Getting Back

Matthew

"Hey, wake up." I hear Chase say softly as he gently shakes my shoulder.

I open one eye to see him smile at me, glancing at the road and back at me occasionally.

"Switch?" I ask.

He nods his head, "We're only an hour away."

The drive from Castlin, Ohio to New York City, New York is nearly 10 hours long.

Chase and I decided we should switch off every two hours or so, but I must have slept for nearly half of it.

"Why didn't you wake me up sooner?"

"Because you're beautiful when you sleep."

"I don't know if that's a compliment or just creepy." I say, laughing.

Chase just gives me a quick wink before diverting his eyes back to the road.

"Okay pull over, I'm driving the rest of the way."

"Wow, one hour really does a lot of good!" Chase says sarcastically.

"Who's fault is that?" I say, giving him a gentle push.

He pulls over and we both get out to switch seats. I pass him as we make our way around the car, when I feel a jolt on my arm. I quickly get pulled back and fall into him as he kisses me.

All I hear is cars passing, it's the only thing that pulls me back to reality, letting me know that time is still moving. Second by second.

He lets me go and we continue moving. Almost as soon as he lays his head down he's out.

I start the car and merge back onto the highway, it's kind of exciting to be out of Castlin, out of Ohio even.

I drive until the sun goes down.

.....

"Chase," I say, he slowly opens his eyes and gives me a sleepy grin. "I think we're here."

He sits up and looks out the window. It's dark, but the city is still bustling with noise and people, even on this side street.

"Yep, this is it. Candice Fern, welcome to my home." He says, still with a sleepy tone in his voice.

Chase gets out of the car and runs up to the door to knock on it while I plug the meter.

"Oh my goodness! Chasey, honey!" I hear an older ladies voice screech.

I turn around to see Chase's Grandmother consume him in a bear hug.

"And who is this? Candy is it?" His Grandmother asks before turning around and screaming into the apartment, "Matthew dear! Come say hi!"

"Uhm Grams, it's Candice." Chase says, correcting her while giving me an apologetic smile.

I look behind Chase to see, whom I'm assuming to be Matthew, he looks like Chase only older by maybe a year or two. His features are a little harder and certain things like his nose are slightly different than Chase's but other than that, they could almost be twins.

"I like Candy better." Matthew says, giving me a toothy smile, another thing that differs from Chase.

"Oh I do too!" Chase's grandma says, all smiles.

Chase pops the trunk and starts to pick up bags. When I reach in for mine, a hand stops me.

"I've got it." I turn around to see Matthew.

I put my hands up, as if to surrender from carrying the darn thing.

Chase looks back and gives me a quick smile before turning around again.

"By the way," Matthew says, diverting my attention. "I'm Matthew, Chase's cousin."

I smile and nod before continuing in through the door.