Element

✭ Chapter 39

The next morning, on Sunday, when we’re eating breakfast, the phone in the dining room rings. Some kid nearby picks it up, and then looks around and motions for Brooke to come over.

“Hello?... Yes…. Of course! We’ll be right down!” She holds the phone to her chest. “Get Alanna and Carter! Now!”

I run to find Carter sitting gloomily alone at a table. No wonder he’s alone. It’s pretty early in the morning, but I guess no one could really sleep last night. “Carter! Come with me! Quick!”

He frowns. “Why?”

“There’s no time to explain! We need to go now!” I pull him up by his arm, and drag him to Brooke. Rhodes joins us a few seconds later with Alanna, who is looking worried.

“What’s up guys? What’s wrong?”

“There’s no time to explain! We have to find Gavin! Where’s his dorm?” Brooke says hurriedly. We all look expectantly at Rhodes.

“I’ll show you the way.”

We all are about to start up the stairs when Gavin himself walks down. “Gavin! Man! Perfect timing!” Rhodes exclaims.

“Follow me guys! A car is coming to pick us up!” We all jog after Brooke, who seems to be leading us across campus, to a small blue and silver bus. The doors open, and we all climb in.

“Howdy folks! Where are we off to?” A young man greets us with a friendly smile and a… uh,  interesting accent.

“To the Dimicel General Hospital!” Brooke says hastily, wanting the driver to hurry.

“Alright Missus. I take it you folks are the kids I’m supposed to be transportin’ on good ol’ Mr. Algathy’s behalf?” He turns and gives us a toothy grin.

“Yeah. We’re them.”

“Well cool! I remember Mr. Algathy from a mere two years ago. Kind man, yes he was.”

“Yeah that’s great and all, but we really have to get going!” Brooke reminds the driver.

“You got that right, miss. I’m sorry for the delay.” Without a warning, he steps on the gas, and we spur forwards. “You kids good back there?” He says, leaning over to the side.

“We’re fine! Thanks!” I yell from the back of the bus.

I glance at the interior. The seats have a gray lining and blue cushioning. I grab hold of the metal pole beside me at the same time as Rhodes. Heat surges through my frozen fingers as we make contact. I glance up at him, and find that he’s staring at me intently. I smile a little as he purposefully wraps his hand around mine. Leaning in towards me, he whispers, “Your hands are really cold, you know.”

I roll my eyes. “Well gee, thanks. Can you tell me something I don’t already know?” I reply giggling.

“I’ll fix it.” Taking both of my hands, Rhodes engulfs them with his own. I rest my head gently on his shoulder as he turns to look straight ahead. Dozing off, I close my eyes and sleepily yawn. I know the ride to the hospital can be long, so I’m just glad Rhodes is here to share it with me. After a few minutes, I crack my eyes open, and see Rhodes again staring at me.

“Hey.” He whispers.

“Hi.” I quietly whisper back. Our eye contact hasn’t broken.

“You look really cute when you sleep.” He whispers to me. I blush profusely before coming up with something better.

“You just look cute in general.” I smile while I whisper.

He leans into me, but when I think he’s about to kiss me, he stops. His face is a few inches away from mine, and what he says next makes my heart flutter. “I wish I could say you were generally cute. But I can’t. Because you’re always beautiful.” He gently kisses my forehead. It feels like it should always be like this. I wish it could.