Afterlife (A7X)

Chapter 30: Fixing the Problem

~~~~CHAPTER 30~~~~

Fixing The Problem~~~~

~~~~Zacky's Point of View~~~~

"Morning Zacky," Jessie said as she came to a halt next to me, making me smile. "How're you doing today?"

"Hey Jess," I said, Jessie smiling back and making Brian raise his eyebrows at me; I just ignored it. "Not as lost today."

Jessie just continued to smile at me, making me smile back as Brian looked between the two of us but didn't say anything.

"Well good morning fellow haunted friends," Jimmy greeted as he walked over to us; I automatically threw his cigarette packet back at him. He caught it with ease and grabbed a cigarette for himself. "Huh, less than half the packet left Baker; get stressed during the night?"

"No," I said bitterly as he lit the cigarette, putting the packet in his back pocket, as he wasn't wearing a jacket today as the weather was nice out like most days; it'd been a bit miserable weather wise lately though. "It wasn't even half full when you gave it to me; I only had like, four at the most."

Jimmy scoffed, putting his lighter away and looking to Matt who returned his gaze tiredly.

"You like tired Matty," he said, putting his arm around Matt's shoulders and pulling him closer to him. "What's wrong kid? Something eatin' you up inside? Is everything ok with you and Val?"

"Everything's fine with me and Val Jimmy," Matt sighed. "She'll be here soon too; she's back in case anyone wann'ed to know. I just don't really appreciate being called at four in the morning; how're you still wide awake? You didn't go to bed 'til after four."

"Actually, I didn't go to bed at all," Jimmy corrected. "I haven't slept in over twenty-four hours Matthew."

"How do you manage it?" Brian asked, shaking his head as he looked Jimmy up and down.

Jimmy shrugged as he took a drag on his cigarette, not letting Matt go; Matt looked really tired.

"No idea Brian," Jimmy sighed. "Just real great at not going to bed."

Brian shook his head, not saying any more on the subject; Matt looked to Jimmy who still hadn't let him go, his arm still around Matt's shoulders.

"So what'd you need to tell me this morning?" he asked, all of us looking to Jimmy as Val came to a halt next to Brian. Matt saw her and his face instantly lit up with a smile; no matter how tired or what kind of mood he was in, Val always made him just light up. "Hey babe."

Val gave him a smile, looking at Jimmy as she spoke, directing it at Matt.

"I see you've replaced me already; I've only been gone about a week," she said, making Matt roll his eyes.

"Yeah, Matty's mine now darlin'," Jimmy said, pulling Matt closer to him and causing Matt to sigh. "Gonna have to step aside I'm afraid."

Val just smiled in amusement as Jimmy threw the remainder of his cigarette away and kept a hold of Matt. Matt looked to Val.

"Y'know I'm never gonna replace you," he said, looking her up and down briefly. "And yes, I missed you."

"You're too sweet," Val said with a bit of a laugh, making Matt smile again.

"C'mere then," Matt said, indicating for Val to stand with him. "Jimmy'll either let me go or tolerate it."

Val laughed, moving the few paces over to Matt who just smiled as she put her arms around him, hugging him tight. Jimmy reluctantly let Matt go, Matt hugging Val back.