Long Way Home

Chapter 10

We drove.

And drove.

We drove for so long, so far, it didn't feel real anymore.

Outside of the car, everything seemed faded and dull.

Inside the car, everything was clear.

The smells, the colors, the people.

***

"Are you crying?" I heard a voice from above me.

"No. God no." I said.

A boy stared down at me, wavy black hair that went into his eyes, and blue/ gray eyes.

"Are you sure?" He was my age, 12.

I nodded. "I'm, I'm fine. Really." I lied, gritting my teeth.

"Well I'm Nick." He smirked. "And your lying."

(Later)

"Ash! I'm home!" I shouted, dropping my bag on the floor.

I skipped into Ashton's room, jumping onto his bed with him.

"Guess what?" I said, rocking back and forth.

"You got an A+ on your test?"

"Ugh, I got a A. But...I GOT A FRIEND!"

He laughed. "Cool Avery. Really cool."

I smiled proudly. "His name is Jason."

Ashton's smile fell. "A boy?"

I nodded, not as eagerly as before.

"Oh. Cool." He went back to reading, signaling we were done talking for now.

I felt a surge of disappointment.

I just wanted to make Ashton proud of me.

***

I guess I didn't try hard enough.

I didn't make him proud.

And I couldn't make him stay.