A Scenic Connection (BoyxBoy)

CHAPTER THIRTY

We stopped at April's house first since she lived the closest to Zaiden. We wished her goodbye and she said the same before getting out of the car. Zaiden got out to help her with her things and he walked her inside. We all waited in the car. 

The next stop was Paisley's, and I got out so that she could climb out easier. 

"I'm so glad to have met you guys," Paisley said as she stood there with her bag. 

"Likewise!" I told her. 

"Here, give me your number so that we can stay in touch," Hadley said, handing her phone to me so that I could give it to Paisley. 

"You have to keep in touch too Griffin," Paisley said with a smile. 

"Of course I will," I said softly. "I'll get your number from Hadley." She grinned and gave me a quick hug. 

"Go get him!" She whispered quietly in my ear, pulling back and winking at me. Then she reached in the car and gave Hadley a hug. I tried to maintain a stoic expression so that nobody else would think anything. "Bye guys!" She said, giving us a small wave as I climbed back in the car and Zaiden backed out of the driveway and drove off down the street. We shouted our goodbyes out the window, Tyce and I were sticking our arms out and waving at her as we disappeared around the corner. 

Hadley was the next to be dropped off, and she mostly avoided eye contact with me as she climbed out and I helped her get her things. 

"Hey," I said, grabbing her arm as she tried to leave without saying anything. "I'm sorry. I just. I'm not very good at this. Don't hate me," I told her, looking down as I said the last bit. 

"I don't hate you Grif. Just...I hope you figure things out okay? Don't shut me out," she replied, giving me a small hug which I accepted. 

"I won't," I told her. She flashed a small grin before hurrying off to the front steps of her house. 

"Bye!" She waved as I climbed back in and we headed off. 

I looked over at Tyce, who was watching out the window a little while after we dropped Hadley off. I took in every detail of him that I could, mentally taking a snapshot so that I wouldn't forget anything now that I wouldn't be seeing him every day. Hopefully we'd see each other again soon though.

When we pulled up at my house, I felt a twinge of sadness, but I quickly brushed it aside as I sat there for a moment. 

"Well, this is my stop,"  I told Tyce as he turned to look at me. 

"Your family has a nice place," he observed, looking past me at my house through the window. 

"Thanks," I told him as I reached for the door handle and stepped out of the car. I walked around to the back. 

"Need any help?" Tyce asked me as he opened his door and stepped out onto the driveway. The sun was shining brightly and it was super hot now that it was early afternoon. I shook my head.

"Nah I can get it," I said as he stood next to me. Zaiden looked between the two of us, clearing his throat. I slung my bag over my shoulder. "Well, um. It was fun Zaiden. If you're ever free to hang out, we should do it," I said. 

"Yeah for sure," Zaiden said. "You ready?" He asked Tyce, who nodded in return. I rubbed the back of my neck nervously. 

"Thanks for being my camping roommate," I told Tyce, chuckling nervously. He did the same.

"Anytime. I'm glad I got to meet you," he said. 

"Same here. Text me...I mean if you want," I stammered, causing Tyce to grin.