5: Beach Bunnies & Flower Fields
Alice packed up her things, all the while wishing she hadn't agreed to invite Carol and Eric to the Veldt. In all honesty, she had hoped to persuade Gau to take her deeper into the wildlands. Oh well. Last time I asked he said it was best to go in a group. Besides, if I don't take them, they'll never speak to me again.
Gau came up beside her. “How much time need for ready?”
Alice felt Carol's icy glare. “I haven't asked them yet. A couple hours, maybe? Is that too late?”
Gau leaned to the side to catch Carol's gaze. “Hi, Carol. Alice and me go Veldt for camp. You come?”
Alice rolled her eyes and just restrained a moan. No turning back now.
"Are you serious?" Carol leapt to her feet. “Sure!”
Eric sauntered over to the group. “What's all the commotion?”
“We go to Veldt for camp out,” Gau told him, smiling. “Have much fun. You come?”
Alice cast Eric a sidelong glance from under her lashes. He looked less than thrilled.
“Sure. Why not.”
“We still need to ask our parents.” Alice shot a meaningful look toward Carol.
When Gau sent her a concerned glance, Carol waved a graceful dismissal of Alice's reminder. “Oh, you don't need to worry about that. Alice and my parents are so used to us asking to go to the Veldt, they don't even know why we ask anymore.”
Gau's gaze twinkled with relief. “Good. I meet at entrance to town. You go for change of clothes and bag to keep warm.”
“What about food?” Alice knew beyond a shadow of a doubt Eric and Carol would sooner starve than eat the camping rations she would think to bring.
“I get food for all, Alice. I and Eric. We fish. We hunt. No worry for what eat.” The proud gleam to Gau's eyes made Alice smile. He was such a boy.
Carol clapped her hands. “Sounds fun!”
Alice grabbed Carol's arm and pulled her out of the school-house and toward home. “Carol, for heaven sake, throw yourself a little harder at him and he'll fall over.”
“What 'throw myself at him'? I'm just being myself.”
“That's the problem.” Carol protested, which Alice ignored. “Let's just get our stuff and get out there before Eric and Gau kill each other.”
Carol scoffed. “Oh, Eric's just having a little attitude problem. Gau can handle it. Besides, he's so sweet that Eric won't be able to hate him for long.”
Alice examined her friend's profile. “Who's sweet? Gau or Eric?”
Carol's smile twitched slightly. “Both.”
Alice arched an eyebrow.