[026. So you're gone and I'm haunted. And I bet you are just fine.]

[lydiascreams]

[Public video]

[Unlike her last couple of barge-wide communications, Lydia looks serious in this one. If you look close enough, or if you know her a little better, you can tell she's upset.]

Jackson's gone. [The words make her jaw clench, her stomach too. Because she might have moved on romantically, but she cares. She always has and she always will.]

I know he didn't have many friends here, but some of you probably knew him.

[And she feels guilty for not doing more, for not trying harder, for not focusing on him more and helping him every second of free time she had.

With a deep breath, she looks away, then back at the camera, her expression more neutral than before.]

Does anyone know why this happens? Why people are sent back without graduating?

Does anyone know what happens to them?

Comments

spam

[lydiascreams]

[She smiles softly when he kisses her nose, keeping her eyes closed for a second longer before opening them to look at him.]

Yeah. I think Prada could probably use a walk, too. I wonder if there's anyone at the enclosure? [Setting it to her back yard and just hanging out there with Stiles sounds nice right now.]

spam

[voluntaryapnea]

[He nods and glances over to the bed where the little dog was laying, head cocked as he watches them.]

Yeah probably. I say let's find out.

spam

[lydiascreams]

[She smiles a little more, leaning closer and pressing her lips to the corner of his mouth for a second.]

You're an amazing boyfriend. [The best, but all things considered, she doesn't think she should say that right now.

She turns to Prada and pats her leg with one hand, but keeps her other arm wrapped around Stiles.]

Do you wanna go for a walk, puppy?

spam

[voluntaryapnea]

[He can't help the bright smile that touches his mouth at the compliment.]

Well, I aim to please.

[He presses a kiss to the top of her head and watches Prada jump off the bed, barking excitedly as his tail wags. He definitely knows the word walk.]

I think he means that as a yes. I'm very good with canines. I can interpret what they're thinking.

spam

[lydiascreams]

[Lydia leans against his side and smiles a little more, then looks up at him.]

Yeah, you're obviously the dog whisperer, considering your best friend is a puppy. [She lifts her head and kisses his cheek because she can't not and then pulls away from him to grab Prada's leash.]

Let's go.