Virus | The Darkest Minds Ψ

The Kids Aren't Alright

Chapter XVII

Chubs walked out of the bathroom with his damp clothes he'd attempted to clean in the bathroom sink, ranting about how good hygiene was important and we needed to take it seriously. 

Liam chuckled and tossed a towel to Ruby. "You're next," he informed her as I started helping Chubs start making up a bed on the couch. "Just make sure you wipe everything down when you're done." 

"What about you and Aspen?"

"Oh, Aspen can go after you. I'll take one in the morning."

"Right, okay, sleeping arrangements," I clapped my hands together after Ruby walked into the restroom.

"Liam and I can switch out one the couch halfway through the night, and the girls can share the bed," Chubs said easily.

"Actually, I can take watch," I said. "I'm not tired."

"No, you need to rest," Liam argued.

"Seriously, it's fine," I countered. "If it makes you feel better, I'll wake you up if I get tired."

"Fine," he agreed reluctantly as Chubs smirked at both of us.

"He cares," Chubs cooed mockingly, and I shoved his shoulder as I felt my face flush. 

Instead of retaliating with a smarts comment, Liam just said, "I'm gonna check on Ruby," with an embarrassed face.

"That'll end well," Chubs murmured.

 "Ruby?" he called. "You okay?" The water shut off so Liam continued. "Can you--uh--open the door?" Poor Liam sounded so awkward it was painful to hear. 

"He's dug himself a hole that's just getting deeper," I muttered to Chubs.

The door of the bathroom opened and Ruby's face peeked out. "Is everything alright?"

He thrust some socks in her direction. Ruby looked down at them and then back at him, looking extremely confused. "Just wanted to... give you these. You know, for you."

"Don't you need them?" she asked.

"I have a couple extra pairs and you have none, right?" he looked like he was in some kind of pain now. "Seriously. Please. Just take them. Chubs says your extremities or whatever are the first to get cold, so you need them, and--"

I choked as I started laughing, and Chubs called out, "Oh, my God, Green, just take the damn socks and put the kid out of his misery."

Instead of waiting for her to take them, Liam reached across her and deposited them on the counter. I buried my face into a pillow in embarrassment for him. 

"Um... thanks?" Ruby said.

"Great--I mean, no problem." Liam turned to walk away, only to turn back again, as if thinking of something else. 

"What else could he possibly say?" I groaned.

"This is amazing blackmail," Chubs said.

"Okay. Great. Cool--well, so you--"

"Use your words, Lee," I called.

"Yeah, some of us are trying to get some sleep," Chubs added, although he clearly wanted to keep getting more material to further embarrass Liam with.

"Oh, right. Sleep." Liam made a vague motion toward the rooms bed. "You and Zu are going to share. I hope you don't mind."

"Of course not," Ruby said.

"Okay, great!" he put an abnormally large smile on his face.

"Yeah, um, great," Ruby answered awkwardly. With that, Liam turned and walked away without another word.