Å LITTLE BRÅVER

27 -°THOSE LITTLE THINGS INSIDE...

•SALOME ALAN•

I'm guilty.

Filled with guilt yet shivering on the fact that I didn't get yelled at talk more of been punished; and that's what make me heated with sadness. I was never like this, never been the girl to go to where she was told not to, nor disobey her instructors but at the end of it all, I finally did, and got caught.

Just wow.

When they say life has ups and downs, I think I'm down in the bottom of embarrassment right now.

The laid back face of my teacher haunt me up the stairs, down the hall, and to my room. I hesitate before cracking the door open just to see the usual quiet, tensed atmosphere.

From the look of it, It's like I never sneaked out.

Fabiola's back is turned to me and with the way her body softly raise and fall, I can tell she's sound asleep. Theodora is, well, not in the room at all. Taiye either.

I swallow as I drop my eyes to my sneakers, the sides now covered with little prick of grasses. Inhaling deeply, I squat low and peel them off my feet, the jacket over my shoulders threatening to slip off. I quickly stand upright and hold it before it touches the floor.

Mr. Alex.

His image pops in my head again, the last look he gave me making me heave a deep breath. I slowly wave his jacket completely off my body, using my legs to take off my shoes without making sounds not to disturb the sleeping girl.

I let out a shaky exhale as I step into the scent filled bathroom, gently close the door behind to meet my reflection in the bright mirror right in front of me, nothing but sneaky Salome staring back at me. I drop my eyes to the basin beneath, guilt hitting me around all over again.

Is this the same face Mr. Alex saw few minutes back? Because, I mean... Now that I'm looking at her, me, I am equally disappointed. No doubt.

I shut my eyes and groan tiredly.

•••

If anything, fluttering my lashes open did nothing but dump back in all I think I've forgotten, the crime I committed, and the fact that I'm even still in camp. The chirpy voice of Theodora make me glimpse down from my high bed to see her talking with Fabiola. Taiye looks like she's also listening, although just jerking her legs folded legs against the couch. She's glowing, even though still in her sleeping dress.

Rubbing my right eye, I properly seat up on the bed and that caught the attention of others. They all turn to me.

"Hey Salome!" Dora smiles brightly like we didn't get into trouble for sneaking out. Thinking about it now, I wonder who reported us. My eyes slide to Fabiola whose face is already back on Theodora.

If only I can read minds.

"Hey...good morning." I answer the only person who sees me worthy enough to be talked to. I wonder what I do that's so bad to make certain people just ignore me completely.

I clear my dry throat as I come down the bed, my head beginning to think of the possible punishment I'm likely to receive. Unlike me, Theodora clearly doesn't seem to care, she's still in her Teddy bear PJs, chatting with...her family friend? That I'm yet to find out.

Pulling down my rolled up boxer shorts, I take no time maneuvering my way pass them without distributing anyone-that would only invite more invisible hate on me. Trailing to the bathroom, I grab my grey towel from the hanger I luckily found in the room and walk to the bathroom. My back is turned to my roomies but I feel their eyes on me. Not like I'll turn back to be sure anyway. Instead, I turn the door knob open, walk in and shut it with a small thud.