“Why didn’t you tell me yesterday?” Jay demands.
Was that just yesterday? I feel like I’ve been here a week already.
“I didn’t know you, and I don’t like to show weakness in front of anybody. People tend to exploit that. I guess me passing out was a good thing since no one realized I couldn’t swim. Are we going to have to swim during any of this? Can we skip those tasks?” I hope for confirmation that no swimming will be involved.
“You’ll have to be able to swim. There’s a mandatory task at the end where we have to do several days of tracking and wilderness life. Last year, we had to traverse the lake.” Jay rubs his temples as he works on the issue. “We can try to build some sort of raft, but we may have to swim in parts as the raft will take too long to make, and it will be too heavy to carry around with us.”
I reach over and touch his arm. “Hey. We have time before that happens. Let’s focus on this week. In our free time, we can go down to the lake or over to the pool to help me learn. The lake may be better since there will be fewer people to see what we’re doing. Just because I don’t swim doesn’t mean I can’t. I’m a quick learner. We’ll be okay.”
Jay nods, but his eyes unfocus as he ignores the rest of us. I point to Parker to put us back on track.
Parker picks back up on our security issues. “Once we get through our required business for today, we can check the room out and make some decisions on what we need to do.”
We all agree, and Parker pulls a page out of his planner. “We have to come up with a team name. I have no preference, but everyone throws out a name or two, so we can work on making a short list.”
The boys throw out names. Clearly, they spent the last year contemplating this. I, on the other hand, have no idea. I do laps around the room. Movement helps me concentrate. I also need to tune them out, or I won’t be able to come up with anything.
Before long, everyone moves around, and energy builds in the room. With this experience known to the guys, they’re ready to jump in feet first. This contagious excitement helps me brainstorm ideas. What’s a good name for a group of people? What if that group is a girl with a bunch of guys? I giggle at the direction of my thoughts.
The boys stop and stare at me.
I put my hand over my mouth to suppress the giggles. “What? I’m just trying to think of a name. Did you guys decide on something?”
Noah narrows his eyes at me. “No, everyone has to contribute, and you haven’t said anything yet. What has you giggling over there, missy?”
My jaw hurts from the grin covering my face. I press my lips together to seal in the name. Before I know it, Parker lays down the pen and paper he held and strides toward me.
“I will tickle this information out of you. You don’t want that, do you?” He tries to sound evil, but he says it more like a joke.
I put my hands up to stop his advance as I back away from him and shake my head. “I haven’t thought of a good name yet. Give me a couple more minutes.”
Parker peers down on me. “I don’t want the good name. I want the name that has you in fits.” He grabs my arms, spins me around, puts his hands on my sides, and digs his fingers into them. I squeal and dash away, managing to put a desk between us, but Lucca sneaks up on my left.
“Lucca, don’t let your leader bring you down.” I position the desk between the two of them at a slight angle. While I focus on them, I miss Noah coming up behind me.
He grabs under my armpits and won’t let go. It’s all I can do to stand up because I’m laughing so hard. “Okay, okay, Uncle. The name was Cassie’s Harem.”
Jay, who must have picked up the pen and paper at some point, writes the name down.
“Wait! No! What are you doing?” I yell at him.
Jay finishes writing and formally announces, “All those in favor, please say aye.”
All the boys’ hands reach for the sky, and they say aye in unison.
Jay glances around, his expression mock serious. “Opposed, please say nay.”
I yell, “Nay!” but it’s too late.
Jay’s proclaims, “The ayes have it.”
I run at Jay and tackle him. He’s not expecting it, but catches me anyway. We go to the ground as I scramble for the paper. We wrestle to determine who wins the prize. If I place it down my shirt, I’ll be safe. Before I grab the paper, three short knocks reverberate from the door. We both scramble to our feet.
Jay hands the paper to Parker as Lucca goes to unlock the door. I remember I’m in a sundress and work to smooth out my skirt and straighten my bun. Sparks fly from Jay’s eyes. The tension in the room was gone for a few minutes, but with the click of the lock, the air shifts from light to suppressive.
The door swings open, and Mr. Smyth, Ms. Carlton, Kelly, and Mr. Baker enter.
Ms. Carlton addresses us. “Please shut the door.” She waves her hand at Lucca and waits until the door clicks closed before continuing. “The four of us have discussed your team situation. Even though it’s against the rules, we will allow Cassie to switch teams if she’s uncomfortable here.”
In the back, Mr. Smyth scowls before he contains his features. He doesn’t want me to change teams.
Do I want to change teams? They’ve been nothing but nice and supportive. We get along well together, especially if I take the last ten minutes into account. “I’m happy where I am.”
Sighs of relief escape from the boys. Good, they agree with my decision.
Kelly clicks her tongue. “This is a one-time opportunity. After today, you cannot change your mind. These tasks require you to be in some pretty tight places with your team. Are you worried they’ll take advantage of you?”
The boys, irate over her statement, yell protests at the same time.
“Gentleman, no one says you’ll do anything.” Ms. Carlton clarifies to help settle the room. “Kelly is just trying to make sure Cassie understands her options. You’ve all been through this before. She has not.”
“There’s no one I would rather be with. There have been girls here that have tried to kill me, even if on accident, but these four have been supportive, kind, and considerate. They’ve never assumed my place on the team. I don’t know what the future will hold, but this is where I want to be.” I stand as tall as I can to deliver my speech. Hopefully, they won’t question me again.
“Very well.” Small lines crease around Mr. Smyth eyes.
Did he place me on this team? I’ll have to talk to Noah about it.
The four adults walk to the door, but at the last second, Mr. Smyth turns around. “Right before we knocked, we heard a crash. Is everything okay in here?”
I turn and widen my eyes at the boys. They hold back their laughter and smirk at me. My lips purse. I decline to answer the question.
When I assume they’re about to take our silence as our answer, Parker speaks up, “We were discussing our team name. Everything’s fine.” He emphasizes the word discussing.
Hopefully, the adults accept his response and leave.