*Old Version* Running From Them, Running To You

Chapter 8-Running From Them, Running To You

My brow furrowed. "What?"

"You missed it." Will shook his head. "I thought she was going to march me out and toss me into the fire."

"Wait, so what was she doing?" I inquired.

"Just screaming and yelling at me. I'm surprised you didn't hear her. I could have confused her with a banshee."

"She was yelling at you because you've been ignoring me?"

"Yup."

I smiled. It was good to know Honor really cared about me, instead of just because she was so sweet. I realized Will hadn't addressed my biggest question yet though.

"Do I get an explanation for this past week?"

His face dropped and he thought about it a moment. Then, "No."

I looked at him. No? "You have got to be kidding me." This was going to kill me if I didn't figure it out.

He shook his head, now grinning. "Nope." Will stood up and held out a hand. I took it, relishing the feel of his smooth palm against mine as he pulled me up. I reached down and retrieved his jacket.

"Thanks," I said, feeling bad as I felt its damp underside.

"No problem." He dropped my hand, which I hadn't realized he'd still been holding, and started walking back toward the party. "Come on, they'll be waiting for you."

I caught up to Will, and together we walked back to the party.

When we entered the clearing, Ashley was the first to see us. "Hey!" She shouted.

Will and I waved back. Honor caught my eye and cocked her eyebrow. I nodded in response and I knew she understood.

She smiled, relieved.

The other two entered into view, Morgan daintily holding a s'more and Courtney trying to lick the marshmallow off of herself. I laughed as I saw the white goo smeared across her face and arms, her fingers in her mouth. Ashley backed away from her.

"Not near me you don't!" She chuckled. Courtney held out her hands, wiggling them towards her.

"Ew, get away from me," Ashley shrieked. Courtney snickered at her.

"Come on," Courtney said. "They've got s'mores over by the fire."

Ashley sighed, "Okay." She started to make her way over to the bonfire. Quickly, Courtney spun, digging her sticky fingers into Ashley's blonde locks. Ashley screeched.

Will and Morgan both cracked up.

"She got you good," Morgan said and Ashley huffed, stomping off toward the fire. Will nudged Honor,

"I told Auden you sounded like a banshee." Her eyes widened. "But," Will continued. "I'm pretty sure Ashley now holds the record."

Honor rolled her eyes, but grinned. "Let's go to the fire," she suggested, changing the subject. We agreed and headed over, Ashley already there, nursing her ruined hair. As it had gotten later, most of the people had made there way over here, and were sitting around the bonfire on logs and fold-up chairs. Morgan took a seat next to Ashley on one of the logs and Honor and Will claimed another. Courtney and I settled ourselves on the ground between the two groups. Some sticks were scattered around and I picked them and doled them out, then snatched a bag of marshmallows, pushing one onto the end of my stick. I waved it above the flames.

Suddenly Will shouted, "Hey! Your marshmallows on fire!"

It was still burning, and I twirled the stick until the marshmallow was entirely scorched. Trying not to make a mess, I slid it off and popped it into my mouth.

When I was done, I turned to Will, who had a look of disgust on his face. "Best way to make it," I said happily, digging another one out of the bag.

He shuddered in revolt and held his a little higher. "That's disgusting," He said. "I'll show you how to make a real one." He slowly rotated his marshmallow over the fire, careful not to let it catch.

I grinned evilly and, taking my stick, I slammed it down on top of his, sending his perfectly browned marshmallow into the red coals. By the time he withdrew it, it was a black crisp.

"Your right," I said. "That is just how your supposed to cook a marshmallow." And with that, I ate Will's marshmallow right off the stick.

He shook his head and stage whispered to Honor, who was snuggled in the crook of his arm, "Am I allowed to throw my stick at her? Or does that violate the 'Be nice to Auden' idea?"

She yawned and shook her head, "No, you can't do that. You'd have to move when she came chasing you, and your too comfy," she replied sleepily. He gave an exasperated sigh.

"Fine." He then glared at me. "But you're going to get it Monday."

"I'll be ready."

I heard someone's footsteps as they came up behind me. Suddenly there was something hurdling over us, followed by a person. Me and Courtney dove out of the way, barely missing a shoe that passed a hair's breath away from my head. Wade, along with a cooler, which thankfully landed upright, now stood between us and the fire. He kicked open the lid of the cooler, revealing cans of beer drifting on the halfway melted ice.

"Found a hidden stash," he hollered. "Drink up!"

I shrugged and grabbed one, cracking it open. This stuff really is rancid, I thought, before downing the rest.

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