On My Own Time

Chapter 33

Victor was the first one awake so when Hector, Caden, and Max woke up they didn't see us cuddled up like how we were all night. The small hike was fun and because it was so short and the trail was big we didn't need hiking partners and just needed to follow along in a line. Sara did decide to sit this one out, she was ready to leave and was packing up her stuff. By the time we got back she had her bikini on and was rushing us to hurry up so we could go swimming one last time. I was the second one in this time, I wasn't feeling in the mood to get embarrassed again. After some time of swimming I sat down on the wooden bridge and just watched my friends mess around. I was truly feeling happy and content.

"Hey."

I looked up and to my surprise, Caden was there. He took a seat beside me and I had to look around to make sure he was actually talking to me. I mean this is Caden, Caden my step brother.

"I'm um. . . I'm sorry."

"What?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Last night, Max made me realize that I was being a jerk to the wrong people. I um. . . I shouldn't have been rude to your mother or you. I was just upset that my mom and dad really did end up separating and I was upset that my mother wasn't like your mom. She never made me breakfast or asked how school was. Heck, I was surprised whenever she made me dinner. I was jealous of you."

"Wait. . . You and Max actually had a normal conversation?"

He looked at me and nudged me saying, "Shut up."

I laughed and nudged him back. I guess this camping trip really did change people. Max looked more happy, Charlie found out that she loved camping, Victor didn't get mad whenever Hector did something with or for me, Sara was still Sara but at least Caden and I could finally move forward.

"Just stop being rude to my mother and we're good. Oh and one more thing," I stopped and waited for him to look at me. Then I pushed him in the water. "That's for everything you did."

"You little shit!" He yelled but I knew he wasn't actually upset.

Max swam over and push Caden under the water again before swimming away laughing crazily. Caden swam after him and I shook my head, a smile on my face. Not long after, Victor joined me on the bridge and we just sat in a comfortable silence.

"I think everyone needed this," I said and looked at him with a big smile on my face.

He chuckled and said, "I think so too. I know I did."

When it was time to leave Max was beyond sad. It was our final year and we wouldn't be able to come back next year. This was the last time we would come here. Of course, we could go on our own camping trip, but it just wouldn't be the same. It wouldn't be here.

"Are you done crying?" Caden asked Max.

"Oh shut it!" Max snapped and threw his bag at Caden. "Take it to the bus and let me wallow in my sadness."

Caden grumbled but still took his bag. Victor was kind enough to take my bag while I stayed behind and tried to comfort Max. It was really sad to see how depressing Max was.

"Let's take a picture," Caden said actually trying to cheer Max up. "Pete! Take the picture."

"Oh, but I was going to get on the b-"

"Damn it Pete! Take the damn picture!"

Poor Pete grabbed Max's phone and Caden wrapped his arms around Max and I. Victor was on my other side and Sara had her arms around Hector. Charlie was beside them and held up the peace sign. Once Pete took the picture, which the flashed caused my eyes to hurt, he gave us the phone and quickly went into the bus, trying to avoid having to do anything else.

"Alright guys, it's time to go. We still have school tomorrow," Mr. Cortez said and Max finally agreed to get on the bus.

The ride back was long and silent, many of us falling asleep. Max had fallen asleep with his head against the window and I fell asleep leaning against him. By the time we got to the school it was around 1:30 in the morning and Max dropped me off while Caden's friends dropped him off. We got home around the same time and when we entered Daniel and my mother were sitting on the couch watching a movie.

"You boys are home! How was it? There's food that can be heated up if you guys didn't eat," my mother said with a kind smile.

We put our stuff down and much to my mother's surprise, Caden said thank you and walked into the kitchen. Daniel too was shocked as he sat up and gave me a confused look. I only smiled and gave my mother a kiss on the cheek before going into the kitchen as well. My mother and Daniel followed along and my mother went straight to heating up the food.

"So, how was it?" Daniel asked.

"It was really fun, we played volleyball against Caden and won."

"They won by luck," Caden defended with a scoff.

"Caden had to sleep in our tent because he forgot the tent cover and it rained last night," I teased.

"Really? How are you guys still alive?" Daniel teased back.

"I shared with Victor and Caden shared with Max."

"Max shared with Caden? How did that work?" My mother laughed and passed us the plates of food.

Caden took a bite from his food and shrugged his shoulders. "We had a good conversation before we fell asleep."

"Well, I'm glad you boys had fun. Now, if you don't mind me, I waited to see you guys return home safely but I am tired. Goodnight boys," my mother said with a smile and made her way to leave.

"Wait! Um. . . I'm sorry," Caden mumbled, looking down and scratching the back of his neck.

My mother smiled softly and slowly walked up to Caden, giving him a hug only a mother could give and said, "It's okay."

That night, both my mother and Daniel went to sleep in peace and had smiles on their faces. This, this is what I wanted for my mother. To be happy. I knew my dad was smiling down at us. Caden and I ate in a comfortable silence and it was only disrupted when Caden's phone began to ring. I couldn't help the glance my eyes made and I grew confused when I saw Victor's name. Caden picked up the phone and his face went from smiling to slightly serious.

"Yeah, no, I was thinking the same thing. Hold on," he stopped and looked at me, his serious face still on display. "Can you pick up my plate please?"

I only nodded my head and he was gone, going to his room. I tried to not think about it but the fact that he went from smiling to serious made me uneasy. There was nothing I could do though. I picked up our plates and slowly went to my room, closing the door. I checked my phone and saw no messages. Max and Hector must've knocked out when they got home and the girls probably did the same. I couldn't sleep for the next thirty minutes but around two thirty in the morning I got a message from Victor which let me fall asleep.

From: Victor

I miss you. Goodnight Sunshine.