Define Life.

Ch. 9.

*~~~~~~~~~NOT EDITED ~~~~~~~~~~~*

(Unless I say it's in someone elses POV, It'll be in Karolyne's)

I smiled softly at Maria and her hand that was brushing through her brother's hair. The same hand that was looped through mine.

She looked over at Jared and frowned, turning and smiling shyly at Naveah and Rick. Jared continued to throw sneers at Maria and Erin, acting as if they had a deadly, contagious disease.

I shook my head at Jared, lifting up myself and Erin from the train station room. Rick rubbed his shin, and I laughed quietly, shaking my head again.

"Um, is he sick?"

Naveah asked me, and I nodded slowly.

"I think so, he's been coughing since I met him."

I frowned, translating to Maria and asking her how long he had been sick.

"Since Mami and Papi died." She whispered, not wanting to upset her brother.

Erin coughed again, looking around and smiling at Rick.

"How old is he?" I turned, directing my question to Maria.

"Three."

I frowned. "And how old are you?"

She tucked her hair behind her ears, looking up at me and answering confidently, "Seven."

Her stomach growled loudly and she blushed, rubbing it softly.

"Are you hungry?" I nodded to Rick, "Can you bring me some of those cereal bars?"

He threw two at me, which I caught and handed to Maria.

"Here, I know you're hungry... We could all hear your stomach growling."

She smiled and looked down, pointing at her brother, "Do you have anything to make him stop coughing?"

I frowned, hearing the concern in her voice.

Rick walked up to us and smiled at Erin and Maria.

"I heard you were sick?" He asked Erin in perfect spanish.

"You speak spanish?" I asked incrediously. I could feel my eyes widening in suprise. I knew he was HIspanic, but I figured he was the snobby Rich kind of hispanic.

Rick noded, smiling and turning his attention back to Erin. "I took a medical class in college, maybe I can figure out what this is."

I nodded, turning my attention back to Maria, who was clutching her brother's hand tightly.

"Um, thanks for all you guys' help, but we have to go now." She said confidently, lifting up Erin and dragging him by his arm.

I shook my head slowly, rubbing her shoulder soothingly. "Where are you guys going to sleep?" I turned, nodding at Naveah who brought another water bottle for Erin, who had started coughing again.

"In our bush." She turned, opening the water Naveah handed to her and putting it to Erin's lips.

I shook my head, "You guys can come with me and I'll take you to my aunt's house, she loves kids, heck she practically raised me."

They nodded enthusiastically, Erin turning and reaching for Rick.

Rick came over and lifted up Erin onto his side, carrying him and giving my tired arms a break.

I smiled softly, while Naveah was starry eyed staring after him.

I grabbed maria's hand before she attacked Rick and pulled her to the car we hadn't even noticed was outside.