For the Love of Rabbits - Of Mice and Men Fanfic

Chapter 2

FanFiction - Of Mice and Men - For the Love of Rabbits

Chapter 2

Anya and the boys had just finished up for the day and were heading back to the bunkhouse for some much needed supper and rest. Carlson, Slim and the rest of the boys promised Anya she could right up front in the truck. She usually was shoved on the back, cramped between some of the other guys who would tease her to no end. It wasn't harmful teasing, not anymore anyway, but it was teasing all the same and it grew tiresome sometimes. As they reached the bunkhouse, Anya hopped out of the truck with great anticipation in meeting the new ranchers. Anya let Slim enter the bunkhouse first and followed right behind him. As she looked around the room, she noticed Sweet sat on his bunk and his mutt sat beside him. As her eyes scanned some more, she noticed the big guy sat on a bunk just a way off from the littler guy who was sat at the table with a cup of water in his hand. She had analysed him correctly, he definitely had handsome features. As they entered, all three of them turned to look at who had entered the bunkhouse. As the littler guy noticed Anya, he shifted uncomfortably which didn't surprise her in the slightest.

Slim was the first to speak. "So, you must be the new guys. I'm Slim."

"George Milton." He spoke cautiously, but when Slim held out his hand to him, he shook it in greeting.

"'Nd the big guy is?" Slim asked politely as he turned towards the person in question.

"Lennie Small." He spoke in a protective tone that didn't go unnoticed by Anya.

She stifled a small laugh which caused people in the bunkhouse to turn to face her, with questioning looks on their faces. "Oh, sorry. It's just... it's a little ironic isn't it." Anya turned to her trusted friend, Slim for confirmation as she knew he would be the only one to catch her meaning. Slim smiled at her for reassurance and then she turned back to the newcomer and offered her hand out as Slim had done previously. She got no response. This actually also didn't surprise her as much as it should have. She lowered her hand awkwardly as the gentleman just stared at her, but Anya just couldn't read him. She couldn't tell if she had offended him or surprised him. "Okay... well... I'll just." She backed off slowly to avoid any confrontation and allowed others closer to welcome George and Lennie, but Slim wasn't going to let that go unanswered.

"Has my friend done something to upset you?" Slim crossed his arms against his chest and looked down at George who was still staring at her.

"No... It's just..." With that, he turned to Lennie who was also staring at Anya with great interest which was only now brought to her attention. Suddenly, she felt very uncomfortable. "Does she sleep in here?"

"Of course she does. She's a rancher and this is where the ranchers sleep. Is that a problem?" Slim wasn't speaking in a malicious tone. Anya knew he was just genuinely curious in this odd behaviour.

"No, I guess not. I just didn't expect to see any female workers is all."

Anya believed this to be her cue to speak up. "That's because there aren't many really. I'm sorry if I've offended you in any way, it wasn't my intention." George nodded slightly in response and this allowed her to relax slightly in his presence.

"Well men... I think it's time you lot started the campfire, don't you. I'm starvin'." All the men rushed out of the bunkhouse after Slim, including Sweet, leaving George, Lennie and Anya alone in the cramped room. Anya moved to her bunk and grabbed at the backpack that lay, slumped beside it. As she tugged at its contents, she turned to see the big guy still staring at her. She shifted slightly under his gaze and turned to his friend who was looking very pissed off.

"Why don't ya go join them? You must be hungry too, right?" He looked blank for a second and then rose from his seat.

"Ya know, that ain't a bad idea. Com'on Lennie." At first the giant didn't move, he just continued to stare. "Lennie!"

"Wha' was that, George?" Putting his right arm on his hip and tapping his left foot, George was getting agitated. "I said let's go. It's time to get ya somethin' to eat."

"Oh sure, George." With that said, Lennie trailed after Milton who waited until Lennie left first. Before he followed, he stopped and looked at Anya who was tugging out a change of clothes from her backpack. She stopped too when she noticed George had not yet left. They stared at each other for a few seconds before he turned and half slammed the bunkhouse door shut, leaving her to wonder what she had done to piss him off so much.

Lennie was watching the men lighting the firewood for the campfire and setting the pot to cook the food in. George looked at the other men rushing about and relished the opportunity to set a few things straight for his ol' troublesome friend. "Hey! You have to keep away from her, you hear?"

Lennie turned to him innocently. "But... I done nothin', George."

George glared at him fiercely. "No, not yet you haven't. Just keep away from her. Whenever she comes to try and talk to you, come to me! You don't touch her! Got it?"

Lennie smiled lazily, "Sure George."