Nuclear Family {Green Day}

Chapter Fifteen

Nuclear Family

Sorry for any spelling/grammar issues!

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  The first week of school has passed, and finally the weekend has rolled around. As Joey drove home us home on this fine Friday afternoon, Jake raved to me about Caitlyn. Tonight we're all going to the beach for a barbeque and a camp out, and Caitlyn is coming for a few hours. Jake is pretty much unable to shut up about her- even Joey is getting excited for him at this point. And by 'we', I mean, Joey, Jake, Sebastian, Cole, Max, Travis, Alana, Carly, Caitlyn and I.  Joey said that him and his friends do this all the time, but this is the first time they've let Jake come for the whole night- which makes Joey have to deal with two excited teenagers in his car. 

When we got home, Jake ran off to his room to pick out the perfect trunks and sweater for later- like Caitlyn will care if she likes him even half as much as he likes her. 

"Wanna just get our homework out of the way before we go so we can enjoy the weekend?" I asked Joey.

"I don't want to do it, but you're probably right."

We went up to my room, taking what had become our usual homework spots on my bed. I plugged my ipod into the dock and started some music while Joey began typing up the final draft of our English project that we had partnered up for.

We were shoulder to shoulder, proof reading as Ed Sheeran's 'Kiss Me' came through the speakers. I felt everything around me fall into a stillness like no other. 

Settle down with me

Cover me up

Cuddle me in

Lie down with me

And hold me in your arms

Peripherally I saw Joey turn slightly towards me.

And your heart's against my chest, your lips pressed to my neck

I'm falling for your eyes, but they don't know me yet

And with a feeling I'll forget, I'm in love now

Now I was turning too- I couldn't help it. As our eyes connected, I felt my face heating up. I glanced between his dark eyes and his lips, biting mine in thought.

Kiss me like you wanna be loved

You wanna be loved

You wanna be loved

This feels like falling in love

Falling in love

We're falling in love

Slowly, our lips met. It was soft and sweet, filled with future optimism. It wasn't long, cut short by the pounding of Jake's footsteps down the hall. We pulled away just before he entered, only half listening as Jake demanded we leave to pick up Caitlyn this instant. Both of us stood up in a daze, following him downstairs and out to the car. Just before he pulled out of the driveway, Joey gave my hand a gentle squeeze, and even without so much as eye contact, I knew that our kiss meant just as much to him as it did to me.

When we arrived at Caitlyn's house, Jake pretty much couldn't contain his excitment. Apparently neither could she- she was waiting outside for us when we pulled up. She hopped in the car and introduced herself to us, without fear. I like this girl already. She greeted Jake with a kiss on his cheek, instantaneously making him beet red. Joey chuckled and began the short drive to the beach, trying to save him some embarassment, to which he appeared grateful for.

Him and Cailtyn soon fell into to an animated conversation, about what I'm not entirely sure. So I started talking to Joey about what everyone usually does at these campouts.  He told me they usually swim for awhile, eat, swim again, and when it gets dark out they have a bonfire. As the night wears on apparently people gradually go to the tents to sleep. 

As we arrived, I was glad to see Alana and Carly were waiting for me to go swimming. Almost as soon as the car was parked, Caitlyn jumped out, with Jake chasing her right out into the water. I grabbed my tote that held my towel and bathing suit, along with a hairbrush and such for later. 

Carly and Alana held their towels up around me so I could change, and we all darted out to the water. I was overcome with happiness- this is my first time on a California beach, in warm California water. I was surrounded by my new friends, and maybe a flame waiting to be ignited.

We swam and played in the water until Joey swam underneath me and scooped me onto his shoulders, eliciting a scream. Soon Alana was on Travis' shoulders, and Carly on Sebastian's. Cole and Max played sharks, while Jake and Caitlyn were further down the beach, lost in their own little worlds.  Let the shoulder wars begin.

By six our hunger overcame our fighting spirit, and we came out of the water to barbeque hotdogs and hamburgers. As we ate happily, Max told stupid jokes to keep us entertained. Eventually we swam while the sun set, getting lazier and lazier in our strokes, until we got out again to start the bonfire. 

Joey sat beside me by the fire, his arm around my shoulders. I tried not to let that thought overwhelm me. He just be doing it as a friendly gesture, I kept reminding myself.

The music had been playing softly out of the boombox all night, and when "Kiss Me" came on, Joey jumped up, pulling me with him. He placed his arms around my waist, holding me close to him, swaying softly in a dance that suited us perfectly. Everyone else seemed to have taken our lead, as Alana and Travis were dancing, Carly and Sebastian, and of course Jakeand Caitlyn. Max and Cole were even putting on a goofy show of dancing together.

My arms found their way around Joey's neck, pulling him even closer to me. Eventually my head rested against him, and our hearts beat the same erratic rhythm. 

When the song ended, everyone else continued to dance, but Joey took my hand and led me away from the group. Hand in hand we walked in the light of the moon, the gentle ripple of the water tickling our feet. When we were a ways away from the group, our walking slowed until we stood looking at each other. 

"Where were we earlier?" I asked softly, my arms finding his neck once again.

As our lips neared, I felt his smile before our kiss dominated my thoughts. His arms moved in circles around my back while my fingers tangled into his hair. Slowly one of his hands trailed downwards, until in found the curve of my behind. Our kiss deepened, and there was no space between us anymore.

Eventually we lay on ours backs in the sand, staring at the sand as we tried to catch our breath. I rolled over to face Joey and he did the same. Our lips met again briefly before I pressed my face into his chest, contentment taking it's toll. We fell asleep right there on the beach, under the moonlight. And it was perfect, because Joey held me close to him all night.