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“We already have plans to keep the children entertained,” Jaxson stated as walked up behind me and placed an arm around my shoulder
s.
“We’re taking them off base,” Jemmy added as she placed her packet of work on his desk.
Mr. Bates raised an eyebrow at her. “I’m missing a written assignment from you and two quizzes, Ms. Bell.”
Jemmy flashed him one of her charming smiles. “They’ll get done. We have a four-day weekend.”
“I’ve already talked to Will, Ms. Bell,” Mr. Bates said with a sigh. “I don’t think he’ll allow you to go anywhere until it’s completed.”
“Mr. Bates,” Jemmy whined with a petulant frown. Her smile fading. “Why did you have to do that?”
He gave her a small smile. “I warned you.”
Jemmy groaned and then looked over at Jaxson and me. “I guess I’m skipping lunch to do those quizzes.”
“What about that paper?” Mr. Bates prodded.
She groaned. “It’ll get done.”
“Do you want me to bring you a tray from the DFAC?” I asked trying not to laugh at how quickly she reverted to a child when she didn’t get her way.
“No, thanks,” Jemmy plopped down at her desk. “I’ll eat later. I need to get this done. I need my retail therapy.”
I waited by the door. “Kade, are you about done?” I asked him gently.
He looked up startled, his reading glasses perched on the tip of his nose. “Um, no. Go on without me. I have a lot of catch up to do.”
Since coming to the base, he hadn’t spoken much. He seemed to relax around Micah and Patrick but it was clear that, other than video games, they didn’t have much in common. We were still trying to find out what interested him, but we knew comic books weren’t one of them.
Mr. Bates gave him a satisfied nod. Kade and I both seemed to take school work in stride. His absence from school, while he was with Horatio, had set him back. He had dived into his school work with determination.
“Don’t forget we’re leaving in, like, two hours,” Jaxson stated as he took my hand.
Kade nodded. “Okay. I’ll meet you back at your apartment.”
“See you later,” I called back. The rest of the high schoolers had already left nearly thirty minutes ago.
There were only fifteen of us in high school residing here. They combined freshman, sophomore, juniors, and seniors in one room. Mr. Bates handled the high schoolers rather well. He had retired from the military years ago and transitioned to a high school teacher until he was recruited to come here. He had military bearings with the mannerisms of an excellent teacher. He was beyond knowledgeable, and despite the fact our schooling wasn’t conventional, it wasn’t suffering because of it.
“Want to get lunch at the DFAC or head back to the apartment?” Jaxson asked as we made our way towards the center of the underground compound.
“Apartment please,” I stated. “I can throw some sandwiches together and then work on my papers.”
“Sounds good to me,” Jaxson stated as we headed towards the apartment.
We had to walk past the training gym. I noticed quite a few people down there training despite the fact we were given Thanksgiving off. I looked through the viewing window to peer down. I could see Troy in the midst of the people training. He was dressed in only his black cargo pants. I paused to admire him for a moment. He was impressive. I missed him. I missed them all.
Most of my nights were now spent on the couch. I hated to shut them out, but I was struggling mentally and emotionally. I hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep in over a week. My nightmares plagued me. For the first time in years, Jaxson couldn’t feel my distress, and if he did, he didn’t come to me. It concerned me but I knew he had his own healing to do.
“You look tired. Do you want to take a nap first?” Jaxson asked softly, hopefully.
I feigned a smile up at him and lifted my hand to his cheek. He hadn’t shaved the last few days, so his stubble was rough against my hand. He looked older. More rugged. “You look tired, too,” I said softly. “Want to talk?”
He cleared his throat and looked away. He shifted from one foot to another in discomfort. “I much rather take a nap,” he said with a crooked smile.
I stifled the sigh that rose in my chest and gave him another smile. “Then let’s squeeze one in.” I knew he was hurting and needed some more time to process everything with his mother.
