Juris

"Are you kidding me? I just laid down!"

Lana rolls her eyes as she stands outside my door.

"It's important."

"My sleep is also important."

"This is serious. It's about Aira and Paytah."

I look at Lana curiously. Aira and Paytah were fighting, I could tell.

"What's up?" I ask.

"Aira and Paytah are talking right now, and we're missing it cause your fat ass won't get out of your room. Come on!"

I follow Lana down the hallway, trying to catch up with her speed walk. She suddenly stops as she spots Aira and Paytah walking together. She opens her door and Paytah and her walk in. Lana runs over, and I notice Aira has left the door open just enough for a small crack to show. We stand by the door, hearing in on the conversation.

"Aira, I really don't want to deal with any bullshit right now-"

"This isn't bullshit." Aira says, "I just need you to listen."

I peek through the crack and see Paytah sit down on her bed, looking up at her.

"Hanson talked to me."

"Bullshit."

"Paytah, please! Please, just listen. I want you to trust me."

"I do trust you."

"Then listen." Aira says, and Paytah looks defeated.

"All he said was that you were one of the few that aren't on his side. He said as long as he has everyone, and I mean everyone, on his side, that all elements will be safe. Think about it. Nobody wants us alive except the person who made us. Hanson did this; I know he's a dick, but he is the one who wanted elements in the first place, to save this world."

"So you want me to trust him. The guy you called a dick." I hear Paytah say. I look at Lana, she smiles.

"I want you to trust me."

I peek again and see Paytah struggling to find words. Aira has won, at least, so it seems. It seems weird, to be right in their private conversation. But if you think about it, it shouldn't be a secret. Us four should be making decisions together.

"What can I say or do to make you stop this?" Paytah asks, smiling. I watch as Aira looks annoyed. "You can trust me. You can even fake it and tell Hanson you're on his side. As long as all of us are there for each other, we will be fine."

"You know how much I hate Hanson." Paytah says. "I could've actually had a good family if it wasn't for him. Hell, we could of all had a pretty nice life if he didn't use us as subjects."

"It will all be worth it at the end. For us, for all elements. It's not only about us."

I look and see that Aira has sat next to Paytah. He looks tired, sad, almost.

"What are the chances of making it out."

"Hanson didn't say. But a higher chance of living if we're on his side."

"You guys deserve it."

"We all do."

I hear Paytah sigh. "I don't know what I'll do if I make it. Might be easier not to."

"What do you mean?" Aira asks.

"You, Juris, Lana, you have a life to get back to. A family to be with again. I don't- I-" he is struggling with his words, but I know what he means. His mother is a monster.

"I'd rather die a million times than be in her presence again." Paytah says.

"She doesn't own you anymore. You don't have to."

It's silent. Lana is still peeking through the crack, watching them. I'm almost ready to just forget about it and leave until Aira speaks.

"Did I convince you?"

"Not quite." Paytah says.

I watch as Aira looks into Paytah's eyes. Awkward silence again. This is getting nowhere. Whatever Aira is trying to do is not working. She wants Paytah on Hanson's side, but he won't budge. I don't think Aira has been making any process. But then she looks at his lips. Paytah looks at her strangely.

"She got to do it once."

I look at Lana, then back to Aira and Paytah, then back at Lana. She got to do it once.

As I look back in the room, I see Aira put her lips against Paytah's.

It's a short kiss, because Paytah pulls away, just like he did with Lana. But Lana pulls away from the door just as quick. She walks a few steps away, and I follow.

"Are you okay?" I ask, but she doesn't respond. Now we are having awkward silence. I watch as Lana's eyes water, just a tad.

"Should we like, you know, make out or something too?" I say, and that makes her look up at me and smile. She knows it's a joke, and she also knew I had a thing with a girl back at home. Although I have assumed she is dead, I haven't seen her since the day I was taken. And she is not in the dome. I don't think I'll be able to move on.

"I'll pass." She says. And although she smiles, I know she is hurt. It had been obvious that Lana and Paytah had a "thing", so I'm sure everyone is shocked about what Aira has done.

"He didn't kiss back, if that helps." I say.

"It doesn't help." Lana says flatly. "Lets get out of here."

***

I walk Lana back to her room, to make sure she is okay, and also doesn't march in Aira's room and kill her. She hasn't said one word; the girl who can never shut up is at a total loss for words.

And it scares me.

"Want me to come in?" I ask, and she shakes her head no. I nod, and wait for her to close her door, but she leaves it open, facing me.

"Twice." Is all she says.

"What?"

"Twice."

"Twice what?" I ask, confused. She sighs.

"She got to do it once. I got to do it twice."

I stand there, processing what she is saying. She kissed Paytah twice?

"I kissed Paytah once, and he was mad. I kissed him twice, and made a broken boy Paytah again."

And with that, she closes the door.

••••••

Hello!!
FINALLY ANOTHER CHAPTER!!!
Sorry it's a little short!

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