile. James only chuckled in an amusing tone while standing up onto his two feet; leaving an imprint on the bed he was sitting on.
"Kacey, eh?" James smirked while stretching his back with a groan. Zander gave him a slight grin before turning a shade of bubblegum pink. "Don't be so embarrassed! Your concern for her is…sweet. Obvious, but…sweet and let's leave it at that." James brought his firm hand up to Zander's shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
"Thanks…I-I uh…I guess," the martial arts expert stuttered with his nervous fingers scratching the back of his moist neck that still had water droplets on it. "I just hope I can find her in time."
"You will. You're Zander for crying out loud! Use you kick ass kung-fu! That'll get her to fall for you instantly!" James cheered while shaking Zander ruthlessly. In response, Zander gave off a cheery laugh while looking over to Beck's sleeping form as if he was in a peaceful coma. He watched his chest rise and fall in slow, but calm motions as the bandages covering his wounded torso were squeezing against his skin.
"James, you're a great guy…it's a miracle you don't have a girlfriend yet," Zander sighed as he lightly punched James' broad shoulder playfully with a light laugh leaving him. James only smiled faintly at the compliment but felt insides twist painfully at the words. A girlfriend…That word was something the handsome brunette never thought of when it came to someone he liked.
Usually when you think of James Diamond, you picture a star basketball player with looks that can kill who can have any girl he wants. That's how everyone saw him…but it was all a lie. That's not what he was. Not one single bit…at the most it confused him. He always thought of himself having a girlfriend, but he never felt like getting one. It was a strange feeling whenever his three friends were talking about girls...he felt so out of place to put it bluntly.
He never understood what love really was in the sense of being with a girl. Sure he's had sex with plenty of them once or twice (obviously without his friends and family knowing), but he never felt anything towards them. No fireworks…no sparks…just plain nothing. At first he thought it was just because he hasn't found that specific 'someone' yet, but then he realized that wasn't the case. That was never the case…even when he was little it was never the case. He was just 'different'.
"Okay…Jamie?" a seven year old Kendall sighed with a small yet strong voice. The blonde leader and his two pals, James and Logan, were in front of Logan's suburban home with the lush lawn grass brushing against their cheeks as they lay down.
"Yeah?" a seven year old James replied with a yawn as the lazy autumn weekend drawled on without a care.
"What should we play now?"
"I don't know…what about tag?" James suggested with an excited ring to his voice.
"Uh-uh. No way!" Logan stubbornly squeaked with his tiny arms folded over his chest. "Last time we played you wrestled me to the ground Jamie!"
"Hey! I was just trying to have fun!" James pouted with a frown on his childish face. The breezy air swept past them before a familiar voice started laughing innocently from down the street.
"Hey guys!" Carlos was grinning as wide as he could with his legs running down the calm street making James smile in return. He had a hockey helmet strapped to his small head while his eyes began to widen tremendously with joy. Carlos had to wear this helmet thanks to the car crash he was in only a few years ago when he was an infant. It embarrassed him, but his dad convinced him that it would make him stronger…like superman, and after being told that Carlos never wanted to take it off. There was one girl running right next to him with chocolate brown hair that reached her back and a delicate looking face that resembled great innocence. It was a little Tori Vega with a happy smile on her face.
"Who's that?" Logan asked with an arched brow as he observed the thin little beauty with his cheeks beginning to turn red. The two kids quickly ceased their running as they reached the lawn of the brainiac and tried to steady their breaths which were coming out in forced huffs.
"This…is Tori…my daddy…works with her daddy…so when they visit…our daddies say we can play together until…it's time to go," Carlos breathed roughly with a cherubic grin. Tori immediately looked up at the three other boys and gave off a cute giggle as she did so.
"Nice to meet you," she said with a delicate smile. Kendall quickly nodded with a confident smirk before reaching his hand out to her.
"You too! I'm Kendall and these are my friends; Logan and James!" he replied with a great big smile as she shook the offered hand and sat down on the lawn. "So, Tori…do you and Carlos have an idea of what games to play? We've been trying to think of one, but we're pretty stumped"
"Hm…" Tori began with her finger on her chin as she thought fiercely. "Oh! How about we play house! I can be the mommy and Kendall can the daddy…and Carlos, and his two friends can be the kids."
"House? We've never played that before. It sounds like fun!" Carlos cheered with his hands reaching up into the sky. James only widened his eyes with a tilt of the head before smiling at the little Hispanic boy that radiated with innocence. He didn't know what to think of it. He always liked the way Carlos did everything…he liked his cheery optimism, he liked his bouncy personality…he liked everything about him. He didn't really understand it though. Are boys supposed to feel this way about other boys? Are they supposed to feel butterflies in their tummies when they look at one? Mommy said that it's wrong…she said that boys are supposed to like girls…they are supposed to get married and have a family. She said it's a sin…that God hates it when you like other boys…
"Uh…hey Tori?" James softly spoke with a shy smile as he looked at Carlos with his eyes glazed with admiration. Tori only looked over at him with an attentive expression while Carlos looked over at his blushing best friend with an over excited smile on his face.
"Uh-huh," Tori replied while brushing her long locks of hair behind her frail, slender shoulder.
"Why don't Carlos and I be the daddies, and you guys be our kids?" James suggested with a kind smile, but the only thing he got in return was a look of confusion from everyone except the oblivious Carlos Garcia.
"Two daddies?" Logan weirdly asked in an awkward tone of voice as he thought of the strange idea.
"Yeah!" James beamed.
"James? My mommy says that moms and dads get married…not two dads," Logan sighed with a quiet voice.
"Well…why can't two daddies get married?" James asked nervously with a small voice with his eyes beginning to gaze down at his twiddling thumbs.
"Because it's weird," Logan replied with an uncomfortable look on his face.
"Well, I think it's cool," Carlos giggled. "I think anyone can marry anyone they want!"
"I agree!" Kendall gave off a shining smile as he spoke. "My mom says that sometimes love can happen with anyone…even if it's between two boys or two girls."
It was the weirdest feeling in the world, and it only got worse. James kept feeling things…he kept feeling all these funny feelings whenever he looked at a boy. It happened throughout his entire childhood. He always felt like hugging a boy instead of knuckle pounding them. He always felt like snuggling with Carlos whenever he spent the night instead of making him sleep on his floor. He always wondered what it would be like when kissing another boy…but again, his mommy said that it was a sin…that it was wrong.
That only confused him even more though. Does that mean there's something wrong with him? Did God make a mistake when making him? What was wrong with him? The answer…nothing was wrong with him. He just likes boys more than girls, but he felt ashamed. Throughout his preteen years he kept harboring all of these humiliating feelings and he didn't know who to go to with them. He didn't want to go his friends…what if they judged him or hated him forever…boys weren't supposed to like boys. He saw how kids like that were treated, and it only gave him more of a reason to lock it all in.
To make matters worse, every time he looked at his small Hispanic buddy (ever since they were little)…it felt like his heart was floating within his chest, like he was in love, but it felt wrong. He never felt this way before, especially when it came to girls, but it was all sinful…
He remembered it all too clearly, the first day back at school for senior year and he still felt this shameful emotions.
"Carlos is really cute. Wait? No…boys aren't supposed to think that about other boys! But…why do I feel this way?" James would say in his head whenever he was daydreaming in class and his deep brown eyes would lock onto his best friend, Carlos Garcia who was drawing silly pictures into his puppy themed notebook. He loved the raven haired boy's smile, he loved his adorable innocence, he loved how Carlos felt in his arms whenever they hugged, he loved the way he cared for everything and everyone. James just loved him in general. He saw Carlos' tongue poking out of the side of his mouth as he focused intently on his artistic masterpiece.
"And class! Remember to really sell your character whenever you are performing! Don't give us a quick taste…let us savor them. Let us really get to know and enjoy them," Mr. Sikowitz spoke indignantly as he taught the class about character development with confusing drawings all over the whiteboard. James, however, was paying no attention to the crazed teacher because all he could look at was Carlos who was sitting right in front of Kacey in the middle row and directly behind Tori who was intently listening to every word her teacher had to say.
'Why do I feel this way? I know it's wrong but…I just can't help it. It feels good in a way. I don't really understand it, but i-it… it feels right.'
"James!" Mr. Sikowitz announced from his shining podium in the front causing all forty-one of his classmates to turn their heads slowly over to the daydreaming pretty boy. The only sound that could be heard in the classroom was the ticking noise of the school clock and the distant chorus of students chattering in the echoing halls as they made their way to their electives.
"What?" James blurted with wide eyes as he shook his head to get his mind out of the clouds.
"Were you even paying attention? I know you probably want to scurry off to the bathroom to fix your hair or you're daydreaming about your plans for this weekend but I'm pretty sure class is much more important than your shopping plans."
"Wh-huh!" James went beet red as his entire class erupted into a fit of laughter. Carlos simply gave James a fun loving smile that made his stomach feel all weird yet good in a way. The sunshine poured into the classroom giving it a joyous glow while the bell suddenly rang; signaling the end of the school day.
"Alright…now remember your homework! Write me a well thought out script on a single character of your own creation! Take me on a journey through this individual's life and struggles! Make sure to have them grow and develop! Alright, have a good weekend my little kiddies!" Mr. Sikowitz announced before craning his neck down to focus on the pile of scribbled worksheets his students gave him on his podium.
James slipped one of the straps of his bright yellow jansport backpack over his broad shoulder before scurrying out of the classroom behind the massive mob of his classmates spilling into the hall. Boys and girls all dressed in white and gray were cheering incredulously while running down the halls and down the flights of stairs to get to the waiting buses. James was walking directly behind Carly, Sam and Freddie along the lockers while they talked about some new segment for their broadcasting show and how it would be perfect if Freddie wore a skimpy bathing suit…actually that was just Sam's idea. Guess, girls can be perverts too.
James was trying to focus on the basketball team meeting in the gym to welcome in all the new sixth graders, but he couldn't stop shaking the thought of Carlos from his mind. 'So cute' or 'He's perfect' would constantly fill his blurred mind as he thought about the energetic Latino. James kept staring off into space as he towered over everyone in the hallway, especially the underclassmen, while sticking his hands in his dress pants pockets.
He suddenly felt a pair of hands grasp his shoulders from behind causing him to jump like a startled cat until he realized it was just Kendall and Logan trailing him from behind. "You ready for another awesome year Bro?" the head-strong blonde grinned with sheer optimism. James tried to force a shining smile to convince his friends of his excitement and suddenly saw Logan reading his Calculus II book with intent eyes glued to every page.
"Yeah! This is going to be the best year yet! I mean you've got Senior Prom, Graduation…and Grad Night!" James cheered with a rather convincing smile, but after saying Grad Night everyone cheered excitedly all around him. Too bad they would never get one…
"Logan? Why are you studying? Actually…why in the hell are you taking Calculus II!? Are you crazy? You'll be eaten alive in that class!" James gasped with a bewildered expression as the three made it the steps of the stairs that were bustling with excited students.
"No I won't," Logan replied with a soft laugh as he examined the pages. "I'm actually intrigued with the topics we will be discussing in this class to be honest. And I love to be challenged…you guys should know that by now."
"Yeah, yeah...thanks for that, Albert Einstein!" Kendall burst out with laughter while rubbing the brainy brunette's hair which messed up his perfect faux hawk.
"Dude!" Logan cried in an upset as he swatted Kendall's thin hand away from his head and placed his complicated book inside his dark blue backpack. They were finally coming onto their final step and walking through the 2nd floor hallways which were filled with the echoing sounds of footsteps and voices. "Alright…I have to go to the nurse, and take my…meds. Blech. I'll catch up with you guy in the gym," Logan groaned with boredom border lining on disgust as he thought about the chore. He gave a hug to his two close friends (a.k.a. his brothers) and trotted off to the nurse's office which was in the administration office in the other end of the hall.
"Where's Carlos?" James asked with his head turning in all directions in order to catch a glimpse of the lovable boy.
"Photography Club," Kendall sighed with a care free grin. "They're having their first meeting to start the year off with a 'bang' so to speak. Carlos left with Susie right after class."
James simply gave a disappointed "Oh…" before walking off to the gym with Kendall right at his side so they could meet up with the rest of the basketball team for the meeting.
"James? Uh…James? Are you okay?" Zander asked unsurely while waving his pale hand in front of the charming boy's face. James immediately widened his shining brown eyes and snapped out of his trance before letting out a nervous laugh.
"Huh? Oh, yeah…I-I'm cool. Anyways, yeah. That would be great…having a girlfriend."
Or a boyfriend…
"I'm sure you can get one once we escape," Zander gave a determined nod while craning his neck in order to smile up at James. James hesitantly smiled back with sad eyes before sinking down into the bed once again. Suddenly, there was a faint knock at the door with a slightly muffled voice speaking up from the other side.
"Can I come in?" the voice spoke with a slight lazy feel. It was Logan who had just woken up literally thirty minutes ago…
"Yeah, come on in Loges," James raised his voice as well as cupping his hand against his mouth to enhance the volume as if it were necessary. Logan slightly opened the wooden door with his tired eyes examining the bright white room until they fell upon James and Zander's slumped forms. He looked like a zombie for a second as he yawned in exhaustion and dragged his feet in order to get into the room.
"Are you okay Logan? Man, you look awful," Zander whispered as his eyes scanned Logan's tired body. Logan merely shrugged his shoulders with a smile coming onto his face.
"I've looked much worse…trust me."
"I don't know if I can," Zander gave a light chuckle as he watched Logan sit down next to James causing the bed to creak a little due to the sudden force.
"Very funny Zander…" Logan rolled his light red eyes before looking at Beck's sleeping form. "How is he holding up?"
"So far, so good," Zander replied with his hypnotic brown eyes squinted as he examined the wounded boy who seemed at ease as he slept. The rain continued to drizzle down the glass window overhead and the room was filled with a bright white light as a bolt of lightning flashed from outside.
"You guys think he'll wake up any time soon?" James asked with a hopeful sigh as he rested his handsome face in his palm carelessly. All Logan did was shrug in response with a breath of disappointment coming from him as he closed his eyes and answered.
"Don't know…hopefully he isn't in a shocked state due to the blood loss. All we can do at this point is pray that he'll recover."
"Which is exactly what will happen," Zander spoke with a hopeful tone to his voice. Logan and James exchanged glances as they gave each other signs and signals as if they were speaking a different language that they could only understand and smiled with relief.
"Maybe…even if he enters a state of shock there would still be a way to re-stabilize him. But…" Logan discontinued his sentence with a grunt as he stood back up with his hand on James' shoulder. "James has to go up for lookout. Kendall just went and I have to take my shower. I know you probably hate the wind and rain because they screw your pretty head of hair, but you're gonna have to get over it," Logan laughed jokingly as he patted his friend's shoulder.
"Alright," James replied with an exasperated smile before pulling the hood of his UCLA hoodie over his head. "I'll talk to you later Zander."
"Looking forward to it James," Zander smiled while getting up from his uncomfortable seat to hug the tallest boy he's ever known. "And don't worry. I'll help get you hooked up before we leave this island…I don't think Carly is seeing anyone."
All James did was give a convincing smile before turning the heel of his Adidas and jetted off to retrieve the machine gun and head up the spiral staircase. "What was that about?" Logan gave a confused look to Zander.
"Just a promise I made to James. Now how are you guys holding up Logan? I hear Carlos has been a little…unresponsive lately," Zander asked in a quiet voice as he spoke of Carlos with a careful and cautious tone as if the boy was in the same room as them.
"Yeah…I don't know what's gotten into him. I mean, he said that he saw Beck kill Kevin but-" Logan was quickly cut off as Cat came barreling into the room with her breath nearly hitching in her petite throat. Everyone stared at her in confusion before watching the red head look up at them with an over excited smile.
"Guess who Kendall just spotted on lookout? Go on take a guess!" she laughed innocently which did nothing but earn an annoyed glare from Logan.
"Is it someone that knocks before they come bursting into a room."
"No…Wrong! Logan, you stink at guessing games," Cat sighed due to Logan's stubborn nature and watched as Zander's eyes grew in joy. The room grew anxiously quiet as they waited for Cat to stop her childish mind games and announce and identify the individual. "It's Kacey."
"W-What?" Logan gasped with a wide smile as he leapt up and onto his feet after hearing her name and Zander merely gave an awestruck grin that basically said 'unbelievable'.
16 Students Remaining
On the next episode of The Program (The 61st Annual Battle Royale Competition)...Kacey is spotted by the lighthouse gang, but will she trust them after all this time, or will she turn on them out of fear! Meanwhile, Felix has a little plan in store in order to heighten his body count; Drake being added to it. Will their little meeting result in an actual team-up or will Drake just end up like Jake and his crew?