Phoenix

Chapter 21

Road Trip

Essence's POV
A few hours ago, we had made it back to TRAA. It was kinda sad leaving this early seeing as we had one more week of spring break, but during this time, tickets sold out hella fast. It was either we come back one week early or one week late.

Once we landed, I received a text from Phoenix as he apologized for not being able to pick us up. His father had went back home the same day we did, and left Phoenix in charge of the academy. He was to come back today and it was Phoenix's turn to head home.
As his father was currently off, the young Roosevelt had to attend a meeting early this morning that is why he wasn't able to meet us at the airport. Instead he called us a cab, saying he'd see me later.

I was currently walking through the deserted halls, making my way to Phoenix's room in the boys dormitories. This was the first time I had been here. I couldn't help but snort at the state the building was in. Despite the fact that the halls were cleaned, each door was either covered in dick drawings, graffitis, or written on. I noticed they didn't have rugs like we did, and furniture was dispersed along the corridors. I finally reached the last door at the end of the hall on the last floor. Room 816 Phoenix had texted me. I knock on the door once slowly followed by three consecutive quick knocks. This was our way to tell each other that it was me or him at the door.

_ "Hey P- Ian?" My greeting was cut short once my brother opened the door.

_ "Essence? What are you doing here?" My brother opened the door wider. I looked over his shoulder to see Phoenix sitting on the floor guitar in hand as he looked to nowhere in particular with wide eyes.

_ "I actually wanted t-"

_ "Hey Essence!" Phoenix butted in, pushing my brother out of the way. He looked kind of flustered as he grinned weirdly at us both. "Ian can you give us a minute." He spoke through clenched teeth motioning to Ian with his eyes. My brother looked at him rather confused and skeptical, then glanced my way and I shrugged, equally as confused. He simply turned around and entered the room, pushing Phoenix out before shutting the door behind him.

I fold my arms across my chest and stare at the dumb goldfish in-front of me with a neutral expression.

_ "Mind telling me why you didn't bother inform me earlier that you and my brother share a room?" I raise an eyebrow at him.

_ "It never came up." He shrugged, finally snapping out of his weird reaction.

_ "Soooo..." I waited for him to elaborate on why he asked me to meet up. Here.

_ "Right, uhm..." his hand shot up to his neck like it usually did when he was nervous. But once he saw that my eyes followed his move, he quickly recovered and straightened his posture. The intimidating silent guy that I saw in meeting rooms or walking down the halls was back. "As you know my dad's coming back today and I'm heading home." He began. "I was wondering if you'd like to go on a road trip with me."

_ "As in... go home with you? Meet your family?" My eyes widened. He nodded. "But aren't you staying there for the week? How am I supposed to come back?" I query.

_ "You'll just drive with my father." He simply stated. "Come on it'll be fun to go on a little road trip. We'll get to see each other for a bit. Besides it's not even that far, only a two hour drive away, you have nothing to worry about." He explained further once he noticed my unease. I look up at him, his caramel orbs darting between mine as he shot me puppy dog eyes.

_ "Stop looking at me like that!" I hiss, but he nonetheless continued staring at me through pleading eyes.

_ "Please?" My mouth felt dry for a second, as my mind raced with a thousand thoughts. He wanted me to meet his family?
As his hopeful face fell, I grunted in surrender:
"I hate your adorable ass."