AFK - Away From Keyboard

Chapter 22:

Emica's POV:

   When Myra came back, we all got together our stuff and signed out of the inn.

"Oh no," Len groaned. "Rey is coming."

"Thank goodness we'll have another girl to keep you boys in line." Myra smirked.

Rey's form shimmered into existence. "HEEEEY!" She hugged me and then turned to Myra. "Hi, I'm Rey, you must be Myra. Thanks for being the one to keep Ren in line for me." She flipped her strawberry blonde hair.

Myra smiled warmly. "No problem. Somebody has to be."

"Let's get moving." Len rolled his eyes.

"Someone's in a hurry." Kit sighed.

"Someone has to be." Len smirked, mocking Myra's tone. I struggled to hold back a giggle, but Kit scowled at me so I was able to choke it down.

We set off down the plane.  Len and Kit walked quickly, both trying to acquire the lead.

Rey giggled. "Are they always like that?"

"All the time. It drives me crazy." I wailed.

"They fight all the time. They almost killed themselves doing it too." Myra rolled her eyes.

Rey nodded. "It's because they share a common interest."

"I don't see how." I commented and scooped up Snowy, who was mewling at my feet. "If they had a common interest they would be able to talk about it and be friends."

"You would think so, wouldn't you." Rey agreed. "How much farther to dranfall?"

"About a day," Myra shrugged. "We'll camp out once it gets dark."

Len and Kit decided to walk as part of the group, unfortunately for us. They wouldn't stop arguing as usual. I was grateful for the moon when it came; it meant that people would be trying to sleep instead of talking.

I rolled out my matt and blanket. Len told us to light a fire because it would scare off most monsters. Kit of course, rolled his eyes. "Any idiot knows they should do that."

"I didn't know." I smiled sheepishly.

Len smirked at Kit.

"Well...you're not an idiot." Kit supplied, tripping over his words.

"Thanks. I'd say the same for you, but I usually avoid lying." Len waved his hand casually. "Alright, I'll go get some kindling."

He disappeared while the rest of us sat in silence under the stars.

"It's beautiful." Rey sighed after a while.

Kit shrugged. "If you like that kind of thing."

Myra rolled over on her matt.

Ten minutes later they were all sleeping. Len came back with an impressive stack of wood. He laid it out in the middle of the circle and began muttering about being left with the work while we all slept.

I rolled over onto my stomach and put my head on my fists. "I'll help if you want. I don't really know how and I'm probably going to be bad at it, so just tell me what I need to do."

"I...didn't think anyone was awake." Len mumbled.

I smiled. "It's okay. Thank you for getting all the wood so goblins won't attack us."

"It's no big deal." Len started constructing the wood, though he seemed less frustrated than before.

I stood and tip-toed over to him. As promised, I was bat at helping. I knocked down his structure twice, but he was very patient and explained the correct way to lay out the wood. Then he gave me the match and helped me light the fire, which was soon blazing comfortingly.

Len stared sullenly at the flames.

I remembered what had happened the last time I asked him what the matter was, and I was admittedly scared to ask again, but I did. "Lem, what's wrong?"

"I have to go to school tomorrow." He grumbled. "I won't be back until after six."

"That's alright!" I laughed. "We'll just travel at night. I'm the only one who doesn't have school anyway."

"Yeah, but the day after that my family is going to get together for Easter so I won't be here for three days. We have to travel the first day, have it on the second, and then travel back on the third."

"Don't worry! We'll wait for you." I smiled encouragingly. "Just make sure you come back."

"Why?"

"I'll miss you!" I laughed quietly. "And who else will Kit drive me crazy with?"

"I drive you crazy?" Len's tone sounded a little hurt.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt your feelings! Of course you don't drive me crazy..." I babbled on.

Len grinned. "Well you drive me crazy and I'm not apologizing for saying it."

"What do I do? You have to tell me so I can stop doing it." I begged.

"Alright. You can't look at me like that."

I cocked my head. "Like what?"

"Or that." Len shook his head, "And you can't laugh."

"My laugh drives you insane?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Raving mad." He nodded.

"But..."

"Don't look like that either." Len instructed with a wry smile.

"Okay, I just won't look at you." I stared directly above the fire.

Len was silent for a minute. "No, that won't work either. It might even be worse."

"I do not understand you." I gave up.

"You told me to tell." He reminded me.

I laughed. "Okay, well next time I won't ask."

Len sighed again. "I wish I didn't have to go. I'd much rather be able to stay with you."

I tried to think of the best way to answer him without making him feel worse about leaving. "Well...I'll be waiting for you to come back. And I'll be sure to tell Kit that you'll miss him very much."

Len laughed and tentatively put his arm around my shoulders, leaning his head against mine. "Thanks. Give him my best."

I yawned. "Okay. Want me to stay up with you?"

"Nah, it's fine. You get some rest." Len stood up and offered me his hand, which I took and allowed him to pull me to my feet.

"Good night." I smiled.

"G'night Emi." Len gave me his strange smile and brushed my hair back. With a last smile, he turned back to the fire.

I tip-toed back to my matt and laid down to sleep.