Darkness

Good Bye

Other Zaps pov

"So..." I repeat myself, "Where's Xena? She was talking to you last night when I went to sleep."

Xena has this weird thing where she goes places either really late at night, or really early in the morning. And she usually tells me when she goes out. But since Brian's here he might know.

He glances up from his work. "I don't know where she is. She might still be---"

"GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE!"

Brian groans. "Ugh! She's a morning person!"

I punch him in the arm.

Xena skips into the kitchen already dressed.

"You want some tea? I already have water boiled." I ask as I turn to her.

"Thanks. But I can make it myself." She says. "If you don't start getting ready now you're gonna be late to work, and won't be able to get your coffee."

I quickly look at the clock, "Oh my god."

I set down my empty mug, and quickly shuffle out of the kitchen to my room.

"I owe you!" I holler before I enter my room.

Rushing into my closet I try to get dressed as quick as I can, hoping  Xena and Brian don't start fighting. I'm not exactly sure what happened between them, but they hate each other over it. Last time my brother was here, he drank a little too much, and started a screaming match with Xena.

I shuffle on my jeans as I walk out of my room. Hushed voices are coming from the kitchen. But sadly I have absolutely crap hearing. So I couldn't hear a word.

"What's going on?" I say it as I walk in.

Brian sharply looks at me. "Nothing much. Just haven't talked in a while. Catching up."

He says it quickly, which means he's trying to hide something. I remember it from all of the times in high school when he would lie to mom about what he did the night before. 

I look over to Xena to see if she's okay. She gives me the slightest of nods, and I nod back. We have used this system for almost every situation. 

I break the silence. "I'm gonna head out. Either of you need a ride?"

Xena ponders it for a second. "No. I'll ask one of the newer kids at the shop if they can pick me up on their way to work."

Turning to Brian I ask, "How 'bout you? Might as well save on gas."

"Nah. A friend is coming to pick me up." 

"Kay. Then I'll just go. Bye guys!"

I walk quickly to the mud room to put my shoes on. 

Then suddenly Xena wraps me in a hug. It is soft but at the same time you can tell that she is holding back. 

She pulls back, still holding me by the shoulders. "Good bye." 

She whispers it. 

Those words that she's never said.

She turns and walks back into the kitchen. 

Exiting the door I grab my keys from the hook.