Across the Maps

Chapter 34

I sit on the heavy blue comforter with golden flowers that sits on top of the queen sized bed, a cool silver pen occupying my right hand and my journal resting on the bed.

Wimbercole
Colberly
Wilcole

I set the pen down and rub my eyes. I have been searching for relationship names for Cole and I for thirty minutes and I have only come up with three, and all of those are absolutely horrible. Not only is it terrible, but it feels unnatural. But I mean most girls do this right? Most girls have sat and dreamed, writing down what their crush or boyfriends and their names would be like squished together.

I let out a frustrated sigh, trying to come up with more relationship names. But the more I think about it, the weirder it gets.

Blinking my eyes from sleepiness, I gaze up at the small clock with black framing hung on the white wall. I let out a groan when I read it's twelve thirty. I've gotten use to staying up late, not particularly to party so to say, but just to take all the amazing views, sights, and smells in.

I stand up quietly, not to wake anyone up, and sneak out of the room, down the hall, and to the small balcony. It's small with just enough for maybe three people to fit. Metal black railing surrounds it, swirling patterns and circles engraved into it. I've grown to like standing outside at night. It's relaxing.

I stand outside for a little while, the wind tousling my hair, and gaze up into the dull night. As I continue to stare, my heart drops a little. I know it's stupid but all my life I loved gazing up at the stars. I loved watching them twinkle and light up the scary dark sky. The stars were always the one thing that gave me hope in the dark world. But now, I can barely see them. It's feels like one of the most important things in my life has been wiped from existence, and I hate it.

But I also miss my family. I miss fathers cheerful laughs as he teases my sisters and I. I miss Paisley's witty comments and listening to her go on about physics of algebra. I even miss Hallie and her snarky, annoying remarks that always tend to get me on the edge. I miss her evil smirk that plays on her lips every time she wins a debate and the satisfaction when she tells someone off. Most of all I miss my room, which I was just getting adjusted to. My bed. Oh gosh I miss that so much. I mean the hotel beds are okay, but mine is more comfortable and it smells like home. Too bad I can't just shrink my bed and take it with me like my phone. Wouldn't that be nice?

I peer down at the restaurants across the road, some small and some large. People sit outside in small round tables, drinking beer and wine, smoking, and laughing hysterically.

"Hey," a voice snaps me out of my trance. I turn around slowly and see Cole, who is gazing down at the semi crowded roads.

"Hey," I whisper quietly.

"It's pretty outside," I comment and he nods in agreement.

"Yeah," he sighs.

"Do you ever miss your parents?" I ask, nervous about what he's going to say.

"Yeah, a lot actually," he replies in a sad voice. "It's kind of weird without them. You know?"

"Yeah," I agree. "I know exactly how you feel."

"Hey," he speaks, changing the subject, obviously not wanting to talk about his family. "What time are we leaving tomorrow?"

So far we have been to twenty different cities, all which have been unique and amazing in its own way. My favorite, however, is still San Antonio. I just was amazed at all the amazing buildings and funny people I met. My next favorite would be Los Angeles and then New York City.

It's hard to think about before the tour. I don't feel like the same person I was before. I feel like...well I feel like I was transformed. It's hard to describe, but before I left on this tour, I was just this shy girl that couldn't make any friends, but now, I feel more confident, happier, more alive. I feel like I'm a flower that has just blossomed, just starting to live and not just exist as an outer shell or as a shadow lurking in a dark hallway, searching for a personality.

"I think we're leaving around ten," I answer, gazing into the dark cloudy sky.

"Okay," Cole pauses. "Do you have some conditioner I could borrow? I ran out and need to get some more."

"You just got some more conditioner a few weeks ago."

"Yeah so," he shrugs. "You have to have a lot to conditioner to keep this beauty up," he gestures his hair and I roll my eyes.

"This beauty?" I laugh and he joins in, our giggles ringing in unison.

"Yeah but still. Do you have any conditioner I could borrow?"

"Yeah sure," I exclaim. "I'll go ahead and give it to you. Follow me but be quiet. Mom's asleep."

He nods and follows me inside, gently shutting the glass door behind him. We tread into my room, and I rummage through my suitcase for a few minutes before remembering that the bottle is in my shower. I stride into the cramped bathroom and grab the bottle off a shelf. When I reenter my room, I find Cole standing gazing at my notebook.

"Just taking a sneak peek," Cole exclaims. "Wimbercole?" He asks, arching my eyebrow.

"It's stupid," I shrug, but I feel myself starting to blush.

"I don't like these relationship names," Cole sets my notebook down.

"Nether do I," I admit. "It was stupid to come up with relationship names in the first place. Just forget about it."

"I never said I didn't want a relationship name, but I hate these. What about something better. Something like," he pauses and thinks for a few seconds. "Ahh that's it." he exclaims. "Whole."

"Whole?" I question.

"Yeah. I like that one. Mostly because it's true."

"What's true?" I query.

"That you make me whole," he replies, his eyes glistening as he cocks his head at me.

"Really?" I ask, shocked at his answer.

"Yeah, you make my life complete. You fill a huge gap in my life. You make me laugh. You make me happy. In other words, you make me whole."

"Whole," I let out an amused laugh. "You know I kind of like it."

"Then it's settled," Cole pronounces. "We are now whole."

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