A Drop in the Ocean (Spending Seasons #1)

Chapter 2

A Drop in the Ocean

Two (Day 1) - RYN

"Wake me up!

Wake me up ins—

Can't wake up

Wake me up ins—

Saaaave meeeee!!!"

The loud, out of key singing of my friends interrupted me from reading a page from the novel further. They were singing the chorus all at once and each one of them was trying to sing the two vocalists' lines at the same time. I pursed my lips to keep myself from laughing at the ridiculousness of my friends.

"Come on, Ryn! Stop reading and sing along with us," urged Audrey who is sitting beside French on the backseat. The two girls were cramped with Dino and Errol while Mitch drives leaving me riding shotgun.

Indie and Jupiter are trailing behind us with most of our bags since Audrey decided that a week-long vacation makes it necessary for her to bring seven bags. Nobody had the energy to argue with her at that time so we just decided to let it go and brought two cars.

Heck, I was still in a daze. I can't believe my parents allowed me to come!

"You shouldn't read while in the car, Ryn. It's bad for your eyes," Indie scolded – ever the mother hen – her stern voice carried by the phone attached on the dashboard of the car.

"Yes mom," I replied, earning giggles and sniggers from my friends.

"I can hear you guys!" said Indie, which made my friends laugh even harder. I can already imagine Indie crossing her arms with a pout inside the other car. "I'm just saying, you'll be taking over the driving after our next bathroom break until we get to the beach house. You don't want to tire your eyes."

"Kids, listen to your mom," we heard Jupiter, Indie's boyfriend, say on the phone followed by a faint whack and an "Ow!"

"Fine. Be that way. I don't care if you guys die if Ryn decided to fall asleep while driving!" Indie shouted on the phone which earned another loud round of laughter from us.

"Sorry, Indigo. I swear I'm not reading anymore," I told her, closing the book and rubbing my eyes. Mitch decided to crank up the volume after that, the intro of Simple Plan's Jet Lag drowning out Indie's reply.

"OHHHHHH! WOAH OHHHH!!!" Errol started. "So jet lagged!"

@_@

I have never felt so happy to see the four words so much. The words "Welcome to Compass Island" greeted me from the driver seat, my friends all asleep after the almost-eight hour drive.

I glanced at the rear view mirror and saw Errol sleeping in the middle with his mouth open, drool falling down to his chin. On his left is Dino - softly snoring - with a travel pillow around his neck and on his right is Audrey, who has her head on Mitch's shoulders. I still had a moment of confusion when I saw the two, who looked very much alike that the group decided to call them twins.

It took my will and conscience not to turn up the stereo to the loudest volume as a punishment for my friends for sleeping, leaving me alone to drive without anybody to talk to. I should have never agreed to drive them here. Granted, they drove because of my fear of flying...

However, I'm not that evil. I understand that since we left before dawn, everybody would be sleepy. I'm just happy that we're so near the destination.