Out of this World

Chapter Six

My nerves haven't let up since Caine told me we'd be meeting with their friend Deg today. I barely slept last night. I've tried not to think about it but I haven't had much in the way of distraction since my three new roommates have been preparing practically non-stop for our trip to town. Since this will be the last trek before winter they decided to haul everything they've prepped for trade. I think the main reason is that all three of them want to go with me and figure they might as well put the waste of man-power to good use. The upkeep and preparation that involves surviving in this world is insane. They can't even waste an afternoon to take me to get clothes without also doing a million other things on their checklist. Jas says it's not usually this busy for them. He also said that when the dead of winter hits I'll wish they had other things to do rather than annoy me 24/7. This might check out for Jas but I hardly think Rokan is going to be breathing down my neck even if there's a shortage of chores to work on.

"Mia, come here." I turn away from the fireplace, I had drifted into my head again. That happens a lot when I'm nervous. I find Jas staring at me with a concerned look on his face.
I walk over to where he's stuffing things in a pack bigger than I am. He returns his focus to the pack before asking, "Are you doing okay?" He doesn't look up at me when he asks this, and I doubt it's because he's distracted. I don't do well with eye contact when I'm on edge, he must be trying not to push me too hard. I guess I haven't been hiding my anxiety half as well as I thought I was. Jas barely knows me but he's far too watchful of my emotions for his own good.

"I'm fine." I say with a smile. Fake it 'till you make it, right?

I reach for another pack that's smaller (but still huge). "Can any of this go in here?" I ask, pointing to the pile Jas is taking from.
He looks up but doesn't answer. He's trying to read my mind again. I give him a small smile hoping he'll leave it be. I'm a nervous person on an alien planet, the world isn't going to stop for me because I'm scared of braving the outdoors and meeting a new person. I'm not going to let myself be any more of a burden than I already am.

Caine comes up behind me, "All of this can go in there." He puts a pile of wood carved animal figures next to me as well as a few hand-sized leather bags that are full of who knows what.
I don't hesitate before packing it all away, pretending I'm busy so I don't have to look at Jas who I'm pretty sure is still staring at me.
Caine also places another bag next to me, this one is open and has small, cut-up pieces of dried meat. Did he cut this for me? Probably not, it probably just fits in the bag better this way for when they're traveling. "Thank you." I start to seal it up and put it in my ginormous pocket (these guys don't mess around with storage on clothing) but his huge hand covers mine.
"We're not going to have time for lunch, we need to head out as soon as Rokan gets his stuff together. Eat this now, I have more to give you for on the way." He doesn't stick around to enforce it so I grab a few pieces to snack on while putting the rest in my pack. Jas is no longer paying any attention to me as he tries to hook like 20 smaller bags on his pack before swinging it onto his back. Good thing I wasn't in the way or his bag would have knocked me out flat with that move.

I stand up and straighten my clothes before trying to lift my own giant backpack. Jas has a hand on mine before I get too far. "Mia no, you're not going to carry that." He's using a stern voice, he sounds like Caine when he talks like that. I wasn't too thrilled about the backache this would probably result in but the amount these two are carrying is insane. I'm sure Rokan is going to be just as weighed down too. Not that these guys don't look like they have it covered, I just feel useless not doing anything to help.
"I can-" Jas doesn't even let me finish before picking the bag up with ease and shouldering it like it's nothing. Maybe it is better to just let him carry it. I'm sure I'll slow them down as it is.

I don't get an opportunity to argue because the door flies open and Rokan marches in. "The sled's ready, let's go." He spares me a glance before tearing his eyes away and marching back outside. With a hand on my shoulder Jas guides me to follow him.
This is going to be a long trip.