Nuclear Family {Green Day}

Chapter Sixteen

Nuclear Family

Sorry for any spelling/grammar issues!

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

   I woke up slowly, feeling the morning sun on my face. I opened my eyes and saw Joey's closed eyes right in front of me. Last night came flooding back to me, and I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. When I felt Joey's arms shifting around me as he woke up, I quickly closed my eyes again and pretended to be asleep. I mean, what if he doesn't think last night was a big deal? Or what if he doesn't even remember? He might just push me off of him and walk away, regretting everything.

My overactive thoughts were silenced when I felt lips against mine. My eyes snapped open and I jumped a little, certainly not expecting it. I pulled away a little and looked into Joey's beautiful eyes. Then it clicked- he was waking me up with a kiss! I grinned and kissed him again, leaning into him as we both woke up.

"Morning." he whispered when we needed air.

"Morning." I whispered back. 

We simply enjoyed each other's presence for a few minutes, when we heard people coming towards us. It wsn't long before Alana and Travis pulled us up and dragged us back to the tents. Joey held my hand the whole way, and pulled me down beside him to eat the breakfast Max and Carly and made. As we ate, everyone talked about how much fun we all had, and how we can't wait to do it again. I don't think any other campout will compare to this one, though.

I looked over at Jake and Caitlyn. She was snuggled into him, both of them having finished their breakfast. He was gently combing through her hair with his fingers. To say that they are adorable would be an understatement.

It wasn't long before we had to start packing up however, as this camping spot is already booked for tonight. I had my arms above my head undoing a knot near the top of one of the tents when Joey came up behind me and grabbed me around the waist. 

"Hey." he said softly before kissing my neck.

"Hey." I echoed, forgetting the tent and leaning against him. 

"This has been amazing" he started softly. I nodded along in agreement.

"I don't know about you, but I don't want it to end." he finished.

"Me neither." I told him honestly, turning around and looking him in the eyes. With a burst of self confidence, I said

"I want to know where we stand." I told him.

"I want to know too.. I don't know what to call us.. so let's just call it 'us'. Let's justt be us, with no need to label anything right now. We'll just see what happens, and take it day by day."

I had to smile a little at this.

"Okay" I said. "But what about Billie and Adie?"

"What they don't know won't hurt them."

He kissed me right there, in front of everyone. Soft and sweet, full of promise- like our first kiss, but more. It was enough to get a cat call from Cole, making me blush and Joey flip him off. I'm definitely going to hear about this later from Jake.

We finished packing up the site and said our goodbyes, not knowing if we would see each other on Sunday, or if we would have to wait until Monday. Jake and Caitlyn got in the car happily, Caitlyn quickly falling asleep on Jake's shoulder, making him smile in delight. For the rest of the ride to her house, he kept shooting me looks through the mirror that were half excited, half what-do-you-have-to-say-for-yourself-young-lady? Eventually he texted me, saying:

You've got some explaining to do..

To which I replied with:

I know ;3

When we arrived at home, all the dogs greeted us excitedly. Joey and I went inside first, Jake trailing in behind us, visibly tired. Billie and Adie bombarded us with questions, which we answered with as much enthusiasm as we could muster- we're all pretty tired. And we're hiding something big from them.

Eventually we were let off the hook, so I went outside with my sketchbook, and Jake followed with a book to read. Joey went off to his room, likely to seem normal.

"SO." Jake started.

"So." I countered.

"You and my brother, eh?"

"It's starting to seem that way."

He paused and thought for a while.

"I guess I approve. I can't deny that you guys were pretty fucking adorable this morning, and I've never seen either of you look so happy. Yeah he's my brother and all, but if he does anything to fuck up, he's dead, k?"

"Aww Jakeypooooo" I cooed. "Caitlyn's helped you to find your inner goodness!" I cried sarcastically, hugging him.

We continued to gossip until lunch time, when we went inside to eat the pizza that Billie had ordered.

"How do you guys feel about going surfing in the morning?" he asked.

"I'm down to surf!" Joey said happily, appearing in the kitchen. Jake nodded in agreement.

"You willing to learn to surf, Cass?" Adie asked me.

"Of course! It looks like so much fun!"

"It is." The three men said simultaneously, making Adie and I laugh.

After lunch I went up to my room, deciding to call Mary for the first time since school started. I updated her on everything in my life, except the sort of relationship with Joey, not knowing if she would get mad. As much as I wanted to tell her, I decided that it's not worth the risk. We talked for a while longer, until Adie showed up at my door.

"Care to come out for a quick shopping sesh? You need something to surf in tomorrow!" She said.

I nodded enthusiastically and grabbed my purse. We were out the door before anyone even noticed we were leaving, returning an hour later prepared for the morning. I thanked Adie profusely, still unable to wrap my head around how she's so willing to spend money on me, and so unwilling to let me spend my own money. 

I went up to my room to put my purchases away, and pulled Ernie and Oswald out for some cuddle time, reflecting on the past few days.