Second Chances and Choices

"Lit’l Bit didn’t tell you why she wasn’t coming?" Briar asked Racetrack.
"She just said she needed to rest," replied Race, opening the front door to the Lodging House and stepping inside.
"I’ll go check on her," said Briar. She headed up the stairs and peered into the bunkroom. Empty. She found Lit’l Bit in the sickroom, covered up and fast asleep.
"She wasn’t kidding when she said she needed to rest," said Briar quietly. She blew out the only candle that lit the room and went out.
"Where is she?" asked Jack once Briar came into the bunkroom.
"She’s asleep," said Briar taking off her jacket. As soon as she sat down on her bed it collapsed, causing her to jump up, startled.
"Great!" cried Briar throwing her hands up. "Now what am I gonna do?"
"That’s bad," commented Skittery.
"Really, Skittery?" Briar gasped sarcastically.
"Why don’t you bunk with me?" suggested Kid Blink and Mush raised his eyebrows at him.
"I don’t know," said Briar unsure, biting her lip.
"It’s no problem, really," said Blink.
Briar shot him a look then sighed. "Fine. As long as you stick on your side and I stick on mine."
Blink put up his hands. "Whatever you say. Are you gonna sleep now?”
“No, not just yet.” She gave him a small smile and left the bunkroom, heading up the stairs that led to the roof. She wasn’t the only one who had chosen this recluse.
“Snoddy? What are you doing up here?” Briar asked, sitting down next to him.
He blushed slightly and fiddled with the object in his hand. “I, uh, come up here sometimes to work,” he admitted.
“On what?”
Snoddy showed her what he had been making. It was a miniature wooden replica of Notre Dame cathedral.
Briar’s eyes grew wide as she carefully held the fragile piece of work. “You made this? It’s… this is amazing.” She smiled up at him.
“Yeah, well,” he took it from her and started chipping into it with his penknife.
“Ever seen the real thing?”
“Nah. Just pictures and stuff. But I hear it’s really something,” he grinned at her then looked away. “Maybe someday I’ll get to see it,” he whispered, mostly to himself, as he stared off into the inky sky.
Briar watched him quietly for a few minutes. “Where in Greece are you from?” she asked.
“Oh, I’m from… hey,” Snoddy turned to look at her with a curious frown on his face. “How did you know I’m Greek?”
“Oh, please.” Briar waved her hand nonchalantly. She pointed to his features. “Dark hair, blue eyes, tall and thin with broad shoulders… it’s really pretty obvious.”
Snoddy smirked. “I’m from Crete.”
"What happened to your parents?"
"Well, uh, they’re still alive. I think."
"You think?"
"I ran away from home. Got on a ship that docked right here in New York. Actually, looking back I think I had it easy," he admitted.
"Had any brothers or sisters?" she asked leaning back against him.
"Two younger sisters, I really miss them."
"I bet you do." Briar put a hand over her mouth and yawned.
"Sleepy?" asked Snoddy.
"Not really," Blair sighed. She rested her head on his chest and fought to keep her eyes open. "Let’s go." Snoddy helped her stand up and the got back to the bunkroom, which was dark and silent as everybody had fallen asleep.
Briar saw her ruined bed and shook her head. "I forgot about that."
"You can sleep in my bed," said Snoddy.
"Are you sure?" asked Briar as she climbed in and pulled the covers over her. "Where’re you gonna sleep?"
Snoddy shrugged. "The floor?"
"No, you’re not. Come on." She scooted closer to the wall to make room for him.
He laughed quietly. "I promise I’ll stay on my side," he said climbing in next to her.
"Sure you will," said Briar laying down and closing her eyes. There was something about having his warm body near that was very comforting.
(Sorry, no action)