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chapter twelve: I know you like me
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SERENITY AND STEVE were tasked with going to the pile of things that had been removed from the shed and finding anything that would produce heat. They both had flashlights in their hands, courtesy of Dustin, as they walked out into the backyard.
"Are you going with them?" Steve asked as they approached the pile. "To get this . . . thing, out of Will?"
Serenity shook her head. "No. I made a promise to all the moms that I would look after their kids, and that's exactly what I'm doing. And you're going to help me, because we're now officially a babysitting duo."
Steve rolled his eyes. "Oh, great. But isn't Will one of your kids?"
"He is. But . . . seeing him being surrounded by heaters so that this thing can be burned out of him . . ." Serenity's voice got quiet. "I don't think I'd be able to handle it, as selfish as that sounds."
"It's not selfish," Steve insisted softly.
"Besides, Joyce will be there with Will," Serenity continued. "Jonathan, too. They're going to be the ones he needs the most when he wakes up. And . . ." Serenity took a quick glance up at Steve. "I think Nancy is going with them. To be there for Jonathan."
Steve, to her surprise, didn't look sad at that revelation and just nodded. "Okay."
"You're not upset?"
"Why would I be?"
Serenity blinked and shined her flashlight around in the pile. "Oh. I just thought, after you broke up with Nancy . . ."
"I've come to terms with the fact that it's over," Steve admitted.
Serenity then lifted up a grate so that Steve could get a heater from underneath. "Have you? I'm glad. It hurt me to see you all sad and moping."
Steve picked up the heater. "I was not moping."
"Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that."
Steve looked over at her. Even though they were in the worst situation probably ever, Steve couldn't help but admire her. She seemed to glow under the moonlight, and although she looked fully exhausted from not getting any rest at all, she just radiated sunshine, like she normally did.
