Free Minds

Chapter Forty Eight.

   After discovering a deserted room at the bowels of the motel a staff member identified as the basement, we decided that that was going to be our new spot for whatever plans or preparations needed to be made.

   The next few hours, therefore, consisted of everyone pitching to clean, scrub, arrange and do everything else we possibly could to turn the dust-filled, bug infested nightmare of a place into a somewhat respectable hangout.

   As expected, we were all sweaty, heavy-breathing messes by the time we were finished. That, however, didn't stop the broad grins spread across our faces as we surveyed the effects of our toil.

   The square shaped room that was made small due to all the clutter regained its average size by the time we finished clearing the place. Surprisingly, the blue paint on its walls was in a good state, with only a few chippings.

   Out of all the junk, there were some unforeseen items that proved useful, like the large table with only a slight wobble, the two bean bags we placed at the centre of the room, some cushion mats, a punching bag that took a lot of energy to hang, among other things.

   The room also served as storage for the tools Tali brought from my home coupled with what the rest of us discovered at the junkyard.

   It was decided that the making of the leg brace was going to have to wait till tomorrow. The darkening sky outside was the sign we needed to call it a day.

"The basement is starting to get cold," Dorian said. "This place would be freezing in no time. We should leave."

"You know, Rav," Camila narrowed her eyes at him. "That would be an indication for some people to put their shirts back on."

   The stuffiness of the room which we first encountered came with sweat-inducing heat that spared no one. That, plus the tiring work done eventually led to everyone being drenched.

   And of course Rav used it as an opportunity—more like an excuse— to go shirtless.

"Camila, Camila," he shook his head with a smile. "Why are you pretending your eyes weren't all over this glistening hunk of caramel just two minutes ago?"

   He was obviously joking (in a gross way, of course), but Camila was far from amused. A dark shade of pink instantly overtook her wide-eyed features as she choked on air in response. She stared at him afterwards like it was his fault, then muttered a 'goodnight' before storming off from the basement.

   No one held back their laughter the minute we heard the door slamming shut.

"She was totally looking." Rav smirked.

   Based on her reaction to his accusation, I almost believed him.

"Not that it matters anyway," he added. "I was trying to get someone else's attention."

   Now it was my turn to choke on air when his gaze moved to my frame and stayed there.

"What?" I released a shaky laugh.

   This wasn't funny anymore.

   I mean, had I looked at Rav? Yes. But no one who had been in the basement with me all day could say they didn't.

   The school's lunch system (that rendered me 'not fit' and assigned me kale remember?), which had a special meal for each student, did not come solo. On my first day, my lunch had arrived with some brochure-pamphlet-like paper beside it. Written on the paper were multiple meal plans out of which Zavolonians had to choose to follow outside of school.

   Minji had then explained to me weeks later that it was the school's way of ensuring consistency in students' diets.

   Two things that had crossed my mind at that time: