I swear I'm going either crazy, or something is wrong with my ears.

I've heard clicks. Walking around on my own, going to bed, walking to the toilet, as we sport... there's often at least one. And when I turn around, I don't see anything. I even spent half an hour scanning the area for who or whatever is out there, but that only made me late to basketball, so now I have to clean the bathrooms.

Jorge or Vince would've saved me, had it not been for Janson who just happened to be next to the basketball field, checking if Jorge and Vince were educating well enough, and seeing if they were stern enough.

Things have gotten worse since the incident in hut two. Janson is even tidier with checking if everyone is at the meals. Ava and him make sure everyone is in their hut or tent before eleven, and it has gotten harder to sneak out, due to the camp instructors walking around the place.

But that has also made kids behave worse. I nearly threw my plate at one who wouldn't stop poking me in the side. And now, as I'm sweeping the cafeteria's floor before I will clean the tables and mop, a kid is purposely spilling his crumbs and has already knocked his glass over twice, then refilled it, walked back to his table while spilling more milk, and then knocked it over once again.

"Hey," I snap. "A little neater, please? Or you can go ahead and sweep."

"You're not a camp instructor. I don't have to listen to you," he says, ripping off a piece of bread. Another load of crumbs lands on the floor I just swept.

My knuckles turn white around the broom, but I don't know what to say back. And even if I do come up with a proud comeback, this kid is annoying enough to not bother.

"I'll give you five minutes to clean it up. That's a lot. Didn't do the job? You're leaving."

Him sticking out his tongue already says he's not going to do it, yet I still wait for five minutes. By that time, the whole cafeteria except for his table is clean.

"Alright. Out." I speed up my walk, then pull the kid off the bench, take his ear, and start pulling toward the exit. "I gave you a warning. Good night." I push him outside before I get back to work, praying he stays away.

Of course he doesn't. Three seconds later, he walks straight back in, scowling at me. I watch as he starts eating and drinking again, absolutely sick. "Didn't you hear what I said? Leave. This job needs to be done before eleven and I've only got half an hour left. It's way past your bed time, freaking rat. Get out."

This time, when I try to pull him away again, he pushes me back. "I will not listen to you! I can stay here 'till eleven."

I get why he's at this camp.

"But you're making a mess and I've asked you not to do it multiple times. Neither have you cleaned it up."

"You're the one who has to clean," he snarls.

"I've already cleaned your table. You made it dirty again, so you may clean all your trails," I push the broom in his hands. "Go on then. Wouldn't want me to get Janson."

"Janson likes me better than you."

"Yeah. Understandable. You're pretty similar to him. Not just in personality."

He lets go of the broom. It hits the ground with a thud. Then he looks up, angry but challenging. "I'm not doing it."

"Yeah, you–"

"Jed," A sharp voice interrupts us. My head flies up to whoever was speaking; Minho, by the door, arms crossed. "Listen to the lady. Clean your stuff up."

"No."

"Yes. You wouldn't want to be spend another day in the Shack, would you? Did I already mention the rats got through the door this year? I know you hate them." A pause. "Pick up the broom and grab a towel. Clean all the milk up. Every last bit. Then sweep your crumbs away. Easy steps. Chop, chop."

With a clenched jaw, the little boy picks up the broom and starts sweeping. I stand fixed on the floor, watching him until he has done exactly what Minho said.

"Now go to bed and never bother her again. I'll notice," Minho orders. With his head down, the kid drops the broom, and starts walking aw–

Minho presses him back into the cafeteria. "Pick up the broom and give it back to her."

He does it, face of stone when he meets my eyes, then finally disappears.

Feeling a dozen different things at once, I stare at Minho. I'm still pissed– holding a grudge for a week and a half feels ridiculous, but I'm not randomly being nice until he does something for it, so I'm not sure whether to thank him or not.

"I'll help. You only have twenty minutes left," he breaks the silence off by taking one of the kitchen cleaners and starts spraying on the tables, then wipes the dirt off with a cloth. "And that's my apology for not helping you back in Janson's office."

From all things, that's what he apologizes for? But alright, fine. I'm happy with some help, even from him.

Without a word, I start sweeping below the tables he has cleaned. I think we're already done in a quarter, if not less.

"Thanks," I can't help but mutter.

"You're welcome," he responds. Instead of leaving, he moves closer. "It's ridiculous, but I got this. It took two days to make. Hope it makes up for the two days I made you spend in the Shack."

He hands me something I think is a necklace. It has a golden color, just like the jewel in the middle. In there is a single dried baby's breath, buried in an oval of resin. A thin, golden line is wrapped around the resin, forming the jewel.

I look up at him, wide-eyed. "You made this?"

"I'm good at everything. Looks like it came straight out of the store, doesn't it?" I catch a tiny grin on his face. "But Mary has all the proof I spent two nights in the atelier."

I flush. "Oh– uh, well, thank you. It's very pretty. And better than just a sorry, I guess..."

I nearly palm my face. Couldn't I have said something like "I didn't know you, the annoying ass, could do this"?

But that wouldn't be very nice compared to what he just did, even though a part of me wishes I said it.

"You're gonna decline, but I shall walk you out," he decides. "Come on."

I indeed would've declined had it not been for the clicks and the possibility of Him being close. So I give him a nod, silently following him until we arrive at hut two.

"Good night." He opens the door. Lets me in. "I'll apologize about the rest soon."

Confused, I look at him, but then he has already disappeared.

☀︎︎

The next day, I text Jennifer. Just to check up and because honestly, I already miss her. She gave me her number before we left.

Hi, Jennifer! This is Lelia. How are you?

I get a quick reply.

Oh, hey ! I'm good. WBU? x

I'm alright. Just checking up

Do I need to be concerned that you have a phone at the camp? Or are you at home?

Someone told me sorry by giving me a phone. Pretty weird, but I'm happy with it. Praying u don't sue me

Haha, I won't :) I learned Minho manners, but tell me he wasn't the one who gave you that.

He's not. It's another friend. It's his old phone. That's what he said, at least

Be careful, though. You never know his intentions how long have you known him? When did he give it?

A while ago. I've known him for just five weeks. But I'm sure it's fine.

Whatever u say. How's my son?

Not as bad as always

He made it up?
Sort of

Is that good or bad??

He apologized for different things. But he doesn't have to apologize for the kiss. Even tho I regret it, it was pretty nice.

Oh, god. How many things has he done to you that he has to apologize for? What did he do?

You mean what he did to apologize or what he did in the first place?

Both.

Miscommunication. I ended up in the Shack for 2 days longer than him. So he spent two days making me a necklace with my fav flower. And he helped me clean cuz last time, he didn't help.

I've got to tell Hiram we have world news; our son cleaned!!! And a necklace?? He's doing well.

Guess he got that from you. But he said he has more in store.

Jesus Christ, how many times did he mess up?

No idea. I can't think of much that he has to apologize for. Maybe pushing me underwater and messing crap up with my friend. Oh, don't tell him I said or get angry.

I'm sure you already did that. What did he do to your friend?

I'm literally telling every bad thing about Minho to his mom, but alright. She's cool.

He punched him. But my friend said something ridiculous. All I'm pissed abt is that he stole my punch. And I'm a bit annoyed Minho interfered in the first place. But it's fine.

He has a thing for jumping at the ppl who hurt who he cares about. I'll have to catch you up on how many fights he took for Newt & Thomas soon. But in real life. When r u coming over again?

Hopefully soon. But I've got to go now. Thomas is impatient and wants me to come.

Keep him from doing dumb stuff. See you!!

I'll do my best

"That took long enough." Thomas sighs once I'm outside. "Come on. You and Minho are gonna lose that basketball game and win from Lyndon and Newt."