The REM Trials

Chapter 20

"Where is he?" I whisper to Ned and fiddle with the buttons of the awful yellow blazer. Peter had promised that he would be on time for the bus, but like always, he seems to be running behind schedule. The only problem is, if he doesn't show up soon, we might leave without him.

Ned gives me a quick smile and points over my shoulder, where I turn to find a running Peter Parker with his backpack almost falling off his shoulder. "I'm here." I smile at him as he tugs the bag back onto his shoulder.

Flash nudges me and Ned aside to square off with Peter, "What are you doing? You really think that you can just show up, and we'll welcome you back?"

At that same moment, Mr. Harrington emerges from the bus and smiles widely when he sees Peter. I have to bite back a laugh as he immediately welcomes Peter back to his spot on the team and bumps Flash back to being first alternate.

I step forward to say something to Peter and Ned, but Liz steps in front fo me and says something that brings that daydreaming look to Peter's face. It sends a sharp pain in my chest that I purposefully ignore along with everyone as I get on the bus and claim a seat in the back far away from anyone.

Peter and Ned both give me a look as they sit down a few rows ahead of me as they whisper something. ARTI seems to be feeling nosy today because he enhances the conversation so I can read it across my lenses. I try not to look, but it's hard to ignore them when I see my own name.

"Do you think Lia's okay?" Peter asks, and I can hear the concern as ARTI turns up the volume too. "She seemed so excited about the trip the other day."

"I don't know." Ned replies, and I can practically feel his eyes on me as I stare down at my dark phone screen. "Something's definitely off though."

"ARTI, please." I whisper, definitely not in the mood to hear my two friends debate what's wrong with me. Instead, I offer them a half smile and pull out my phone to text Will and Harley to pass the time.

The hours drag by in a massive blur of bells ringing and Liz's insistence that we practice. I ignore it the whole time not having the energy to put on a cheery attitude and answer questions for the entirety of the ride or until my ears start bleeding. "Hey, Lia." Peter smiles as he slides onto the bench next to me.

"Hey, Pete." I tell him with an easy smile. "You going crazy yet?"

"What—Oh, with the practice? Not really. I mean, Liz is just trying to make sure we're prepared." He tells me, and I have to bite back the massive sigh. If only he knew that Liz's main concern with this is college applications and not the team's best interests, he might just think differently. "So, what're you doing?"

"Texting Harley—and Will." His smile falters a little bit at the mention of my two friends, but I try not to read too much into it. "Take a picture with me."

"What?"

"Take a picture with me. Please? I hate them, but my dad and mates want updates about the trip." I give him an exaggerated pout until he reluctantly agrees, which makes me laugh as I hold up my phone and throw up a peace sign while he makes a goofy face. "Perfect. Thanks, Peter."

"So—why does everyone want updates from the trip?" He asks and fidgets in his seat, which he only ever does when he's nervous.

"Well, Harley, Will, and Trish are all wanting to see what D.C. is like, and my dad just likes staying informed, I suppose." I sigh and lean my head back against the worn leather. "I wish we were there already. All the bells ringing and light is giving me an awful migraine."

Peter stays quiet for a long moment before he speaks up again, his voice timid as he asks, "Are you not sleeping again?" The question immediately makes me stiffen, and he rambles in order to explain himself. "It's just—you've always told me that you get migraines and more sensitive to light when you don't sleep."