Die In California

15

Devyn's POV:

I woke up with my head on JP's chest, his arms tightly wrapped around me, as if when he let go, I'd crumble. Or worse, I'd leave. My arm was draped across his waist, our legs intertwined. It was how it used to be. And I didn't hate it.

"Mornin'." JP spoke, his voice deep and croaky from sleep. I looked up at him, not realising that he was awake yet, and smiled, admiring his adorable smile with the smile lines and faint dimples on his cheeks. "Hi." I whispered, glancing over my shoulder to see Kells sprawled out on his bed in just his boxers, a hand in his hair while his other held his phone, his eyes intently on the screen.
"You okay?" JP asked as he lightly fiddled with my hair, making me nod with a smile.
"Yeah, you?" He nodded in response, stifling a yawn with his free hand.

We laid in bed for a little while longer before I slowly sat up, rubbing my eyes as I squinted out of the window. It was darker out, the clouds a dark grey with hints of orange from the bright orange horizon, creating a gorgeous landscape of New York. The city's skyscrapers were black against the skyline - black, in contrast to the bright orange surrounding the setting sun. It was gorgeous.

I rolled over onto my other side, staring out of the window, while JP shuffled closer to me, his arm around my waist as he admired the view over my shoulder. "It's beautiful, right?" He mused, a smile on his face. I nodded with a smile, feeling content as I tried to memorise the picture.
"Just a pity Kells is in the way." I teased, making Kells roll his eyes and throw a pillow at us. I squealed and ducked, the three of us laughing as JP threw it back before falling back onto the bed behind me.

"What time is it?" JP mumbled tiredly, an arm draped over his eyes as he laid on his back.
"Uh, about 8." Kells spoke as he tiredly rubbed his face. "I'm takin' a nap before we go out." He yawned before throwing his phone onto the end of his bed.
"What d'ya wanna do, Devyn?" JP softly asked as he turned his head to look at me.
"We slept all day?" My eyebrows pulled together as I tried to process the fact that we really had lost a day in New York.
"Seems like it." JP shrugged with a sigh.

JP and I decided to go out for dinner with everyone at around 9, giving us a chance to get changed into more appropriate outfits. It was a nice night out; we didn't go with the intention of getting wasted, we went with the plan to spend wholesome time together, before going back to work in Cleveland. It was a nice break for them, and that seemed to be pretty obvious by their genuine smiles, their authentic laughter, and their honest happiness. They all seemed to be needing that break. And it was well deserved.

The next two days that we had in New York were spent exploring and being tourists - we went sight-seeing, to restaurants to discover new food, the huge shopping malls, making the most of our time there. It was bitter sweet to go home, back to Cleveland. Bitter, because New York was such a beautiful place filled with so much life. It felt so surreal to be there. Sweet, because I missed the routine of our lives back in Cleveland, where there weren't millions of people bustling about on tight sidewalks, where we could take a step back and breathe. It was safe there. And I think I needed safety for a little while longer.

Once again, we were taking the minivan back to Cleveland, all of us being squashed together during the 8 hour drive back. But I'd, of course, supplied myself with multiple films to watch, and my trusty blanket. JP sat beside me, Kells on the other side of me since I was in the middle for once, and surprisingly JP didn't whine for my attention as much. He left me to it, occasionally whispering to check on me, but other than that it was a pretty peaceful ride. I'd say he was learning. And I felt like a proud mother.

We managed to stop fewer times on the way back, most likely due to Ashleigh banning drinks for a pretty lengthy period of the drive, but it cut our drive short, meaning we got home sooner. As soon as the minivan pulled up to the house, Kells opened the door and climbed out, stretching his long legs, while I followed him out and stood by the door, patiently waiting for Ashleigh to open it with my blanket wrapped around my shoulders. I just wanted to get to bed. Ashleigh seemed to take pity on me, walking over with a sympathetic smile as she unlocked the door and turned the alarm off, allowing me to go upstairs and straight to bed.