Page 53 of Beyond The Maples
I'm staring at my best friend, unable to form a simple sentence. He rushes me, crushing me in a bear hug, picking me off my feet and spinning me around. I push him back, mind racing. I can only think of one logical reason for him being in front of me right now.
"Willow?" my voice cracks, barely contained panic edged with overwhelming dread lacing my words."Why are you here? Is she...? What happened!?"
I'm yelling and Deacon realizes quickly where my mind's gone.
"Woah woah woah, slow down. No, everyone isfine.I saw them both yesterday. Willow is fine, if not a little better than I've seen in a while. The more consistent medication and access to the food stores has been really good for her, for them both, Maple. Hey, breathe." He's motioning for me to breathe with him and I do, shaking my head with relief as tears fill my eyes.
"Oh,GodsDeacon. I'm sorry, I just assumed. But wait, then why are you here?"
I take him in, like I'm seeing him for the first time. He looks ruffled, his long hair mussed, dark circles under his eyes.
"Wow, as always, you really know how to make a guy feel special, Mae." He laughs, running a hand through his hair.
I give him a confused look, and he sighs.
"I'm here for you, obviously. Hey, listen..." he says pulling me over to the side of the hall. "I hated myself for letting you leave like I did. For letting you leave at all, but also with ummm... without talking about what happened."
My eyebrows shoot up to my forehead, at first in disbelief, but then in utter horror.
I notice the bag he's dropped. The tags in his hand. My disbelief turns into something heavier, filling my gut with blinding worry.
"Tell me you're joking. Tell me you did notjoin the fucking armyso that we could chat about our unfinished business, Deacon."
I'm grinding my teeth down to dust, the ache keeping me grounded. He looks behind me. A small, curious crowd has gathered at the entrance of the mess hall. We're in plain view of all the cadets heading for food.
"Do you think you could save the scolding until we're alone? Also, I'm starving," he says sweetly, as I seethe.
I throw my hands up. Of course he's concerned about making a scene. He doesn't know how it works here. At home, sure, making a scene wouldn't be great, but last week we watched a crew in a full out brawl over lunch because they'd all ended up sleeping together.
I dramatically bow towards him, arms pointing to the mess hall doors in a show we both know means I'm going to rip his head off later.
I walk with him to the front, dutifully grabbing trays and standing in line. I watch him take in our surroundings as I try to cling to the love I have for him, but the animosity I feel at his stupidity is all-encompassing. It takes everything in my power not to smack him up the backside of his head with my metal tray in front of every pair of eyes in this room.
Outwardly though? I am calm, collected. Twirling my braided hair absentmindedly. We get our food, and I ignore Deacon's comments about the space, the food, the recent weather. I only offer curt nods.
I see my crew at our usual spot on the left and, although I'd like to avoid it, I drag my oldest friend over to meet them, not that I really have any other option at this point.
Leo's the first to pipe up, which isn't surprising.
"Who's the babe?" he says, as he shamelessly peruses Deacon.
Deacon chuckles, not phased by this type of attention.
"Hi, I'm Deacon, I'm Maple's best friend." He reaches out his hand to shake Leo's, but Leo only stares at it in defiance.
"Impossible. I’m Maple's best friend. Ask anyone. Farra is a close second." He crosses his arms in an attempt to look intimidating, but unfortunately, it only makes him look younger.
Deacon grins. "Sorry, what I meant to say is I'm Maple's oldest friend, from home. But I can see she's made quite the impression on you all by how you're currently staring daggers at me." He notes Berkley, who's possibly the least hostile of them for once.
"LikeDeacon, Deacon?" Farra asks me, and I nod. She cocks her head, "Oh, right, she's mentioned you. I thought you would be more impressive, honestly." She shrugs and keeps eating, and I have to cover my mouth to smother my grin. For some reason, having Farra not immediately fawn all over Deacon only makes me love her more.
Leo though, has clearly been won over. Deacon has taken a seat across from him and asked where he's from; the conversation already effortless between them.
Apparently, Deacon's passed through Leo's home during one of his trips, so they talk about the little town while eating their food.
I'm silent, picking at my food.
Berkley clears his throat.
