A Test of Faith [bxb]

3. Has Given Me an Earthly Home

"Let's do icebreakers tonight," Alex's voice called out over the sound of running water as he peeked over the shower curtain.

All of the scouts had been led on a ten mile hike after breakfast, which was supposed to take six hours. Twelve hours later, we found ourselves fending off a hundred boys for a chance to scrub off our exhaustion in the showers.

My hair was still dripping as I wrapped a towel around my slim waist, grateful for a chance to finally wash off the grime from the day. Steam hung heavy in the air, fogging up the mirrors and causing a thin layer of sweat to form on my forehead. So much for the shower.

"At the campfire? That sounds stupid," Manny piped up as he slid a shirt over his thick torso.

Alex's shower shut off, and he peeked his head through the curtain. "It's not stupid. You're just a dickhead."

Manny picked up a towel from one of the hooks. He wound up the fabric and tossed open Alex's curtain. Alex let out a scream as Manny whipped the towel at his naked body, freckled hands covering his own genitals as he danced around the attacks.

"Stop! Oh my god, you fucker!" Alex was crouched over in a fit of laughter as Manny repeatedly snapped the towel towards his thighs.

"Hey! Language!" A scout leader shouted from the other side of the showers, his voice echoing off the ceramic tiles.

Alex shot Manny a deadly look before he took the towel from his grasp, wrapping around his waist.

"I hate you. I'm going to kill you in your sleep."

"I'd like to see you try," Manny said, cartoonishly puffing out his chest.

A loud pounding rang out from the door of the small building, a reminder that there was a line of scouts waiting outside for one of the ten showers to open up.

"So... icebreakers?" I interrupted once the boys were clothed, finally letting my eyes fall back on them.

Alex beamed, loosely throwing an arm around my shoulders. "Yep. Never have I ever, truth or dare, shit like that." He escorted me through the door of the showers where a line of grumpy scouts greeted us under the setting sun. Manny led the way, pushing boys aside to allow us to make it into the recreational field.

The sky was a dull pink, twilight on the horizon. The sun was flickering from somewhere behind the mountains. Jacob and Ezra were passing a soccer ball back and forth in the middle of the field. Seeing the others, Ezra pulled the ball under his arm and the two caught up with us.

"Hey guys," Jacob smiled, running a hand over his short hair. The falling day had already dried his coils, but the tips of Ezra's curls were still damp. "Are y'all headin' back to the campsite?"

Manny grumbled. "Yeah, Alex wants us all to hold hands and profess our love to one another."

Alex's laugh enveloped the group as we headed towards the cove between the sites. "I suggested icebreaker games, but if Manny has something to say..." He was pushed into the bushes by a big set of hands, erupting into laughter.

I found myself trailing at the back of the group beside Ezra, who stayed silent, the two of us falling steps behind the rest. "It's a good idea, you know, so everyone can get to know Ezra," I said.