The Story So Far

19. Lakeside Love Story

"You and your cousins go to an awful lot of adventures," we sat on the carpet with packets of food surrounding us. The sunlight and tree branches looked down on us from the glass ceiling, Christmas lights were decorated around the room, eluminating the whole place.

Travis went to the closet, taking out quilt and throw pillows. He set them down on the carpet, making the already cozy place, more cozy. He moved towards the fireplace, lighting it open, making the chilly room rise up a few degress, "I don't like it at home much."

"Why?" I took a hold of a strawberry, dipped it into condenced milk then popped it into my mouth.

He moved back to sit infront of me, crossing his legs, "When I'm at home I just turn on my XBOX or my computer and play."

"Yeah, but," I took a handful of blueberries, chewing on them one by one, "you go boxing, tennis, swimming and what not. That shouldn't be boring, yeah?"

"It's not," he smiled, opening the pack of Cheetos, "because it's not at home."

I stretched my legs in front of me, "Why don't you like at home so much?"

He sighed, taking a bite out of a Cheeto, "My parents have been fighting a lot lately," he took a swig of his Mountain Dew, "it's getting on my nerves, all the shouting," he shook his head.

I took the Mountain Dew from him, taking a sip, "Oh."

Travis looked up at me, "I think that they're thinking of getting divorced."

I fell silet. Divorce? ,I thought. The last time I was at the Bayarrd's they looked fine, the looked happy. What happened?

He moved over to my side, slinging his arm around my shoulder. I looked up at him, "I'm sorry."

Travis looked taken aback, then laughed, "Sorry? Why?"

I shrugged, taking another sip of his soda, "I guess that's what people say when they sympathize."

"I think it's ridiculous," Travis intervened, "I mean, it's not like it was their fault. Why would they apologize?"

I stared at him, "You have a point."

He smiled down at me, taking another bite of his Cheetos, "We won't be like them."

The defeaning silence ellapsed. Both of us just cuddled up with the blankets, the pillow and the packets of food surrounding us. I never thought that Veronica and Edmund Bayarrd were so unhappy, everything about their home was cheerful--well, as they say, looks can be deceiving. The atmosphere between me and Travis was heavy, after the conversation. 

I looked around the packets of food. Spotting an M&M packet, I scooped it off and sat across from Travis, a smile plastered on my face, "Let's play catch." I opened the package, placing some of the chocolate into my hands. I looked back at Travis who was looking at me my every move, "Ready?"

He nodded, opening his mouth in obedience. I threw a blue M&M, watching it hit his nose and bouncing to the ground. I threw another and another and another, and every single one of them bounced off, "This game is call Catch for a reason, you know."

Travis cracked up, "Why don't you try it?" He took the pack from me and positioned his aim. I opened my mouth in anticipation, waiting for him to throw the chocolate candy. As he threw a red M&M, I moved back to catch it with my tongue; the sugary coating hit my taste buds. I swallowed then looked at Trav, "See?"

He chuckled, "Alriiiight."

A knock resounded at the door. We both looked up as Maryse bobbed her head inside, "Hey. I thought you guys were hooking up so I knocked first."