Retributed

Chapter 26

Retributed: Chapter 26

~A Few Days Later~
~Ivanna P.O.V.~

I was in my room with my black duffel bag opened and on the foot of my bed. I searched through my dresser and closet, picking out attire that would come with me on our little trip. Trey brought it up to us last night when he stopped by the house and I was looking extremely forward to this. I don't really remember all that well the last time we as a family did anything outside of Oakland and Dad had a big smile on his face when Trey announced his idea. I just don't know if it's the whole family going or just Mom, Dad, the boys, their girlfriends, Nala and I. Either way, this is a much needed trip to get out of town and away from the troubles that have been coming with the gang.

"Are you almost ready?" Mom's voice rang as she pushed my door open and stood at the doorway eagerly waiting my response. "It's just a week at most and I doubt we'll last that long since the PS4 and XBox aren't coming with us." She continued to say which got me to chuckle as she was hinting at the boys.

"I'm almost done, just want to make sure I have enough stuff. Did you already pack the food and necessities?" I noticed a folded up paper sticking out of her pocket which must be the list but she nodded her head in response. "Are Dad and LJ ready? Please tell me Mercedes isn't coming along too." I've heard their conversations through their FaceTime calls and its so awkward because she's clearly eager for things that LJ is completely oblivious to which doesn't make any sense considering the way our family is.

"No. Oh God no. I hope they break up soon if anything because LJ's not understanding the concept of a girlfriend. I literally looked on his computer in his google searches and he asked 'what to feed your new girlfriend'. I don't understand what's wrong with him and he starting to spend more time in the bathroom." A shake of her head, she genuinely seemed like she was at her wits end and had no idea how to go about the issue that is LJ. "Speak of the devil. LJ you better be packing what you need, we're trying to get everything ready tonight so we can leave early tomorrow."

"I'm packed, shit. I'm gonna head over to Mercedes' house to spend some time with her since you won't let her come with. I'll be back whenever I can get a ride from the cops again." I heard him chime back before he took himself down the stairs. I folded another pair of shorts and stuffed them in my duffel bag with the rest of my clothes.

"I've been telling you to get rid of him for years." I teased lightheartedly. "But since LJ is saying his goodbyes to Mercedes, I was going to go out to dinner with Jonathan soon as I finish." 

"Jonathan?" She questioned as she now stepped inside my room and closed the door. "Things are all good with you and him?"

"Things are good. He's easily become my best friend." A little more than just a best friend but I didn't feel like sharing all that with her as she'd make it all weird. "He even mentioned that we should take our own trip. Fresh out of high school, a little adventure is needed."

"A trip with him? Ivanna, is there something more-"

"Mom. Friends take trips too."

"I know they do but just you and him? I just don't want you falling into the hands of the wrong person and ending up in bad situations that could have been avoided."

"I hear you and it isn't like he and I were planning to leave next week. But it was just an idea since we both want a bit of adventure in our lives." I shrugged, stuffing the last maroon t shirt in my bag and zipping it up. All I needed to do was raid the bathroom for my hygiene things but I can do that tomorrow morning. "So now I'm all done. Gonna get dressed and I'll be back by eleven at the latest." I assured her and she was gonna say something else but instead just nodded and turned around to exit my room.