The Meaning

4.2: Long Road Ahead

It's Friday. Cain didn't go to school. He felt like shit, so he stayed in his room and thought about his life, his decisions, his view of the world. He wants to make a change, but something keeps him from doing that. 

The day goes by quick. It's almost 6PM.  He packed some of his stuff. He heads down to the entrance of the school grounds. He's walking down the hallway and he hears his name being shouted. He turns around and sees Mickey quickly walking towards him. 
Mickey: *panting* Hey. 
Cain: Hey, what's up? 
Mickey: Not much. Did you go to the hospital?
Cain: Yeah.
Mickey: How is she? 
Cain: She'll be fine.
Mickey: Good to hear. You weren't in school the last two days plus  you look like you went through the mill, everything okay? 
Cain: Yeah, I'm fine as always. I think I might be coming down with something. *fake cough*
Mickey: I see. Are you going home? 
Cain: Yeah, I want to spend time with my family. You? 
Mickey: If I can get a plane ticket back to Scotland, then I'll go home.
Cain: Well I hope you do.
Mickey: Yeah. I won't keep you any longer. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in advance.
Cain: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you too.
Cain starts walking away. Mickey starts shouting after him.
Mickey: I'll be waiting for my present.
Cain shouts back
Cain: I'll get you bone extensions so you can experience being tall.

It's 6:04 PM, he's waiting for Monica to turn up. It starts snowing. Paul walks by. 
Paul: Happy Holidays Cain!
Cain: Happy Holidays Paul!
Monica arrives and stops at the pavement, Cain gets in the car.
Cain: Hey Monic.
Monica: You haven't used that nickname since you were 13. 
Cain: Yeah well you got distant with us.
Monica: *sighs* I know. But I had to make a life for myself.
Cain: I assume you succeeded.
Monica: Yeah, I kind of did. *she stops for a minute* Buckle up, we have a long road ahead.
Monica starts the car and they begin their journey home.

They've been going for about an hour. Cain is staring out the window and listening to music. He's watching the winter landscape. He always loved how everything looked in winter. Just simple blinding white snow. He always got frustrated when someone ruined a beautiful, untouched area of snow.
He can't help but think about Bailey. He's not actually sure about what he feels. Is it love? Maybe, but he never felt what it's like. His mind is all over the place, can't really think straight. He'll have to sort everything out after he gets back from the break.

Another hour has passed. They haven't been talking.
(I thought she was going to talk all journey, but fortunately I was wrong.)
Monica: So, how's school?
(Are you fucking serious? Can she hear my thoughts?)
Cain: Quite well I would say. 
Monica: What kind of work do you want to do?
Cain: I'm probably going to become a teacher. (That's a bloody long shot)
Monica: Interesting choice. Have you told mum and dad? 
Cain: Yeah. You know how they are. Supportive as always. What have you been doing? 
Monica: You know still working in the same office job. 
Cain: You still haven't quit? 
Monica: I was about to. Then... something fucked up my plans.
Cain: Oh, what did? 
Monica: A relationship ended.
Cain: You were in a relationship? 
Monica: I have been quite secretive, haven't I? 
Cain: Not just secretive. I made a promise to mum and dad that I will never ask about why you practically ran away. But I'm way too curious.
Monica just stares ahead, without reacting. 
Cain: Yeah, just don't answer that's cool too.
Monica: You wouldn't get it.
Cain: Try me. You haven't murdered someone I hope.
Monica chuckles.
Cain: So?
Cain stares eagerly waiting for an answer. Monica looks at him.
Cain: Come on, you left the family because of it. Hurt mum and dad.
Monica: But not you? 
Cain: I was fine with it. Never really understood why you did it, hence why I'm asking now.
Monica: Okay. I'll tell you. But don't tell mum and dad. 
Cain mimicks zipping his mouth.
Monica: You were always such a goof.
Both chuckle.
Monica: When I was 15, you know I had a fling with a boy. 
Cain: Yeah..?
Monica: When I was dating him I realised something...
Monica stops
Cain: What was it? You know I hate cliffhangers.
Monica: That I'm more interested in girls.
Cain: Oh, okay.
Monica looks at Cain worryingly.
Cain: Why are you looking at me like that?
Monica: You're fine with it?
Cain: Yeah, why wouldn't I be?
Monica: Well that was a bit anticlimactic.
Cain: How did you think I was gonna react? Did you think I'm going to trick you into leaving the car then leave you in the middle of nowhere?
Monica: No, I just... always thought that you and our parents won't really get it.
Cain: So that's why you left the house?
Monica: I was scared about what mom and dad was gonna say.
Cain: They would've been completely fine with it. You should tell them. They think they did something wrong.
Monica: Maybe I will. Why did you think I was leaving for?
Cain: I thought you were jealous of me for some reason.
Monica: I never was. We are weird siblings but better than a lot of siblings are. 
Cain: True that. So how long have you been in a relationship with that girl you broke up with?
Monica: She broke up before our 2 year anniversary. 
Cain: That's fucked. Sorry to hear that. What was her name?
Monica: April. April Spring.
Cain: Are you okay? 
Monica: Yeah, I'll be fine, don't worry.  Have you had a relationship yet?
Cain forgot about Bailey because of this discussion. But he suddenly remembered.
Cain: No.
Monica: No girl who can win over your heart? 
Cain: Yeah *sighs* I suppose.
Monica: It will happen, don't stress over it.
Cain: I might sleep if you don't mind.
Monica: Sure, go ahead. I have a travel pillow in the back I think. 
Cain searches the backseat and finds the travel pillow.
Cain: Nice! Thanks!
Monica: No worries!

He puts the pillow around his neck and gets into a comfortable position, then closes his eyes. He's happy they finally settled this. They got closer a bit which needed to happen. He yawns then falls asleep.

Monica wakes him up. He opens his eyes and starts stretching.
Monica: We're here, Coop.
Cain: Is that my new nickname? 
Monica: Sure. 
Cain: *nods in agreement* I like it. 
They both smile. They get out of the car. Their house is a 2 storey building, more on the richer side. But it's not overdecorated or anything. It's simple. It has a massive driveway with a huge gate which can be opened from the inside of the house, or with a remote. They ring the doorbell. The parents look out the window and they see their 2 kids waving at them. They open the gate Monica parks the car in the driveway. As she stops the engine, their mum and dad come out of the house to greet them.
Mum: Hey my little Cain is home! 
Cain: Indeed I am. You look great mum!
They share a long hug
Dad: Still no beard, eh? 
Cain: Not yet, no.
Dad: Come here, I missed you!
They hug each other too.

Monica walks up and she recieves the same warm welcome, even though she hurt them. That's why Cain always admired these two people.
Mum: Well let's go inside, I made your favourites for dinner!
Their parents rush in, Cain and Monica slowly start walking in.
Cain: See they still love you as much as me. You can tell them, you don't have to worry about them rejecting you or something. 
Monica: You're right. Thanks Coop!
She goes in. Cain looks up at the sky, it's so clear and full of stars. 
Cain: *whispers* If you hear me up there. I love the both of you too!
Dad: Well are you gonna come in or do you want to go camping? *laughs*
Cain: Oh, God no! 
This might just be what Cain needs right now.