All Of Us - Part 1: Summer

Chapter 34 - "Hey, D"

- Dæor -

Yawning, I arch my back and stretch my arms. That was a good night's sleep. No nightmares, no dreams, no questions. A fresh start for a fresh morning.

I pull on a shirt and pat my unruly hair down before stepping out in the hallway to make my way to the nearest bathroom. I nearly collide into Pina, who gracefully sidesteps me and grins. "Hey, D," she greets, a tiny playful flint of gold in her deep dark irises. I open my mouth to protest, but she slips out of the hallway and ducks into the library - is that her giggling ? I snap my mouth shut and narrow my eyes at the door closing behind her. Since when does Pina call me "D" ? No one calls me D here, except for... Ugh. Keiti !!

I stomp my way to the bathroom and barrel inside. In two seconds and a half, I've splashed freezing water on my face and scrubbed away my remaining sleepiness. Wiping the excess water off my forehead, I burst out of the bathroom only to see a smiling Mun. "Morning, D," she nods, before strolling away. My mouth opens and closes twice. "Yah look like a trout, D," shoots Ian from across the hall, a mischievous smirk splattered all over his face. "Stop calling me that !" I finally burst, walking over the hall to come face to face with him. "What ?" He pretends to be confused. "Oh, you mean D ? Sorry, D," he adds, before laughing and closing the door in my face. I slam my fist against the wood, but I can't stop a smile from spreading across my own face. Did Keiti really ask everyone to call me that ?

The quiet in the now silent hall is broken by a loud grumble from my stomach. "Sorry, bud," I whisper, petting my tummy, "I'll go get you some food."

"You talk to your stomach ?" Lino chuckles slyly. The usual fidgety, angry boy is leaning against the wall opposite to me. Instead of his usual scowl is an almost smile. "The fearsome Dæor of Heom calls his stomach bud !" His chuckle grows louder till I step up to him threateningly. "Anything you might want to add ?" I ask, eyebrows raised. "Not particularly," he quips. "Just wanted to wish a good morning to my friend D. And his pal Bud," he shouts, before waltzing away, his laughter fading. I huff and turn on my heels. Let's hope I won't meet anyone else on my way to the mess hall.

But I did see other rebels. Quite a few in fact. Hycaynth, Oslo and Mouse all greeted me with a dazzling smile and a cheerful: "Hi, D !"

As I stepped inside the mess hall, I expected the worst. Would there be a fanfare ? A huge crowd ready to yell "D !" ? But the hall was half-empty. Maybe the prank was over. I let myself breathe a sigh of relief.

And then the "Hello, D"s hit me like a tidal wave. It seemed as if the entire room was moving towards me, shouting, yelling and hollering my nickname. I try to dismiss them, but they keep coming laughing and slapping me on the back. After three long minutes, I'm finally able to sit down with a small bread bun. No one new is walking in my direction. But I'm not allowing myself to think it's over till every single rebel in this camp has thrown my nickname in my face. Whilst my eyes dart around the room, I sink my teeth into my bun. Warmth wafts up, and I stifle a sigh of contentment.

The double doors behind me bang open. I don't bother to hide my irritation as I groan. My ears pick up on the subtle swish swish as the person approaches. Whoever it is, they're wearing large pants; probably is tall by the sound of their footsteps. I lift my eyebrows. Who is it ?

The person steps into view. All I can see at first is a plain brown shirt, hanging loosely around her upper body. And then she bends down to level her face with mine. My face instantly reddens and I tear the bun away from my mouth. Why did I take such a mouthful ? My jaw speed-chews and I swallow at the speed of a terrified rabbit before smoothly squeaking: "Hiya, Evangeline."

She smiles before sliding down into the chair in front of me. "Morning, D." She raises a perfect eyebrow and looks straight dead at me. I don't emit a sound, only looking back at her. I will not lose this stare contest. A sly glint shimmies its way into her eye, and her smile morphs into a grin. I can feel the muscles in my left cheek yearning to do the same, and it takes all of my willpower to stop myself from giving in.