The Enders

Chapter 12

          I sit in the room and watch the smoke clear. When the fog disappears, Jade and Sao are on the floor and Gavin is crouching in the opposite corner of our cell. He has his eyes closed, but his head moves side to side, as if he is shaking his head, thinking about what he has done today. I think about getting his attention, but he looks up at me right when I deem it unnecessary.

          "The smoke doesn't work on you either?" He asks me, a wry look in his eyes. I shrug, unable to figure out why I'm not asleep myself. Gavin looks at me, calculating something. His deep , bright blue eyes light up as they search my face, seeming to find what he was looking for. Suddenly, he looks down and shakes his head. I know what's wrong. 

          I stand up, walk over to the other side of the room and sit down next to Gavin. His big figure is slouched, he's on the balls of his feet and his head is in his hands. He gives me a sideways glance and sits down, his long legs reaching way past mine. His muscles ripple under his shirt as he scoots over to give me more room. Gavin resumes looking into his calloused, plate sized hands, and I look at my own small, soft ones. We sit like this for awhile, side by side. Finally, I work up the courage to speak.

          "You know, it's not your fault," I say in the most comforting voice I can muster. Gavin looks down at me and gives me a disconsolate smile, his eyes sad. "Nikki," he says, frowning, "you see, it was my fault. I was the one who punched my own sister. I shouldn't have, but I did. And you know what else? I kind of recognized her too! That's what I'm upset about! Ya, I mad that I hit my sister, but the fact that I kind of recognized her makes me even more mad. I just," At this he breathes in shakily and lets the air out slowly, controlling the air through flushed cheeks, "I just need more time to think of an apology." I glance up at him and see his face, handsome and torn, and think, He looks like Sao. Just a little. 

          I stare back down at my hands and look over at his. His knuckles are bleeding, the red liquid seeping out onto the floor. Gavin doesn't seem to notice even though he is also looking at his hands. I decide to tell him, to make easy talk.

          "Your hands are bleeding." He scoffs smiles down at me. 

          "I've noticed."

          "Are you going to do anything?"

          "I don't have anything to wrap it in. So, no. I don't think so."

          "Oh." As that word leaves my mouth, I have an idea and look over at the small, black Swiss Mountain backpack lying in the middle of the floor. It contains the clothes that Dedrick threw into the room with Gavin and Jade. I walk over and scoop it up as I tell Gavin to turn around. He obediently does, although a confused look plays across his face. I strip down to my bra and panties, glancing back every now and then at Gavin. I look inside the bag and find four shirts, four pairs of pants and four pairs of Nike socks. Hurriedly, I pull on the gray sweatpants and a light blue V-neck short sleeved shirt. I check the bag for any other objects and laugh when I find what else is in it. Gavin cautiously looks over his shoulder and smiles at the things I hold in my hands.

          "Dedrick even packed pads. He always packs what girls need but what about us boys?" He shakes his head and butt-scoots over to me. Gavin sits in front of me and grins.