Okay, everyone gather round." Their teacher told them as soon as they got to the outdoor cabin campsite they were staying.
"Cassy you coming"
"What more does he have to say, I'm tired, I need sleep"
"Could be important, come on, you're just lazy" Ayla dragged her to the crowd of already gathered students.
"Point of fact, I'm not lazy just in my baby girl era"
"What does that even me" Ayla asked rhetorically
"This trip is different from what you have been doing before, sort of like an adventure that's why we choose South Africa." Their teacher was speaking before they got there "Everyone is going to be grouped into different teams, each team will have leader which will be chosen by team members and you all will have a series of missions, team with the highest points win and there are benefits of winning but that's a talk for another day, any questions" no one spoke up "Ask questions."
"Sir" a timid girl in the back raised her hands up, she was standing very close to Ayla and Cassy.
"Yes, ask thaila"
"It's tally and what's the purpose of this team stuff"in a low voice
"I can't hear you Sheila speak up"
"What's the point of her being here, she's probably gonna be too shy for anything" Matthew said loudly enough for tally to hear and her face fell. He and his friends snickered
Ayla looked at Cassy and she could see the anger boiling in her face.
"She said what's the reason we are being paired up and it's Tally not Sheila right?" Cassy turned to tally, speaking up for her.
The girl nodded in response, her face getting brighter. Cassy was feeling good about herself. She looked at Ayla who gave her a proud look. Her eyes wandered to Matthew, his face looked ashen he stared back at her grimly but she quickly looked away
"The reason you are being paired up is to improve teamwork, cooperation and communication to foster friendship. Now it has come to our notice that there had been discrimination and bullying we hope you all can bond with one another and stop the problem from taking root in the first place and thank you Miss" he looked at Cassy expecting her to say her name
"I think that's your cue" Ayla whispered in Cassy's ear after a long time
"Cassandra but everyone calls me Cassy so just go ahead and call me that." She spoke nonchalantly.
"Miss Cassy, that's the type of behavior we need. Now for your team order we have it here but we will announce it after this meeting but know this. There are three teams, the silver fox, the gold tigers and the wild bears. I, Mr baby bear will" he paused laughter and giggles erupted.
"Haha very funny" he gave a dry laugh everyone stopped laughing. " I am leading the wild bears. I think that kind of makes sense, Miss Gabriela the silver fox and Mr Smith the gold tigers now the other teachers will serve as third party in this challenge and will not partake in the game. May the best team win, good bye."
"Wow, that was much" Ayla spoke up first.
"I hope we are in the same team" she held her arm tightly as if afraid to let go "No matter what if we are one the same team or not we will look out for each other alright"
"My God, I hate an emotional moment, could you remove your hands from my shoulder,"
"Oh sorry Cassy," the air turned a little awkward. "Let's go and hear our team and room placement." Ayla dragged Cassy
"Not this again" Cassy muttered as she was dragged off.
"Hi, students, as Mr baby bear already told you there will be three teams, twenty people in each team now your team will decide your room and other things, let's begin.
"Taylor wildbear" mummers erupted everywhere. Taylor walked up to Mr baby bear and he gave her a part on her shoulder, signaling her to stay beside him.
"Matthew, silver fox" he smirked and walked over to Mr Smith confident.
"You're lucky to have me in your team, I demand nothing but the best here." Mr Smith shook his head he dare not say no, Matthew was the richest after Kyle and Cathy and Alex following right behind. He was not to be messed with.
"Dylan wild bear, Lydia silver fox..... Cassy" she looked up at Miss Gabriela with expectation, Ayla squeezed her hand tight not letting go, so emotional.
"Gold tiger" Miss Gabriela said and moved on to the next person. Cassy breathed a sight of relief.
"Why the dramatic pause?" Cassy complained to Ayla.
"You should be glad, you get to be on her team, she's really cool and not that strict."
"I guess so" Cassy shrugged
"Ayla, gold tiger and Alex silver fox, that's all gold tiger please come together let's talk" Miss Gabriela said.
"Yesssss" Alya squealed excitedly " we're in the same team" "why aren't you jumping " she turned around and Cassy was not as excited as her.
"I'm just tired you know and yes I'm excited but I need sleep first"
"Okay, let's ask Miss Gabriela for our sleeping arrangements and we'll get going."
They walked over and asked Miss Gabriela, lucky they were in the same room.
"I know you all are tired but we'll talk in the morning but let's go over some ground rules. We're occupying the west area of this cabin, boys to the left and girls to the right and on no account should any of you be seen in the other room, there are cameras we will be watching, do this and we will all have a very pleasant stay, let me not take any more of your time.
"How old is she again, she looked hot" Cassy said looking at Miss Gabriela's back view as she was walking off.
"Yeah, even the boys agree with you" looking at the boys eyeing her like hungry wolves waiting to pounce on their prey
"Even better we're in the same room , but the problem right now is how are we going to get out luggages in, and Cassy did you have to bring one two three.... ten luggages"
"Twelve if we're adding these two" she pointed to two other bags. "Don't worry I got everything covered" she filled her hair and arranged her clothes.
"How do I look"
"Like you just finished making out" Ayla didn't know what else to say
"Good" she smiled and strutted over to a group of boys standing close.
"Hi guys," making sure to act coy "I'm having a bit of a situation with my luggage"
"Oh yeah and what is it?" the bulkiest one answered, his eyes never leaving her body.
"Well," walking over to him " I'm in need of the strongest and finest hands" taking his hands into hands and letting it stop directly at her breasts, her eyes never leaving his.
The boy licked his tongue hungrily "We can't refuse a lady in distress, boys " he commanded the boys and one by one they carried the boxes and moved towards the hotel. Cassy made sure to stay with the guy she was talking with, keeping him interested she was all over him touching his arms and laughing at his jokes acting coquettish. Ayla followed at a distance bewildered.
"That's the last of them thanks boys" she smiled as she waved and mouth call me to the last guy before closing they door.
"I sure hope he doesn't call" she stopped smiling and looked exhausted.
"What?"
"The guy's a dork, only a few minutes and he told me his entire life history, history bores me" she said as she sat on the bed pulling off her heels the soft clicks of her heels were the only sound you could hear.
"So let me get this straight you just used them" sitting with her on the bed
"Yeah, what else be careful those are Valentino" Ayla careful put her shoes in the corner of the bed
"Don't you feel bad?" Ayla asked again, following Cassy around the room as she unglamored.
"It's just flirting no one's hurt. Besides, didn't I take care of both our luggages, we would have slept there before the bell boy got to us and no way I'm allowing a complete stranger with my cartia." She said removing her necklace and jewelry.
"Those boys were complete strangers"
"Can you open my box and grab my towel, I think it's the pink one, this makeup is difficult to remove" Ayla opened her box and saw a different set of towels " which one?" She shouted to Cassy but no response. She grabbed the first one and handed it to her in the bathroom.
"Thank you" Cassy grabbed it and wiped the water from her face with all her makeup gone.
"I think I have a pimple" touching her cheeks panicking
"Cassy focus"
"I think I have seen the boys in art class or was it English, the point is what's done is done and you have to live with it , now if you excuse me I have a round of very intense skin care right now okay" she patted her in the back making Ayla feel like the worse human being ever.
Ayla knew that in one way or the other something would change about her and it was not gonna be good. Cassy had come into her like a wild storm and nothing ever stays the same after a stormy night.