It Can Only Get Better From Here

Chapter Four

Katiana's POV

My mind felt hazy, a feeling I was unused to. What happened last night? I tried to focus, rolling over onto my back, moaning because of the stiffness in my joints. Iheard something-Laughter? Whispers of conversation filled my ears.

And then it all came back to me.

I sat up straight immediately, smashing my head off of something hard. "Crap!" I rolled over, and fell to the floor. I was on my feet in an instant, and raised my arms over my head and hit the hard object with all my strength.

Clang! I started to wake up a little more. I opened my eyes and found myself looking at Xaivier, on the top bunk, holding a laptop, with an expression that was a mixture between fear and amazement.

Everything was quiet... or was it? I was now aware of the sound of a vehicle, and the swaying motions as it drove down the highway. I glanced to my left. Heith and Anderson were sitting at a small table with steaming cups in their hands. To my right, Jack and Raphael watching TV on a small screen.

"Um... good morning..." I smiled at them hesitantly. "Sorry for that disturbance." I slowly sat back down on the bunk. Heith laughed out loud. "Well, I think she's finally awake for good, guys." He walked over to me and leaned over me, making my skin crawl at the closeness.

"You kept me up half the night with your talking and constant moving. Who is this "Mikayla" chick? You seem pretty concerned about her well being." he grinned. I turned my head away from him. "She's my sister." I muttered. "I haven't talked to her since I was 14." I slid past him off the bed, ignoring the stabs of pain in my knee and ribs.

"Heith, stop being such a tool." Raphael took a sip of his beverage. "So, Katiana, is it? We never really had any proper introductions. I'm Raphael, but call me Raph for short." I smiled a little. He is my favourite so far... next to Xaivier. Raphael was a fairly short man, around 5''5 , and about 23 years old with white blond hair down to his shoulders.

"This jackass is Heith," Raph slapped Heith on the back of his head. Heith jumped as though he had been shot and took a swing at Raph, who easily dodged it, laughing. Heith had light brown hair down to just below his ears. He was a little taller than Raph.

"And the nice gentleman who carried you is Xaivier... who is asleep again..." Raph sighed and shook his head in mock annoyance. I glanced back at the bunk. Xaivier's head had rolled slightly to the side, hands relaxed and mouth slightly open. I quickly studied his features. He was shaved bald. He had piercings in his eyebrows, nose, and one ear. I think he was around 5''8 or 9. And he is the youngest of the group, only 19 years old. His birthday, which was in the summer, was 2 days before mine.

I fought back yet another smile and looked back at Raph. "And that leaves Anderson and Jack." He gestured to each of them in turn. They looked alike. Both of them had the same nose and facial structures. Jack was slightly taller, with black hair tied back into a ponytail. Anderson had lighter hair, that was carefully styled into spikes sticking up in every direction. They smiled at me as I met their eyes. They all seemed friendly enough. Except for Heith.

"So, are you homeless?" The other three boys turned to stare at Heith in dibelief. I stared up at the ceiling. "So, are you retarded?" I asked in the same tone. "Honestly, if I had a home I would be living in it right now." Heith glared at me.

"We should've left you on the side of the road. I can't stand a smartass."

I laughed softly. "So you hate yourself, then." Heith narrowed his eyes.

"Heith!" Xaivier sighed and opened his eyes. "Really? Do you need to insult every new person you meet? Tone it down a bit!" He got down from the bunk and walked to the kitchen area.