It Can Only Get Better From Here

Chapter 13

KATIANA'S POV

 "Dammit! You freaking Camper!" Raph shouted at Jack.

Jack laughed and pushed Raph with his shoulder. "You're just mad that I'm better than you."

Raph scowled. "I hate playing Black Ops with you. You're a camper. I hate campers."

I shook my head in bewilderment. The boys had finally set up an Xbox in the van and insisted on playing their violent war game.

"You guys get way too worked up over that stupid game," I muttered, trying to block out the sounds of Raphael's exasperated sighs.

"It's not just a game, Katt. If this was real life-"

"You would have been dead ten times over. It's just a game." I rolled my eyes. "Why not play some Legend of Zelda? It has decent story line with no blood."

"Maybe later." They both ignored me.

I giggled a little. I looked over at Xaivier, who had thankfully gotten over talking about Abbey abusing him. He had told me, after calling her, that his parents abused him until he was sixteen. Then he moved out of the house.

Xaivier met my eyes and smiled. He had his glasses on while he used his laptop.

I noticed that his hands were still trembling. He obviously felt like his mind was violated when I asked him all those questions.

Anderson snored from where he slept. Heith jumped, then threw a pillow at him.

I laughed when Anderson awoke with a gasp, flailing his arms and legs.

I turned my gaze back to the TV. Raphael and Jack had finally finished their game.

"Man, I'm exhausted. Maybe we should catch a few hours of sleep before we get to Quebec, eh?" Jack yawned hugely.

"Great idea." Raph rubbed his eyes. "I guess looking at the screen for a few hours isn't very good for your eyes."

They had only been lying down for a few seconds when the van lurched to the side suddenly. Jack tumbled out of his bed and slammed to the floor, groaning and cursing.

I was up in a second. "Fred! Are you alright?" I ran to the driver's section.

"Yep, yep. I'm fine." He grunted. "Van's engine went out. Need a mechanic."

He managed to keep the van going long enough to get close to a mechanic's. He called the tow-truck from there.

"I'm glad you're okay, Fred. I thought you had a heart attack or something." Raph squeezed in beside me.

Fred shook his head and watched the road as the tow truck pulled up.

"I'll handle this." Xaivier was already getting out of the van. I followed him, wincing as my still sore knee took the weight as I jumped down.

"Hey. This the van that broke down?" Chills went up my spine as the gravelly voice scraped against my eardrums.

"Yes, it is. I don't mean to sound rude, but we are on a tight schedule and need to get it fixed as quickly as possible." Xaivier spoke calmly.

The guy scratched his head. "All'ight, I'll get it hooked up. a few of you can ride in the front with me." He looked past Xaivier at me. He grinned. "Hey, babe. You wanna ride? You could sit on my lap."

I shuddered and smiled politely. "No thanks."

"C'mon, it won't be that bad. I could teach ya a few tricks." He winked and staggered over to me. He reached out to grab my arm, but Xaivier stopped him.