Eight-O-Eight (8:08)

Chapter Five

This whole week had been so gloomy, especially for Angus. People kept coming up to him after they've heard about his mother. They asked him how he's handling everything, but I can see in his eyes that he doesn't like talking about his mother's death.

Everyday that week, I saw dark circles around Angus's eyes, like he's been crying or not sleeping for days. Every time he walked by Maya and I, or talked to us in lunch, he would always force a smile so that we wouldn't worry. But, of course, it didn't work. I was especially worried about him. I couldn't stop thinking about the time he showed up in my room crying. I've never seen him like that, and I never want to see him like it ever again.

There was another unfortunate and annoying problem that Angus had to deal with: Daniel. Daniel is still mad at Angus for punching him at Maya's party. And, as always, Daniel does not have a heart, so he doesn't care that his mother died. So many times, I've seen Daniel shove Angus against lockers and calling him names, which annoys the heck out of me. I seriously think that Daniel needs to get over the fight. Everyone else seem to forget about it.

Friday was the day of the funeral. That afternoon has so miserable, so gray and depressing. I witnessed no smiles while hearing and telling stories of Mrs. Walker. Just sorrow over the loss of her. I seen so many tears fall from different eyes of many people. I watched Grace sob, not ready to let her mother go, and Angus just standing beside her with his arm around her to keep her steady. There were no tears coming out of his eyes like he ran out of them. His eyes stayed on the coffin as if he was looking at his mother through it. "Mom... Mom please don't leave me." I heard Grace say quietly between sobs as she watched the coffin sink down slowly to the ground. I can't imagine how much their family is going through and thinking that she's gone. Forever gone.

At the end of the funeral, I hugged Chris, Grace, then Angus. I hugged him the longest cause he's the one I care about the most. His hand found mine after we hugged, squeezing it briefly then let go. He didn't say a word to me before he followed his aunt and sister to their car.

I stood there alone under the gray miserable sky as I watched the car drive away from the cemetery. Then not so longer after, I felt a little piece of folded paper inside of my hands. I remembered Angus squeezing it, then I figured he was a passing me a note. When I opened it, it said:

Meet me in front of my house at 9:00 tonight. Bring your car, couple clean clothes, and some money. I'll explain later. -AW

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Fifteen minutes before nine, the meeting time with Angus, I grab the things he told me bring on the note. I'm still confused on what his plan is. Couple clean clothes, I read again. This is sounding more like a road trip. Car, clothes, money. What else could it be?

As I make my way down the stairs with my backpack on, I tell my mom I'm about to head to Maya's house for a sleepover. Unexpectedly, she said yes easily. She is usually the strict, annoying mother that I've been living with my whole life. But tonight, for some reason, she is going easy on me. I give her a big hug, thinking that I am lucky to have a wonderful mother like her. "Love you!" I yell at her before leaving the house.

I drive to Angus's house, where I find him sitting on his door steps with his own backpack sitting in between his legs. As soon as he sees my car coming, he stands up and walks towards the car door. He sits shotgun and says, "Hey."

"What are we doing?" I ask him before saying anything else.

He takes a deep breathe and lets it out before saying, "We're going to find my father," As soon a I heard that, my eyes widens and my jaw drops a little. "who lives in Laughlin, Nevada."

"What?! That's like a five hour drive!"

He nods once. "Yeah, I know. That's why I told you to bring clothes, which I hope you didn't forget. And don't worry. I'll pay for your gas."