Twisted Protection

Chapter 3

That week was a bit uneventful. Mom and I went shopping for a dress for the ball. We ended up spending the day shopping and spending way too much money on things we didn't need. But it was awesome, and I loved every minute of it considering I will be going off to college in the near future. Phelan came around for dinner early in the week and has been over a few times since then. I love watching him and my mom laughing together, usually at my expense. They have gotten so close he has even convinced my mom to let him take me to check out our college which has an open day this weekend and stay there until Sunday. Not sure how he managed that, but I am certainly not complaining. Most of the time we just hung out watching something on streaming together. We were just enjoying spending time together.

At school you could feel the anticipation growing as graduation approached. It was electric, but also had an undertone of sadness as there had been no progress on Skye's case. Classes have pretty much been downgraded to a social gatherings, sometimes with games and fun quizzes. I am sure that everyone is only coming to gossip and prepare things for the ball and ceremony. Not that I mind. Although I don't do much socializing anymore, it does give me something to do and gives my mom peace of mind that I am not lazing around my room while she is at work. I could feel my own excitement growing. But this was more due to our trip this weekend then actual graduation. Phelan said he was giving his cousin a lift as well as he is also attending the same college, but we would be mostly by ourselves most of the time. We have gotten a room near the campus while his cousin will be staying at his parents' house. We were due to leave Friday after school, so Phelan came over Thursday night so I could put my stuff in his car that night and leave straight from school.

Friday was a bit of a blur of anticipation. I wouldn't be able to tell anyone anything that was done that day as I was just staring at the clock ticking down most of the day. After putting my notebook into my locker (which was basically full of drawings, doodles, and random thoughts) and grabbing my bag I made my way towards the carpark where we had agreed to all meet before heading out. I walk out the doors and turn the corner to see Phelan standing with a short guy talking. I had a proper look at him as I approached curious about this cousin. He looked familiar. He was just below average height with light brown hair colour. I realised that he was in a few of my classes. He looked nothing like Phelan, no wonder I hadn't connected the two. Phelan noticed me as I got closer and came to meet me holding his hand out to me. I took it with a wide smile.

"This is my cousin, John." He said making introductions.

"Hi, John, we had a few classes together if I'm not mistaken." I said, reaching my hand out for a shake. I saw him blush slightly.

"Yes, we did, most classes actually." He smiled.

"I had no idea you and Phelan were related." I look to Phelan and giggle. "you two don't even look related in the slightest."

"Yeah, we get that a bit" Phelan said giving John a shoulder bump. "You ready to get going?"

"Yeah," I answered. "How long will it take to get there?"

"Oh about 3 hours or so, I think." John said.

"John is our trip navigator as he knows the area best. We will have to get some travel goodies when we stop to get petrol on the way out." Phelan said as he walked around the car unlocking the doors.

"Travel goodies?"

"Yeah, you know, like snacks, drinks, chocolate and other road trip stuff." He winked.

"We aren't going across the country dude." John teased.

"Still counts though." Phelan said as he jumped behind the wheel.

"You can take the front if you like Kasey." John said to my softly.

"Are you sure? You are taller than me." I replied.