Last One Standing (wattys2017) (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

A New Dawn, A New Day

I slept the entire plane ride home, curled up in a fetal position against Griffin's side.

He managed to keep his body still for more than four hours so he wouldn't stir me awake; unaware that I was in and out for three of the five hours. When I finally forced my eyes open, we were on the ground, more specifically, in Toby's car on our way down the coast. He had one hand on the steering wheel, the other on the clutch as he hummed to whatever song was on the radio softly, fingers tapping rhythmically. Griffin was in front, head bobbing against the window as his heavy breath caused a mist over the cold window. From where I laid in back, I could see his eyes were shut, a serene look on his face.

Toby caught my wandering eyes and grinned, "Well, good afternoon, Sleeping Beauty. Did you get some sleep?"

I sat up slowly, ripping at a ratty seatbelt and strapping it over me.

"Actually, yeah, I did." I whispered, my voice hoarse from all the yelling I'd done last night.

It was a shock, that I had actually got some sleep. The last time I'd slept peacefully was the day before school ended two months ago, even then I had a toss and turn type of night.

"Prince Charming isn't exactly in a talkative mood." Toby shot a distant look in Griffin's direction, "He passed out once we got in the car. I guess you both had a long night."

His observation was the understatement of the century. Griffin and I had spent hours filling out paperwork that wouldn't even be registered and put into the system for two weeks. Do to legal reasons, he was listed as her only guardian and caretaker. They had allowed us back to see Molly again, but this time she was accompanied by the elderly woman and didn't say a word. She kept her head bowed and arms at her sides as she watched the words leave Griff's mouth.

When we had headed back to the hotel for the night, he'd been so stressed it wasn't a surprise that he hardly got sleep. I had rolled back and forth in the bed I shared with Toby all night, every time I'd look over, he'd be sitting up and staring at the ceiling, looking as if he were contemplating his life and his reasons for living it.

"Toby?" I tore my eyes from the window and my mind from my thoughts.

"Hmm?"

"Do you think. . . . do you think I'm going to be okay? With everything changing; you leaving, Lucas gone, and my mom?" my words were strained in fear my voice would crack.

I watched my best friend's green eyes flicker with a variety of emotions in the rear view mirror before he sighed and hit the turn signal.

"I think you're going to be fine, Alex. You're stronger than you give yourself credit for; mentally and physically." he bit the outside of his lip for a moment, "Plus you've still got another litter of brothers and this disgusting, oversized ape to help you through it all."

I saw Griffin twitch, "Glad you think so, Tobias."

Toby and Griffin exchanged a look as my best friend slowed the car to a park in my driveway. They had similar expression; for the first time in over ten years they looked as if there was a possible friendship buried somewhere beneath all the competitive crap they'd been faced with for years.

"I'm hungry." I leaned forward between their seats and looked back and forth between them.

They rolled their eyes in unison, "Of course you are."

*

Lucas showed up an hour after I had finished unpacking my small luggage. He popped into the room with Arrow trailing after, her large tail wagging at the sight of him.