Page 10 of In Doubt
Sia sprints straight for the beds nearest the window and flings her bag on the top bunk. “Bugsying this one!” she declares, leaping up there herself.
“Should we venture out for some dinner? Go out exploring a bit?” I ask the others.
Sia throws a lumpy pillow down at my head. “Stop being so bloody enthusiastic, girl! Didn’t you hear the professor? We have to be out of here by five. I need my beauty sleep.”
I turn to the other two who have begun to unpack their bags.
“Sia’s right,” Maya says.
Reluctantly I flop down on my own bed, yawning. I’m half tempted to go out exploring by myself, but it probably isn’t wise and if my brother found out, he’d never let me out again.
“Tomorrow, then,” I suggest. I don’t hear any of them answer because I’m drifting off before I know it.
* * *
Iwake much later that evening, the others all sleeping around me, their soft breaths and the whirr of the fan breaking the silence of the night. I strip out of my clothes and munch on an energy bar I pull from my bag. Then I set my phone to wake me at dawn and try to fall back to sleep.
It’s hopeless though. I’m too excited, my mind racing a million miles an hour. Plus it’s hot. Down here on the lower bunk none of the air from the fan is reaching me. I fling off the sheet and try to find a comfortable position. How hot will it be tomorrow if it’s this hot now in the middle of the night?
My brother’s omega, Connie, gave me a lecture before I left about taking care in the sun. Omegas are vulnerable to overheating and dehydration, and our thin skin burns easily. Ric forced me to pack at least ten bottles of suntan lotion.
I twist and turn some more, my usual trick of counting sheep failing me. Finally I must drift off because I wake to our alarm.
Once we’re dressed, we go to meet Professor Weaver and the others in the lobby..
“Right,” she says, addressing us all as Carl passes us some pieces of buttered toast. “Now we are all here,” I scan the group, doubting we are all here but finding I’m wrong when I spy Jake at the edge of the group, arms crossed, eyes focused on the professor. “I’m going to run through what is happening today before we take the bus out to the site. We have been given a section to the west entrance of the temple. Several trenches have already been marked out and dug, and your task will be to continue this work, recording any finds you discover. I will be working there too along with several other supervisors so you can alert us immediately to anything out of the ordinary or of particular interest. You’ll be working in pairs.”
I smile at Sia and give Carl a sympathetic shrug. He shakes his head and continues to chew on his breakfast.
“So,” Professor Weaver says. “Here is the list of pairs and sections you’ll be working on for the next five days. There is a map to show you where the different sections are located.” Paper rustles as sheets are handed around the group. I take one from Carl, studying the details as I continue to munch, the butter melting on my tongue. The section we’re working on is much bigger than I imagined and I assume it was the path leading up to one of the main entrances to the temple.
Next I scan the list of assigned pairs, twisting my long hair into a messy bun while I do. My eyes halt on my name and my hair tumbles from my grasp. My gaze snaps up to the Professor in horror.
“Oh no,” I gasp a little more loudly than I’d intended, the professor hearing me.
“What’s wrong, Giorgie?” the professor asks, peering at me over her spectacles.
“Erm,” I shift on my feet, adjusting my glasses, feeling uncomfortable. “You’ve put me with Jake Grantham.” Surely that is a mistake, everyone knows we don’t get on. I don’t look Jake’s way but I’m aware of his hot gaze focussing my way, my skin crawling with the awareness of it.
“Yes, I wanted my top students to work together. You’ve been assigned a very interesting section where there’s already been a number of exciting finds.”
“That’s great,” Sia says, nudging me in the ribs.
It’s not great, it’s not great at all. Working with Jake Grantham, confined in a small space with Jake Grantham and his scent. I’ve done my utmost to avoid him this past year. To steer clear of his alluring charm. I won’t be snared by him.
“But …” I stare at the professor in horror, noting the way Jake scowls at me from the corner of my eye.
“What?” the professor asks, with a hint of irritation in her voice now. “We are already behind schedule, Miss Martinelli.”
I open my mouth. No words come. I swallow, peering to Sia for help. She simply grins at me.
“I … I …”
“Good, that’s all sorted then.” The professor spins around and motions for us all to follow her. “Let’s get going.” She marches us towards a waiting coach and ushers us all onboard.
Carl hooks his arm around me. “Are you worried about being with that creep?” he whispers to me.
I chew my lip. “I’ll be alright.”
