THREE

I'm still in a sad mood as I fix the grave I dug for my precious hair. I'm looking for a good place. After a few minutes,I saw a mango tree near the camp. That's where I decided to bury my hair.

I don't care if my hands are dirty from digging. I feel like I'm shocked by what happened when he cut my hair. I was really numb. I never thought this would happen to me. That I will experience it right now.

"Stop it. All the trainees have been called to go to their own beds to rest" said a voice from behind me. I didn't look at him. I'm digging while my eyes are still filled with tears.

"I know for others it's just a superficial reason why you're crying because they cut your hair. Trust me. I understand you"

I frowned. Does he understand my feelings? Is he serious? I faced him. I frowned even more when I saw his appearance. He is a man. His hair is clean and well cut. Typically found in military campsites.

"You understand how I feel?" I asked in disbelief. Still can't believe a man can understand me. It's rare for a man to understand my situation. Unless he's gay?

"Yes. Can't you believe it? Am I a little weird?" He laughed lowly because of my reaction. Who would believe that, right? For others, what I'm crying about now is superficial. The hair will also grow in the long run. It will return to its previous length. But for me, I took care of it for a long time. I used very expensive products and services just to maintain the beauty of my hair.

"Who are you?" I asked rudely. I really had no intention of talking to him. He might even be an accomplice of the commander who has no mercy towards his fellow man.

"I'm Pocholo Salvatore. We're both trainees here at the camp. I saw what happened to you. That's why I approached you today. They said earlier that before twenty-one, everyone should be in the designated area. If you're not there before twenty-one. There is a punishment in return. They may not only cut your hair as punishment, it might be worse than that. You probably know what I mean, don't you?" he said.

I sighed. I did escape my family. But this is where I ended up. The place I entered was hell. I could do nothing but obey them. Maybe the next time I disobey their rules here, I won't lose any more hair. Maybe part of my whole body will disappear. Oh no! I can't imagine it in my mind!

"Five minutes before twenty-one."

I remembered that military men use military time. That means the twenty-four hour rule. Nine o'clock in the evening is twenty-one. It's a good thing that I remember a few lessons when Mrs. Torres was teaching.

In my mindset before. It's okay not to study. My family is rich.Even if I don't study, I won't be hungry or have a hard time in life. But I realized now that I was able to use the lesson I had with Mrs. Torres. I'm homeschooled, so I don't know how to communicate with people. Not because I'm shy or whatever, but because my attitude is very bad. I want to be the best among all the people around me. When someone rises above me, I am tormented them immediately. Of course, my family is rich. It is easy to buy human dignity. All they want is money.

When I finished burying my cut hair, I patted my hand. I have to clean my body. I just felt right now the dirt sticking to my skin. I'm tired, so I don't have the energy to talk anymore. I left Pocholo without saying goodbye. I know what I did to him was rude. But I don't care. I repeat. I don't care for others.

THE NEXT DAY, we were all wearing jogging pants and white t-shirts. I guess this is their uniform, right? The name of the place is stamped on the back of our clothes. Our t-shirt is also tucked in. That's why I feel that what I'm wearing is not fashionable. This shirt doesn't suit me. My super short hair didn't help either. It would be okay if my short hair had a style. But no, my hair is not the same length as others. It's like a child playing with my haircut.

"Attention everyone!"

We turned to the one who spoke. I really don't understand why we were lined up in the open ground and exposed to the sun. Don't they know that the skin can be damaged when you are directly in the sun? You will have dark skin or, worse, you will get skin cancer! I haven't got my sunblock yet.

I wiped my forehead when there was sweat there. It's really hot. If I stay here for a few more minutes, I might pass out. Will they kill all the trainees here in the camp by exposing them to the sun? My God! I don't want to die!

"Today, your water skills will be tested. You will be taught how to swim and how to last in the water. Change into swimming wear before everyone goes to the swimming area."

I rolled my eyes. It turned out that the commander was speaking in front of us. I still can't forget what he did to my hair. What he does to me is very emotionally painful.

I saw that my fellow trainees had left the open ground. I followed them to change into swimming wear. But before that. I rolled my eyes at the commander secretly. He is handsome in my eyes, but I will not be fooled by his handsome face. He still owes me. When I got to the comfort room to change my clothes, I winced at what I saw.

"Gosh! Is this what I'm going to wear? Is it used for swimming? If yes. Who the hell thought of this?" I'm talking to myself. We're going to wear rash guards. It's too wrapped up. Shouldn't it be a bikini? Or at least a swimsuit. Are they old-fashioned?

My face was frowned upon when I left the comfort room. I even met Pocholo on the way to the swimming area.

"Nice one, Beau" he said.

I quickly turned to Pocholo. I didn't tell him my name last night. So why does he know me?

"What did you say?" I said.

"Nice one, Beau"

"You know my name? How come huh?"

"I saw you in the magazine before. Beau Orenciana, right? You are known in the elite world. How did you end up here at the camp?" Pocholo asked curiously.

I was reassured by his answer. I thought he was one of those chasing me and was just pretending to be a trainee here at the camp.

"Even me, I don't know why I came here."

"Is that possible? That you don't know why you're here?" Pocholo asked me, laughing.

"If you still want to talk with your mouth. Stop me with your sarcastic question. We're not close to you to act like that" I said, annoyed.

Pocholo just shrugged his shoulders at what I said. Not affected by my treatment of him. I was still in a bad mood when we reached the swimming area. I looked with disgust at their commander standing at the edge of the pool. Like us, he is also wearing a rash guard. He has muscles in his body. Especially his six pack abs in the stomach. I shouldn't be distracted by his muscles. I should be mad at him.

"Hey, you're looking straight at Commander Apollo Madrid. Is that lust?" Pocholo whispered to me.

"What?" I sneered at Pocholo. I hit his arm angrily. He didn't seem to be hurt because he laughed softly.

"I said it looks like you have a lust for Commander Apollo."

"Of course not! I don't have low standards for men! And one more thing-" I couldn't finish what I was going to say when someone bumped from behind me and because of my surprise. I fell into the pool!

I do not know how to swim!

"Oh god! Help me! I can't swim!" I shouted while wagging in the water. I didn't know what to move first. Is it my hand or my foot?

I never had any interest in learning to swim. Am I going to die here?