Chapter 47: The Bus Ride

Zack had kept his promise and checked through my suitcase. He must've deemed it worthy since he didn't put anything else in it.

I couldn't go to sleep. What if I had a nightmare? Oh my gosh that would be so embarrassing. I hope me and Audrey are in a cabin together. That would make life so much easier.

Since my nerves obviously weren't going to settle, I got out my handy dandy diary.

Dear Diary,

So tonight's the night before the field trip! I can't wait! I'm kinda scared though. What if my cabin mates don't like me and kick me out? It's only for three days but I already know it's going to feel like forever.

Carl hasn't infiltrated my dreams. Yet. It scares me sometimes. I don't know when he's going to show up and haunt me.

I have to go to sleep now even though Zack said I can sleep in. Good night.

Love,

Lidia White

I put my diary in the hole in the back of my cabinet. I really, really need to find a new place to put it.

I woke up and sat on the edge of my bed. I sat there in thought. What will it be like to not be with my brothers for three days? I wouldn't say I have attachment issues, it's just I've gotten so used to them just being there that without them, it seems like a whole different world.

I finally stood and took a shower. My makeup was simple today. I was going for a more natural look, only putting on foundation, lipstick, and mascara. My clothes consisted of leggings, a plain shirt and one of Zack's old sweatshirts.

I heard my door opening, signaling that the boys were leaving. I stayed in my bathroom when I heard James come in. I was still kind of mad at him. After he left my room I let out a sigh and walked out onto my balcony.

"Lidia?" I heard Jesse ask.

"Yes?"

"Oh there you are. Well I just wanted to say that I'll miss you and that I love you," he said and hugged me, "also that you're crazy for not sleeping in." We both chuckled.

He left and I was just there but not really there. I was there with my thoughts and as we all know, thoughts are dangerous.

Zack knocked on my door and told me it was time to leave. I nervously gathered my things and walked out to him. "Is that my sweatshirt?"

I quickly looked up. "Y-yes. It is. I can give you it back if you want." I said, already taking it off.

"No, no, it's fine. I was just wondering Chica." Zack held up his hands.

We were buckling in the car when Sasha came flying into the garage. "Wait! Don't leave!" She yelled.

"Umm Sasha that's the whole point of taking her to school." Zack quipped.

"That- that's not what I meant," she panted, "gosh I'm really out of shape. Okay. I just wanted to say goodbye and I love you." Sasha hugged me through the window. She kissed the top of my head and held on.

"Any day now Sash." Caden said from the entrance door of the garage.

"Hush up Caden." She snapped.

He held his hands up in surrender while I giggled. "I'm not going to be gone for long. Just three days."

"Yeah three days without the second girl in the house." She sniffed.

"Okay Sash, that's enough. She's going to be okay," Caden patted her back.

"I know it's just-" she started the sob now. This is all so new to me. People crying over me leaving for three days even though I'll be right back?

"Okay how about you go inside?" Caden suggested and Sasha nodded. "Okay, now that she's gone I just wanted to say bye and have fun." I thanked him and we pulled out of the garage.

Luke never told me goodbye. Everyone else did-even James- but him. Is he thinking that he's so happy and glad I'm out of the house? That he doesn't have to do extra things for me? After careful consideration, I decided to ask Zack why Luke never said bye.

"Oh he said he was sorry. He's in a meeting right now and he can't be bothered." Zack explained.

Right. He can't make time for his little sister. I know it's probably mafia stuff but he never really comes to anything special of mine. All he really acts like is a guard. I have to ask him if I can do this or that, but we never really bond. He's either in his office at home, his office at work, or on a business trip. At dinner all he's doing is studying us.

"Oh okay." I replied softly.

"He wished he could say bye in person but right now work is at its peak of craziness. It's actually good that you're going on this trip. That way you're not by yourself the the rest of the week."

I fake smiled at him. "I know. Tell him I said bye."

There were six buses parked out front of the school. Kids were standing standing in groups, waiting for their name to be called.

"Okay this is it. Bye Chica." Zack said as he hugged me.

I took a deep breath and got out of the car. I got my small suitcase out of the back of the car and turned to look at him one more time. He gave me a reassuring smile and I smiled back, even though it did not reach my eyes.

I saw Audrey and walked over to her. "Hey girl. Sorry I wasn't at school yesterday. My mom uh, was sick so I stayed home to help with my little brother."

I softly smiled at her. "It's okay. You didn't miss much, just the math paper that was needed to be turned in yesterday."

"Oh yeah. I finished that and gave it to the biggest pain in the ass ever."

I laughed at what she called Mrs. Gray. We were herded into a group of about twenty-four girls. Most likely they were separating us by gender. That way no one gets a little bun in the oven during the field trip.

"Okay everyone! We are going to load the busses now!" A teacher called out.

We were put into a single file line and loaded up onto the bus. If I'm being honest, it felt like we were being sorted like cattle. I shuffled my feet  forward since the line to the bus was moving an inch per minute.

I knew no one else on the bus except for Audrey so you can only imagine who I sat by.  About ten minutes in Audrey fell asleep. Great. For three hours I have sit and just stay. Three hours.

I'm going to die.

I didn't really have any games on my phone. I did have a book in my bag though. It wouldn't be long enough to read for three hours, but it should suffice for the time being.

Halfway through the ride I got bored of my book. I've never gotten bored of my book but when it's needed the most, all of my concentration goes out the window.

Reluctantly I fell asleep. Even if it was for forty-five minutes. I woke up when we hit a speed bump. Almost everyone jumped but not my best friend. Oh no, all she did was grumble for everyone to be quiet and fell back asleep immediately. I sort of wish I had that kind sleep schedule. But when I wake up, I wake up.

And I wake up a lot.

Sadly.

After I woke up I decided to take in my surroundings. And by surroundings I mean the other kids. I'm not one to be nosy but people tend to do stuff they normally don't do when they're bored.

I listened to the girls in front of me. "-yeah. I dunno, I think he likes me!" A girl squealed.

"Soph, he likes everyone. The White's are notorious for sleeping with like half the population of the state!"

Ahh so she was talking about one of the twins. I don't know which one, but definitely one.

"Yeah but Caden has a girlfriend and he's a White!" The girl whose name is Soph counteracted.

"Oh my God Sophia when will you wake up and see he's not good enough for you!" Her friend exclaimed.

Now I don't want to sound rude but I think Sophia's friend has a crush on Sophia. That's the only rational explanation for her words. There was silence between the two friends and  I was debating whether or not to agree with the girl that my brothers are scums and shouldn't be trusted with someone's feelings.

"Then who is, Lexi?" Sophia whispered.

Lexi-I presume- inhaled sharply. "Me."

My eyes widen at the boldness of Lexi's choice of words. If only other girls-the whole Earth population- would do as she just did.

"Lexi I-"

"Don't. Don't say anything. Forget I even said anything. Just remember that James isn't good enough for you." Lexi snapped.

Silence invaded the seat in front of me. Honestly, who needs TV while you have teenage love drama right in front of you? This is way better than any soap opera director could ever dream of achieving.

There wasn't much drama anywhere else so the  rest of the time was just me staring out of the window. Normally I'm used to the same boring lampposts, same boring sidewalks and trees, and the same boring old ladies jogging down the street, but here? Trees I didn't know existed grew here. Sadly there wasn't any lampposts for me to count but I did count the number of benches. Seriously how could one street need thirty-two benches?

"Alright everybody! Listen up! We are about to pull into the camp so be on your best behavior. Understood?" Our chaperone exclaimed. I think I heard some kids on the bus say he was an ex-drill sergeant.

Yay for us.

Not.

Audrey woke up with a startle. "What? I-I'm up, I promise." She said on instinct.

I giggled. "We're here sleepyhead."

"Oh okay." She mumbled, still half asleep.

"This can either be the best three days of our lives or our doom." I said to her as we parked.

"Let's hope it's not the latter." She stated.

"Let's hope." I mumbled.

So, so sorry for not posting! This chapter was supposed to be longer but writers block is a bitch and I couldn't think of anything. I hope you like it and don't forget to vote, comment, and obviously like :)