Miles Away (A Squad Fanfiction)

Chapter 17

Lucy was curled up at our feet, fast asleep, and I was wrapped in one of the quilts Ben had brought down from the TV room. My head on Ben's shoulder and the walkie talkie George had given us lay between us.

I knew Ben was on his phone, completely relaxed. I wanted to be relaxed too, but I just couldn't focus on anything.

I kept shifting my position, tapping my foot against the floor subconsciously. I exhaled and played with my fingers.

Ben glanced at me, an uncharacteristic look of irritation plastered across his face. "Lexi, stop it. You're making my nervous." He snapped.

I froze, looking at him blankly. "Stop what?" He sighed, fixing his beanie. "Tapping you foot and playing with your fingers." He rolled his eyes.

"I was doing that? Sorry Ben." I bit my lip. "But I just can't help it."

My friend turned to face me, wrapping a comforting arm around my shoulder. "Y'know, they'll be fine. Jeremy's astonishingly amazing at swimming. Ariel can swim, he just doesn't like to. Moose's good at swimming and everyone else wouldn't go on there if they couldn't swim now, would they?" Ben asked me. "But the cops and alligators-" I protested.

"They were just messing." Ben reassured me. I looked him piercingly straight in the eye. "Ben, you and I both know that that's not true. That canal leads straight into the ocean." I reprimanded.

He was lost at words for a moment, then, he shook his head, smiling. "They'll be fine, Lexi. I have a feeling in my gut. They'll come back safe and sound." He promised me.

Some of the stress left my body, but I was still frowning. I grabbed my phone and fired George a quick text.

L ~ ay! Georgecraft! U dead yet?

G ~ no! Why? Miss me?😏

L ~ In ur flipping dreams pfft

L ~ just needed to check

G ~ ariel's alive if ure wondering;)

L ~ 🌞🌞 how bout everyone else?

G ~ gucci

L ~ oh goodie. I'm drinking ur coffee

L ~ thanks for sharing:))

G ~ hey!

L ~ hahahahahaha

L ~ don't die! Byee

I switched my phone off and stowed it away. I sipped from my cup of coffee and tried to forget about the boys and the flamingo.

Without bothering to look at Ben, I said, "I'm going to sleep. Make sure they don't die, alright?"

Ben laughed and patted my head. "I'll try my best."

- - ❁ - -

I didn't know how long I had been sleeping for, but what I did know was Ben shaking me awake.

"Lexi!"

"Lexi!"

"Holy cow, Lexi, you're one heavy sleeper, aren't you?"

"Wake up, Lexi. Moose and the boys are coming back now! Oh my god, please don't do this to me."

I groaned as I slowly began to regain consciousness.

I made a grab for my phone and squinted at the screen.

06:26

I cursed Ben silently for waking me up so early, running my hand through my hair before pushing myself up.

I slid my feet into my flip flops and sighed. "Alright, I'm up." I grumbled, pocketing my phone and swiping the camera off the glass table and handed it to Ben.

It was still dark outside but I could see a silhouette near our dock. The bright LED headlights yearned for attention, illuminating the night.

As George and Jeremy paddled closer, I could just about make out the situation they were in.

The "box fort" was torn to shreds. There was an empty box of cereal that was dripping wet. There was a hole in the flamingo. Ariel was soaking wet and everyone else weren't any better. But at least no one died or got arrested.

Ben let the camera roll as I began helping them up. After helping George up, I turned away, expecting him to help everyone else. I went into the house to grab the box filled with slippers and towels I had packed last night.

When I came out, I set the box on our non-floating dock and whirled around when I heard a splash. I couldn't help but roll my eyes when I realised Ariel had fallen back into the flamingo.

George was freaking out, but he was laughing too, of course. I blew my hair out of my face, frustrated. I walked up to George and punched him once. "George, you had one job." I told him, rolling my eyes when he laughed.

I threw a rope I had found in the garage at Ariel and began pulling the flamingo back.

"There's hot cocoa in the kitchen and two hot pockets for each of you. Do not squabble over it." Ben told them. "Aw, you made us food, Cyclone?" Jeremy grinned.

"Lexi made me." Our friend shrugged. I smiled a little.

- - ❁ - -

"I am not going up and I am perfectly fine." Ariel protested as I sighed. "Ariel, you're literally soaked from head to toe in dirty canal water. Go and shower. I'll take your food up. And besides, you'll catch a cold." I glared up at the tall man.

"But I-"

"No 'buts'. Go, now." I told him firmly.

- - ❁ - -

After forcing Ariel up to the shower, I stormed downstairs. "Alright, will someone please tell me why Ariel is soaked from head to toe?" I sighed.

At that, George burst out laughing, turning away and setting down the mug in his hand as he tried to muffle his laughter. Jeremy was grinning widely, his shoulders shaking as he tried to contain his laughter.

"Basically, he fell into the hole in the flamingo. Twice." David replied between laughs. I arched an eyebrow, picking up Ariel's plate of hot pockets and mug of hot cocoa. "Oh really?"

"Don't deny it, Lexi. It's ridiculously funny. You can fall through once, but not twice." George chuckled. I looked at him, trying to looks stern but I felt a smile breaking through.

"George, you are a terrible friend. I can't believe we're besties." I told him, earning laughs from everyone.

"I try my best." George grinned.