Hungry

Travis smiled as Ashlee came over. He'd wondered when she might show up again. "It's alright..." He glanced over his shoulder at the bunk. "Hardest part is always getting used to a new bed, but at least I'm not sharing with my dad...he snores." A laugh surfaced and he shook his head, remembering nights on camping trips and his dad wondering why Travis was so tired in the mornings.

Ashlee's next question made Travis a little more sober. "Um... I think I might skip tonight. It's...been a pretty rough day." His eyes dropped. "Thanks, though. It's nice to be asked." It really was. To some it would be nothing, but being around people, even someone like Ashlee, who cared enough to want to be friends...it was the biggest perk of being here. He never had fit in very well anywhere, not even at school. He had plenty of "friends" but no one he really trusted enough to be close to. Not many people would guess that since he could be fairly outgoing, but on the inside...growing up had been a bit tough.

Realizing he'd just gotten lost in thought, he snapped his attention back to Ashlee and forced a new smile. "Looks like I'm gonna be finding some work to do around here to earn my keep, so I imagine our paths are gonna cross quite a bit in the barns."


Garret cocked his head a little at Nate as he watched the extra items go into the cart. At the mention of a sugar high, one of his eyebrows rose. Binging on anything, let alone sugar had been strictly prohibited in his world. A bit of ice cream on rare occasion had been the best of treats, and usually only after a party if he'd sneak into the kitchen, or if he'd been out on a "public relations" mission alone. "I guess I wouldn't know..." A little grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. "But it sounds like it could be fun."

Finishing up the short shopping trip, then getting back to the house, Garret fell back into silence. And once inside, he went straight to the bedroom and closed the door. Though offered breakfast, he declined, along with lunch, simply remaining in bed, sometimes sleeping, sometimes not, and sometimes pretending, just to be left alone. He didn't like ignoring Maggie, but keeping his eyes closed was the best route to staying in his own little world for now. The morning...had worn him out, more mentally than physically.

By suppertime though, Laura had grown concerned. Garret had only had a little soup the day before and now had gone all day without anything but water. It wasn't good. She knew Nate was tired of pushing and prodding, as he should be. Garret was a grown man, after all, and there was only so much anyone could do. But despite her own reservations, she wasn't about to let him starve or sick again - not in her house.

Supper was in the oven. Chicken casserole. The aroma was enough to entice anyone to eat. Or so Laura hoped. Nate had told her Garret apparently had a thing for chocolate ice cream, so maybe that would help, too. Going to the dining room and finding Maggie, she smiled. "Hey...would you go see if Garret is awake? If he's not, just leave him be. But if he is, tell him he needs to come to supper...or I'm going to come in with my rolling pin." And she just might, depending.

Back in the bedroom, Garret was sitting up in bed, one knee tucked to his chest as he simply leaned back against the wall. He felt like he'd been in solitary confinement all day...of his own will. His body was begging him to eat, but he just didn't want to. His mind was a mess and he didn't know how to sort it out. He'd been left alone all day...maybe they'd finally given up on him. That's what he wanted, right? To just be left alone? But if that were the case, why hadn't he gone back to the Elite this morning? His mind wandered in so many different directions, it was exhausting. Or maybe it was the lack of food that was wearing him out.


Jason's jaw dropped and he let go of Katie's hand. "You wouldn't!" He eyes narrowed teasingly and he picked up his chopsticks again. "You would," he concluded.

He stuffed a piece of chicken in his mouth and cringed. "Spicy," he managed hoarsely and tried not to cough while also trying not to laugh at the same time. "Went down without me swallowing..." His eyes watered and he tried to chew quickly so if he did laugh, he wouldn't make a mess. He managed to keep it all in his mouth, but breathing was rather difficult until he could cough properly, then the laughter started. Maybe it was just a release if emotions after their rather tense conversation, but whatever the cause, he hid his face in his hand, trying not to make a scene as his shoulders shook and his face reddened.