Apocalypsis 02 - Warpaint

his goofy but serious face and opened up enough to answer his question. “I like him very, very much.” I broke away from Peter’s gaze. “But he told me last night that he loves me.” I felt guilty for some reason I didn’t even understand.
    “Wow. That’s so sweet,” said Peter, his voice softening. “You’re happy about that, right?”
    “Yeah. I guess.”
    Peter let go of my hands and grabbed me into a hug. I tried just patting him on his boney back, but finally gave in to share a real hug when he didn’t relent.
    “This gives me hope, Bryn,” he said over my shoulder. “If you can find someone to love you, then maybe I will too.” He made two exaggerated sniffs.
    “Hey!” I said, laughing and trying to pull away. “What’s that supposed to mean, punk?”
    He giggled, still talking over my shoulder. “I’m just saying. We’re both one in a million. It’s hard to find people who can appreciate such rare gems.”
    I quit trying to disengage myself and hugged him hard. “Well, when you put it that way, how can I disagree?”
    “Hey,” said a voice. “I’m going to tell Bodo you’re cheating on him,” said an amused Paci from off to my right.
    I released Peter and stood up straight. “Go ahead,” I said cheerfully. “He’ll have to fight me to keep me off Peter’s irresistible self.”
    Peter slapped me in the butt as I walked away to meet Paci.
    “Ready to get your ass kicked?” I asked, bumping fists with him when I got close enough.
    “No, I’m ready to kick other people’s asses. I plan on walking away unharmed.”
    I snorted. “Good luck with that.”
    “Hey! So long as I don’t have you for a partner, I have a fighting chance.”
    “Maybe,” I said, noncommittally. Paci wasn’t the best fighter of the group, but he sure wasn’t the worst either. What he lacked in skill he made up for in enthusiasm. Even when he was knocked down pretty hard, he always came bouncing up for more. He’d made it this far, and I was pretty sure he’d make the final cut; but there was no way of knowing until we did the final tests.
    “Come on,” he said. “I’ll walk with you.”
    I looked over at Peter who was folding up our blankets. “See you, Peter. Enjoy your weaving.”
    “Yeah. Enjoy your man-beating,” he said cheerfully.
    I laughed silently as I followed Paci out of our hut and through the trees.
    ***
    Paci and I arrived at the clearing to find everyone already there, including Bodo. He frowned at me as I walked up to say hello leaving Paci to go join his friends.
    “What’s up?” I asked, noticing that his eyebrows were drawn together.
    “Nothing. Chust watching dat Paci and wanting to be with him over dare.” Bodo was gesturing to the area where the test-fighting went on.
    “Jealousy,” I said aloud, but mostly thinking it to myself. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. On one hand it was flattering, but on another, it was annoying. I quickly decided it irritated me more than anything else. I spoke so only Bodo would hear me. “Bodo, just because you’re my boyfriend or whatever, it doesn’t mean you own me.”
    “Yes, I know,” he said quietly. “My brain knows dis, of course. But my heart wants to smash him on da head. Is dat wrong?” He looked almost confused.
    “I guess it’s normal for a guy to feel that way; but to me, it’s not cool. I don’t like the idea that you consider me your territory or something.”
    “Okay, den. I will try not to dream about the smashing of hiss face, den.” Bodo leaned over and kissed me right on the mouth. I didn’t even have time to respond, and by the time I had a suitably annoyed retort worked out in my head, he had walked away to join the group of guys that didn’t include Paci. I shook my head at his retreating form. Guys are so weird sometimes.
    I turned my attention to the groups of people scattered about the area, noticing for the first time that there were a lot more here than I had winnowed the group down to yesterday.
    “So … uh … looks like we have too many people here.”
    “Spectators,” said Kowi loudly from where he was standing at the edge of the trees. Trip was next to him, his arms crossed. His expression gave nothing away, but I could tell Kowi was happy about the turnout.
    “Okaaay. I guess that’s fine.” I shifted my attention to the remaining candidates who had gathered together in the center of the clearing. “Three lines, divided evenly. Go. Now.” I clapped my hands