OBLITERATE- The Ring of fire

14. I smack someone I'm not supposed to smack

"It stings!" Misty wailed. She was sitting on a rock, her palm curling around her blood-dripping wound. It was 1pm. And we were resting. Hikes were harder than I'd thought they'd be.

"I know-I know." I said. I soaked a piece of cotton with my medicine supplies. I gingerly moved my hands towards her wound.

"NO!" Misty yelled, making the others cover their ears. "I don't want to!!!"

"Shh," I urged. "One second pain, okay? Show me your brave face."

Misty smiled and puffed up her face.

"Great," I said. I held out my hand. "If it hurts, squeeze my hand."

Misty nodded and took my hand.

I gently dabbed the piece of cotton I'd picked out from the department. Thinking back at it, we'd smuggled the entire department except for the furniture.  She squeezed my hand, while biting her lip.

I swiftly bandaged it. "All done!" I patted her head.

Kyle whistled, and grinned down at me. Of course, he had something to say. "You're a good medic,"

"Thank you," I said. "I've been doing the medic course for years." I lifted my chin. "Currently in stage 5; advanced level."

"You can help me out then," Kyle said. He sat on the grass. He took his shoe off. Normally, when dad took off his shoes it smelled like a sewage tank being poured over your nose. But his feet smelled like lavender. Annoyingly, perfect.

I gasped. His toe was scarred badly. Almost as if it were crushed. His toe nail was bleeding, and cracked. His veins were blue against his skin.

"What happened?" I said, grabbing at his foot and laying a close eye at it.

Kyle appeared reluctant. "Well,..."

"This is horrible, Kyle!" I reached for my pack. "Did a space ship land on your toe?"

"Um, that space ship would be you,"

I froze. My gauze tape slid from my fingers. A chill of guilt passed down my spine.

"Ouch!" Misty said, moving away to Mickey who was messing around with some chemicals.

I shot my eyes at him. He was looking down at his toe. "I didn't-"

"I know you didn't mean it-"

"I am horrible!"

"No, it's-"

"I am sorry," I gripped his wrist. "Sorry,.." I made my tone as low as possible. "I shouldn't have done-"

"No, it's over."

"Listen," I said. "I was mad at you. I shouldn't have been. I shouldn't have called you that horrible name. I'm sorry. It's just that..., I don't know why you're so,...so-"

"Annoying?"

"Yes, annoying." I said. "But it's fine. You're not the worst version of measles. You're like... " I was lost in words. He smiled. Those eyes were luring me into imaginary heavens.

"I am?" he asked.

"You are....," I said, immediately moving away my burning face. "One of those people I really want to punch in the face but I just can't,"

For a moment there was just gentle nature sounds, and I thought Kyle would never talk to me again.

"Is that a compliment?" he asked, leaning forward.