The Bond of a life time

8. unlikely friends

The following morning Aiden and I are out far earlier than our bodies could truly wake up from, Aria and Johnathan had us up before sunrise to get things ready for the day's games, giving us only a few hours of sleep.

Aiden and Johnathan are out on security detail with Nathaniel, Luc, Mac, and mitakye.

Roxy seems upset for some reason, and I think she is not happy to be left behind with Madeline and me. I give Roxy a smile hopefully lightening her mood a little, It takes a while for her to notice I'm smiling at her, and then as luck would have it she does give me one back.

Madeline and I feel so effortless together but with Roxy, I always feel like I have to work overtime although I love them both very much it just feels so different.

I know Roxy is having trouble being around Madeline, she sees the way Metikye is with her and I know she wishes for Metikye to look at her the way he looks at Madeline.

I feel so selfish wishing they would get along, so I didn't have to choose my time between them. The awkward silence fills the space as we set up stations with building materials by the river's edge near the bridge.

Metikye comes by on his andocrit "Good mornin ladies how are ya all doin?"

Madeline bounces excitedly when she sees him "I am well" she beams.

Roxy and I don't have to say anything as we notice the change, I turn away and leave quietly leaving them to talk as Roxy reluctantly decides to do the same.

We both walk up the hill away from the river to get more materials for the coricle race. I am about to break the silence when Roxy does it first. "I have decided I won't be returning with you to Negalia"

Out of all the things I thought she would say I have to admit I was not expecting this. My mouth is obviously hanging open as Roxy laughs halfheartedly. "come on you can't tell me you were not expecting this at some point"

"Well yes, I guess I had thought you would all go your own ways at some point I just didn't expect it to be so soon. I have missed so much I had hoped for more time" I say in such a low tone I feel I might start crying.

I move to the piles of sticks, twigs, oils, and materials gathering a massive bundle of sticks in my arms and Roxy does the same, we turn and make our way back down making sure we are a good distance away from Metikye and Madeline who are still talking down by the bridge.

Roxy doesn't take her eyes off them as we walk to the next station and set it up. "Are you leaving because of them?" I ask jerking to Madeline and Metikye.

Roxy gives a light laugh "Why would I leave because of that?"

"I know how you feel about Metikye Roxy, have you ever even told him?"

"Not a chance, he told me he saw me like a brother, when he thinks of me I'm not even a woman to him I am one of the guys" Roxy's eyes darken as she looks down at herself, I guess I bring it on myself"

"What is that supposed to mean? You are gorgeous Roxy, I wish I had your beautiful long legs, not to mention you have a chest that demands attention I say stuffing a Mellon into my top making Roxy laugh.

It doesn't last long though before she is looking at Madeline again, "none of that means anything if the man you want, doesn't see you as anything other than one of the guys."

I cant help my heart break for her, Roxy is not very lady like buy she is beautiful her long golden dreadlocks make her look like an Egyptian goddess, she can fight and she can, train and rally an army better than any man can, but in her heart she is all woman.