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Quin

The man called Aydin was coughing again. I wonder what’s wrong with him? He glanced his direction and saw that he was looking at the empty pantleg. Quin set his jaw and looked the other way. great. Another one.

Niarok was just giving directions to Basil for the bathroom, and Basil was walking in the opposite direction, saying something about not wanting to get their germs. THen he was in Misu’s arms, crying.

“I hate this place. I want to go home.”

Quin looked away. It was something he’d wished over and over. I want to go back. back to when Mama was alive. Back to when I could walk. Back to when Qatar and I were friends.

“Sometimes we don’t get what we want.” He didn’t realize that he’d spoken until the words were out, and he couldn’t call them back.

Basil choked and looked at him with a mixture of disgust and embarrassment.

Quin flushed and fell silent.

“What was your name?”

It was Aydin’s voice. I skipped the introductions.

“Quin. Quin Miller.” The whole group was looking at him. I’ve got to say something else. “You–you said you were Aydin?”

Their stares broke up a little, and Quin sighed in relief. Then they were looking at Qatar.

“Name’s Qatar.”

So he’s still upset. With me I wonder? Quin shrugged. He’d stopped wondering what set Qatar off. Or at least tried to.