Zenon's Game Chapter 21

"Hmm?" I replied, barely able to remember any english.

"The music," he said and gave me a strange look, "What do you think I'm talking about?"

Oh wow. We are so not on the same page.

I opened my book to distract myself, but I was very well aware of every movement he made. He sat in the chair next to me, leaning back. He put the speakers on the armrest as he closed his eyes. His fingers were loosely curled around the beer in his hand.

I tried to focus on the book, but it was hard when I had 50 shades of grey sitting next to me. I kept re-reading the same line over and over again. Finally I gave up and put it aside. I glanced over at him. His features perfectly symmetrical and an angular jaw that gave way to smooth, pink lips. He looked so angelic under the sunlight.

"I like the music," I said.

Cringe, I know. It's all I could think to say.

He didn't open his eyes. I wished he would. I wanted to see his blue iris. I wanted to see him see me.

"It's Rüfüs du sol. I saw them at Coachella this year."

I listened to the melody play in the background to his voice.

He was sharing his music with me. After listening to my singing/cat killing and taking my headphones from me, I think this was his way of returning the favor.

We relaxed under the sun. He wasn't in a talkative mood but he was down to chill with me. He seemed relaxed around me. I don't know how or when we got to that level... but I was cool with it. For whatever reason, I felt relaxed and safe around him too.

Maybe because he saved me from a grizzly bear.

Near death experience?  That'll break the ice.

And somehow, at some point, I drifted off to sleep. I hope I didn't snore.

"WH-O-RE!"

No, I said snore.

"WH-O-RE!"

I jumped up, a bit of drool trailing down my lip. My eyes adjusted to the sunlight, my dream quickly disappearing. I spun around in the chair, almost falling over as I did, trying to locate the person yelling out insults.

I saw our neighboring counselor come out of her own cabin to catch the drama that was unfolding. She'd been baking cookies again.

"YOU ARE THE REASON HE BROKE UP WITH ME!"

I came face to face with a furious, red-faced Tamara.

And she was yelling at me.

Me.

What has Zenon done now?  

I don't know why Tamara, the runway model and summer camp beauty queen, was yelling at me for stealing her man.  

Firstly, that's not my style.  

And secondly, I am just about the most unpopular girl at this camp.  It's giving me wayyy too much credit.  I couldn't steal a hamster away from its running wheel.  

"You two are no longer a thing?" I asked her.

It's news to me.

Her hair was frizzy like she forgot to straighten it this morning.  And her eyes were puffy like she'd been crying.  She still looked gorgeous though.  But damn Zenon for making girls suffer.  This is exactly the kind of thing I was used to hearing about him.

Heart breaker.

He changes girls like he changes moods.

Oh, and that brings me on to my third (and most important) reason why I don't like being accused of stealing anyone.  It makes people sound like property.

"You are a wh*o*re-" Tamara pointed at me.

I cut her off immediately.  I guess Zenon's right.  I'm a PG person and I like to keep things that way.

"This seems like a decision made by two independent adults, so I don't think I'm needed here," I said, picking up my book from the lounge chair. 

I was about to head inside when Axel Thomas walked out of the cabin with a bowl of fruit loops in his hand. When did he even get here? 

I took a couple steps back.

"I smell DRAMA cooking out here," he greeted everyone, and then casually mentioned, "You've run out of honey by the way, Candace.  Might want to restock."

I blinked at him. "Do you live here now?"

He has inventory check on lock. 

"I swing by when there's nothing on TV," he shrugged, "Who knew this cabin in the middle of nowhere is the center of so much action."

Where was Zenon?

He must have left while I was asleep.  

"Who are you?" Tamara asked, toning her anger down now that there was another attractive guy standing in between us.

"What a question," Axel chuckled, eating another spoonful of cereal, "You must be Tara."

"Tamara."

"Right."

These boys.  

"I'm glad you've both met," I said, remembering to pick up Zenon's speakers, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have nothing better to do but even that is better than staying out here."

"Where are you going?  I am not finished with you," Tamara ordered me.

"Weren't you dating Zenon?" Axel asked, not liking her tone either.

Tamara lowered her voice, "I am dating Zenon.  She is trying to get in between us."

"There is no us."