Something About Him

Part 1

There he was. My heart skipped a beat. It had been months, and honestly, this was the last place I expected to see him. Our eyes met and I could tell he was just as surprised as I was. But I could tell we were both happy as well. A bit nervous too. We probably would have stood there staring in surprise for hours if my friend hadn't shook me back to reality.

    "Hey, Lila, are you ok? What are you looking at?"

    "Huh? Oh, sorry, nothing. I'm good. How are you?" I try to act natural, but I tend to not be good at playing innocent.

    "Good. I hope the assembly is quick."

    "Oh my God me too. I absolutely hate these things" I said with a sigh.

    As the assembly began, my mind raced with thoughts about him. Why was he here? Should I talk to him? Or just let it be? Does he even want to see me? I mean. . . after what happened I wouldn't be surprised if he wanted to act like strangers or avoid me. Throughout the assembly I kept stealing glances at him, thoughts rushing through my head. I'm pretty sure he was doing the same because occasionally our eyes met, making me feel so awkward and embarrassed. We would then both quickly look away and hope the other didn't realize we were staring. But, I'm guessing he did realize I kept looking at him because, well, for starters, our eyes kept awkwardly meeting, and secondly, I noticed he was looking at me. So, we were probably both found out, making the situation even more awkward.

    After the assembly was over and each group did their introduction speech, we were all shuffled out of the room, keeping close to our groups, and sent off to deliver our stuff to our dorms for the one night we would spend there, and then shuffled off to our various activities. I saw him briefly at various stations, but it was always at a distance and never long enough to even say hello.

    I was able to get near him, by surprise, after the events had been concluded but before dinner was ready. During that gap of time, a couple groups created a capture the flag game. Most of my group came and he showed up, too. The teams were picked and he was, of course, not on my team.

    My group came together and assigned positions and discussed strategies. I was defense and possible offence if the situation allowed for it. The landscape was covered in thin snow and was like an upside-down arch spanning about eight hundred feet from on edge of the arch to the other. Who knows how long the valley stretched on for. Each team was positioned at the top of the two different hills and the flat valley below was the neutral zone. Alright. Mind off the guy. Focus on winning.

    At first, there isn't any action. Both teams are scouting the area and getting a feel for the surroundings. They are testing the opposite team's reaction to certain moves. A few people walk up close to the border between our zone and the neutral zone. They see how far they can go before they are chased after. They reconvein and, I'm guessing, talk strategy. Most of the team disappears into the trees and bushes of their side. Some slowly snake down for an attack. Or, more likely, a distraction. I scan the top of their hill, searching for people trying to cut around out of sight. I spot someone.

    "Hey! George! There is one over there! They are trying to sneak around!" I shout to George.

    "Ok! I see them! Thanks!" He yells back.

    "Elaina, Grier, keep an eye on that person coming around. Don't let them get close." Elaina and Grier were on defense as well and were only a few feet from me.

    "Ok" Grier replied.

    "Got it. We won't let them close" Elaina spoke with more enthusiasm.