There, Yet Not

Trees, and more Trees

    The days were getting longer, as the nights got shorter. It seemed like this forest would never end. We keep walking hours on end, Adelyn swaying slightly at how tired she was, Jeff and Chris, never ever really muttering a word to each other. I understand that they barely knew each other before now, but they should at least talk, it makes me and Ade feel awkward giving the circumstances. I kept my eyes on the trees, noticing the differences in each one, I would steal a glance at the others here and there, making sure they are fairing well. Chris still led the way, constantly smacking his arm, which were becoming bitten up with bug bites. Jeff kept his gaze at the ground, humming to himself, probably missing the songs he would listen to, I smiled softly his way, he glanced up and realized I caught him in his little trance, he smiled and looked down. A couple of minutes later he fell in step with me, I smiled, "How are you holding up?" He shrugged, "I'm holding it together, just wish things didn't end up like this...the world ending at least," I was confused on what exactly that ment but nodded, "Well think about it this way, yes the world is kind of going to shit, but you're alive, and you're not alone, even if we aren't exactly who you expected to be with at the end of the world, we're still here, and we are here for you," he smiled at every word i said, "You're exactly right, you guys are what i least expected...but i don't mind," i giggled a little, "well that's good to here....so tell me,.have you and Chris exchanged words at all?" He shook his, "Only simple things, how are you for example," I nodded and smiled, "You know Chris isn't a bad guy, he can be a bit intimidating but he is alright overall, you should talk to him more," he nodded, and smiled, "I'll try my best, I meam i was just a choir teacher, his role was la lot more important," I scoffed, "Jeff don't say that, your roll was very very important, including to me...Yes you were a choir teacher, but there are things that you learn in choir that you can't learn anywhere else," his cheeks turned slightly red, "Really?, Like what?" I smiled, "Responsiblity, Team work, work ethic, and the main important thing, family isn't just blood, family is who has your back and who is always there for you, Family is Family," he smiled, "wow, thanks Mara, that really means alot," I nod, " No problem."
      After a little more small talk, I fell in step with with Adelyn, "Are you tired?" She nodded nonchalantly, while smiling weirdly at me, I smirked and looked at Chris, who was now battling bugs off with his arms, "Hey Chris?, can we stop now? Ade looks like she is about to fall asleep, while walking," he nodded as he put his bag down, swatting another bug, I smirked, "Chris do you need bug spray? I have some" he looked at me and glared, "And you didn't tell me earlier?" I shrugged, "you never asked," he scoffed and grabbed the spray from me, Ade held back a giggle as she looked away,
Jeff quickly sat, as Ade and Chris built a fire, I sat also, watching Them talk to eachother, Jeff elbowed me softly with a smile, I smiled back, "What?" He looked down, "Nothing really, just felt like doing that," I nodded, Like doing what? I thought to myself, I shrugged it off as I looked at the sky, the tension became a bit heavy as Jeff sighed a sad sigh, I looked at him slowly, his face was a little glum, I rubbed his back softly, he tensed up slightly at my touch but quickly relaxed, "You okay?," i asked him softly, he nodded but i didn't believe him, "Tell me," he glanced at me "well it's just that, I feel like i failed my students, you know, I feel like i could've saved them," I nodded understanding, I smiled softly, "Well yeah, but you couldn't have saved all of them, and I'm sure some of them did get away, you can't save everybody, but you can remember them," he nods, "Man you always have good advice don't you," I laughed, "Yup, for everyone except myself, " he chuckled, "I know how that feels," i smiled.
   Ade and Chris finally got the fire going and we huddled around it, trees surrounding us.