Jakkals Camp

Chapter 3

•Elise•

"Mikey, you know I can't go out with you. I'm sorry, you know, if I could date you I would at least go on a date with you but I can't..." I heard Jana say. Michael stood for a minute alone and I began creeping a little bit closer to the dorm. As I listened to Mikey's sigh, I glared at Jana's retreated form through the window. How dare she...how dare she talk to Michael like that about dating. What does she know? She just was jealous of Mikey's conversation with me at the table. I followed Michael back to the dorms still creeping in the shadows of the trees. His shoulders were drooped and kicked dust everywhere on his way there. I managed to see his face and he looked like he'd aged 100 years. I was gonna fix that. I jumped out of the bush and walked up to him, pretending to come from the bathroom.

"Hey Mikey, why so sad?"

He answered without even raising his head. "Um, I'm not s-sad. Why would I b-be sad?" His voice was shaky, what happened between him and Jana, I thought.

"You know you can tell me anything, I'm here for you always. "I gave him a small peck on the cheek and went off. He didn't even budge.

xXx

Jana sat with Bongi and the rest of the gang at lunch. Jana made me ditch the butt shorts so there I was in long ugly shorts that Jana lent me. Mikey sat alone. I felt soooooo sorry for him. Jana obviously was giving him a hard time. I was walking to go sit with him, when Jana cam in front on me blocking my way to Michael. "Ummm, sorry I just need to get through," I said politely even though inside I was mad at even looking at her.

"Sorry, but I can't let you sit with Michael." She sounded cold and tired. Her eyes were red, it could be from tears but it was more likely from lack of sleep.

"And why is this?" I said but my politeness was wearing away.

"Because, that's how it is, he chose too sit alone. He's going through stuff and I don't want anyone bothering him," yeah right, I thought, she continued, "and as head facilitator I forbid you from going there." I snorted and turned away. She was soooooo bossy and sooooooo jealous sometimes. I was upset that I couldn't sit with Mikey but relieved that their little relationship was falling apart. I went to sit opposite Amelie. Jana came and sat down with a fake smile. Bongi whispered something in her ear and she nodded. Andre cracked a joke and we all burst out laughing, even Jana smiled. At this point I noticed Michael look over his shoulder and watch us. This time his eyes were definitely wet. I met his eyes and gave him a sympathetic look. He looked down as fast as he could. Completely ignoring me.

xXx

The next day, Jana and Michael were slowly warming up to each other. Again. Really? Can they just stop, Jana was just too nice, she was so kind to everyone and made it impossible for me not to like her. Which was stupid considering the fact that I was supposed to hate her.  Why? She was playing with Michael, and it wasn't fair.

I sauntered up to Mikey, "Hey, wanna hang out during  R&R?" I ask, waiting for a yes.

"Sorry Elise," he says not sounding sorry, "I'm already hanging out with someone. We're going on a hike..." he carries on. But it falls on deaf ears. Really? I have no doubt in my mind that he's going out with Jana on a 'hike' which is obviously going to push their relationship back to where it was...

"Okay," I say interrupting him, "have fun with Jana!" I smile, trying hard to make it a real one but not really achieving it. Then I turn and carry on to where Bongi and Jana sit with Amelie, Millie and Lisa.