Escalante

Another day and I still had no reason to leave my bed. Staring up at the ceiling, all I could remember was falling for Preston. I had no clue what had gotten into me to be in a relationship with him. I didn't just feel weird but used too. It was annoying and every thought about him pissed me off.

     Preston was another case of psychotic and deep down I felt bad for him. His ex-boyfriend must have not just messed him up emotionally but also mentally.

     When the camp manager called my parents, they had blown a fuse, but Mr. King begged me to stay. I haven't talked to them and I don't plan on until I was in the mood.

However, my situation with Preston made me realize what he did to me was as wrong as what I did to guys at the gym back home. If I had put words to it, I was actually molesting them. Just thinking about it made me disgusted with myself.

     My hands searched around the bed for my phone until I felt it under my pillow. I had gotten more voicemails and I was sure majority of them were from Samuel.

     Combing through the names on my contact, my thumb lingered on Carlo's name and a weird piercing pain stabbed my heart. This awful pain had started when Carlo had called me his brother. I still didn't know why it hurt when he called me his brother but I swallowed whatever thought and continued searching for Samuel's name.

     When I found it, I contemplated calling him. I wanted to apologize for what I did, but I could just ignore it and start over. I was struggling, my inner beast wasn't letting my fingers tap his name and call him, but I wanted to. I needed to tell him I didn't mean to molest him.

     And with that thought, I called him. It rang once then twice then t- "Oh my god. You called me back after a week." Samuel yelled excitedly into the phone.

"Hey. I called to apologize." I said softly.

"Apology accepted. So when are you coming back?" He sounded so excited and it brightened my mood a little.

     One of the reasons I 'molested' people in the gym was because I always got them pretty whipped. It's weird but I liked it. I never really had a time when I was alone.

"Two weeks." I told him and he sighed.

"Darn. I'm missing you badly."

     I frowned and sat up on my bed, leaning back on the wall. "Sam, I didn't want to apologize for not calling you. I actually wanted to apologize for what I did to you. Back in the gym. It was wrong and I shouldn't have done it."

     There was a sudden silence on the other end then some shuffling as if moving. Something like a chair squeaked and I could assume he just sat down on it.

     A loud sigh came from the speaker and he spoke, "Okay." He stayed quiet again then said with a much deeper and serious tone that made me wonder if I've been talking to the real Samuel, "I've already forgiven you that was why I let you have sex with me. Es, is something the matter?" He added worriedly.

     I bit my lip because I knew by the time this call was over, Samuel might hate me and honestly, he was a cool guy. "I feel like I molested you back there and I shouldn't have. It was really wrong of me and I'm sorry."

"Dude... sure, it started that way, but I let you. If I didn't want it, I would have screamed even though that might have been a girly thing to do. I was curious at that point because I actually liked what you were doing to me. I'm not asking for anything more Es. I just like the sex."

"But you are totally whipped for it." I joked and he laughed.

"I'm whipped for anything that I like. So don't get it all wrong. If you want to stop it's fine."

"Thanks for understanding Samuel."

He huffed then whipped, "Damn. Now, I'm really going to miss you."

"One last date." I told him and it was like I felt him cheer up.

"Great. I'll set it up. Can't wait." He chirped, making me roll my eyes.

Someone knocked on my door and I said my goodbyes to Samuel before hanging up. I found my plain black Tee on the floor and wore it before stumbling towards the door. Swinging the door open, Carlo stood there looking as adorable as a bunny.

    His blond hair was ruffled which meant he was nervous and had been scratching his head before he came here. His cheeks reddened slightly and I smirked at him. "Dude, what's up? You look like you are about to ask a girl on a date."

His eyes widened and his blush darkened and out of habit, his hands went up to ruffle his hair again. "I told you I'm not doing that anymore. It wasn't me."

"Good because I would be jealous again if you went after another girl." I bit my tongue the moment I realized what I had said out loud. Even Carlo noticed it and I laughed to cover it up, "I'm just kidding. You can have all the fun you want with whatever girl you want."

     I started to walk pass him but he pulled me back around and pinned me against the wall. His face neared mine and an ancient feeling surged within me. It moved throughout my body and settled in the pit of my stomach, reminding me of a very long time ago when I had pinned him like this.

     The moment was so alike but only in reverse. I was the one that kissed him back then but now, Carlo's lips touch mine slowly like he was scared I would do something to him.

     My heart soared at his hesitation and my eyes flickered close when he pressed his body against mine. A thrill coursed through my body when his lips moved on mine and instantly, my hand cupped the back of his head, weaving into his hair. My other hand cupped his cheeks and he pulled away to look at me.

     His eyes were dazed with much more than just lust and it left me speechless. I didn't even have the chance to ask anything when his lips came back down on me and I moaned when his tongue dived into my mouth. I grinded against him as he kissed me hungrily. Desire busted through me and I arched my back when he nipped at my exposed neck.

     I was growing hard by the minute and Carlo didn't look like he was going to stop any second now so I pushed him to my room and closed the door behind me.

     Carlo grunted and pushed me against the door before he attacked my lips again. While I slip my hand under his thin shirt, he moaned when I placed my leg between his and grounded against his boner.

His kissed my ear then exhaled in pleasure when I tweaked his nipple.

"Damn, Es."

     The sound of my name leaving Carlo's lips turned me on more and I switched the position, turning us so that Carlo was pressed against the door and I kissed him. Carlo moaned deep in his throat and I had almost lost all sense of reason if not for that knock on my door.

Carlo and I jumped away from the door in shock and I stared at it. Val's voice came from behind the door, "Yo, come out. We are having a paint ball battle outside."

Carlo glanced at me just as I looked at me. Is that why he came here? Carlo shook his head as if answering the question running through my mind. I turned back to the door and said, standing up straight, "I'll be out in a minute."

"Okay. Alex will give you your gun and amour." He answered, "It is block against block. The block 10-19 on the girls and boys side are in one team. Be out soon. It's about to start."

"Thanks."

"Yeah. And oh, Carlo, there's one for you too." We heard him snicker then he left.

When I was sure he was gone, I turned to look at Carlo who had gone pale with the only color on his cheeks. I didn't know what to make of our relationship right now so to not put Carlo in a tight spot, I walked up to him and gave him a chaste kiss on his lips. The color on his face returned and I smiled before saying, "After the paint ball battle we'll talk, okay?"

     Carlo smiled then started to reach for his hair again and I caught his hand before he got anywhere close to his already awful hair. "Sure."

"Good. Now, let's go kick some butt."

"But I'm awful at paint ball." Carlo whined but quickly added when I glared at him, "Not that I cannot try. Yep, let's go."

     I rolled my eyes at the fake excited look he was giving and smacked him in the butt. He glared and I sighed in bliss. Gosh, he is so adorable.

Carlo headed down with me tailing behind me so I could watch him work those shorts. Yeah, he was definitely tempting me. Two other cabin mates ran pass us and almost knocked Carlo off, earning a glare from me after I had caught Carlo before he fell.

     They apologized quickly before running out the door with their paint ball rifles. Since they didn't stick around, I cursed them in Spanish before taking Carlo's hand and leading him to the sitting room where Alex was.

     Alex looked up from the book he was reading and glanced between Carlo and I then down at our hands. He frowned for a second to my surprise then sighed before standing up from the couch he was laying in.

"Good to see you back on your feet." He said dryly to me and I frowned.

     Carlo laughed nervously and took his hand from mine, obviously embarrassed because his cheeks still hadn't calmed down. His hand reached up to scratch his head and I only frowned deeper and watched him approach Alex who picked up a vest.

"Take this." Alex handed the vest to Carlo then picked up a rifle. I came up to them as Carlo turned the vest and showed me our team sign which was 10-19. He nodded and Alex continued, "When you're hit, you rest to recharge. There really isn't a rule, just think of it like-"

"War!" Dave yelled, running into the cabin and slamming the door close behind him. Dave panted, his eyes wide with horror and he gripped his hair in frustration. "Do not go out there." He warned then looked down at his painted vest. It had the mix of almost all the colors of the rainbow.

"What is going on out there?" Alex left us to stare at Dave's vest. His brows furrowed and he added, "There's even a blue paint here."

"Those fucking muggins don't even know their own teammates." Dave cursed then looked back at us. "I need back up. 20-29 are taking our girls as hostage."

Alex laughed and said, "Wow! This is more serious than I thought." He looked back at Carlo, "You'll leave with Dave. Es and I will be right behind you."

     Carlo nodded, picked up his rifle after wearing his black vest then ran to Dave, "I'm ready."

Dave patted him on his shoulder and said, "Good. Stay away from anyone without 10-19 on their vest. Don't even trust allies or even your sisters. Shoot as many times as you like. Once they hit you ten times, you fall."

Carlo frowned in confusion and Dave explained, "It means, you are dead."

"Okay." Carlo chirped then held on to his rifle tightly, "Now, I'm really ready."

     Dave nodded and they both ran out of the cabin like a couple of kids and it made me smile. I was proud of how far Carlo had come to almost eliminating his shyness. I was thrilled for him

But back to the matter at hand; Alex.

He turned away from them and came up to me. "Pick a vest. We are going out once Val calls."

     I nodded quietly and started to pick one up. Alex did the same, pulling off his sweater and replacing it with the vest. He attached the paint to a rifle and handed it to me without saying anything.

     Taking it from him, I watched him work on the other rifle then he moved to pick up the radio from on top of the TV. He stretched out the antenna as he said, "Played this game before?"

"No." I shook my head. "Just Laser tag."

     He licked his lips and nodded before dropping down on the couch, still looking at me.

     There was an awkward air around us when we fell silent but what was more awkward was the way he was staring at me as if he expected me to say something.

     I cleared my throat at the discomfort and he rose a brow, making me frown at him. "What?" I asked when I finally couldn't handle it.

"You are taking it very well." He answered as he leaned back on his seat.

"Taking what very well?"

"Preston and you." He finally looked away from me and scowled at the table where he drummed his fingers on. "The cops said he didn't try to gang rape you."

I tensed, playing with my thumb. "Yeah. It was just him." I looked up when he stopped hitting the table then added quickly before he could speak, "Alex, I'm sorry."

     Alex suddenly looked up at me and I smiled when I got a good reaction from him. "I should have listened to you but I didn't. I am really, really sorry."

     Alex's eyes widened at my apology and a smile slowly crept on his face. "Apology accepted. And I am sorry about what Preston did to you. I noticed you actually liked him and for the fact that he did that..." He trailed off.

"Preston told me what he did to you and I... I don't know what to say. I don't think sorry is enough but-"

"Stop." He shook his head and stood up just when the radio cackled. Alex picked it up and Jacob's voice came on, "Alex! Alex, you hear me?"

     I was instantly on my feet when I heard his voice. Alex looked at me briefly before answering into the radio, "Jacob! I'm here. What's up?"

"Meet me behind the cafeteria. Val and Dave have been taken. I've got Carlo and MK is covering for us. Hurry." There was so much static noise but we were able to make out what he was saying. "Guys, hurry." Then the noise stopped.

"Wow! That sounds serious." I said when he dropped the radio.

He sighed and said, "Tell me about it." He exhaled then clapped his hand. "Okay. Pick up your rifle. We leaving now."

I did as he said and we walked to the door. He stopped me before I made any move to open the door and said with sincerity, "I'm really glad you are alright."

     My heart felt warm from his comforting words and I nodded with a smile. I patted his shoulder to show him I appreciated it and he smiled and added, "Now, that that's dealt with. Let's kick some asses butt."

"Honestly," I added when he opened the door, "I'm not really good at this game."

"Just try not to get hit too much." He laughed then pulled me out.

I was about to retort but the scene before me left me speechless.

The camp was eerie quiet and there wasn't anybody walking around. In fact, if there was anybody, it would be the fake dead people lying around. They were covered in paint from head to toe. Some died leaning against the door of one of the cabins as if they had been shot before entering their cabins for safety.

A couple laid dead on the pathway and it made me realize how serious this game was.

     I was too stunned by the performance that I didn't hear when Alex yelled at me to duck. I got shot twice and my eyes widened as realization hit me.

     Alex yelled at me again and I ran to him before looking back at my shooter. She was on 30-39 team and I cursed at the purple stain on my vest.

Looking up Alex, he grinned at me and said, "8 more lives to go, mate."

I huffed. 8 more shots and I was out.

     This game can't be any more annoying.