Mark frowned as he sat in bed. He could feel Jill's eyes burning into him. Beneath the sheets, he curled his smaller body inwards and hugged his knees to his chest. In his mind, errant thoughts shot around like rubber balls against walls.
Why did Jill hate him? Couldn't she like him like Jess did? Was there really a Shunka out there, stalking the camp at night? Why didnt Anna pack her some more clothes, would she really be stuck with this same outfit? It would get all smelly and....
Mark stopped, and suddenly for the first time he realized how much those thoughts seemed like those of a little girl. In fact, they felt exactly like a little girl, and the fact they felt so natural troubled him.
What's happening to me? He thought to himself. The wind rustled the trees outside scratching against the building. Immediately the thought of the Shunka blazed through his head and he pulled the sheets over it.
Jess, in the bunk above him must have heard him because he heard her shuffle. Soft sounds of someone climbing down were heard and he saw her standing next to him. "Hey you okay, Mary?"
Mary nodded fervently, but Jess didn't look convinced. She took the other girl's hand. Somehow, holding her hand, Mary felt a little better. Jess smiled and slid beside her on the bed. "Its okay to be scared far from home. Ill stay with you, okay?"
Mary looked over and saw Jill watching them. Somehow, the look the girl had given them seemed different, as if Jill was pouting. Mary suddenly wondered, is she jealous, but the thought was swept away as Jess snuggled into a pillow.
"Just sleep, silly no shunka's gonna scare us girls. We're gonna have fun tommorow."
Mary nodded and it didnt take long for pleasant dreams to take her. In her dreams she thought of herself and Jess, playing, having fun. Even Jill was there, and the Shunka, all gathered around a fire making smores. And Anna? Or JEnnifer, she was dunked in the lake looking solemn and sad she couldnt have the fun.