I woke up to my head spinning. My body temperature suddenly went from freezing cold to abnormally high. Fever. I suggested that I was last awake as my hut was heating up intensely , I could also hear the laughter and screams from the other boys outside it was ringing in my ears. Memories of last night made me smile , about how Maurice so comfortably opened up to me and I comforted him. Proud to call each other friends.

Someone peeked through the entrance of my hut.
"Frankie? Are you awake? I think it's the afternoon you've been in here for ages." Said Jack as he welcomed himself inside. I was laying with my back facing the entrance and my face towards the wall. I could feel him coming closer but I didn't want anyone to know about my fever because it could be displayed as a sign of weakness. So without turning my head to face him I whip my arm out and give him a thumbs up which made him giggle slightly.
"Cmon Franko I know your tired but everyone misses you."
What could he possibly mean by that.
I respectfully respond to him in attempt to force a normal sounding voice but instead it came out cracked and muffled.
"Woah Franks are you okay?" Before I could open my mouth he'd already put his hand on my forehead calculating my body temperature. He stares at me wide eyed and quickly pulls his hand away and repositions it to my back, he then lifts it to sit me up.
"Holy shit Frankie you're hotter than me." He laughs at his own dumbass joke and I roll my eyes.
"No but seriously you've got a fever we need to get you some water."
I manage to get some words out without my voice breaking .
"Thanks Jack." I keep it short and sharp. He then swiftly picks me up bridal style and exits my hut. The boys were all sitting in a big circle in the cove like they were waiting for my sudden return.
"Jack you can put me down now." I whispered quietly in his ear. He hesitated for a moment before he put me down he still left his hand on my back for support as he carefully guided me to the boys.
"Afternoon Frankie." Ralph chuckled.
"Aw sleeping beauty finally woke up from her deep sleep." Said Roger.
I was blushing at all their comments. I suddenly felt uneasy and the need to sit.
"Are you okay Frankie?" Simon said as he repeated Jack's previous actions by putting his hand on my forehead, unfortunately Simon made his comment a bit too loud.
"You've got a fever!"
"Yeah Si I know but I'm fine though."
"Where you up late last night?" Simon questioned. I glanced slightly over to Maurice who was giving me a cheeky grin.
"Yeah only because I was thirsty.." I claimed.
Jack still had his arm supporting my back and Simon eyed me hard then gave me a slight pat on the shoulder.
"Just stay out of the sun today ok?" Simon asked.
"Whatever you say Si." I chuckled and he walked off. Roger kept his eye on me but he was particularly focusing on the placement of Jack's hand. I think Roger is a kind bloke in my opinion, he's kinda edgy but he seems like a genuinely fun guy, except he finds joy in making the littluns cry by knocking over their sandcastles and throwing rocks at them. I couldn't help but notice that Ralph was looking too. I gave Jack a kind but firm look to inform him to remove his hand and allow me to sit down.
Ralph then started talking.

"I am calling this meeting only because too many people see screwing around when they should be working! That means less swimming and more spear fishing, and there's another thing.. some kids don't even know how to use the bathroom!" Ralph yelled.
That's when one of the older boys but also quite young spoke up, apparently he goes by the name of Harold.
"Yeah! There's this one kid that I know.. that took a huge shit and then sat in it, I'm not naming names because it's possible Mikey couldn't help it!" He then laughs hysterically which lead to all the other boys laughing and teasing the poor mikey who was now hugging me, I pat him on the head gently before Ralph started talking again.

"Here are the orders-
"Who do you think you are just giving out random orders when you don't even do anything? You don't hunt or do fire watch or nothing!" Jack interrupted. I was worried now that this conversation was about to get heated. I looked over at Roger who was smirking at Jack's statements. I was completely shocked .
"I'm the chief Jack. I call the shots around here!" Ralph shot back
"Says who?"
"I say!"
"Listen Ralph I'm sick of your shit and so is my gang." Jack claimed. I was so shocked as this was so sudden and unexpected.
"Your gang? What's that supposed to mean?" Ralph declared.
"What it means colonel is that if you know what's good for you then you would stop trying to run everything!" Jack snapped before pushing Ralph hard in the chest. Ralph pushed back and that's when thing took a large turn. I didn't notice that now I was standing shoulder to shoulder with Roger who had his arms crossed obviously amused by the fight. I quickly moved forward to break up the boys but Roger firmly grasped my shoulder and pulled me back. He then whispered in my ear.
"Just leave it princess.. let them do it." His breath was warm on the surface of my skin and it sent chills down my spine, his touch was rough and not like anyone else's, he towered over me and his grey eyes are absolutely haunting.

Piggy finally stepped in to seperate the boys but only got himself hurt by getting pushed to the ground by Jack. He scoffed then walked back before saying..
"I'm gonna make a new camp for hunters! And some guys who wanna have a little fun!" Jack was cheered on by a bunch of hunters, including Maurice and Roger.
"Come on Jack that's crazy we gotta work together! Come on man what do you say?" Ralph asked politely.
"I say fuck you!" Jack spat back at him.
"Come on hunters and anyone else.." jack glanced over to me.
"Let's go Frankie aren't you coming?"
Oh no I have to choose.
"Jack this is all happening so fast , I'm so shocked with what just happened.." I said.
"I'm making a better group is what happened, and I want you to come with me."
I glanced over to Maurice who I could tell he had empathy in his eyes for me.
"Come on princess we'd be more than happy to look after you." Roger said.
"I don't need anyone to look after me I'm fine!" I spat.
"Leave her alone Jack she's staying with us just get outta here!" Ralph said as he quickly pushed me behind him. I just stood still and emotionless as I saw their group walk off into the distance.

My heart was officially broken like our groups. I will no longer have an excited Jack come to wake me up in the mornings anymore and I will hardly be able to see Maurice anymore.. let alone Roger who I was just beginning to figure out. But overall my heart broke for Ralph although the vast majority of the group were still on our side it's only a matter of time before more and more people go off to join Jack's tribe. I dreaded the fact that this was actually happening right now. What surprised me even more is the fact that everyone is still going on about that lame fictional beast for gods sake. Like they don't really believe in that dumb shit right?

I watched them all slowly walk away into the distance. I felt hot tears welling in my eyes and I don't even know why. Seeing Jack and the boys slowly fade away into the distance made my heart break. I just want to know why I care so much.. it's literally Jack.. Jack Merridew. There is something about that boy that makes me want to be with him all the time. He's like my magnet, his presence is so comforting and I'm so used to him being there whenever I need him. But now things just feel empty. All we have now is Ralph, Simon , Piggy , Samneric and all the littluns. I could've sworn I saw Maurice look back at me over his shoulder when he was scurrying away. It almost looked like a look of regret but who am I to assume that?

Now everything just felt blank. Ralph was sitting depressed on the sand with Piggy beside him blabbing about how it isn't his fault. I know Piggy was trying to make him feel better but I could clearly tell that it was making him feel worse. So I decide to step in I put a warm hand on Piggy's shoulder signalling him to let me take over. I sit in piggy's spot and look at Ralph, his expression was plain and bare.. nothing in him moved he was obviously thinking.
"Hey." Ralph said to me bluntly, quite surprising how he decided to greet me first.
"Hey Ralph.. look you know that it isn't your fault right?" I reassure him.
"Yeah it sure feels like it. That's not even the only problem , we were all supposed to stick together so we could have a better chance of being rescued! I feel like I blew it. Jack hates my guts I don't understand what his damn problem is!" Ralph exclaimed.
"Look I understand what you're saying but I know what Jack's problem is.." I say whilst letting him question my statement.
"Okay then tell me.. what's his problem?" Ralph said in a very passive aggressive tone.
"He's childish and doesn't like being told what to do.. couldn't you tell from the moment we held the chief election that he wasn't impressed with you getting the power of authority instead of him? You have got to be completely blind if you saw past his jealous face." I state. Ralph somehow looked surprised.
"I-I didn't notice.. that must've been why he was so happy when I said that he could be in charge of the hunters." Ralph says.
The sudden epiphany that Ralph was having was honestly amusing to me.
"Look who finally caught on." I smiled and giggled. He smiled back at me. God he had such a beautiful smile.
I nudge him the the arm playfully.
"Stop being so hard on yourself.. chief." I say the last word more emphasised. He looked at me and chucked.
"Do you think I'm a good chief Frankie?" Ralph asked.
"Of course you are! ... I'd be better though." I teased him sarcastically.
"Hahah sureee Frankie sure." Ralph said.
"Yeah well I'm not sure if I'm liking that sarcasm there chief." I say cheekily.
"Oh yeah?" Ralph said whilst raising his eyebrow. Before I could even respond I was instantly slammed into the ground, pinned with my wrists held down, Ralph was on top of be with our lips only inches apart we could feel the heat of each other's breath and the tension between our bodies.
"Gotta learn to live with my sarcasm if you wanna be stuck on this island with me." Ralph smirked.
"Ha.ha veryyy funny Ralph." I said back with a smirk on my face.
Ralph sniggered and rolled himself off me. I was visibly blushing but this boy is seriously way to oblivious to notice anything.
"It'll be okay Ralph.. we will see them again. I can go out tomorrow and talk to them."
"No. You could get hurt."
"Hurt? No way I'm so close with them all they wouldn't hurt me."
"It's possible. They are off on their own now what if they mistake you for a pig and.."
"Excuse me?"
"No that's not what I meant you don't look like a pig at all you are so beautif-
"Hahaha Ralph chill out I was joking with you!" I smiled and nudged him playfully in the arm.
"Wow nice one Frankie you should be a comedian."
"I know."I said
"Oh no babes I was joking." Ralph smirked.
"Oh then why don't you be the comedian then." I shot back.
"Oh I will."
"Oh no babes I was joking." I chuckled as I mocked his previous statement.

We were both sitting there laughing and joking with each other until the colours of the sun started to fade away into the horizon. Ralph and I matched each other's energy which helped us both feel better about everything that happened. We both sat together with our hands intertwined watching the stars shine bright.

Author's note :)
Hey everyone I'm so sorry for this late update. I've been dreading this chapter so much but it had to be done. Apologies if there are any punctuation errors in it cause I haven't had a proper chance to proofread it yet but it's okay. I write the last half of this chapter in my bed with a huge thunderstorm outside so I thought I might like to share that. Hope you enjoyed!

-Molli <3