Return To Paradise

11

With the weather taking its toll on everyone, everyone sat silent around the fire. 'its been hard. Really hard. The sun has gone down and now there is no cloud cover it's going to be a cold night' "we know each other but we don't know you well and you don't know us. How about we use this as a chance to get to know each other" Brielle looked at Miley "alright. I'm happy with that. I know you want to be a writer. What got you interested?" "As I stated, I like to read and write" "but was there something that pulled you into it?" "Charlottes web. My mom used to read to me every night.." 'shit. Her mom' Brielle nodded "that holds memories. So from a child?" "Yeah. Why architecture?" "One day I just started drawing houses and buildings. In art created three d buildings. In year four my art teacher told us to draw faces. I didn't want to. So I drew a house and put a face in it" everyone Chuckled. "Makes sense" "Orson?" "I want to be in the building sector. I just like to build things. I Have since I was a kid" "do any of you have to go to university?" "I do" "we can but if someone will take us on as an apprentice, we can do part in class at community college" Brielle nodded "your family is broken?" "Has been for years. Mom cheated and my sister has always disliked having me around" "what's with that?" "I don't know. She's always had the attention so it's not like I have taken her light away" "she's always flaunted her money and items. But you don't" "I don't have money and items. A phone, yes but nothing else" "why the hell does she get it all?" Brielle sighed "from a young age she has been a compulsive liar and avoided confrontation. Everything she had done that she knew would get her in trouble, was blamed on me. Both of my parents just continued to believe her" "I have a question" Brielle looked at Miley "you said you haven't had your hair cut due to punishment. What are your punishments and why?" "The punishments aren't physical..." Relief swept through everyone "the only one that has touched me is Claudia but of course I was just clumsy" "she's a bitch" Brielle nodded "just everything removed, social side gone.. I didn't have that anyway. Not after Claudia started everything. It's been just me for the last.. five years. Before that I had so called friends but I look at it now and see she actually did me a favour" "because they aren't true friends. Yeah I get that" Brielle nodded "did any of you get kept down?" "No" "nuh" "no. Are you older?" "I'm seventeen" "same as all of us. Why did you ask that?" "Curiousity. I was kept down two years. Due to her lying about scores, they pushed her forward and my father demanded I stay down. The teachers tried to protest but he wouldn't listen" "so you had to do two extra years.." "not really. They pushed me down but within a year and without my parents knowledge they moved me back up. The truth came to light that it's my sister that's failing" "too busy worrying about her social status. That I don't miss" "nor I. Minus the situation that put us here, I like it" "the peace right?" "Yeah but i miss my morning coffee" "ugh don't mention that. Trying to function without it sucks" "definitely".
"Any of you struggling with seeing the after effects of the crash?" "It was.." "unpleasant" "that's one word I'd use" "is it harsh to say I won't miss a few?" "Between us, no" "I couldn't stand half of them and that bitch that hit you, I dislike her the most" "nuh. Rachel, Claudia and samara" "that I agree with" "can't blame you but there are some assholes at that school too" "two ended up fish food" "I can only imagine what I will receive when we return. It should've been you" "fuck those idiots" everyone nodded. 'never liked them anyway' "got a favourite type of music?" Brielles eyes widened "no" "no? Who doesnt like music?" "Not allowed to listen to it" "WHAT?" "those fucking punishments right?" "Yeah. It's school, basic food, sleep" "basic food?" "Yeah. No take out, no dessert and snacks.." "that's fucked up. Has your father always been strict?" "Yeah but lenient if you don't play up. Not that I did. You guys?" "A mix. Rap, urban, pop, rock. You need a music education" "sleep first" "tired Miley?" "Very" "let's go set it up. It's going to be a really cold night" "I'm sensing that too" all four stood up and walked to their camp. 'really cold. No wind break as more rain will come. The days are boiling hot and the nights are freezing. We need to be careful we don't get sick' brielle removed her shoes and put on a pair of sweatpants over her leggings then removed her jacket and put a jumper on then her jacket back on. 'another pair of socks' putting another pair of socks on, brielle grabbed two jackets and closed her suitcase. Making her way over to the wooden platform, brielle looked at everyone else. "come lay down" moving in between Miley and Rome, Brielle folded a jacket into a pillow like others did and rested her head before putting the other jacket over her. "sleep well" "all of you too" 'with all of us together, it should keep us warm' closing her eyes, brielle instantly fell asleep like the others.

'what the hell is that?' Brielle sat up and looked around then at her watch. 'its three.. way too early. Shit Rome is freezing' Brielle put her jacket over Rome and laid back down. 'hes shaking..' "don't do that. You will freeze" "you are freezing, Rome. Take it. You need all the strength and sleep you can get" Rome swallowed hard 'i know I'm freezing but she will..' "no.." Brielle sighed as Rome put the jacket back over her. 'i can't allow this. If he won't take it, we share it. He's shivering. He's in jeans and a jacket' "I'm sorry.." Brielle put the jacket over both of them and her arm over him. "I need to keep you warm" Romes eyes softened. Putting his arm over Brielle's side, he pulled her closer to him. Brielle instantly moved the jacket to his back and held it there so he couldn't move it. 'if it keeps him warm. I don't care. His deodorant smells good' closing her eyes, Rome grinned as he heard her breathing change. 'shes so sweet and so beautiful. That jacket..' trying to move it, Rome sighed 'shes holding it. I must admit, it's keeping me warm and so is she'.

Orson grinned as he looked at Rome and Brielle. 'they are holding each other like I did with Miley. It's the only way to keep each other warm. It's still freezing cold but last night was worse' "hmm morning Orson" "good morning. Warm enough?" "As warm as I can be. You?" "I am" Miley looked around "she's still asleep" "my guess is she woke up throughout the night" "it's no surprise. Maybe we can try breakfast?" "Let's go do that. Let them sleep" 'i'm not sleeping but I want to hold her. Take in her warmth, her smell. Whatever perfume or deodorant she uses smells beautiful. Maybe it's her shampoo and conditioner or her body wash. Whatever it is, I can't get enough of it'. "I know you are awake" Rome grinned "not moving?" "Yeah.." "not yet. It's warm here" "yeah but peeing here wouldn't be great" Rome let a quiet laugh slip "not a good idea and you.. you held the jacket" Brielle moved back as she grinned "yeah you were cold" "you have dimples" Brielle moved off of the platform "don't ignore what I said.." "need to pee" "ugh. You are only avoiding it" "Pee time" Rome grinned 'they are absolutely gorgeous. Her deep blue eyes light up and her teeth are perfectly straight. Little straight nose, those pink lips and those dimples. Not to mention that body. She's absolutely gorgeous. How have I not noticed before?' "still not up?" "Shit we need to help. Not you, you always help or should I say do it" "I will help.." "sit" "segregating me now?" "Maybe message your dad".