I was shook awake by Caspar and I smiled as he pushed his lips to my forehead. It was time to go back home and I was hoping the trip there would be a little better than the trip here. I grabbed all my stuff and my mum and dad pulled into the driveway. Caspar was holding my hand as we walked out of the house. Mum and dad made eye contact with our hands and then looked at me angrily. They walked over and gave Caspar hugs, causing him to pull his hand out of mine.
Dad looked at me and held his fist up. The one that had punched me so many times before. I couldn't help but jump as Caspar grabbed my hand again. Caspar looked at me sadly and we got into the camper van. I was forced out and put in the drivers seat first. I looked in the mirror at Marcus and it looked like he hadn't slept at all. I felt kind of guilty. I ignored his feelings all together and he probably thinks I hate him more than I ever have.
I actually came to like Marcus. Just a little bit. He seems like he's being controlled by Alfie too. I don't think that boy meant it when he apologized to me. All he cares about is maintaining a relationship with Zoe. I kept my eyes on the road until we pulled into a gas station. I climbed out and filled the tank, almost leaving the thing in. Caspar had agreed to drive as I took his seat. It was warm and I couldn't help but, smile.
Zoe looked back at me and I was surprised at how this trip was so quiet. Every single trip I took with them was loud and gave me a headache. This one felt peaceful, like they were my friends. The only sound was the music on the radio, filling the van. Usually Zoe would be having chats with everyone in the car. Right now she was silent. It was actually kind of bugging me. I used to have quiet car rides on the way home from school. I was picked up and brought home early. Zoe still has no clue why.
Maybe a while after we get back I'll tell her. She'll probably cry and give me a hug and then apologize. Zoe always acts like the scrapes I've got in the past last forever. I brusied my arm in the same spot more than once and each time after it's gone to her it's still there. She's always been careful with me. Zoe used to act like I was her little doll. Find my clothes, dress me, put on my socks and shoes. It was as if she knew mum and dad didn't like me and she wanted to replace them.
As we pulled into another gas station my mind seemed to become less cloudy and I felt thmost happiness I'd ever felt on this trip. I felt calm like nothing bad could happen to me. Like I could fall asleep and no one would pull a prank on me. Marcus was now driving and Caspar sat down beside me. I put my head on his shoulder and he wrapped his arm around me. I tensed up at first but, Caspar kissed the top of my head making me feel a certain peace.
We neared closer to Zoe's home and I poked Caspar's cheek.
"What Joe?" he whispered like any noise would break something.
"Will you ask Marcus to turn the radio up and sing with me?" I asked, a yawn escaping my lips.
"Silly, you fell asleep. Zoe's driving now but, I'll still ask. Just her instead of him and of course I'll sing with you. It has been awfully quiet." he mumbled, yelling my request at Zoe. She agreed and the radio seemed to fill in all the silence.
"I had me a boy turned him into a man, showed all the things that he didn't understand! Woah, so I let him!" Caspar and I sang getting everyone else to join in. The rest of the car ride was enjoyable. We pulled up to Zoe's house and we all got out. I followed behind Caspar as we went inside. Nala ran right up to me and began licking my toes.
"Alan!" I groaned, picking her up and looking into her big black eyes.
"She licks toes Joe. It's not a big deal." Zoe laughed, taking Nala from me. Nala licked her face and Zoe smiled.
I walked outside and sat down on the step. Zoe said down beside me.
"Without you Zoe none of this would of ever happened and I'm fine with that." We smiled at eachother as everyone else came out and said goodbye to us. I couldn't wait to play video games with Oli again.
