A Zombie's Heart

Chapter 19

    

      I wake up to Jungkook gently shaking me. "Wake up, breakfast is ready." 

     I groan and roll out of bed, my back still sore. I walk over to the truck and search for the pain killers. I take two and walk back to the campfire. Jungkook brings me a bowl of steaming oatmeal and then sits next to me.

      I finish eating and stand up. "I'm going on a short walk. I'll be back soon." 

     "Do you want someone to go with you?" asks Hoseok. 

     I shake my head. "No, I think I'll be fine."

***

     About an hour later, I get back to camp where only Hoseok sits by the fire pit. 

     "Hey Hoseok, where is everyone?" 

     He stands up after tying his shoe. "Most of them went on a drive to look for firewood. I'm about to go for a jog. Yoongi was complaining about me having too much energy. I could use it though, I haven't gotten exercise since this whole zombie thing started." 

     He takes off jogging and I turn to go to the tent. I could use a nap while its quiet and peaceful. I take off my shoes and feel the warm sand beneath my feet. When I walk into the tent, I drop my shoes. Taehyung and Kiersten were kissing, and I happened to walk in while they were in the middle of it. I didn't know whether to be glad to have stopped them, or break down and bawl my eyes out right there. 

     "Oh! I'm so sorry!" I say, fighting back tears. 

     Kiersten smirks at me and I turn and run. I run until I can't catch my breath. Tears stain my cheeks and my heart races. I climb to the top of a tall and large boulder. I can't barely see the the camp, but from up here, I have a breathtaking view of the ocean. I sit down and wrap my arms around my knees. I'm not going to let myself cry anymore, I can't become weak. I put my head down and sit in complete silence for a long time.

***

     I hear the sound of footsteps and then I feel a gentle hand on my shoulder. 

     "Mind if I join you?"

      I don't answer, but Jungkook sits next to me. Having him next to me already makes me feel better.

      "How did you know I was here?" I ask while wiping my tears. 

     "Kiersten pointed me in this direction." I don't say anything. "You really don't like her, do you."   

     I shake my head slowly. "Ever since we were younger, she's always hated me. I've never known why. She's always tried her hardest to make me feel miserable. She's doing a dang good job of that." 

     "Celeste, things will always work out in the end. Trust me." 

     "I sure hope so... It's just... I don't know what to do with her anymore. Even when the human population is almost extinct, she would still rather hate me than-" 

     Jungkook puts his arm around me and points to something off in the distance. I can see a slight patch of blue sky. It takes me a second to realize how big I'm smiling. I haven't seen any blue in the sky for such a long time that this made me happier than I've been in a long time. I was so used to the ash and dust covering the blue with a dull gray. It doesn't take long before that patch is once again covered. I smile at Jungkook who takes my hand and helps me to my feet. He pulls me into a hug. 

     "Thank you Jungkook."

      He laughs. "For what? It was just a patch of blue sky. I haven't seen that in a long time." 

     "No, thank you for being the only person who helps me through this. Thank you for being there for me. Even if we just met, I just feel like I can trust you more than anyone else here." 

     We pull away from the hug. Then, he leans in to kiss me. I let him. Something about it didn't feel right to me though, I just don't know what. I don't feel any connection maybe. Maybe I'm just overthinking things. 

     "Get on my back, I'll carry you down from here. I don't want you to cut your feet." 

     I get on and he carefully makes his way down from the rock. I get off of his back once we reach the bottom. We walk back to the camp together, joking around and laughing with each other.