Talk Nerdy to Me

Chapter 14: The Knife Twists

Summary:

Ra calls the sheriff's office, and gets even more bad news. She finally tells 3Racha what exactly she was running from back home...

Chapter Text

Getting through airport security, customs, and all of the accoutrements of traveling internationally took most of Ra's attention for awhile. She was wide-eyed at the rounded ceiling, skylights letting all the natural light in that highlighted the scarlet carpets. Her neck was getting a crick in it from staring straight up.

The mask covering most of her face was growing hot. She realized her breathing had gotten heavy from the combination of walking as far they were and from enjoyment of looking at the artful curve of the ceiling.

Part of art school - what little she'd had before the first time her dad pulled her back home - had been studying architecture. Most of it had been ancient architecture like Gothic churches, her favorite of which being the flying buttress. Something about the word butt being in a serious term relating to church architecture made her giggle. Now she was particularly interested in following the lines of buildings, trying to memorize them.

Hyunjin touched her shoulder gently, pulling her gaze down. "We're about ready to go," he said gently. He looked up at the ceiling. She could hear the smile in his tone. "It is a pretty ceiling. Why not take a picture?"

"My phone doesn't take great photos," Ra said, looking back up before her gaze settled back to his sunglasses-covered eyes. "I wanted to try and commit it to memory."

Hyunjin tilted his head, and then pulled out his phone. He took a picture - perfectly framing those beautiful rounded skylights. "I'll send it to you when we get you a new phone, okay?"

Ra frowned, knowing that the sunglasses and mask hid the expression. Was everyone now in on Chris' plans to get her a new phone?

The others started moving away, and she hurried to catch up. Hyunjin had no need to hurry, his long legs closing the short distance in just a few strides. Ra's legs were short compared to most of the guys.

They climbed on board a high-speed train of some kind. Ra was dizzy from the speed of it, from the onslaught of people, lights, and colors, by the time they were climbing onto a shuttle bus taking them to their hotel. The sensory elements were overwhelming, to say the least.

Still, it was tempered just a bit by the fact that she would be able to relax in the hotel while the guys were all gone. She would have the time to call the police station back in Kansas then too. It was just a little before noon there.

When they arrived at the hotel, Ra noted the address in her phone so she knew where she was. She didn't have any plans on leaving the hotel alone, but old habits died hard. Learning them had been exercises in experience, often the result of trauma. This was one of those.

Unlike their hotel stay in Beijing, she barely had to get out of the shuttle. Several bell hops were waiting to take their things up to their rooms, and Jin had tipped them all ahead of time. Jin handed her the key card last, with an admonishment.

"You go get some rest, young lady," he said sternly. "If you want to watch the interview, I'll have the bellhop change the channel on your TV to it."

Ra nodded meekly. "I don't plan on going anywhere else tonight, Jin."

"We'll be back late," he added. "Order room service if you're hungry."

"Yes, sir," she said.

Around them, the flurry of activity almost hadn't ceased. The bellhops were carrying bags to rooms, hers included. The boys had already gone upstairs to take showers and get ready for their interview. Bada and Hana waved at her as they walked past. Neither would get a shower before having to leave with the guys.