Chapter two hundred and thirty-nine:

Isaac made an excuse to go up to the front of the bus where the girls were. As soon as they realized he was there, they stopped talking, but continued to giggle.

“What is going on up here?” He asked, with a half smile. “You girls are loud enough to wake the dead up here.”

This sent the girls into full-blown laughter.

He popped the tab on a can of dr pepper and perched himself on the edge of the chair Christy was seated in.

“You don’t think your girls should get some rest?” He asked, putting an arm around the back of Christy’s chair.

“What time is it?” Becky asked curiously.

“It’s almost two in the morning.”

“Yeah, I guess we should… We should at least let Jen get some sleep, right?” Christy asked.

“No, I’ve been sleeping all day!” Jen protested.

“You should get some rest.” Becky stood and turned off the video that they weren’t watching anyway.

“I’m pretty tired too.” Christy admitted. She stood and stretched.

“Come on, C. I’m going to bed too.” He took her hand and led the way to the bunks.

“Can I get you anything, Jen?” Becky offered standing and tugging at the bottom of her pajama shirt.

“No, I’m okay.” Jen smiled, pulling her blankets further around her body. She had to admit she was cold.

“Okay. Goodnight.”

“Night.” Jen replied.

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Once everyone had gone to bed, Luke tidied up the back lounge of the bus. He quietly put away controllers and gathered his various textbooks in one pile. He tucked them into his bunk and went to check on Jen.

Surprisingly, he found her rummaging around the kitchen.

“Jen!” He cried in hushed surprise. “What are you still doing up?”

“I’m sick of sitting all day. All I’ve done is nap and sit on my butt all day. I’ve got to move around a bit.” She replied.

“Okay… let me help you, though.” He offered. “What can I get for you?”

“I’d like a yogurt, please.” She leaned against the counter, still not quite used to being on her feet.

“Sure.” He smiled, happy she was actually asking for something to eat. He opened the fridge. “Strawberry? Blueberry? Uhhh… peach?” He asked.

“Is there any French vanilla?” Jen asked, peering over the fridge door.

“Yeah, one.” He replied, reaching it from the fridge. He gave it to her and reached for a spoon from the drawer.

Without warning, the bus lurched and Jen lost her footing. He abandoned the spoon and caught her around the waist tightly, holding her so she wouldn’t fall.

“You okay?” He asked earnestly, his hands still on her hips.

She nodded but noticeably winced in pain.

“What is it?”

“My stitches.” She gingerly touched her right side.

“Jen, I’m so sorry… I didn’t mean to!”

“It’s ok, it’s fine. Really.” She urged.

“Here, sit down.” He urged, picking up the spoon and leading her to the table. He knelt next to her. “Let me see.”

“No, its’ okay.” She urged, “It’s fine.”

“Let me see, Love.” He pleaded.

She moved her arm back and pulled up her hoodie to expose the bandage.

He leaned closer to examine it, but when he reached out to touch it, she flinched out of the way.

“It’s fine. I’m going to bed.” She got up and slipped past him, returning to the sofa she had been sleeping in. She promptly clicked off the light.

Luke sighed, standing for a moment in the darkness. Finally, he put the yogurt she didn’t eat away and went off to his own bunk.

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