Retreat (ddlb)

17

After exiting the bathroom, it felt important to take the lead again. Or at least be equal with him. I feel like showing that side of me is mostly just for Ezra. At least for now. I walked over to Darien and Jayden, who were sitting on a large area of grass talking. They casually greeted me as I plopped down next to them, with Ezra joining us after returning the First Aid kit to Ms. Sammy.

"I take it someone wasn't happy with you throwing yourself off of the swings?" Darien muttered this to me without the others hearing. "Uh. Yeah, nope." He laughed a bit, making me slightly embarrassed. "How's your knee, bud?" I looked up at Jayden, who was gesturing to my leg. "Fine. High pain tolerance." I shrugged my answer, knowing my ears were pinkish by now. "I'm surprised there was no punishment for that shit." He smirked at me, most likely joking but that didn't stop Ezra from raising an eyebrow and grinning and me turning beat red.

This caused Darien to snort and start laughing and Jayden to clap us both on the back, also joining Darien in laughter. Pretty soon I was the only one not laughing, sulking in my embarrassment. "Man, what did you do to the poor guy?" Jayden said this, looking at Ezra, who I was staring at intently. I wasn't sure I wanted him to say anything. To my appreciation, he glanced at me until I nodded lightly before looking back to Darien and Jayden. "Aw, he's fine it was just a few minutes in the corner." He said this jokingly, waving his hand dramatically.

Even though I was fine with him telling them, it still stung as my face uncontrollably heated up. "Okay, assface... so Darien, what were you talking to Jayden about this whole time?" I smirked as his grin faltered, with it being his turn to be embarrassed. I watched as Jayden gave him a glance, to which he nodded to. "We're gonna get partnered." He said this with an almost triumphant smile, leaving Darien with rosy cheeks. I certainly wasn't surprised by the news and promptly congratulated them along with Ezra.

We had a good time talking and teasing each other for another few minutes until the god awful whistle sounded its way through the playground. We all stood and walked over to the leader and Ezra and Jayden said their goodbyes as they headed back to wherever their group was.

"Alrighty, we're gonna head back over to the dorms to clean up and then head over to lunch!" Ms. Sammy quickly announced this before leading us through the gate and back onto the paths. When we got to our room I changed out of my stained jeans and into some brown cargos to match with my black T shirt and dark green jacket as well as my white Nikes. She had us all wash our hands in the bathroom and some of the kids that played had to wash their faces and also change their clothes.

When we entered the cafeteria Ezra and Jayden were already at our table, but this time I noticed the second tray of food beside Ezra. "Is this mine??" I pointed to the food, looking at Ezra. "Uh, yeah I went ahead and made a plate, hope you don't mind. It has some of everything..." I nodded to thank him and sat down across from him, peering at the plate. Todays lunch included ants on a log, a small bag of chips, and Oreos. I glanced up as Darien soon joined us with his own food, seeing his plate with less celery sticks with a high stack of Oreos.

"So when are y'all getting partnered?" I looked up from my food to ask them before taking a small bite of my food, being careful not to get peanut butter on my face. "Probably during the next free time or maybe tonight." I nodded at Jayden's shrugged answer. "There's no rush though." Darien said this, making Jayden smirk and nudge him under the table. "I mean there's some rush... until we're partnered I can't keep you in line properly." Ezra and I chuckled at this, making Darien turn a darker shade of pink and stuff an Oreo into his mouth. "Eat your other food first." Darien shot Jayden a glare, but started eating his ants on a log slowly.

"What's next on the schedule?" I wondered this aloud, trying to remember what Ms. Sammy told us this morning. "Doms and littles class. For us, at least." Darien groaned at this, "Ugh now I'm going to be all alone in littles class." We laughed a bit at this and continued talking for a while.