Clouds

Part 2-30 Hurt

Chapter 30

Dinner with the A group had gone by quickly.  We didn’t talk about much, just congratulating Colby and Dakota.

About a month of training and the Mountain had gone by since that night.

 I realized something is up with Colby; he doesn’t seem like himself.  I decide to talk to him later and see what’s going on.

Misty flickers again when she comes to give an announcement.

It’s strange, how Misty is always the one to flicker.  It took me a long enough time to discover a pattern between it all: whenever she announces something she flickers.  And then, after dinner or during training, Dakota or another member of the A group will flicker.  If anyone knows what’s going on, it’s Colby, and he may be troubled by it.

After dinner I walk up to my room and collect my clothes, towel, and soap.  I remember I get four minutes and grab my shampoo and conditioner.

I chose one of the middle showers and step inside.  I undress and wait, holding the towel against my body.  Suddenly, I hear someone opening the door, and freeze.

A small girl about my age steps inside, and her eyes widen when she sees me.

“Oh my gosh!” She screams, stepping backwards.  My eyes widen.  “I’m so sorry!”

“It’s fine,” I say automatically.

“No, it isn’t!”  The showers click on.  “Oh my gosh you’re Victoria Hart!”  I nod.  “That makes it so much worse!  I’m so sorry please forgive me!”  I stare at her.

“I said it’s fine,” I reply.  “Now what’s your name?”

“M-M-Marcy,” she replies.  She clutches her glasses in her hand.

“You better go get a shower,” I say, “Before the rest click-“ The showers stop.  “Off.”  Mine had started two minutes earlier, I realize.

“I’m so sorry!” She exclaims.  “I made you lose your extra shower time!”

“You lost yours too,” I reply.  “Look, there’s no reason to apologize.  I’m not superior to you.”

“But you’re a member of the elite A group!  You’re amazing!”  I feel myself blushing.  “Do you think I could get your autograph?”

“No,” I reply, “but I can be your friend.”  She beams.  “Let’s go out sometime with some of your friends.  I’d like to meet new people.”  She nods, excited, and hurries away.  I watch her leave as I sigh, gathering up my stuff and putting my old clothes on.  I’ll have to wash up back in my own bathroom.

Using a wash cloth to clean myself, I finish a few minutes later.   Hopefully I don’t smell too sweaty anymore, because I sure feel like I do.  I put on my fresh clothes: purple Nike shorts and a green top, and put on my slip on shoes.  It’s getting late, so I’ll just have to go upstairs on my own and hope that no one sees me.  I put on a baseball cap just in case, and gather my hair up into it.  No one will recognize me right away, at least.

I hurry upstairs so no one will miss me, and go to the boy’s floor.  I pray that the halls are empty, and they are.  I have to talk to Colby.  This is just too strange, and if he won’t tell me on his own, I’ll have to figure it out myself.

I enter Colby’s room to see Dakota is there. 

“Hey.”  Dakota turns around, a bit of surprise on his expression.  “Is Colby here?”  His eyes darken.

“No,” he replies, rolling his eyes.

“I need to ask him a question.”

“Oh.  You can ask me, if you’d like.”  I consider this.  Dakota knows more about the Mountain, and he may know what’s going on just as well as Colby.  They probably just forgot to mention it to me.

“Alright,” I reply.  But deep inside it feels as if something is wrong.  I hear footsteps in the doorway as I begin to speak.  “Lately, I’ve seen weird things.”  The footsteps grow louder.

“As in...?”

“Well, it started with-“ It’s Colby.  He runs up to me, and wraps me in his arms.  He then turns to face me, and quickly moves closer.  My eyes widen in confusion and I try to get away, but I can’t.  He has a strong grip.

And then, he kisses me.

I quickly pull away, surprised.

“What was that for?!” I scream.  Dakota rushes over and punches Colby in the nose.

“Get out of here Colby!” Dakota screams.  “I don’t want to share a room with a pervert like you, taking advantage of her like that!”  Dakota turns to me.  “Are you ok-“

Dakota punches him back. 

I watch, not wanting to get closer to break them up, as the two break into a fight.

I should never have come up here.  I was so stupid to have done so!  What was I thinking? 

Finally, I sprint out of there.

“Awesome, wait!” Dakota calls.  I don’t look back, and I don’t care that there are many people in the hallways staring at me.

I sprint all the way back to my room, taking the stairs, leaping down six steps at a time.  I don’t stop until I reach my bed, and just lie there.

“Awesome?” Claire asks me.  She sits by my bed.  “Are you alright?  We’re going out later, want to come?”

“No!” I cry, trying but failing to sound like I’m not hurt at all.  Hurt in a way I’ve never been hurt before: confused and overwhelmed.

“What’s wrong?” Claire asks, staring at me.  I don’t say anything.  She sighs.  “Well, you need to tell me tomorrow, okay?  It will all be better in the morning, I promise.”  She walks away.

No it won’t, Claire.  And you say you’re my friend, but a true friend would stay by my side instead of going out for another chance to see your beloved Dakota.  Colby would.

My thoughts freeze, and I begin to cry again.

I don’t get any sleep that night.  How could I when my best friend betrayed me, and all of my other friends aren’t good, true, friends?

Okay I know that was really rushed. But I need to get a move on with the Hedges and if I keep writing the details like I would for the final copy I won’t get anywhere.  My goal is 75,000 for the Hedges and Departure combined.  I’m at 53,000.  At this rate I’ll be there in no time, and I really need to get to the more interesting points in the plot instead of continuing with the pointless chapters that will only be written when I write the final copy.  I want this completed by January, so I need to hurry!

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed!!!