Nausea: Sequel to Warcrossed

Pine Needles and Peppermint

"Who's this?"

I sighed. So he'd deleted my number. I didn't care, really, since I'd been with Laf, but somehow it still stung a little.

I still had his number and his messages and-

"Who's this?" Jayce repeated.

"Uh... It's... It's John."

"I told you, it's over."

"I know it's over."

I swallowed hard, but it didn't get rid of the rock in my throat.

I had to sweet talk him.

"I don't know of anyone else who can help me. You were a biology major."

"With a Bachelor's degree," he corrected. I kind of wanted to reach through the phone and slap him across the face.

He was cocky and rude and I wondered then why I'd even missed him. I mean, I'd just given him a compliment and he just... made it into an insult.

"Right. With a Bachelor's degree. But anyway... I need help, Jayce."

"Is it about the French guy?"

Heat rushed into my face and neck. "His name is Lafayette. He has a name. But yes, it is about him. He's dead. The same way my brother died, because of the damn NeuroLink. It also killed a little girl. I want to know why."

There was silence on the other end of the line for two full beats before he spoke again.

"Damn. Sorry to hear that. I'll look into it. But I want something from you, too. I'll decide that later. Everything's a compromise, John."

"If you make a scientific breakthrough, you'll be considered a genius worldwide," I suggested.

"No. I said I'd decide later. Have fun packing up. Better luck next year."

He hung up and I sat there shocked and furious. Sweat formed in the palms of my hand, and I tossed the phone into the water. It splashed, and I ran back inside, jumping into Laf's bed, curling up, burying my face in a pillow.

It still smelled like him, and it comforted me, but I wanted more. I wanted his arms around me.

I walked over to his closet and opened it, digging through it until I found one of his jackets and pulled it on. It was about my size, just barely bigger to the point my hands were covered by the sleeves and I had to pull them up. I slept there that night, keeping back my tears and my frustration, having not one dream or nightmare. Almost a coma, except I had to wake up in the morning. I didn't want to get up ever again for fear I'd forget the scent of pine needles and peppermint.