Quarantine

Chapter Two

"But. All those people?" I sniffle.

"I know.." Anna shakes her head and sighs.

"And there's nothing anyone can do?" I ask.

Anna shakes her head.

"Not yet at least. But we can only hope that in time.." She stops talking and pulls her phone from her jacket pocket.

"Sorry, it's Jordan. I'll be two minutes!" She holds up two fingers and disappears from my room with a small smile.

"Jordan, hey! Are you okay?" I hear her voice echo until it fades into the distance.

Knock Knock

"Can I come in?" Hero's voice sounds from behind my partially open door.

"Uh, sure. Just give me a sec." I tell him, rushing to the mirror on the other side of the room.

I'm still annoyed with him. The way he spoke to me is not on.

"Have you been crying?" I hear him ask from behind me.

"No.." I tell a white lie.

"No?" He approaches me and takes the tissue from my hand and holds it out accusingly.

"Because of me?" He frowns.

"No...? Well. Maybe a little. It's just everything, you know? I'm just." I sigh. "Feeling a little overwhelmed right now.."

"Me too." He admits, the expression on his face still serious.

"I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to upset you. I was just.. Stressed." He looks away; shaking his head.

I don't tell him it's okay. Because it's not. However I do give him a quick hug.

"Guys?" I hear Anna re-enter the room. "Are we all packed?"

I look at her; shaking my head slowly.

"I can help her." Hero says, still looking at me.

"I'll be downstairs if you need me." Anna smiles before leaving and shutting the door behind her.

Eyeing up my rented bed, I make my way over and collapse onto it, covering my eyes with both hands and groaning.

Seconds later, the bed sinks a little to my left and I can tell that Hero has sat down beside me.

"What time is your flight?" He asks.

"Ugh, what flight? I don't even have a flight!" I sit up, still panicking.

"It's okay. I'll find you one." He pulls his phone out of the pocket of his jeans and starts tapping his thumbs repetitively.

"No, Hero! I can't afford it. I'm still saving, remember?" I point out.

"Oh yeah. For that posh apartment." He rolls his eyes at me and smiles.

I swat him playfully and then cross my legs to get comfortable.

"Yeah well, when you see it you won't joke anymore." I smile to myself. "It'll all be worth the wait."

"When I see it?" He repeats, turning to face me over his right shoulder.

"Well yeah, sure. You can come to the housewarming party." I laugh, rubbing my ankles.

"Thanks." He laughs a little. "But don't expect some lavish housewarming gift. My presence alone will be enough.." He quips, turning back to his phone.