Rain In My Heart by Kara Karnatzki Page A

with hunger, and although I did n’ t need to go yet, I was starting to wonder where and how I’ d pee.  There were no toilets in Vis A.  The nearest block was along the link corridor in the main school building, but that would require wading - and my clothes had only just dried.  I took them from the rack, went into the supply cupboard and changed.
    As I came out, I noticed Byron creeping about by the pottery wheels.  For a moment, I worried h e’ d been spying on me getting dressed, then I realised he was oblivious to my presence.  He was pushing something with his feet, trying to nudge it into a corner behind some slip buckets. I coughed.             
    ‘ All right ?’ I said.
                  He looked up, startled.
                'Yes, fine,' he said.
                He brushed his hands and came out of the corner, pushed past me like I was in his way.
    ‘ You know, your hai r’ s lost all its straightness ,’ he said.
    I blinked. Was this supposed to be an insult?  Had I upset him in some way? I was totally confused.
                  ‘ Straight hair does n’ t suit you anyway,' he continued.  'And, let's face it, one afternoon of neat hair isn't going to make Leon fall in love with you - '
                  ‘ Leon ? ’
                  ‘ Tha t’ s who you straightened it for, is n’ t it ? ’
                  ‘ I - um - ’
                  Once again, h e’ d caught me out.  H e’ d only just met me, yet h e’ d practically read my mind.  What was it h e’ d said, abou t‘ sensory acuit y’ ? I was n’ t sure whether to be offended or amazed.
                  ‘ I would n’ t get too hung up on what Leon thinks, anyway ,’ he added.  ‘ From what I gather, he is n’ t picky.  H e’ ll chase anything with a pulse.  You could do better . ’
                  I was so flustered by his comments, I couldn't think straight.  In the end, I walked away.  I did n’ t know what else to do. I returned to the others, who were still discussing potential escape routes, and slipped back into the flock, stood as close to Leon as I could without looking like a weirdo.
                ‘ Even if rescue is on its way ,’ said Leon, in the manner of an army commander ,‘ we still need a Plan B.  Curtis, you check the internal door at the bottom of the stair well, the one that leads to the link corridor, see if ther e’ s a way we can get into the rest of the school, for toilets and snack machines.  Greg, you keep checking the Internet for updates, and Gemma, you start gathering useful items . ’
    ‘ Like what ? ’
    ‘ I do n’ t know.  Tools?  Gaffer tape?  Rope?  Rope would be good . ’
    Gemma shrugged and walked off.
    ‘ Where am I going to find rope ?’ she muttered.  ‘ This is an art room, not a naval base . ’
    Leon did n’ t have a task for me, but when he was done organising, he caught my eye.
    ‘ Any ideas ?’ he said.
    ‘ Er, rafts?' I replied, smiling.  'At least you seem to know what you're doing.'
    ‘ Well, my brother used to take me on wilderness weekends when I was younger.  We learned survival skills, but it was ki d’ s stuff, like, I do n’ t know, how to make twig dens or how to bake a potato on a fire - '
    ‘ Twig dens?  You never know.  Could be useful if the school washes away and we have to survive in the open air ? ’
    ‘ True.  I've heard the foundations are n’ t very good . ’
    ‘I’ ll stick with you then . ’
    ‘ Wise move.  My twig dens are the best . ’
    We both laughed.
    ‘ Do you think w e’ ll be okay ?’ I said.
    He looked to the window then back at me.
    ‘ Sure ,’ he said.  ‘ W e’ ll be out of here before you know it . ’
    Our gazes locked.  I could n’ t say for certain, but it seemed like he was thinking the same thing as me: w e’ ll get out of here and then w e’ ll have