April
We were trailing behind Matthew in an agonizingly awkward silence. I leaned my head on Chris' shoulder like i would do in our band class. I smiled at all the stupid memories we made in that class.
"Why are you smiling? It's the apocalypse"
Chris smiled at me
"I was just thinking of how bad i want to be back in the band room."
She hummed in agreement.
"It's been less than a week. . . "
Levi mumbled judgmentally under his breath. I glared holes into the side of Levi's face. I was about to ask what the hell his problem was, but Chris tugged on my sweater sleeve. I sighed, and played with Emerson who was sitting on Chris' lap.
I get shaken awake by Gustavo.
"Hey, um, we stopped for a break. If you want to stretch or use the restroom, i think you should now."
He said with a sweet smile. I nod and quickly hop out of the car, looking for Matthew. I see him sitting on the ground playing with both the babies. Scar is sitting in the car, swinging her legs out of the open door. Gustavo walks to Levi, who is leaning against the wall with one leg propped on the wall. But no Chris.
I furrow my eyebrows and go to Matthew to say "Hi" to Eli. I gently grab his shoulders and sit behind him, placing him between my legs.
"How you doin', bud?"
I ask, pushing his hair out of his eyes from behind.
"I'm fine"
He said with a smile and continues to attack Emerson's toy with his. I smile and look to Matthew.
"And you?"
He smiles.
"I'm fine, too"
"Where's Chris?"
She went to use the restroom in the woods. She was gonna take you, but you were asleep."
He said pointing in the direction she went. We played with the kids, but i kept glancing back to where Chris had gone.
"What happened? You look worried."
"I just have a bad feeling. Imma go check on Chris."
He shrugged his shoulders
"Okay."
I walked to the railing of the street, heading in Chris' direction
"Where are you going?"
Levi asked, suddenly appearing behind me. I looked back quickly.
"I'm gonna check on Chris"
I continued to Chris, but he spoke again
"I'll go with you."
I looked at him as if he grew a second head.
"Okay. . . "
I jumped the railing and slid down the small cliff.
"Chris?"
I called out.
"APRIL!"
Her sudden scream scared the crap out of both of us, but we rushed over to where it came from. I saw her unnatural bright red hair in the distance. She was kicking back a crawling one as she scooted back.
I looked to my right to tell Levi to do something. He was the one with the gun. He already had his gun pointed at the thing. There was a piercing ring and Chris was shaking on the ground. I was going to comfort her, but Levi beat me to it.
He had her encased in his arms, pulling her close to him from under her shoulders. She clung onto the part of his shirt that covered his shoulder blades for dear life. His hands were tangled in her hair as he took in her scent. Her tears stained his shirt.
I was starring in shock when Gustavo came running from behind.
"Holy shit"
He breathed out heavily.
"Right?"
I looked to him and we locked eyes. My cheeks flared and so did his. We blinked at each other and quickly turned to look at the ground.
'No. No. No. Don't you fucking dare April. You can't fall for him during the apocalypse!'
I waited for Levi to stop hugging Chris, but they clung to each other. Chris' hiccups had calmed, but her tears kept falling.
"If you stop crying, i'll kiss you."
Levi told her. I grabbed Gustavo's hand a began to walk away
"Hell no. I gotta see this"
He tugged me back.
Chris' crying didn't calm, and i wanted to yell at her to toughen the fuck up. This was her chance. Chris wiped her tears, but she kept coughing out sobs.
You could see how uncomfortable Levi was. It must've worked on the TV shows he's seen. He used his hands to squeeze her cheeks together and made her look him in the eyes.
"Shut up, or i won't ever kiss you."
He spoke, very blunt and firm. Chris shut her eyes, but tears still fell. She bit her lip, but her body still jumped with her hiccups.
"God, i just wanna kiss you. Stop."
He pulled her face to his until their lips connected. Without thinking, i hugged Gustavo and screamed into his shoulder. He laughed at how i was so happy.
'Wait, is he laughing 'cause i'm hugging him?'
I quickly let go and took a step away from him.
"Hey, uh, guys? I think we should go back. We need to start moving again. . . "
Gustavo spoke. They swung their heads to us.
Levi stuttered over his words, and eventually completely gave up on speaking. He held out his hand to pick up Chris. We walked back, Gustavo leading us. I was smiling 'cause no matter how sneaky he thought he was being, I still knew Levi was holding Chris' hand. I couldn't wait to see how the car ride we were about to have was gonna be more awkward than the last.
