Just A Ghost

7

"Can we not go one goddamn day without her passing out!" Kevin shouted as I regained consciousness.

My teeth began to chatter uncontrollably. In an instant Manny was beside me win his arms around my freezing body. "Let's get her back to the bus" he said as he picked me up. The way back seemed a lot longer than it had been to get down here. I shivered and hid my face in Mannys arms. Kevin and Bryan struggled to keep up with him.

"I'm sorry" Bryan sighed. "I didn't mean for you to get hurt"

"Just be glad I was there to pull her out" Manny mumbled angrily. "The rest of ya didn't even notice"

"He has a point" Alix gasped for breath as he ran to catch up. "We didn't notice until he had her halfway to shore, too busy watching Kevin attack Bryan."

I looked up to see a small gash on the corner of Bryan's head. "What did you do?" I glared at Kevin.

"That wasn't from me I swear!" Kevin protested.

"I tripped" Bryan laughed. "Running in water is harder than you'd think"

"I did punch him but not too hard" Kevin admitted.

"My stomach still hurts!" Bryan complained.

Finally we reached the bus, inside it was just as cold as outside though. Manny sat on the couch with me on his lap. "Get her a blanket" he ordered. Evan reached into his bunk and pulled out a fleece red blanket with white snowflakes on it. He handed it to Manny who gently wrapped it around me.

I sat on Manny in silence for a moment until Kevin handed me a bright blue mug. "Hot coco" he smiled and sat beside us.

"Thank you" I cupped he mug between my hands and sipped it gently. Nearly burning my tongue the hot chocolate ran down my throat warming my body from the inside.

"What an eventful morning" Bryan sighed as he leaned against the wall. "Might as well get heading to Denver now"

"Soon" Alix reassured. "Let's just make sure Maria is okay"

"Maria is fine" Bryan was grinding his teeth.

"He's right" I admitted as I took another sip. "I'm alright"

"You sure baby?" Kevin asked making me blush. "I'll take that red face as a yes" he leaned closer and kissed my cheek. My face turned redder.

Manny kept his arm wrapped around me as I kept the blanket tight. "We might as well get going" he smiled and took out his phone.

It wasn't long before the bus was moving. On the road Evan spent the whole time playing Grand Theft Auto, Alix sang quietly to himself, Bryan slept, and Manny, Kevin and I made fun of billboard signs. The best was either "mammogram now in 3D demand it!" With a girl in a super girl costume, or "having sexual thoughts towards children? Call this number"

I didn't leave Mannys lap for the ride, nor did my hand let go of Kevin's. Time seemed to go slow as we drove down bare roads. Nothing seemed to be happening and nobody seemed to speak much. Kevin had fallen asleep with his mouth ajar. I watched as he slept. His face looked so peaceful but his chest rose and fell with seeming difficulty. His hair had dried and was stuck with static cling against the couch. His hand, though limp, still held onto mine. I couldn't help but smile as I watched him. He seemed more like a little kid than the lead singer of a band.

Night began to fall and we were still on the road. Alix had given up his singing and reverted to lightly strumming his guitar. Evan continued to play his game and Manny too had fallen asleep.

I listened as Alix played and I noticed a few cords from Game Freak. Hesitantly I sang along quietly. Alix patted the cushion next to him. Gently, so not to awaken them, I let go of Kevin's hand and climbed off of Manny. I laughed lightly as I noticed he had fallen asleep in the middle of replying to a tweet.