sunflower ,, sam golbach

ii

I paced my bedroom, rubbing my index finger and thumb along the bottom of my chin. I held my arms close to my body and sighed. My eyes shifted from the top shelf in my closet, to the duffel bag. I grunted uncomfortably and grabbed the journal. It fit in between a pair of pyjamas and daily outfits. I sat on my bed, massaging my temples slowly. The last time I saw Sam he was messing around with some girl in my house, during a party. I stared out the window, the rain hitting the window and making soft clicking noises. I took a deep breath and got off the bed. I decided to head downstairs and spend a little time with Jake and Reggie. Once I got downstairs I noticed Tara sitting in my chair. I pouted, crossing my arms and awkwardly sitting on the couch. Jake looked at me with a raised eyebrow before calling Tara over and letting her sit on his lap. I nodded and bolted towards my chair, almost tipping it over in the process. Tara laughed and I felt my cheeks turn hot.

"Are you okay?" Tara said through a laugh.

I furrowed my eyebrows and nodded slowly. She nodded and looked at Jake, giving him a small kiss. I stuck my tongue out, pointing my index finger to my mouth and made a gagging noise. Jake gave me a look and I rolled my eyes, standing up from my chair and walking into the kitchen. I pulled cheese and mayonnaise out of the fridge to make myself a sandwich. I spread the mayonnaise on the bread and slapped cheese between the two pieces. I was just about to take a bite when Jake came into the kitchen.

"We are going to leave in an hour," he said.

I looked over at him and frowned. We were currently in our house in Wichita, Kansas and had to drive almost three hours to Kansas City where the boys were staying. I took a deep breath and glanced at the time blinking on the stove. 9:26 pm. My lips formed a straight line and I slowly nodded, biting my sandwich and walking back up the stairs. I cleared my throat, finishing the cheese sandwich and shoving a couple feminine products into the bag then zipping it up. I tucked a strand of loose hair behind my ear and dropped the duffel bag on the floor by the door. I face planted into my bed and closed my eyes with a loud groan. I didn't want to stay with Sam, not even if my life depended on it.

Jake called me down around 10:30, saying we were going to leave. I took a deep breath and flung the bag over my shoulder, running down the stairs and almost tripping in the process. Jake caught me at the bottom, a little laugh escaping his lips. I frowned and steadied myself so I didn't fall on top of him. Tara was outside with her pink car, waiting for us. Jakes car was in the garage, so we had to use Tara's. I smiled at her, sitting in the back seat as Jake took the front passenger side. I buckled myself up and tightened the seatbelt before they started moving. My duffel bag was shoved in the small seat beside me, leaving very little room for me to lie down and sleep. I put my head against the door and closed my eyes, using my sweater as a blanket. Tara's air conditioning was always blasting and she had to have it Antarctica temperature. Which I didn't understand. It was a three hour drive to Kansas City, I didn't think I could last that long in the cold. I sighed softly and closed my eyes to take a nap, hoping by the time I woke we'd be in Kansas City. I soon fell into a light sleep.

I woke up still in the car, street lights shining through the window. I wiped a bit of drool from the corner of my mouth and off the side of the door. I took a deep breath and looked around the car. Jake stared back at me through the rearview mirror and started uncontrollably laughing. I blinked, rubbing my eyes tiredly and trying to figure out what he was laughing at.

"You sure you aren't possessed?" Jake asked.

I rolled my eyes, "shut up Jake. You snore louder."

Jake smiles and reached back to gently pat my knee. I flicked his hand and he started laughing again. I mumbled and stared out the window, cranky that he was laughing at me. I hummed softly and watched the sign pass by. We were in Kansas City. I smiled lightly and stared out the window. Tara pulled into a hotel parking lot, parking the car in an open spot and looking back at me. I stumbled out of the car, sighing in defeat as my pants tore from being hooked in the seatbelt. I muttered a few curse words under my breath before I wrapped my sweater around my waist. It wasn't a big tear, thankfully.

Tara came around to help me with my bags, carrying them up to the room as Jake got two room keys. He scurried behind us, handing me one. I put it in the pocket that wasn't torn, then watched Jake open the hotel door. He swung the door open. My eyes darted to the two beds, and then to the open bathroom door. I pushed past my brother and immediately sat down on the bed, but the one closest to the window. Jake looked at me, arching an eyebrow slowly as he then laid the bags by the television. Jake turned the television on to check what channels we had. I wasn't sure how long we would be staying here for. All I knew, is that I wasn't excited to stay with Sam. he picked on me too much.

"Get some sleep Maya," Jake said quietly.

I looked at him and frowned before standing up and heading to my duffel bag. I opened the bag and took a pair of pyjamas to the bathroom with me. I quickly changed, humming a soft tune under my breath. I picked up my dirty clothes and walked back to the room, shoving them back in the bag.

"Night Jake, Night Tara," I mutter.

I crawled into the bed, flinging the covers over my shoulder. I turned to face the window. I watched the rain trickle down the window.