X-Ray, seeming to realize his mistake backed off. I looked to the side of me to see who had helped Lewis pull me off of him. It was Magnet. I was glad it wasn't really anyone else. I felt like I was getting to know him a lot better. Maybe it was because we had similar stories as to how we got here. I just couldn't think of it now.
"Okay, Lewis, look I'm sorry. I'll back off, I understand she's you cousin," X-Ray said. This surprised the whole of D-tent. They were so used to X-Ray not backing down that this simple statement, shocked them.
"Good, because the next time I see you try anything, you won't be happy with what happens," Lewis said.
"Come on, Angel, we need to go before the sun is up," Magnet said, pulling me along to the library.
"So, how does it feel, knowing your gonna dig your first hole today, Angel," Armpit asked.
"I feel like shit. I'm tired and I just, quite literally, collided head on with someone. How about you take a crack at how I feel," I stated.
"Dang, Angel, no need to get pissy with everyone," Magnet said from him place beside me.
"Sorry, I'm just tired."
"We all are. Let's just get going, don't want Mr. Sir gettin' his knickers in a twist," Squid said, coming up from behind us.
All of D-tent regrouped while we were getting our breakfast. Honey covered tortillas. Great, just to top off my terrible start to the day, we gotta have a shitty breakfast. Although Magnet reassured me that it tasted better than it looked.
We walked for what seemed like hours but was probably only a half hour, we made it to our dig site.
Mr. Sir (still the funniest thing ever) said, "Now, you are to dig one hole a day. Five feet deep, five feet in diameter. Your shovel will be your measuring stick. Get to work boys... and girl."(AN: sorry if I didn't get the exact quote)
So, I started digging and good God I wasn't even close to half way done and I felt my hands starting to blister. The sun came out not too long after Mr. Sir left. This didn't do wonders for me at all. By the time Mr. Pendanski came with the water truck, my hands were covered in blisters on top of blisters.
I was last in line, behind Zero. I didn't mind though, he kind of reminded me of Josh. Which had me worrying about my little brother. I started to wonder whether or not Stanley was watching over him for me.
"Hello, Marie. How are you feeling?" Mr. Pendanski asked.
"I'm fine," I said, irritably.
"Have any blisters?" He asked.
"Yeah, big, fat ones," Magnet said coming up to try and get another sandwich for lunch.
"You know you're only allowed one sandwich, José," Mr. Pendanski said.
"I'm hungry though, mom. Out here, digging these holes gets me hungry," Magnet said.
"No, José," mom said then got in the truck and drove away.
Magnet came up to me and said, "Here, guerrero, take my gloves. At least your hands will be protected a little bit."
It was silent during this interaction. I found out later why. Magnet never gave his gloves to anyone. I was the first one. The whole of D-tent was done and already gone by the time I was done. As I tried to get out of my hole, I noticed something in the distance and realized it was Magnet.
"What are you doing, Magnet?" I asked as he got near me.
"Helping you out, guerrero. What else would I be doing?"
He hoisted me up, avoiding my blistered hands as much as possible. I wondered, not for the first time, what 'guerrero' meant.
"What does that mean?" I asked him.
"What does what mean?"
"Guerrero?"
"Oh, it means warrior in Spanish."
"Really?"
"Yes. I mean, you nickname is Warrior Angel."
"Thanks."
"For what?"
"Making me feel accepted."