Dear Insanity... I messed up again.

CHAPTER 7

I shoved open the door and sulked up to the counter. “Can I get a number four, medium, with a vanilla shake please?” I asked. The clerk rang in my order, and then looked up at me. His eyes grew wide. I raised an eyebrow. “Can I help you put your tongue back in your mouth, boy?”

          He nervously shook his head no. He took the rest of our order and Gage paid, naturally. Ivy and I checked our orders and walked out, laughing together. We could hear the boys rough housing behind us. As irritated as I was with admitting it, Ivy was right. They really did care. They all did. However, that didn’t mean I was ready to let Gage know he was right about me. I jumped into the van and slunk down into the seat, pouting. Gage started the van, and soon we were on the road officially.

          I opened my bag and pulled out some fries, munching quietly, still sunk into the bottom of the seat. I didn’t realize just how hungry I was. I pulled out another and before I knew it, I was out of fries. I looked over to see Gage eating his large container of fries lazily, with one hand on the wheel. An evil grin crept onto my face. My hand inched toward his fry box.

          “Don’t even THINK about it, Alexandria.” He scowled playfully.   “AWWWW drat.” Sitting back up, I pouted cutely.

          “Stop that!” he started whining. “You know I HATE it when you do that shit!” He grimaced, handing over his fries.

          “Yes! Triumphant again!” I yelled happily. I wiggled in my seat.

          “Teach me your ways?” Luke asked from the back seat.

          “Not a chance, lover boy!” I retorted, grinning. I munched, content. I looked back at Ivy to see her slumped over asleep on Jesse, who was staring out the window, his arm around her slender frame lightly.

          Ivy had a weird connection with Jesse. They both came from terrible homes, and they silently communicated with one another. They just clicked from the moment they met each other. No one else really knew Jesse like Ivy did. Even though Ivy and I were best friends, I think Jesse knew her better. He knew what happened behind her eyes, behind her bubbly personality. He’d been where she was now, and rather than question or fight for her, he just held her, arms wrapped tightly around her. He was exactly what she needed. Part of me was jealous. I wanted to be that person for my best friend, but my stubborn attitude got in the way.

          I sulked, sinking back into my seat, scowling. The sun was setting now and we were well into Utah.

          “I thought Colorado was too hot for my liking.” I grumbled.

          “It isn’t too bad, Little Lion.” Gage smiled at me. “After all, before too long you’ll be seeing the ocean!” I smiled at the thought. It had been several years before I had seen the ocean. My mind drifted out over the surf in my mind, and I drifted into a dreamless sleep.

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Ivy’s POV                          

          I woke up and my back and neck were stiff. I stretched then realized that I had accidently fallen asleep on Jesse.

          “Sorry Jesse.” I sat up, yawning.

          He smiled at me warmly. “It’s okay. Do you feel a bit better?” I nodded, grinning. I looked up at Alex.

          “Where are we?” I asked groggily.

          “Nevada.” Gage answered quietly, trying not to wake a peacefully sleeping Alex. Luke was slumped against the window, snoring.

          “Need me to drive?” Jesse asked.

          “Nope, I’m good for now. But the next place I see that has warm food, I’m stopping. I’m starving!” He chuckled.

          Alex stirred a bit, then flipped onto her other shoulder. Suddenly her eyes popped open.

          “LUCAS! HOW CAN ANYONE GET SOME SLEEP IF YOU’RE SNORING LIKE A CONGESTED OGRE?!” His eyes sprang open.

          “SAME WAY I CAN WHEN I HAVE A SIREN SCREAMING IN MY FACE!” He stuck his tongue out. “Go play in traffic or something.” He grumbled.  

          “Jesus. You two can’t even SLEEP without fighting?” Gage sighed.

          “NO.” They answered at the same time.