No Matter How Far I Wander,Trouble Always Finds Me

I could see the flicker of annoyance in her eyes, just as I had wanted. Maybe she would understand what a pest she had been. No, I was being petty, a petulant child as ever. "Thanks Trouble. I think I can handle it from here." Her voice was falsely calm, but I sensed the tension behind it. She probably wanted to hit me or something, how she managed not to was impressive. But not to a point that I took note of it.

She had turned her back to me, and had taken a step away, but twisted to face me again. I watched, acting as nonchalant as I could. I can be pretty good about it when I want to, but that never was something I could be particularly proud of. Right now, though, if I managed to pull it off, it might be useful. "Trouble. Listen, I don't think I ever thanked you for what you did today." I snorted, unable to help myself. No, she certainly hadn't thanked me. "You really saved me back there..." I kept my face blank. Oh shucks, it waren't nothin'. My inner voice dripped as much sarcasm as didn't show in my face. In other words, a lot. "I really do promise to not be such a pain anymore, I'm just not used to joking around, and wanted to take it as far as I could." That confused me; take it as far as she could? I hoped she was referring to her efforts at surviving my humor, and not at any false idea of anything more than acquaintanceship between us. She would be sorely disappointed if it was the latter.

She had looked away, then back at me, as though she was shy, or perhaps nervous about my response. Maybe it had been the latter. I would be in a tough spot if it was. She spoke again, her tone had changed, as well as her subject, "I'm gonna go get some needles for my bed. Want me to get some dinner too? I saw a berry bush over there, and I can..." Her pause wasn't just a mere hesitation. There was something more going on rather than a simple loss of words, or a case of shyness. It was as though she was debating with herself as to what to say next. Did it really matter at this point? "I can set up some traps or bring back some meat if you want me to. I won't be having any, but I would be happy to get you some." Her gaze on me then was hopeful, as if that would amend for... I suppose her actions before. Had I really been that easy to read? I didn't think I had let my frustration become that obvious. Then again, I had snapped at her and insulted her. I guess I wasn't nearly as stoic as I thought; or should I say, as I hoped.

I met her gaze for a moment, willing myself to throw away the childish grudge I was holding so that we could maybe get through the night without a squabble. That was me though, another definition to add to my name. Trouble; pain in the ass. Either way, she had offered me something, and I should respond. Looking at her, trying to keep my face as stoic as possible, I said, "It's alright. I've got some food in my pack." I paused as I realized that she had said she wouldn't be having any. "Are you a vegetarian or something? It's hard to live in the wilds without eating game." When I had first left my home, it had taken me a while to work up the courage to kill game. I wasted a lot of time going into Districts to buy pre-prepared meat, like jerky, until an older wanderer had told me to stop messing around and had taught me to hunt. Surely by this time I would have either been caught, or I would have died of malnutrition, without his help.

I wondered if my face had shown any of my memories, but realized that it didn't really matter if it had. It wasn't as though she would be able to know what had happened to me. Not unless I told her. It was time that I got away from her, had a moment to myself to just think. I didn't want to be rude to her, though, I'd been crass enough today. "I'm just going to go into my tent and snack a little before I sleep." I smiled at her, not out of my own volition but because something was telling me to. Pausing for a moment, unsure of why I was still standing here and what I was going to say next, I say, "You could join me if you want." I stopped for a moment, surprised at myself, but continued, "I mean I'm sure I have an extra blanket or something in my pack, so you wouldn't have to sleep in the tree." I shut my mouth, not exactly terrified of what I was saying, but certainly shocked by my offer. I definitely had to get away from this girl, there was something wrong here.

Without another word, I walked over to my tent, ducking inside quickly. Alone in the shade of my temporary shelter, I sat and waited, listening to try and tell if she had followed me or not. Pulling out some of the beef jerky and cheese I had in my pack, I ate as I thought. What did I just say? The beef jerky made my mouth water, and I tore into it fiercely. Did I mean what I said? The cheese was aged well, and half-melted, half-crumbled in my mouth. I hummed softly in contentment, but the nagging voice in my head, so like my father's, kept pushing me back to the subject of what just happened? Why had I gone and said what I did, why had I even opened my big mouth in the first place. I used to think I was just Trouble for others, but now I'm starting to realize how much I am Trouble for myself.