[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

PRIVATE

[theresalwayshope]

Good. [She stops to draw a shaky breath, gathering her composure, and manages to at least look a little more resolute before narrowing her eyes at Lydia a little, raising an eyebrow and smiling slightly.]

And I know I promised not to jump in front of any more literal bullets? But I said nothing about the figurative ones. My mind can wait, yours comes first. If I feel shaky, we can always bring the pack pile back to Isaac's room. Promise.

Be there in a few, 'kay?

PRIVATE

[lydiascreams]

We'll have to drag Stiles back with us if we do that. [She's teasing softly, and keeping her voice light because she doesn't want her best friend to feel pressured and she definitely doesn't want her to lose control and feel guilty about it.

That and that sounds nice, being with their respective boyfriends somewhere. Lydia has always really liked double dates.]

I'll see you soon.