Palimpsest

16

Vigilant 16
(Edited)

Vigilant- alertly watchful especially to avoid danger

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October 23rd
Veronica Greene

I watched as the edge of the facility came into view, an uncertain tingle filled me. I looked at Austin who'd fallen asleep on my shoulder. Across from us sat Jackie with his head rested against the window. I resisted the urge to wake them as we still had another half hour to go before we were there.

I brushed my hand across puppy who was laying in my lap. I began to contemplate names for the 7th time on this train ride.

Max? No Maxarillion would think I was talking to him.
Baxter? Hmm
Bingo? Nah
Lester?
Benjamin?
Alex?
Axel?

I contemplated through at least twenty more names and none of them fit. I groaned in frustration throwing my head back and running a hand through my hair.

I heard Austin mumble something. Then as my ears where straining. He sat up and shouted.

"The Bandits stole my underwear." His eyes remained closed and he laid back on my shoulder. Jackie was awake now with a hand on his chest.

"Jackie, are you awake?" I grinned.

"No, what do you need?" He smiled at me.

"I named him finally." I smiled.

"What did you name him?" He grinned.

"Bandit." Jackie laughed right along with me.

"How much longer do we have?" He asked me.

"Probably another 23 minuets." I stared out the window, gently setting my hand on Bandit. Who curled closer to me. My left arm was currently being held down by a giant head. I looked over at Austin who was smiling in his sleep. I mirrored his smile even though he was sleeping and couldn't see me.

I blushed and looked at Jackie who held his phone up with a smug smile on his face. I rolled my eyes.

"Jackie would you leave him alone?" I sighed. Going back to petting Bandit.

"Nah it's funny for these pictures to just appear When he's least expecting it." He paused for a moment. "You know he likes you a lot."

"Jackie, it's not hard to figure that out. He liked me before he moved but, I'm just not interested in the dating scene."

"You're one of those girls." He rolled his eyes.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I glanced at him sideways.

"You ain't after nobody so everybody's after you."

"Who is everybody?" I scrunched my nose, which caused my top lip to draw upwards, in a confused manner.

"Them boys that live with you, and practically every dude that's ever met you." He laughed.

"Jackie stop lying." I felt my insecurities spark. His comments should make me feel good but, it hurts instead.

"Hey now, I'm not lying to you, Veronica. Ask anyone what they think of your appearance. I promise you without trying, your something to look at."

"Jackie, you know that's not true, you remember what happened. You know why I act like this anytime the subjects brought up. Yeah I know I'm beautiful, but don't act like I'm the fairest in the land, you understand?" I ran my free hand through the top of my braid frustratedly. A weak feeling settling into my chest as I set my hand back on Bandit.

"V, I'm sorry." He stood and moved forward to hug me.

"Cshh 2 minutes shhhk seat belts pshh." The intercoms came on. I hugged Jackie a moment with my free arm then released him, as he went to sit the train stopped as sudden as possible throwing Jackie forwards his head collided with mine and he fell side ways landing in Austin's lap.