What If?

Chapter 27

"Ella?"

"Huh?" I opened my eyes slowly and saw a pair of gorgeous green eyes and a jaw-dropping smile.

"Good morning sleepyhead." Chase smiled.

"Whe-where are we?" I stuttered.

"We're on our way to Ol' Bentley right now and you fell asleep before the bus left."

"Ohhh... I, uhh, I'm sorry." I said as I scooted away from him.

"Nah, it's okay. I was the one who let you lean on my shoulder." He winked.

"So you mean to say that I was supposed to thank you instead of being sorry?"

"Sorta like that." Chase grinned.

"Stella! You're finally awake!" Rue beamed as she popped up from beside Josh.

"Oh hey Rue..." I said, still blinking my eyes slowly. It's way too sunny for me to open them wide enough.

"You still sleepy?" Josh asked, grinning.

"A little, but I'm good." I smiled.

"Well, don't fall asleep again this time. You missed all the amazing view!" Rue frowned.

"Aww, well that sucks."I frowned.

"Really sucks." Rue said with a look of dismay on her face. And that's when I realized how we were seated – me, Chase, Josh, Rue and Kyle.

"Aww, well, I'll just have to stay awake when we get back then." I smiled.

"Good because I'll be the one who's sleeping next time." Chase grinned.

"Too bad I'll be sitting somewhere else." I stuck a tongue at him.

"Too bad you won't and you can't." Chase closed the distance between us and whispered, "Because you can't stay away from me and you know that." Chase smirked. I opened my mouth to protest but Rue cut in.

"Okay, since Stella's awake, we can now have our picture taken! Bring out the monopod Joshy." Rue grinned.

"I don't have it with me." Josh said.

"What?! I left it with you, I swear to God, if you're pulling this trick on me..."

"Just kidding, here..." Josh grinned as he took the monopod out of his bag and handed it over to Rue.

"Nice!" Rue beamed as she punched Josh's arm. "Alright, be on your best smiles everyone... 1, 2, 3, smile!" Rue happily instructed as she clicked on the button of the monopod.

"Hey, uhh, can I please get a copy of that?" Chase asked.

"Yeah, me too." Josh said.

"Ahrayt, I'll send this via Airdrop to everyone but Josh." Rue said.

"What the?"

"I'm kidding Josh!"

"Of course you are." Josh said with a smug on his face and Rue rolled her eyes at him.

Rue sent the pictures and honestly, it's one of the best group pictures I've ever had. We all look so genuinely happy.

"Seriously guys?" Josh asked.

"What?" Rue asked.

"Do y'all seriously have to be in pairs and then put me in the middle? What is this, some sort of meme with the hashtag 'when you're the only one who doesn't have a date in your group' pic?" Josh frowned.