Stranded Chapter 5

 

That dinner was a wonderful one, complete coconuts milk and coconut meat. Austin had turned down the offer of eating with them, saying he had some things to take care of. So she, Dylan, Ryan, and Mandy sat around the flickering fire, eating their meal. Dylan and Ryan soon dozed off after they finished eating, and when Lauren looked up from eating, Mandy was staring right at her.

“Uh…hello.”

            “Hello,” Mandy replied, with a suspicious look escaping her eyes.

          “. . . What?”

          “I’m just wondering. . .I’m curious and all. . .Do you like Austin?” Lauren’s heart jumped. How did she know? How could she know? Lauren began to stutter.

          “No, well…not really…I guess a little bit…okay yes.”

Mandy smiled. “Yeah I noticed.”

          “How?”

          “Well, first of all, you’ve been with him almost every chance you get. And, yeah I wouldn’t blame you.” She fixed her eyes on Lauren. “He is pretty good looking.”

          “Yeahhh……” Lauren hugged her legs close to her and looked up at the star speckled sky. Mandy was still looking at her. “I can help you.” Lauren looked back at Mandy. “With what?”

“You know….with Austin.” She replied, now looking at the fire. Lauren

smiled. “Thanks.”

Mandy continued. “In a way, I’m glad we crashed here. I mean, just hanging out, only worrying about ourselves. Just maybe, we landed here for a purpose.”

Lauren shrugged. “Maybe.”   Mandy smiled and got up to leave. But first, she turned and said quietly, “Tomorrow, I’ll help you if you want. I know how it is to like people, you know.” Lauren felt herself blush.

“Uh huh. Well, see you tomorrow.”

“See ya.” Mandy replied and wandered off to lie down.

 

***

 

After a few hours of sleeping, Lauren lay awake restlessly. It felt, almost as if something were keeping her awake. She sighed quietly. No use trying to sleep if it doesn’t work. Lauren stood up, unsure of what to do. Then someone caught her eye. There was someone sitting by the water. Lauren, being the outgoing type, ambled over and sat by him. “Hi.” She said. He didn’t answer. “… Couldn’t sleep either?”

    The boy stared out at the ocean as he spoke, “Not here. This place is too… I dunno.. creepy, maybe?”

          Lauren shrugged. “I like it.” This time the boy looked at her. His dark eyes were somber, and were hidden partly by his dark hoody. “Do you think we’ll get rescued?”

Lauren didn’t know what to say. “Well. . . yeah. They’ve probably already figured out where we crashed and are coming for us right now.” The boy was silent now.

          “I’m Lauren.” He kept his eyes fixed down.

          “I’m Jake.”

          “Nice talking to you.” She got up to leave, but then turned to Jake. “Hope you get some sleep.” Waiting for a reply, she paused. Nothing. So, awkwardly, she left. After laying down and resting, sleep finally consumed Lauren.