Take My Soul

Chapter 11- Welcome Home!

     "Thank you so much for organizing the trip, Cole. We all had an amazing time, and it's all thanks to you," I said, beaming at him. "No problem, you guys are like family to me, so I'll go the extra mile to make sure we all have a good time," Cole replied with a warm smile. Just then, Oliver piped up, "Guys, you sound like a bunch of old farts. Can we stop with the formalities and just enjoy the moment?" We all laughed and gave each other a group hug, feeling grateful for the strong bond of friendship that we shared.

As the radiant sun gradually emerged from behind the distant horizon, casting a warm and welcoming glow across the land, I couldn't help but release a deep and mournful groan that seemed to emanate from the very depths of my soul. "I don't want us to go home!" I said, feeling a sense of disappointment that our trip had ended. Noah, always the taskmaster, was quick to load the bags into the car. "Get your butts inside the car, everyone! Hurry!" he barked, his impatience clear. We made our way towards the car, our weekend getaway now a distant memory. Before Noah set the car on. I took some pictures of the woods and the campsite to show Mom and put them in my diary.

As we were driving back home, the car was filled with laughter and singing, except for Noah who was silent and seemed to be in a bad mood. Lizzie and I were having a conversation, discussing our interests and catching up on each other's lives. Occasionally, we would browse through online clothing stores, adding items to our wish lists and admiring the latest fashion trends.

During the journey, we stopped at a petrol station to grab some snacks. I picked up a Dr. Pepper, an ice cream sandwich, and a packet of chips, hoping they would help me stay alert and energized. However, Noah was getting increasingly frustrated with the traffic, which seemed to be moving at a snail's pace and his knuckles went white as his grip on the steering wheel tightened.

"Why are you getting so mad? The traffic will clear up soon," I said, trying to calm him down.

Noah spun to face me, his face filled with anger. "Well, well, looks like we have a driving expert in our midst," he quipped sarcastically. "Why did I even bother coming here if you're the responsible one who knows how to drive? I might as well have stayed home."

I rolled my eyes. "You know I can't drive since I'm a minor. If you force me, you'll end up in jail, and you'll cry your heart out to Mommy."

Noah gritted his teeth as his eyebrows furrowed, his face contorting into an expression of intense frustration. His cheeks flushed scarlet with rage, and a vein throbbed in his forehead as he struggled to control his temper. "Shut the fuck up, Leslie. You better shut up, or I'm breaking our promise and telling everyone," he yelled, causing everyone in the car to go quiet and stare at me.

As I sat there in the car, my mind was racing with a mix of emotions - hurt, betrayal, and confusion. I couldn't help but stare at the floor, trying to make sense of what had just happened and where things went wrong. Noah was my brother, someone I thought I knew well, and yet here I was, feeling completely blindsided by his actions. It was a painful realization that left me feeling lost and unsure of what to do next. The sensation of a warm and comforting hand on my back immediately caught my attention. It was Lizzie's touch that I recognized, and it had a way of making me feel safe and at ease. Without a second thought, I eased myself down onto the surface below and rested my head on Lizzie's lap. I could feel the softness of her clothes against my cheek as I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Soon, I was drifting off into a peaceful slumber, free from all the worries and troubles that had been weighing on my mind.