Kieran said nothing. He matched my gaze and instead watched me curiously.
"I have to say, you're a lot prettier when you're not drowning." He remarked.
I was at a loss for words, narrowing my eyes at him. Watching as the side of his mouth curved up into a smirk.
Arrogant.
Lucas muttered something under his breath and rolled his eyes, earning a side glance from Kieran and a shove in the arm from the girl standing next to him.
The girl being Cara Grahams. Kieran's childhood best friend. Also, just about the only person who had any kind of control over him.
"Kieran, take it easy on Elodie. She just got here. Didn't I tell you no flirting with newbies?" She mentioned, raising her eyebrows.
And then she was excitedly running to me and pulling me into a hug, wrapping her arms around me. Her long brown hair falling onto my own shoulders as she did so.
"Hi! I'm Cara," she grinned, playing with the cotton on my worn sweater.
I saw Kieran chuckle, staring at my wide eyes as he turned around and laid out a sleeping bag for himself.
Cara continued to mutter something about the colour of my sweater just as a hand was around my wrist, dragging me away from the crowd.
It was Luke, of course.
"Elodie I really don't think you should trust Kieran."
His hand still around my wrist.
"I just don't like his aura. Feels off."
I didn't like his hand on my wrist. I felt trapped.
"Are you listening?"
For the first time, I pulled my wrist back. Clutching onto it with my other arm.
Lucas looked shocked, like he hadn't expected that kind of strength from me.
And then it clicked.
"Elle I'm sorry I forgot I didn't mean to-"
I grimaced. Letting my arm fall limp. "It's fine, Lucas. I know you meant no harm." He took in a deep breath and smiled.
"But seriously," He looked at me intently. "Just don't want you to get hurt."
Any more than I already had?
But I suppose that wasn't his fault. In fact, the complete opposite. I could trust Lucas.
I could hold myself, I refused to be weak anymore.
***
When I awoke the next day, the pain at the back of my head had faded and I was able to sit up comfortably. I could hear the distant sound of birds chirping and had to shield my eyes from the overbearing sun which seemed to be attacking my vision.
I shut my eyes and attempted to rub the sleep out of them, only opening them when a silhouette crouched down in front of me and blocked the sun.
"Good morning Kieran."
"Morning Elodie. Lucas wanted me to tell you that he and the other group set out to look for some food for us. To hunt."
"To hunt?"
"That's what I said, was it not?"
I rolled my eyes as the familiar smirk made it back onto his face.
"Kieran, they're going!" A bubbly voice shouted from the front of the building.
"You're going too." I stated.
"I am. Lucas wanted you to stay here, though. With Cara."
And just like that the only chance of me gaining confidence faded away before my eyes, disintegrating into nothing as Kieran stood up.
He raised a hand up to his head, in salute, yet again. And I couldn't help but laugh at his antics.
And then he was gone, and Cara was looking at me inquisitively.
***
"Why were we left here? Actually, I rephrase, why were you forced to stay here with me?"
Cara sighed, and stopped sharpening her blade for just a second.
"Luke didn't think you were up to it."
"He never does." I retorted.
"He cares about you." She stated.
"I feel weak."
She stopped completely and looked at me.
"Then go."
"What?" I uttered.
"I can tell you where they are. Go, and prove to them that you're strong. Earn yourself some respect."
Ten seconds again to make my decision, except this time all of them were dedicated to what I should do.
And then I looked back up at her hazel eyes, a smile augmenting itself on my face.
"Ok."