« hometown »

8

As we entered the motorway, I stared out the window, admiring the view. The trees were swaying softly in the wind that whistled through the car, and the clouds moved quickly above us.

"Pretty isn't it?" Josh asked, smiling.

I nodded. "It's peaceful. Calm."

"That's one of the reasons why I like driving around a lot. Ohio is amazing for pictures and just to take in the view. No matter how many times I drive this road, I'll never get sick of what's out my window."

I smiled.

"You seem nervous," Josh said, looking over to me. "Everything alright?"

"Yeah, I think so," I replied. "It's a little overwhelming. The whole situation."

Josh nodded understandingly, as we turned into a different lane, the car indicators clicking.

"Can I ask a question?" I asked.

"Hit me." Josh turned his head to me for a brief second.

"Do you know what happened to my dad?"

"Well, I called up the police to report what happened with you, and they said they were investigating the incident. Not sure what else happened, but I should find out soon."

"I hope he goes to jail," I spat angrily. "Join my mum, both of them can rot in their jail cells for all I care. I have better people around me now."

Josh smiled widely. "Don't you forget it."

I let out a light chuckle. "So, do you have any idea as to where exactly we're going?"

"Dublin — just out of Columbus. They have a centre there where you can get all the paperwork sorted." Josh looked out his window before turning off the motorway.

"Then where?"

"I'm planning on going to take you to meet my family, then if we decided to stay the night I'll probably just quickly go back to Tyler's and get your things."

"Alrighty."

It seemed like there was only a couple of seconds before Josh began to speak again.

"Now, it's my turn to ask a question." He asked.

"Hit me." I mocked.

"You alright with Tyler?"

I looked away. "You won't get mad."

"Why would I?"

I shrugged. "He's done nothing wrong to start with. But he just scares me. I couldn't tell you why, but he just does. It's getting better though. When we sat down and had that chat yesterday, I wasn't scared of him. Whether that's because I was next to you and Jenna, I don't know, but I wasn't. Then when everything happened last night, he was the first one in there. Even though he scared me a lot when he first came in, he offered his hand and I took it. At the time I understood he wasn't going to do anything."

"He didn't go back to sleep until you fell asleep with me on the couch. He was so worried Aria. He told me how much it scared him to watch you just collapse into my arms, and I can tell you it terrified me too. You were so limp, so feeble, I thought you were unconscious." Josh said, concern lacing his voice.

"Sorry." I scratched the back of my neck.

"No, don't apologise. It wasn't your fault. I'm just glad you're okay."