Her mouth closed before she could even utter a single word; Nancy wasn’t that surprised really that Erica, for as young as she was, was wanting to check in on her. She also knew in a way that it was her way to avoid repeating herself, the girl even saying how she’d been asked already and was “fine”, something Nancy sincerely doubted. While she was worried about the other kids, they were older now, and despite Erica being involved in all this bullshit already, she was still the youngest now.
Saving her own worries for Lucas’ sister later, Nancy gave a shake of her head, soft curls swaying as she then could only shrug. “I’m okay,” it was a lie, by far the easiest one she’d ever told, one Nancy had perfected years ago by now, but judging by those pair of brown eyes on her, Nancy also knew she couldn’t pull one past her. As much as she wanted to protect everyone, a girl as young as Erica was, she also reminded herself that the girl was wiser beyond her years.
Still a child, yes, but she had gone through things no one, much less a young girl, ever should.
“If I say I’m holding up, will that work instead? I just keep thinking about… What if something happens when I’m not here? I know we have Jane back now, and things seem fine… I dunno. I worry a lot,” she sighed, “About my brother, everyone else, and someone who can seriously give even me a run for my money on bravery.”
JUST AS NANCY HAD DONE, ERICA completed the task of masking how she really felt, easily slipping on a mask of stone. Erica was hardly vulnerable with anyone even though she knew she could be. Especially with them. They’ve been through Hell and back. That counted for something, right? Yet even still she held her tongue, biting hard on the inside of her cheek. She had to keep her guard. For who, though?
HER DARK EYES HELD SUSPICION, AND soon had herself moving hands from her hip, to across her chest. Young she was, but she was no idiot. She was lying. Not many could catch Nancy Wheeler in a lie. Maybe, again, she was the only one to read the way Nancy held herself inward because she did it all the time herself. It was an idea, the only possibility she could think of at the second. However, that really wasn’t the issue at hand, “ Liar. I mean, the second bit was a little more convincing, but I don’t buy it. Not totally. ” she stated, shifting her weight to one of her legs to rest.
SHE WAS WORRIED ABOUT HER? IF even possible or if one looked hard enough, they could see there was a twitch of muscle on her face. Almost dropping to reveal a shaken girl within. Yes, she had been quite strong for Lucas given everything that happened. Him calling out to her in need was something Erica didn’t really wish to experience again. To see her brother so... broken. To see Max resting in his arms in shambles— Erica shook her head. As far as she was concerned, maybe she could have done more to help this situation from getting out of control.
A SMALL HUFF GIVEN OUT AS she finally uncrossed her arms. Only slightly defeated, “ I’m about the same. ” she admitted in a small voice, turning her back to Nancy. Her shoulders eased, slumping, allowing this small bit of vulnerability.
