Yellow [Dwayne Hoover]

6

After the ice cream situation, breakfast was eaten in a semi uncomfortable silence. "How long til we get there?" Olive asked to no one in particular as you all met Richard outside. "Quite a bit." You answered, walking back to the van. "I know but how long?" She pressed. "Well, we gotta do 600 miles of driving today and 200 tomorrow. A lot of drivin'. Let's go!" Richard called out.

You all piled in; same arrangements as before except Sheryl offered to learn to drive stick to give Richard a break. It was short lived until neither of them could work it. "Go to a mechanic." You read from Dwayne's notepad. "You're right." Richard huffed, snapping his fingers.

===

A long thirty minutes later and you made it to a mechanic. Richard and Sheryl were busy talking with the man to discuss the issue while you, Dwayne and Frank sat along the busted tires in the shade.

"So how long have you two know each other?" Frank asked, squinting at you. "Since just this past year." You answered, shielding the sun out of your eyes with you hand. "Ah, I see. A book worm as well?" He asked. You nod, "We trade off books sometimes. He needs to give me back one I lent him ages ago." You tease, nudging Dwayne who lightly shoved you back. "Forget it." Frank joked, "You'll never see it again."

You caught Sheryl's frustrated expression and joined Frank in seeing what was up. "What if you're not on a hill? What if there's no hill? How do you...?" Richard asked the man as you all stood behind Sheryl. He stared back at the group with a smirk, "Give it a little push." He said, walking to the van.

"Ok, Olive, dad, I want you in the car first." Richard ordered, sliding open the door. "We know." Olive sighed. "Alright, let's go!" He clapped, going to the drivers side. "Everybody push!"

All of you began pushing on the van. You were in between Dwayne and Frank as you all used all your weights to push the vehicle. Digging your heels into the dirt, you broke a slight sweat.

"I just want everyone here to know...that I am the preeminent Proust scholar in the United States." Frank declared causing Sheryl to giggle and you to crack a smile of your own. "Go on, honey." Sheryl said, moving slightly so Olive could begin running into the van.

"Come on, Olive! Run! Run! Come on!" Edwin shouted, holding out his arms. "Sheryl, let's go!" Frank shouted, Sheryl dashing into the passenger, Frank following as you and Dwayne continued pushing.

"Let's go!" Edwin shouted as Dwayne pushed you ahead of him. You took Frank's hand and hopped in, holding out your hand to Dwayne who took it as you pulled him in. Sheryl cheered as Frank shut the door, "No one gets left behind!"

You fell back into the seat with a huff, Dwayne doing the same. You were out of breath and sweaty.

"Outstanding, soldier! Outstanding!" Frank shouted, drumming against the seat. "Was that fun?" Edwin asked Olive with a smile as she fixed her hair.

After ten minutes you all fixed seating arrangements. Olive was back to listening to her music in peace and you were back to reading. A slight snore broke you from your written world. You looked over and saw Edwin knocked out, mouth open; made you laugh a bit.

Dwayne was resting his head against the glass, gazing out at the plain, brown, land that stretched along the sides of the road.

===

"What sarcasm? I didn't- I didn't hear it." Franks voice chuckled, waking you from your sleep. You hadn't realized you had fallen asleep. Your book was still in your hands, same way you remembered. You felt your head slowly rise and fall making you furrow your brows and look up. Dwayne's eyes greeted you blankly. You had fallen asleep on his shoulder and he let you.

"I feel sorry for you." Richard spoke, eyeing Frank in the rear view mirror. "You do? Good." Frank snapped back. "Yea, I do. Because sarcasm is the refuge of losers."

"How long has this been happening?" You whispered, sitting up slightly.

Just started. You missed his story though.

"Shame." You mumbled making Dwayne almost crack a smile. Almost.

Richards phone rang and he shushed everyone but apparently got no signal making him hurriedly, and borderline dangerously, exit off the highway and pull into the nearest gas station. Perfect opportunity to stretch and take a breather.

You and Dwayne immediately darted out and raced one another to the small grassy spot at the edge of the parking lot.

"Beat you." You smiled, planting yourself on the ground. Dwayne shook his head aggressively. "I so did. I'm even sitting!" You argued watching as he lowered himself to the ground. He shook his head again before breaking into a set of push-ups.

He did three before pausing to give you a look. "Oh, I'm sorry. You're on three." You informed with a playful eye roll.

Olive ran over, fixing her sweatband on her head. "Aren't you tired of sitting, y/n?" She asked. "A little but I'd get tired of standing just as fast." You answer, shifting your attention to the girl. "Makes sense." She shrugged before walking off and into the store behind Sheryl.

A sudden slap on the shoulder made you jump and rub the stinging area. "Ow?!" You scoff to face Dwayne's annoyed expression.

You stopped counting

"Oh, I'm sorry your highness but your sister was talking to me." You retort, taking his hand to stand on your feet. He gave you a 'whatever' look and went back to the van.

"Christ. He's not getting it." Edwin mumbled, shaking his head as you both stumbled passed him to sit. "Getting what?" You questioned with a quirked brow. "His nine step shenanigans." He shrugged as Frank stomped over, tossing a bag at Edwin and slumping into his seat.

You watched silently as Sheryl shouted at Richard in anger before slamming the door angrily.

Five minutes on the road had passed in an uncomfortable silence. You were leaning back, staring at the vans roof in boredom. Dwayne aggressively tapped your arm with his pen making you sit up confused.

Where's Olive?

You read it aloud and Sheryl looked back with wide eyes. "Oh!"

Richard sighed and made his way back to the gas station.