Hayden

After I had sent the girls on a shopping trip over the weekend they had seemed a lot closer. The other girls had forced Ocean to show me her stuff. There was quite the load of books that ocean seemed really excited for. They had also gotten her a new bag and some clothes. None of them where really what I had expected. They had some baggy sweaters, button up shirts and pleated skirts. I had never really asked Ocean what her style was but then again without much social interaction she may not have had a style.

One thing I noticed when she was showing me the new items was her happiness. When she was happy, her nose scrunched up as she smiled. She would often shake her hands or wiggle her fingers. Something that I had never really noticed.

When you really pay attention to someone, there's a lot you can learn.

It was quite surprising when Ocean joined us for lunch today. Vira had forced her by the looks of the grin on her face. Afterwards, Vira and Ocean took off to the library after leaving me with the boys as Nicola ran off to class.

We chatted casually about the weekend and some other plans for the upcoming weeks. Somewhere in the conversation Mars came up and the discussion changed to who would last longer in space.

"I have the most chance as my genetic are great and I can adapt well." Jayden argued

Nick gave him a side eye. "You're going to need more then luck to save your sorry ass. It takes brain to survive."

"OK, but if you aren't strong enough then you don't get anywhere," I mentioned. "That's why I would be best suited for a trip to space."

"But brawn without brain isn't useful." Nick stated like he had won.

"Brain without brawn also won't get you anywhere. After all, it is survival of the fittest." I retorted.

Jayden shook his head. "No, its about adapting. You guys are like wood planks, you aren't good at changing."

"If we worked together," I smiled at Nick.

"We would definitely beat Jayden." Nick caught onto my train of thought.

"Absolutely not."

"Oh really?" I smirked, leaning forward on my arms waiting for his response. "Why is that?"

"Well think about Jellyfish. They don't have a brain or and strength, but they have been around like a trillion years."

"The world hasn't been around a trillion years." Nick shook his head as we both held back laughter.

"Ok but they are old and still here."

"So, you're like a jellyfish?" I glanced at Nick trying not to laugh.

"Yes I am." Jayden said it with such joy that I couldn't contain myself.

"So, you don't have a brain or strength?"

"Yes." Jayden grinned proudly.

"Wait till my sister hears that." Nick muttered and I finally couldn't take it. I burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?" Jayden asked as Nick joined me.

I wiped tears from my eyes as I looked at him. "Nothing. Nothing at all."

This sent Nick into a new fit of laughter as Jayden checked his watch.

"Shit I'm going to be late." He sprang from the table and waved to us as he dashed to class.

Once Nick and I had composed ourselves, we cleared our lunch table and parted ways.

My parents had given me a couple days off to relax and focus on school as the end of semester approached. Since I didn't have a class in the afternoon I decided to head to the gym early. I would have studied in the library, but Vira had offered to drive Ocean to work.

The gym was a large location, and around this time was very empty. I scanned around as I walked into the change rooms. I changed into some gym shorts and my tank before popping in my wireless earbuds and heading out to start stretching.

I glanced at the clock as I headed back into the change rooms, wiping sweat off my face. Two hour workout, not bad. I grabbed my bag out of the locker and headed out. I would take a shower once I got home then buckle down and get started on my studying.

I pulled into my driveway and shut off the car. I took a second to collect my things before heading into the house. Dumping my stuff in the hallway I made my way to my bedroom.

I grabbed a clean towel and some comfortable clothes out before tuning the water temp up and waiting for it to warm up.

Stepping in, I let the warm water wash over my body. I took my time massaging shampoo into my hair and letting it rinse down my back before adding conditioner and letting it sit as I washed the sweat from my body.

With a final rinse of my hair, I felt much better then before. Turning off the water, I grabbed my towel and dried off quickly as not to get cold.

Finally getting dressed I realized it had been a while since I had done a load of laundry. I made a mental note to thank Ocean for all the stuff she did around the house.

I never realized how much she did. She cooked and cleaned. And somehow she was doing well in university. Not to mention the amount of time she spends at work.

Somehow she never really seemed stressed, upset, or angry. She was just such a soft gentle character.

Pulling on my sweatpants, I didn't bother with a shirt.

Stepping down off the last step, I walked back to the hallway and grabbed my work. I spread it out on the table and set to work.

It wasn't hard to study but it was all memory and that wasn't my strong suit. Something I had gotten from my dad, unfortunately.

My phone rang, starting me from my work trance. Picking up I didn't bother looking at the caller id. I glanced at the clock as I put the phone to my ear. It was already almost 7pm.

"Hello, Hayden speaking."

"Hey man, how's Ocean doing?" Nicks voice ran over the phone.

"Um, I don't know; she isn't home yet. Why?"

"Because of the accident."

"What accident?"