Road Trip (original version)

Chapter 21- Sweet Nightmares

Vanessa

My feet were bare as they patted across the ground on the wet grass. Everything was in slow motion. I was laughing as I ran. I felt a water balloon hit my shoulder, as it burst I could hear my sister shout triumphantly from behind me. I stopped running and looked around. Something wasn't right. I could hear her laughs but she was nowhere in sight.

"Jess? Where are you?" I shook my head. "If your planning on attacking me with more water balloons then prepare for war." I looked around, expecting for her to answer back. Her laugh was heard once again from far away. "You have five seconds to show your face." I crossed my arms, still looking around. "Five..four..three..two.." I let the last second drag along. She usually comes out by then. "One?" I sighed as I got no answer. "Jess you're supposed to be the mature older one." I reminded her. I took a step back and bumped into something. I turned around as quickly as I could. "There you are." I playfully pushed her. The slow motion seemed to be getting slower. She wrapped her arms around me and I hugged her back. The whole situation seemed to change within an instant. It was no longer playful. I felt my emotions change. I felt like I was grieving. "I miss you big sis."

"I'm with you, forever." She pulled back and smiled at me. "Never forget that. I love you."

The first thing I felt when I awoke was Justin's arm around my waist from behind. My heart was beating so fast I couldn't catch my breath. I clutched onto his hand like he was my anchor keeping me afloat. I could feel sweat all over my face and neck. My head was pounding and everything seemed to be on a tilt.

"Ness? What's wrong?" Justin's raspy voice filled my ears and seemed to calm me down a little.

"N-Nothing." I held his hand tighter and intertwined our fingers, pulling his arm until our hands were just under my chin. He traced his thumb on the back of my hand. I could feel my heartbeat slowing. "Just a bad dream."

"Wanna talk about it?" I felt his breath on the back of my neck.

"No, not yet."

"Yet?"

"We aren't that close yet." I explained.

"You don't trust me?" His tone got a little defensive and he stopped tracing my hand.

"Well..it's just not that easy to."

"What's not easy about it?" His voice no longer sounded groggy from sleep, but wide awake.

"Justin my head is pounding, can we talk about this another time please?"

He huffed. "Maybe if you weren't out drinking with that guy your head would feel fine." If it weren't for my need to be comforted right now I would have defended myself, but that would have caused an unnecessary argument. So I just stood quiet and closed my eyes, ready for sleep to take over.

I don't know how to feel about that dream with my sister. I miss her so much..

Maybe it was just the alcohol. When I take medicine I get weird dreams. Maybe if I-

"I'm sorry Ness. I just lose it sometimes." Justin interrupted my thoughts.

"It was nothing. Lets just try to sleep."

--

Alfredo

"Shh don't make any

noises Cassie, we're gonna surprise everyone. Well everyone besides Justin." I shut the door behind Carter's little sister as she took everything in.

"Wow oh my gosh this is so cool! I need to

take pictures! Am I allowed to take pictures and put them on Instagram?" You could see obvious excitement written all over her face.