Academy Island

Introductions

I choked on the next chuckle and had to sniff away the swelling emotion, the effort monumental to keep it under control. There was a pat at my knee that got me to peek through my fingers, finding Cupid's hand the culprit. His lips curved into a reassuring smile, bringing me back from the border I was struggling with.

"Now, now. It's all right. You just need some more liquids and a few bandages, and you'll be as good as new. No new tenants for heaven today, we're full up."

I laughed and dropped my hands, wiping my eyes first before letting them lay limply in my lap. It was hard to be unhappy with such a cheery person, his smile infectious and his eyes making my heart do a little jig. He moved his hand down to my foot, gently moving it from side to side, watching my face carefully as he did so.

"You good? Any pain?"

There wasn't. I thought maybe I could try to stand, walk on it a little just to try it out. I shook my head and shifted my weight so I could get to my feet. Three pairs of hands stopped me.

"Whoa there a minute pumpkin. Your ankle wasn't the only thing that's wrong. Let's get you to an empty hut so I can clean your wounds. Nathan?"

Nathan stood rapidly and bent to pick me up again and all the blood drained from my face. I grabbed onto my friend the ground, horrified of another episode of spinning. He stopped, eyebrows lifted in a confused, pained expression. Did I just, hurt him? I didn't want him to think that I didn't want him to carry me, even though the thought had my stomach doing queasy flips.

"Um. I'm still a little dizzy. Can you give me a minute?"

I didn't think a minute was going to cut it, but any time they gave me would help me settle myself down, or at least prepare me so there was less chance of making a mess all over them. Radio boy rubbed at the back of his head, troubled.

"Ah, that's right. She, um, she had a problem earlier and she lost, uh, no. There was an issue with something she ate and she had to, she had to..."

I'd watched him struggle too long to say it. He looked absolutely lost, his hand on his forehead and avoiding eye contact with everyone. I decided to have pity on him and just admit it myself.

"I threw up. Sorry. I just don't want it to happen again, especially if you're..."

I couldn't say 'carrying me' and just gestured towards Nathan's well built arms. All these guys around me giving me all this attention was already weird enough. Telling them all I'd thrown up and that didn't want to be carried because I could possibly lose my cookies all over them was far over my comfort border by miles. In all honesty I just wanted to lie down where I was until everything stayed where it was supposed to. I didn't think they would let me do that though. I looked the direction of camp, up the path that Punky had disappeared that night we'd scared each other. It couldn't be that far. I twisted slowly and got to my hands and knees in the sand.

"I can crawl."

The dizzy spell wasn't as bad, but the dipping was still there. At least it was tolerable with all of my limbs helping keep me grounded. Everybody shifted around me, standing, and a hand was put on my waist, keeping me from moving forward.

"I'd rather you not do that. Is it better when you're upright?"

I paused and thought back to the piggy back ride, looking towards the one who had given it to me. His frown shifted to understanding and he moved in front of me, kneeling in the sand on one knee so I could climb aboard. It was a minute before I was situated, help given from Nathan when I had to stop and rest my head on his back to stay the swaying. He smoothed a hand over my hair when I was on, and then helped his friend stand. There was trembling in my middle at the lift, but it settled. I could handle it. I nodded.