Chapter 31
In the bedroom at the back of the bus, Howie sat on the floor against the door, breathing heavily. He wasn't sure what was going on outside. AJ had come sprinting onto the bus, wanting to talk to him, but Howie hadn't wanted to listen, he just wanted to lay down and get some sleep. He felt completely drained, and the last thing he wanted to deal with was AJ telling him about him and Leona. So he had stayed in the bedroom, refusing to let AJ in, telling him to leave him alone. He had faintly heard the others all talking a few minutes ago, and he hoped that they were telling AJ to leave him alone, that they understood that he couldn't deal with AJ at the moment. The event s of the morning were still too raw, too fresh for him to deal with, and he needed time to sort himself out.
He felt the bus begin to move, and breathed a huge sigh of relief. Finally, he could be alone. A thump from the living area drew his attention, and he held his breath as he listened. He heard faint rustling and movement, and felt his anger rise. If that was Brian he was gonna kill him. He told him he didn't want to be babied. The sounds got louder as the person moved closer to the door. There was a hesitant knock on the door, but Howie didn't answer him. If Brian insisted on being on the bus with him then fine, but it didn't mean that he had to talk to him.
"Howie?"
The soft raspy voice jolted straight through Howie, and he sat frozen to the spot. AJ. What the hell was AJ doing on there? Why had the others let him? They knew the last person he wanted to see was AJ. So what the hell were they thinking?