Things I Shouldn't Have Done

seven.

Kyla Foster

Halfway to San Francisco, I felt nauseous, so I just kept quiet, because if he tells them I'm sick, they'll definitely regret taking me. Until then, the atmosphere in the car is too toxic, Madison and Ryker are constantly arguing about little things and Marcus is trying to flirt with me.

I try to talk to him but I'm too nauseous so I just nod my head to what he's saying and move away while he puts his hand sometimes 'unintentionally' on my knee. Madison's makeup seems to be having an effect.

At one point, I really don't feel well, the urge to vomit is so great that I cover my mouth with my hand so that it doesn't vomit on the leather seats of the car.

Ryker notices this immediately and stops the car. Madison turned to me.

"Kyla, what's wrong?"

"I'm a little sick..." I managed to say pretending to be fine.

"Did you eat something before?" Ryker asked me, to which I shook my head.

"Is there somewhere near a bakery where we can stop?" Marcus asked, and I could see on Madison's face that she was annoyed.

"Maybe you need to go outside to get some air" - she says at the end.

I open the door and go out holding my stomach. My stomach is turning and I just want to throw it all out. Marcus follows me and uses my condition as an opportunity to hold my shoulders.

Let's sit on a bench. He put his arm around me. I remove her.

"Don't," I say, feeling even more uncomfortable.

"Sorry...I thought you'd feel better."

Better than what exactly?

At that moment, Ryker gets out of the car and approaches us. His gaze shifts from Marcus to me, his expression serious.

"Hey Marcus, can you leave us for a second? I'd like to speak to Kyle alone."

Marcus pulls back reluctantly, muttering something like

"Of course, I have to pee anyway."

Ryker sits down next to me on the bench, close enough for me to feel his warmth, but far enough away that I'm not uncomfortable. He takes out a cold Coke and a sandwich from his backpack.

"Here, drink some. That might help with your nausea."

I hesitate, but Ryker's caring look reassures me. I take the bottle and take a few sips. The cold liquid provides instant relief to my thirsty throat.

"Thank you," I say quietly.

"Is Marcus bothering you?" Ryker asked me, and I stopped eating my sandwich.

"Oh no."

"Say it freely, I'm not happy that he's coming with us anyway..."

"Then why is he coming with us?"

"Guess who insisted..."

"Madison?" I ask, wanting not to believe this. He nods his head.

"Why?"

"I do not know. That's why you're here. I said that if Marcus doesn't want to go, you will go too..."

I feel a mixture of surprise and discomfort.

"If so...why don't you break up with her?"

"And what do you care?" I ask with a gentle smile. I close my eyes in confusion.

"If you already...fight all the time. Maybe you're just not for each other."

"Or you don't want us to be for each other."