Later that day, after free period, it was time to wash our uniforms. Mine were still clean since it was still my first day. Myra insisted I tag along anyway so she could show me how to do it.
After a five-minute trek downhill, we arrived at the edge of the Lake. Cadets were already crouched by the shore, their pants rolled up as they knelt on the sand and scrubbed their clothes.
"You guys do this every Wednesday and Friday?" I asked, appalled.
"Honestly, a lot of us do it more frequently, especially during summer. It sucks because we have to use our free period whenever we do it any other day."
"Where do you guys dry your clothes?" I asked curiously.
"There's a designated clothesline over there, but we don't use it because people like to steal uniforms." I glanced at the tattered line that hung between two trees.
"That's why we prefer hanging them in our cabins on the side of our cots. Aw crap..." she trailed off.
"What's up?" I asked curiously.
"I'm out of soap. Do you think you could get me another one? I keep a stash inside my drawer."
"Sure, be right back." I told her before making my way into the woods.
"Don't get lost!" Myra shouted as I made my way up hill. After a short walk, I made it back to the cabin and grabbed one of the soaps from the drawer. Once I'd completed my mission, I walked back outside.
"Oof!" I huffed as I crashed into someone. The impact caused me to trip and fall backwards, landing hard on my butt. Before I could apologize, she picked me up by my shirt and shoved me against the cabin wall.
"Watch where you're going twerp!" She hissed, her face inches from mine.
"Violet, are you okay!?" Her posse of four cried out behind her. She had jet-black hair, cut short to her jaw. Her sharp nose wrinkled with displeasure as she glared at me through amethyst eyes. She wore a black t-shirt, camo cargos and a few bracelets on her left wrist.
"Violet, let her go." A familiar voice made her turn. Croy stood a few feet ahead of us, next to another boy I hadn't met before. He was carrying a black plastic bag.
"Funny, I don't remember inviting the orphans to the show." She teased, before loosening her grip.
"Since when do you care what happens to the newbies?" She asked without letting go completely.
"Since they made her my drill partner. Now let her go." He demanded sternly.
"Is that so?" She asked, an amused smirk on her face. "You better watch yourself." She whispered into my ear before letting go of my shirt. Croy rolled his eyes as she blew him a kiss before walking away.
"You okay?" The guy that had been standing next to Croy asked.
"Yeah, what's her problem?" I muttered as I picked up the soap.
"The question is, what isn't. I'm Jason, Croy's bunk mate and best friend. You must be the spunky drill partner!"
"Spunky?" I asked as I dusted myself off. Ashy brown locks covered Jason's entire left eye. The eye I could see was leaf green and it rested above a chiseled nose. He had a slender build and was about an inch shorter than Croy. He wore a white t-shirt like me.
"I'm Hazel, nice to meet you," I said before shaking his hand. "Croy, thank you for getting rid of her. She was really starting to piss me off."
"Don't mention it!" Jason replied for him before draping his arm lazily over his friend's shoulder.
"Get off Jase." Croy sighed, an annoyed look on his face.
"Aw, but I thought we were gonna tag along with Hazel!" Jason pouted as Croy slipped out from under him.
"She's probably busy, she doesn't need people like you inviting themselves to tag along." He scolded.
"Crap, I forgot about Myra!" I gasped as I turned to make my way back to the lake.
"Myra?" Jason asked curiously.
"Yeah, I gotta take this soap to her, she needs it for her clothes. She's at the lake right now..." I trailed off before glancing at the trail.
"Well that's just perfect! We were going to wash our clothes too, so we CAN accompany you!" Jason chimed before dropping the bag he'd been carrying and draping his arm over my shoulders. I hunched a little under his weight. "Meanwhile, I can make our walk a little more entertaining by telling you some embarrassing stories about my roommate!"
"Jason!" Croy barked in a disapproving tone, causing him to chuckle.
"I guess we can save the stories for later." He whispered with a wink just before we entered the woods.
"Mai! I'm sorry I took this long!" I apologized when I finally made it back to the shore.
"It's okay, no biggie. Allison lent me some of hers." She said as she held up the small block of soap.
"I bumped into some girl named Violet and-"
"Violet!?" Myra gasped. "Are you okay?!"
"Um yeah, I guess..." I trailed off warily. Myra handed Jason the pile of uniforms she had just finished washing and took my hands in hers.
"Listen to me girl. If you value your safety, stay away from her. Violet is the most dangerous and unstable person in this camp right now, aside from Scaggot. So for your sake, just stay away." My pulse quickened, was she really that dangerous?
"Okay, I'm done here." Croy muttered before turning back and heading into the woods.
"Wait, what about your clothes?!" Jason shouted after him.
"You owe me." He retorted before disappearing among the trees.
"Ugh, he's right." Jason sighed before letting his head hang. "I hate washing clothes!" He whined. Myra giggled at his dramatic reaction.
"It's okay Jase, come on, I'll help you." She offered before taking his hand and leading him towards the water. On impulse, I took the opportunity and followed Croy into the woods.
"Hey, wait up!" I shouted as I caught up to him. He slowed his pace but continued walking. "I feel like we started off on the wrong foot this morning." I called out.
"Really? I don't think so." He retorted coldly.
"That was really cool what you did today. I guess what I'm trying to say is, thank you. Thank you for stepping in for me."
Croy stopped walking and glanced at me over his shoulder. "I didn't do it for you." My heart raced anxiously when I met his frigid gaze.
"Still, I just wanted you to know." I mumbled before turning back.
"You're welcome." He replied softly before walking away.
(A/N: Oooh what's in store for out protagonist next? Don't forget to vote if you liked the chapter!)