Fallen from the Sky

Chapter 8

Courtney

Alex comes running back, looking, not exactly guilty, but somewhere along those lines. Stressed. I go to ask him why but he just runs, and Andrew runs after him, and because I can’t stand anymore secrets I follow silently, spying on them. They reach the lake and Andrew looks at Alex seriously.

“She did it.” Andrew says, looking slightly stressed, but resigned. Harriet did what? I move slightly closer and watch through the trees.

“Yep.” Says Alex, putting a hand on the back of his neck and then away again.

“She said she was going to do it to everyone. But I’m not so sure.”

“Why?” Asks Alex. Andrew sighs.

“Earlier she came to me to suggest the idea, and I was suspicious, but I agreed for her safety. She said that she would kiss everyone, and try to decide from there. I thought it was a good excuse for something else. But she “convinced me””. Andrew puts quotation marks in the air when he says the last bit, and Alex looks like he’s not sure what to say.

“I ran because, well, it kinda freaked me out.” Alex sounds like he’s telling the truth, but Andrew laughs.

“It’s no secret to Harriet that you like her. So, it’s no secret to me. I just, I thought she liked me.”

“She does.” Says Alex. “She really does. And even though I do like her I won’t let her be with me. At least not until you’ve sorted stuff out.”

“Ok.” Says Andrew, putting his hands in his pockets. “I guess that helps me feel better.”

“Let’s go back, and see who was chosen.” They walk steadily together as I rush, hidden in the trees, to be back before them.

When I reach the clearing, Luna and Daisy immediately run to me. I’m not the only curious one.

“What did you see?” Asks Luna, excitedly. Daisy just nods. I guess it was pretty obvious what I was doing.

“Well… apparently.” I start and I’m not sure if I want to continue. They will be prepared if it happens, but what if it doesn’t? I barely know Harriet, but I don’t want to be the suspicious person getting her into more trouble. I need to go with a half-truth.

“Andrew and her had an argument.” It’s clear they want me to continue.

“It was… well. I didn’t hear much of it. But I’m pretty sure they said something about hunting and survival. Of course, you know Harriet never wants to do it. But Andrew’s pretty keen on survival.” I base my stories on more truths to make it more believable.

“But, how could you have heard them arguing? Harriet’s over there.” I’m confused for a second, then I know what to say.

“No… what I said, I heard Andrew talking to Alex about it. I think they’ll be alright.” Daisy nods and walks away, but Luna lingers hesitantly.

“What?” I ask. Luna hesitates again.

“It’s just- what actually happened?” I should have known. Luna is a gossip-attracting black hole.

“I- what? They actually did have an argument!” And this bit is the truth.

“Oh, I believe that bit. Just the content. What were they actually arguing about?”

If I tell Luna, the whole camp will know. And what situation will that leave Harriet in? I’m the odd one out in this group, but maybe I can seem a little less odd if I shift the blame towards Luna.

“Harriet is going to kiss everybody as a test.” Luna’s mouth hangs open for a second, then it shuts, and she goes to shout but I grab her arm.

“What!” She asks, annoyed at her delay of announcement.