Hello April

Chapter 4: Hodophile

Hodophile (adj.)
Origin: Greek.
Definition: "Lover of roads", or better "love of travel."

The long waited trip is here. I had a hard time sleeping last night, because I couldn't stop thinking about all the possibilities this trip could bring us. I've crafted a little map with places I think we should visit, but I know the guys have some other places in mind too.

I'm in charge of making sure we have enough food and water on the trip, because if it was someone else's job, we'd have only beer. That's why beer on its own is Evans job.

We're going to be sleeping in tents, and always decide to share tents so we have less to carry and we feel safer. Now that Jeremy is coming with us, one person will have to sleep alone. We decided we'd rotate on who sleeps alone since no one volunteered. Jeremy and I will obviously share a tent all trip since we're in a relationship.

"Need help?" Jeremy asks as we walk down the hallway of my house.

"No I got it!" I smile through the pain. As a girl with only guy friends, you learn you have to do a little extra sometimes. Guys are physically stronger but I would never want them to think they have to do things for me.

I know it sounds a little messed up, but I rather pull my weight than have my friends think of me as just another girl.

"So I was thinking..." Jeremy starts and I decide to stop to listen. A good excuse to put down the cooler full of water and food.

"Yeah?"

"Why don't me and you take our own car?" Jeremy says and I scrunch my brows together in confusion. "Theres seven of us in one car, maybe just me and you take my car and we make this trip into a more romantic trip."

I feel the slight bang of disappointment hit me at the thought of not getting to be with my friends, but as my eyes watch Jeremys, I push that disappointment down. He looks so hopeful and excited, I don't want to be the person to make him sad.

"Sure let's do it." I smile and watch Jeremy's whole face light up with excitement.

I grab the cooler from the floor and continue my way down the hallway and out into the street. The guys are already packing their stuff into Lucas' moms car. I make my way over to Jeremys car and open the back door, beginning to put the food there.

"What are you doing?" Elias asks from behind me, almost startling me.

"Oh Jeremy thought we should take two cars." I smile and glance at Jeremy who stands on the other side of the car, watching and listening.

"Are you dumb?" Elias says and grabs the handle of the cooler I'm holding. "You must be if you think I'm letting you go in another car, when the whole point of going on a road trip with your friends, is actually being with your friends."

Elias snatches the cooler from my hand and begins to walk away.

"One car, that's final." Elias says sternly, shooting daggers at Jeremy.

"What?" I ask more in disbelief that he had to be a dick about the situation.

"Did I stutter?" Elias asks and puts the cooler in the back of the car.

"Asshole." I mutter under my breath and go back inside to get my own stuff. I notice Jeremy follow me back inside and I turn around to face him.

"Why didn't you say anything to him?" I say and Jeremy stops abruptly.

He looks at me with confusion and gives me a meek smile.

"It's okay," Jeremy let's out a small chuckle but he's clearly missing the point.