The Identity Crisis

Chapter 3

The stone was cold beneath my bare feet and the grit dug into my heel; I'd still rather go without shoes though, it was such a freeing feeling. I had to focus on the little lamps that lit the path in order to see where I was walking, everything else around me was pitch black. I didn't mind too much, the quiet was nice.  

After about five minutes, however, I was ready to turn back. The quietness was becoming a little too quiet; the darkness, a little too dark. But just as I made up my mind to retreat back to the warm, lit mansion, the path seemed to grow a bit lighter. I could see more. . . and more. Finally, I emerged from the dense trees into something like a cove. It was like a ring had been cut out of the woods, leaving a circular clearing of about fifteen feet in diameter where the moon, or what there was of it tonight, shone its light. For extra visibility, torches stood at intervals along the border. I stepped into the circle, mystefied. It felt like a fantasy -- not that I believe in fantasies or anything -- but I just meant that it was beutiful, I could respect that. The stars shone luminously next to the moon. There was the big dipper, the litle dipper across from that. There was. . . well, those were really the only two constellations I could ever remember. Oh, wait, Orion. I forgot about him; well, he was clear too. 

"Cold!" I yelled suddenly, bouncing up and down on my feet. "What the. . .?! Holy crap that's cold!" I looked down to notice I had wandered onto a boulder that stuck up out of the earth. It was large and flat, taking up a good chunk of the clearing. I bounded off of it; it was like ice on my bare feet. But. . . I thought. . . a good place to sit.

"Hold it right there," came a rough voice from the shadows.

I froze, glancing around for a body to match. "Who's there?" Did someone follow me out here? 

Whoever it was stepped into the circle; the firelight danced around him, making it hard to pick out any features.

"You're in my spot," he said.

"What?"

The boy sighed, stepping closer to me. "I didn't think anyone else had found this spot yet. Is it too much to ask for some peace and quiet?" He stared blankly at me with hazel eyes. 

"Well, excuse me. I didn't realize it was claimed already." I stepped aside, gesturing at the cold stone. "By all means. . ."

He shrugged, clearly indifferent now that he'd already been bothered. When he made no move to claim the spot, I gave up, frustrated now that my quiet had been ruined. I might as well head back to my room; at least in there I'd be alone.

"Wait. . .please." I barely heard him; I almost thought he was talking to himself. I paused, however, on the treeline. I was so close, I could have taken another step and been out of sight. I wasn't good with people and I didn't feel like talking to this guy right now. That was the last thing I needed -- to befriend one of the contestants. It would be better if I just kept to myself.

That. . . 'please' caught me though. I couldn't help myself. 

"Yes?" I asked, cringing inside. 

"You can stay. If  you want."

Seriously? This guy was pathetic. I couldn't leave now. Well, I could, but. . . Agh! I'm supposed to be changing, I promised myself. Hanging my head, I turned back. Okay, I could try to be nice. 

I walked up to him. "Thanks. My name's Edith."

"Eli. And you don't have to stay out here. It's just so wierd, not knowing anybody." 

I'd like to keep it that way. Instead I said, "I don't remember seeing you at dinner."

Eli shrugged, again -- it was a very dissmal gesture, especially since his hands were stuffed inside the pockets of his hoodie. "I was late."

I nodded absently.

Well. . .this was awkward. Eli stood there, head ducked, shaggy hair shielding  his eyes from view. He looked pretty creepy, actually, all stoic and dark. I wondered what he had doing out here in the first place. Was he really just seeking the peacefullness? Not many guys I'd known wandered outside at night just because. 

Our breath frosted the air, mingling and rising toward the stars as we both grasped for something to discuss. It wasn't terribly cold, just a reminder that winter was on its way. I guess I wouldn't be able to walk around barefoot much longer, shame. 

It was like I'd voiced my thoughts aloud. Eli suddenly jerked his head up, apparently taken notice of my exposed feet. 

"Aren't you cold?" He seemed sincere.

Shaking my head, I chuckled. "Nah."

"Okay. . ." Obviously he expected an explanation.

"Don't care for shoes." I shrugged; no sense getting into my wierd quirks. Glancing up at the night sky I asked, "So this is your spot, huh?"

He snorted. "Well, I guess not technically. . .I didn't mean to be rude by the way. I just thought it'd be nice to have a place to get away from everyone else."

"Yeah, that would be smart. Unfortunately, I don't think you could keep this," I gestured at the fantasy woods -- yes, that's what I named them -- "a secret for long. You'll have to find a better hiding place."

"Yeah, too bad." He was still staring at me since he'd noticed my feet; his eyes seemed scrutinizing, like there was something he couldn't understand, like trying to piece a puzzle together. I didn't like it. Sure, I was used to people sizing me up, making judgements based on rumors they'd heard. This guy didn't know anything about me, though and I didn't care for the sudden interest he was taking. 

"I like your hair," he commented before I could say anything to distract him.

My hand flew self-consciously to the short, choppy layers that covered my head. One of the best jobs I've done in awhile, I heard Kelsie's voice -- he'd been the one in charge of my 'makeover'. I  wanted to hate him for chopping off the hair I'd worked so hard to grow out. However, it was kinda growing on me. It just brushed my shoulders now; it didn't have to be fussed with to get it to lay smooth or be brushed out twenty times day. I couldn't pull it back in a ponytail anymore, but it wouldn't take long for it to grow out enough for that. 

"Thanks." I tugged at a strand behind my ear nervously and took a step back. "Well, I should get back to my room."

Eli nodded. He looked like he wanted to say something, but I found the path under my feet and was off to the house before he found his words.