Sparks (TheCampingRusher Short Story)

Chapter 3

-Larry's POV

3 weeks later

I find the strength to get up and try to begin my day. The digital clock reads 1:56 PM, it's a Saturday though. Which means I haven't missed anything important.

I have the house to myself for yet another weekend. My parents seem to take "business trips" more and more often these days, but I know what these trips consist of. An expensive hotel one or two provinces away- sometimes even in America, if they really want to get away. Fancy dinners and vintage of the finest assortment; and three whole days without me.

I head to the bathroom down the hall and turn on the faucet. As the water warms up I brush my teeth and strip.

Any other day I would be rushing through my morning routine in an attempt to avoid both of my parents, but not today. Their presence is lacking so I let the hot droplets hit my shoulders and slide down my back as I mentally set up my day.

After several minutes the under shower head I come back to reality and shut off the water. I wrap myself in a towel and walk back to my room. A frown rests on my face as I notice the disastrous manner in which it stands. I make a mental note to clean it up when I get back, but I know I won't do it.

I walk over to my closet and pick out a simple outfit. I'm not trying to impress anyone. Some black skinny jeans, a blue Unicorn Ranch t-shirt, and some black converse that I've had forever.

By this time my short brown hair is pretty dry, so I just grab my towel and wring it out one last time. Grabbing my bag and car keys, I head downstairs.

I scan the kitchen cabinets in hopes of finding at least a granola bar to somewhat fill me up. No such luck. I groan and walk out of the house, making sure I lock the door before I leave.

As usual, my Jeep sits in the driveway undisturbed. I walk over to it and throw my bag in the passenger seat as I slide into the other side.

I'm about to pull out of the driveway, when I get a text. It's from Brayden.

Brayden TCR: We're out to get some lunch, then back to my house to record. Wanna come?

Brayden and I have become pretty good friends since that first day. We talk pretty much every day, and hang out pretty often too- with Ryan and Mitch of course.

I unlock my phone and respond quickly.

You: Sure, where are we eating though?

Brayden TCR: PIZZA PLACE! The one by my house though, we'll come get you.

I sigh, realizing that I don't have to drive, and respond back with a very simple "okay".

I pull the key out of the ignition and go back inside to get my laptop. Once i have everything I need to record (microphone, mouse, etc) I go back outside and wait for them on my front step.

After some time I see Ryan's van turn the corner and I get up. Mitch and Ryan wave hello and look at Brayden with a weird face. I ignore it and hop in the back next to him. He smiles his crooked smile and I suddenly feel the blood rush to my face.

- Brayden's POV

All four of us were sitting in my room. Mitch was on the floor in a far corner of the space, I was in my usual spot, and Ryan and Larry were on my bed watching a "funny YouTube video".

We had been here for an hour after deciding to get carry out on the pizza and we hadn't done any actual recording. I was sitting in my chair editing when I heard Ryan say:

"So are you guys ready for PAX?" I looked up at Larry who was the first to respond.

"I'm all packed up, but I think I lost my carry on." She says with an embarrassed look on her face.

I chuckle lightly to myself, before it hits me. I mean, it literally hits me. The plushy material of my pillow slaps my face mid laugh and I turn to face the direction in which it came from.

I see Mitch and Ryan both on the floor laughing hysterically and a very smug looking Larry kneeling proudly on my bed.

"Do you find amusement in my misfortune, Mr. Brayden?" she says raising an eyebrow at me in question.

I barely manage to dodge the next pillow before she throws the third and final one. At this point Mitch and Ryan are back on their feet both holding throw pillows and ready to attack.

"You better answer the question, Brayden" they both say in unison. I'm too busy watching them and I don't notice Larry inching her way closer until it's too late. She jumps on me but, I lose my balance and topple to the ground taking her with me. We fall with a very audible thud, me on top with her struggling under my weight.

"You're fat! Get off, I can't breathe! I'm going to die. Help, guys!" she says looking to Mitch and Ryan who, by now, are way past hysterical and on their way to full blown berserk.

I can feel her small fists as they pound against my chest, not hard enough to hurt but hard enough to leave a couple of bruises if she went on long enough. I look back down to her, making sure to hold eye contact as I lean in to kiss her.