The Gifted

Chapter 9 - Jamie

I was very aware of her sitting next to me. Like if I moved she would judge me. But of course, I knew that she wouldn't ever be like that. I was embarrassed. So embarrassed. She had seemed almost amused about my crying. Like I was being cute and silly. I could feel her breathing. Slow, even breathing. So incredibly calm. She was asleep? How? How could she do that? I could barely bring myself to close my eyes, let alone fall asleep. How did she ever manage on her own?

I ran my hand slowly over her boy-short hair. Pretended she was Lois. Lois had always loved having her hair played with. The effect wasn't quite right with Oli's spiky head. Lois loved to keep her hair long. Oli was so much different from Lois. Oli was smart and funny, like Lois. But Lois didn't have have that quality of silence to her. Lois was warm and bouncy, while Oli had a real air of thoughtfulness and serenity. But at the same time, I knew she was sharp as a knife.

Her tears were drying on my t-shirt sleeve. I could feel the fabric hardening. It itched a little, like her tears had extra salt or something. I shifted my shoulder gently, attempting to let her sleep on. Epic fail. She yawned widely and then was immediately wide awake. Then it was her turn to blush.
"Oh gods - sorry!" She cried, voice husky.
"It's fine."

She smiled a little, then bit her lip. A surge of movement as she leapt to her feet.
"Let's go." She made for the smashed-up door.
"Go where?!" I had no idea what she was talking about, where she was off to in such a hurry.
"Well... We obviously have to find Lois," Eye roll. Obviously.
"Uhhm... How?"
"Here's the plan;"

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"That is the most stupid plan I've ever heard in my entire life."
Her dramatically determined expression became one of hurt indigence.
"What's wrong with my idea?!"
I opened my mouth and said, "It won't work. There are too many of them. We won't be able to find anyone thick enough to help us. The plan doesn't involve any actual planning. It's just 'hey lets look for help, look for Lois, find Lois, then leave.' Not going to get us anywhere. I'm sorry, Oli, but we really have to think this through more carefully." Except that's not what I say. What comes out of my mouth instead is "Sure, why not?"

She looked a little surprised that I'd agreed so suddenly, and my answer made no sense to her question, but that didn't seem to matter that much. She was too busy hugging me to death.