Run Away With Me

Chapter 16 (Jack's POV)

Note: I know I said I was done writing 'Jack' or 'Katherine,'  but I lied  :)

I sit on the edge of my folding cot. Which, isn't a bed, but it's better than the floor. I'm trying to wrap my head around what happened today. I mean, I know what happened. But I don't really understand why it happened. It's times like this when I'm sure there's something, but then tomorrow's gonna come and change everything. Oh well. 

I sigh and lie down. I've never looked at the ceiling much. Probably because it's pretty boring. It's just one of those popcorn ceilings. They didn't even bother to paint it white. It's that weird off-white color. Like a cream, but ugly. After studying the ceiling as long as I can, (about 10 seconds), I look at the clock on the bed-side table. 7:49. Tomorrow's Saturday. I don't start work 'til Monday, but the boys who work at Medda's will have to work tomorrow. Reduced hours, but still. I turn my attention back to the ceiling, and allow myself to get lost in thought. I exist happily in this fashion for about a minute before a voice scares the living daylights out of me. 

"So, what happened?" I sit up and watch Race, Albert and Jojo come in. I realize that they're probably the only ones who don't know what really happened, seeing as Kathy's probably telling Crutchie now. 

"Ugh, don't you already know?" They exchange side glances. 

"Well, we know what Spot said," Albert says. 

"He told us all about how you two were trouble-makers," Jojo continues. 

"And that you were probably making out-"

"Alright!" I interrupt Race mid-sentence. They giggle. "Fine, I'll tell you. But only because I don't want you to be misinformed." They all pile themselves onto Albert/Jojo's bed as I recap the days events. They're actually a very good audience, laughing and 'oo'ing in all the right places. 

"So-" I say, "-as you can see, there was no making out. We just walked a little further than we meant to." 

Race comes up to me and takes my hands. "That, is so, freakin', adorable!" And then he leaves. I scowl and stand up, but I don't have time to reply before Albert approaches. He places one hand on my shoulder. 

"Dude. You. Got. Game!" He laughs to himself as he walks out. I just stare after him. As I turn back around, I jump a little. Jojo now stands in front of me, (and he's got at least a couple inches on me). He hugs me, and then looks in my eyes. His hands linger on my shoulders, and heck if I'm not a little scared about what he's going to say. 

He gives me a sad smile and cocks his head to the side. "Oh honey." And then he just leaves! Exasperatedly, I fling myself onto my camp bed. Which folds underneath me. 

~~~

Eventually, I have to leave the safe haven of my (shared) room. Because throughout all the crazy events of that day, I forgot to have dinner. It's a little after 8 when I venture out, and everyone is watching something on TV. I draw more than a few eyes as I make myself dinner, but they don't say anything. I find some chicken nuggets in the freezer and heat them up. I walk into the living room, and a spot is made for me on the couch. Between Race and Kathy. In an effort to make things less awkward, I lean over toward Kathy. 

"So, what're we watching?" I whisper. 

"The Emperors New Groove ," she whispers back. I nod. I've learned not to question my friends. And also, that movie is awesome, so. I pick up a chicken nugget, realizing that I had chicken nuggets for lunch. I set it back down and hold out the plate to Race. 

"You want some chicken nuggets?" He looks at the plate, and takes it. I turn my attention back to the movie, but then Race gasps. All eyes are now focused on him. And he's staring holes into Davey. 

"What," he chuckles darkly. "In the name of all that is holy, are these!" He shoves a chicken nugget in Davey's face. 

Davey just looks confused. "Um, chicken nuggets?" Race shakes his head. 

"Look, David, I will forgive you this time, because clearly you were misinformed. But I only eat dino nuggets." Davey nods and Spot presses play. Race hands the plate back to me. I don't want them, so I take them back to the kitchen. I put them in the fridge, thinking I'll have them another day. I sigh, and settle back on the couch to watch the movie. 

~~~

I wake up to light streaming in through the window. I go to stretch my arms, but I realize there's something heavy on me. Much too heavy to be a blanket. I look down and see that Kathy has fallen asleep on me. Oh no. We must have fallen asleep during the movie. I look around. It doesn't look like anyone else is awake. 

I'm left with a conflict. On one hand, I want to inch myself away so she doesn't wake up have used me as a pillow, because that could definitely be awkward. On the other hand, that could be beautiful, and we could have one of those cute moments you only see in movies. But then there it is. You only see them in movies. So I decide to, slowly, make my move. I start with my arms, moving them up from around her. Then I slowly begin to wiggle my torso out from beneath her. Apparently not slow enough though, because she wakes up. I feel the heat creeping up into my cheeks. 

"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," I say. She sits up. 

"No, no, you didn't wake me." She yawns and looks around. Then I see the realization that washes over her face. I see Kathy try to hide it. But I've already seen it. I mumble something about bathroom, and leave.