CHAPTER TEN

Maya walked out of the infirmary, once she was sure Vinna needed some space to herself. It was still 9:30 AM, she had at least thirty minutes to cool her mind off a bit before game hours. She walked out of the building and headed for the woods, she needed nature's fresh air.

She took out her phone once she heard the clink sound it made. She had a message!

"Ohh it's Dad"

She smiled seeing the text from her father. Maya looked over the few trees ahead of her to see a log of wood she could sit on.

She wiped her hand on the thick wood, brushing off the few dusty leaves on it. Sighing as soon as she made her self comfortably sitted, she starred back at her phone and clicked on her father's text.

'Amaya, I would have called but I figured you might be busy with your new boyfriend and camping activities. Call me once you're free, I really miss you honey'

Maya scoffed amidst a smile, her dad and always being petty. She tossed her phone in her jacket and starred as the leaves on the trees danced to the rhythm of mother nature. Her loose long hair swerved to her face, falling and stopping prettily above her thigh. She repeatedly tucked her hair behind her ear.

She sat still for nature knows how long. Right now all that was on her mind was for the ten days summer camping to end, and she could go back home and stuff her face to her pillow all day. She was conscious of the days and was careful not to miss out on the count down.

"Hey"

Maya tilted her head sideway to see the cheerful smile on Blake.

"Blake, hi" she beamed.

"I hope I'm permitted to sit"

"yes sure" her smile widened as she watched him closely, sit gently beside her.

"I haven't seen you sit alone like this in a while, Vinna's fever also weighed you down I see"

"Yeah I guess"

He watched her beam turn to chuckle.

"We haven't also sat together like this. Vinna's absence is having an effect on you too" she smiled.

"She's always bickering and squealing about everything. It's annoying but I guess I miss it"

"Or you mean you miss her"

"Oh common"

They laughed lightly, the fresh breeze finding it's way to their faces. The smell of falling leaves filled the atmosphere as well. His lips twitched into a soft smile, making sure his cheek revealed the small hole of a dimple. How cute! Now Maya understood what Vinna saw in him being cute.

Oh Vinna! Who knows how she's fairing now?

Blake let's out a loud sigh as he starred at the falling leaves from the tree inches away from them one more time.

"Are you okay?" She asked out of the moon.

"Why are you asking?"

"One only gives out a loud, tiring sigh when there's either something bothering his mind or he has a problem which he wishes to get rid of soon. So which category are you in?"

He smiled again. "I'm in no category. There's nothing wrong with me, I promise"

"I don't believe you but I'm not gonna persist"

"I'm serious" he sighed again

"Okay if you say so then"

Though he was sure she still didn't believe him. She wasn't like Vinna, Vinna was gonna pester him to open up till he does.

They had spent more minutes talking about irrelevant and relevant things. Soon the general camp alarm went off, they never knew they had spent much time.

"Sweet candies! It's game time already? Common let's go" she stood up, wiping her invisible dusty butt.

"You can go, I'll come later"

"Alright but you sure you are going to be okay?"

"Yes, yes I'll be fine alone"

"Okay then, see you"

Maya bounded off out of the woods, avoiding the little sticks on the floor from making her trip. He gave another tired sigh once he was sure she was some feet away, a sigh not as loud as the first one.

What was the use of going to the game garden when his partner wasn't available? Within those few minutes, sighing had become his habits. He stood up and also walked out of the woods, passing the other way to the clinic.

~

Thankfully, Mrs. Huggins was very much earlier this time. She stood amidst the murmuring students, the casual beam written all over her round face. She took off the whistle from her pocket and placed it around her neck, starring at the students again if they could notice her. Obviously a lot of them were too busy chattering with each other to notice her presence. That was why she brought a whistle and a megaphone, her tiny voice wouldn't do the job alone.

She placed the whistle in between her petite lips and blew air forcefully making a loud squeal.

Finally, they noticed her! Through the side of her eye she could see the students grimace, grumble and gather round. Mrs. Huggins picked up her megaphone and sighed, grinning.

"A beautiful morning dear campers!"

~

Vinna sniffed once again, she no longer felt feverish like before. Gently she took off the blanket off her shoulder and down her waist. Right now she needed nothing but fresh air. She made to the window and gently made a perfect posture, holding unto the window pavement and sighing in relief.

The door soon sprang open, Vinna stood still thinking it was the pretty young nurse.

He stood by the door, still holding the door knob. He starred at her back view once again before shutting the door close, still she didn't move.

"Vinna?" He called.

She paused at first and then turned slightly to see him. Blake flashed that smile of his, then stood across from her.

"I didn't know it was you, I thought it was the nurse" she beamed as well.

Blake starred at her, a little pity in his eyes. Her smile was pale even though it was obvious she was forcing herself to look fine.

"You need more rest, that smile doesn't prove anything" He told her.

Slowly her smile turned into a playful scorn, she rolled her eyes and smacked his arm.

"What was that for?" he glared at the small sized girl before him.

"Look at the time, I've been here for over three hours and you're coming to see me now. Seriously Blake!" She said bluntly.

He paused, his lips forming an O . She was sick, but that annoying part of her wasn't sick.

"Well I came here earlier, but you were snoring your sick lungs out"

"What? I was snoring?"

"No I was only exaggerating. But the smack wasn't necessary though."

"Tch! Whatever!" She beamed and starred out of the window again.

He really missed this girl, no he missed that annoying bicker, he mentally told himself.

"I heard the bell for game hours. Why aren't you at the garden?" She asked.

"What's the use of going there when I have no partner?" He deadpanned.

She paused and shot him a dead glare "It's not like I'm dead, so quit talking that way"

He chuckled for a while and stopped once she shot him those eyes of hers.

"Hey I'm bored" she grunted

"Why telling me?"

"Gosh you're so useless" she rolled her eyes and walked out on him.

"Okay what do you want to do?"

She flashed a beam and smirked.

"Don't ever try smirking again, you look horrible doing that. Like a stuffed doll." he said curtly.

"Why are you so annoying?"

He laughed, seeing he succeeded in annoying her. "Okay, okay. What do you wanna do now?"

"Let's escape" she grinned

"You said what now?"

"I said let's escape, we go out to town, get some shrimps and lobsters and have fun" her grin widened.

"Are you trying to joke here? Cause I'm absolutely not buying that"

"I'm serious. Common don't be a fun sponge" Vinna whined.

"No way Vinna. Something could wrong and----"

"Urghhhhh! Spare me that Blake. You're no fun at all"

In half fury, she hopped on the bed and lay her back on the pillow. Folding her arms and avoiding Blake's gaze.

"I'm sorry, but you haven't fully recovered and I don't----"

"It's just fever. I didn't get into an accident or contacted some stupid virus."

"Fine. When are we doing it?" He finally gave in. Making out a sigh.

She grinned happily and jumped off the bed "Now! Right now!"

"Now? But---but that's too early"

"I know. Let's do it know, nobody would notice we're missing and we'll be back before anyone even finds out"

"But your friend, Maya. She'll surely notice"

"Forget about that kill joy. Obviously she's gonna be against it. Now do as I say and you live" she snorted

"Live? I'm not dying for Christ's sake" he remarked.

"I know. I just felt like saying that" she laughed happily again.

"Okay let's go. The nurse might barge in soon"

She squealed again in excitement and unexpectedly hugged him. He almost froze, yes it was unexpected. Vinna made sure to squeeze every life out of him.

"Vi---vinna you're squeezing me"

"Ohh sorry" she grinned and forcefully dragged him out of the clinic.

She was really serious about them escaping...