Speak Loudly.

Chapter 16

Date: May 26, 2002
Joey: Age 17 (almost 18)
Shane: Age 18
--------------------------------------------
{Shane's Pov}

It was finally the night we would leave for our travel. We decided to go to Florida for it's beaches and things, Arizona to go to the Grand Canyon, California for Disneyland, and New York for it's 'vintage' places. It would last until the day after Joey's birthday, that would be the night we drove home.

He was checked out of the hospital for two whole weeks. His chemo was going well and his hair had grown to about my length. I helped him down the stairs with his suitcases.

I sat them by the door and we said goodbye to his parents.

Mr.Graceffa: Be good to him, son.

He pulled me into a hug and i hugged him back. Joey said goodbye and kissed his mom and dad. We finally made it out the door. My brother was dropping us off at the airport.

Joey: I can't believe we are finally doing this.

Shane: Me neither.

I squeezed his suitcase into the trunk and shut it. It was a weird thing, Joey just graduated high school and I graduated and had my own job and apartment for a year.

Joey was dressed in a loose gray shirt and gray sweatpants with black vans and a black beanie. His beautiful blue eyes lit up and I could no longer say they lit up like the stars- they were so much brighter and full of wonder that if you compared them to the stars it would be degrading them. I pulled him close to me and kiss him quickly on his softly bruised lips.

The horn beeped and startled us, and Joey laughed.

Shane: Jerrid apparently 'doesn't got all day'.

We got in the backseat together and my hand rested on Joey's thigh.

Jerrid: Ya know, one of you could've sat up here.

Jerrid teased and Joey and I rolled our eyes.

Jerrid: How are you guys going to last a more-than-three-hour plane ride? I'm terrified of heights, I couldn't do that.

I chuckled.

Shane: I have Joey to keep me calm.

I looked at Joey and he blushed as my hand patted his thigh gently.

Jerrid: You two are cute.

We finally made it to the airport. Joey squeaked and ran out his door before I could even get my seatbelt off.

Jerrid: Just don't hurt the little kid, all right?

Jerrid looked at me through the mirror and winked. I groaned.

Shane: Oh my god, Jerrid. Stop.

I smiled at him and said bye as I got our the door. Joey had already gotten the suitcases out of the trunk.

Shane: Someone's excited.

I closed the trunk for him, took my luggage, and then one of his bags.

Joey: I can't believe my chemo team let me go. I'm going to turn eighteen in another state!

Shane: New York, to be exact.

Joey: And I'm so excited for that too!

Shane: I know, I am too.

I smiled and he kissed my cheek. He was basically skipping as we went through the doors, into the airport.

He grabbed my arm,

Joey: Shane this building is so big.

I couldn't help but laugh. He was acting like a five year old, in a cute way. Not an annoying way.