Beautiful Remains

“Ray!!”

A booming noise pulled me up from my restless slumber and I felt like the Grim Reaper himself was-

“Andrea May Quimby, wake up before I dump yesterday’s bath water on you!!”

I’ll remember this, Dylan, I thought as I yanked myself up from the warm mattress. The chill air bit my bare arms and legs like a snake. Before I could shiver all my body heat away, I pulled on my Guns n’ Roses sweatshirt.

“Can it, Dee-Dee. I’m up.” I snarled.

Light from the lantern that hung in the middle of the room pretty much blinded me as I pushed aside the curtain that made up mine and Juliet’s private space.

“May I see her?!” Andy suddenly jumped up.

During the past week, Dylan had worked his magic. Thin waists had filled out a bit and color had returned to the mens’ cheeks, but best of all, Juliet had woken up just a day ago. In spite of himself, even Dylan got a little worked up when her eyes opened; before then, she would just constantly drift. The hand-fed crackers and yogurt she had digested did her well, last night, she even spoke a little. Naturally, Andy was the most excited when she first woke up. Now it was hard to keep him away from her bedside.

“Sorry, she’s still sleeping.” Dylan stated, hitting my shoulder as he pushed past us.

Glum and let down, Andy started to walk away, but I tapped his forearm. I couldn’t take his downcast eyes, they looked too much like Alex’s eyes the day I left.

“Can you be really quiet?” I whispered. Immediately, his eyes lit up and he nodded. “Then it's fine to sit next to her, until she wakes up.”

As he skipped lightly into the curtain-walled room, I couldn’t hide the small smile he provoked. His manner reminded me so much of Alex. They had the same blue eyes and white smile, though they had about three feet of height difference between them.

“You’re smiling.” came a feminine voice.

“Morning, Ashley.” I greeted.

My smile dissolved into a neutral expression, I faced him casaully.

“Aw, come on, bring the smile back, it was so pretty.” he teased.

Ugh, I hate it when he does this. Personally, I just think he enjoys embarrassing me since he knows I blush easily. The hours he would come up to the roof and quietly nap beside me, those were the times I enjoyed his company, not these times.

“Don’t want to.” I declared.

Enough of this guy.

Ashley didn’t stop me as I made my way over to the “kitchen” of the base. Already hovering in the area, Dylan was arranging a light meal for Juliet. He glared as I pulled out a bottled water.

“What? Had your eye on it?” I joked.

“No,” he corrected his glare and morphed it into a worried expression,”the opposite. You’re not eating enough.”

“I’ve heard that a million times. I told you, I’ll eat when you eat.” I took a sip and leaned against the wall, going over the chatting figures in the corner.

Having a conversation of their own, Jinx and Jake stood a ways off from CC and Ashley a bit, discussing their next move. Between glowering at me over his shoulder and running his hands through his hair, CC was talking with Ashley. They could be talking about the weather for all I know, but CC seemed to be boiling a little, he always did when I was in the room. His hostility was one of the reasons I retreated to the roof more often. These little trips to avoid CC only made Dylan grouchy, he didn’t like being left alone to take care of the stray travelers I had picked up.

Ashley, on the other hand, was enjoying going to the roof with me. His smile was evident every time he saw me sneak out the window.

Though the “guests” didn’t seem to like me, at least they trusted Dylan

Notes

I was busy during the weekend and guess what this week is! Exams! Hallelujah!