The Summer to Remember

Destination - Chicago, Illinois

Ian:

Those days in the Black Hills may have just been the best days of my life.

Everything was so cool. Well, I mean, technically, things were really hot, but the scenery was amazing. A million times better than I ever imagined it. Mount Rushmore was stunning, Crazy Horse was phenominal, Jewel Cave was absolutely beautiful, Devil's Tower was amazing... and the Badlands. The waterfall. Our oasis.

God, I really thought we were going to kiss.

Actually, if we would have stayed that way just a second longer, I probably would have. But, like they always say, the anticipation to the actual kiss is better than the kiss itself. But, I guess I waited too long, because we didn't even get to experience the kiss. And I was really mad at myself for it, because it would have been my dream first kiss. Under a waterfall in the coolest place in the world, after we just had the cutest little splash fight ever; what could beat it?

But, as devistated as I was that we didn't actually kiss, the whole situation still gave me a great sense of hope. I mean, the way he was looking at me, it really looked as though he wanted to kiss me back. What if he did? But then, why didn't he? Was he embarrassed, or just plain scared? Or maybe he didn't want to kiss me. Most likely the latter.

But, who knows?

*

No offense to anyone living in Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Iowa, but those states have literally nothing to do. Nothing. So, we were simply driving through them, a whole sixteen hours to Chicago. I think this was our longest driving time, and it really sucked, but oh well. Chicago would be worth it.

I was driving right now, Anthony playing on his phone next to me. After the whole Badlands situation, things were a little awkward for a while. But, that feeling quickly vanished, and things were basically back to normal now. Except, for me, at least, the memory would never disappear. It would eat at me forever, until it finally had nothing left to eat and I'm forced to tell him the truth.

It was currently two in the morning, and I was exhausted. We were gonna try to make it through the night, since we would get there around 5:30. But I was about to fall asleep on the wheel, and that would not end well. Anthony was obviously dozing off too, considering his eyelids were almost completely covering his eyes. He said he would stay up with me all night just to be safe, and so I would have someone to talk to and keep me conscious. But, not a word has been spoken for at least an hour, because we were both too tired to even open our mouths.

I shook my head a little and opened my eyes really wide, trying to shake away the sleep. It worked for a few seconds, but soon enough, I found the car gradually gliding off the road with my sense of consciousness.

"Jesus Christ, trying to kill us?!" Anthony sleepily yelled, his sleepy eyes shooting over to me.

"Yeah, 'cause you totally weren't just falling asleep too," I shot back, yawning.

"Whatever. Fuck it, we're stopping."

So, I was able to make it to the next exit, where I pulled into the first thing I saw, which just happened to be a completely empty McDonald's. I lazily pulled into a spot and turned the car off, then climbed into the back and on top of our little "bed" of blankets and pillows.

"No way in hell you're taking up the whole spot," Anthony said, climbing next to me.

I stared at him, not really knowing what to say. I wasn't expecting him to sleep back here with me. Consdering how hesitant he was to share a bed almost twice the size of this in Vegas, I thought he would rather just sleep in the front.

He laid down, his back facing me, and didn't say another word. I laid down also, my back pressed against his because there was no other place for it. We were really scrunched together, and it was great.

I felt his back move slower and slower, until it slowed into a nice, relaxing rhythm. I was half-tempted to roll over and put my arms around him, basically spooning him. But I stopped myself, deciding that would be much too inappropriate.

But, if he didn't want me to, why was he back here? Maybe he was just too tired to think straight, or care for that matter. Most likely, he just felt comfortable around me. Yeah, that was probably it. I mean, why was I making such a big deal out of this? We have been best friends for ever. It's totally normal for best friends to share a bed every once and a while. It was no big deal.

But, still, I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep for a while with him right next to me.

A/N: Three cheers for filler chapters what what :-) So I know this is in my bio and whatever, but it's kinda hard to talk on here and all that, so if you wanna know me better, follow me on twitter - gracetheninja, and on instagram - littlemisspadicox, and we can chat it up a little :D Alrighty! See ya latah c: