The Travel Master

BOOK ONE: Chapter Five

Thank you Olivia (stars_give_hope) for editing this chapter!

Love ya

-Chrissy

Chapter Five

When I arrive home, the joyfulness has worn off despite only being a little ways from my house. My headache hurts worse somehow.

I plop onto the couch, I just need a little rest. I close my eyes and take a 'little' rest.

My eye's snap open. Sunlight streams into my bedroom...wait...bedroom? I thought I fell asleep on the couch. I check my clock. 12:00 p.m. My eyes widen as I roll to the ground with a loud bang. I let out a groan and stand up. There's no point going to school now, it's way too late. I sigh, brush my teeth, and pull a sweat shirt on. I then walk slowly down the stairs and sit on the kitchen stool. I busily make myself breakfast. Where is my phone? Oh, it's in my room. I rush to my room and open my silent phone. There are a stack of texts from Brant. I slide them open. Instead of reading them all I call him. He answers after the first ring. "Ivy!"

"Brant?"

"Where are you?"

I sigh. I'm never going to live this down.

"I, well. I mean..."

Then I zone out.

"Hello? Ivy?"

"Oh sorry. Uh I overslept."
He gasps, literally gasps. I roll my eyes. "What?!"

"It's not a big deal. I just woke up. I wasn't feeling well last night."

"But Ivy. You went to bed early."

"Yeah, wait... How would you know that?" A small smile comes on my face. "Did you take me to my room?"

"Of course. I didn't want you to get a cink or get sore or something."

"Awww you're such a good brother! Awww thank you!"

I could feel him roll his eyes over the phone.

"Okay. Well you take it easy then. I'll tell your teachers you're sick."

"Wait! Brant, can you find Octavia and tell her?"

"Hmm?"

"Well, I was going to sit with her at lunch today. I feel bad I really wanted to sit with her."

"What? You don't like sitting with me?"
"Nope. Your friends are dumb."
He chuckles.

"Okay. I'll let her know. Bye."

"Bye."

I sit on the stool with a sigh. My head still faintly ached. I hope that goes away soon. I finish making my pancakes. Then flip the TV on and eat.

That's it, that's all I did, all day. Eat and watch TV. I hear Brant walk through the front door and my eyes widen. I've never, and I mean never been this unproductive. Why I must really be out of it. Brant walks into the TV room. His eyes also widen.

"Whoa. It looks like you've been laying on the couch for a while. Are you still sick?"

He looks really concerned. I sit upright and blush.

"Well. I had a headache last night, still kind of there. But I'm surprised at myself. I feel so..." I shudder.

"Maybe it's good you've been taking it easy."

"You know what Brant? I'm going to go take a shower, then go for a walk."

With a smile I shrug off the blanket that had magically wrapped itself around me. Then march up the stairs into my bathroom to take a nice refreshing shower. I gallop down the stairs feeling much better. Brant is in the kitchen.

"Okay Brant, I'm leaving for my walk."

"Wait, Ivy!"

I stop short, I smile at Brant then respond walking slowly towards him.

"Can I come with you?"

I smile widely. Then say,

"Yes! Of course!"

"Great."

He is already wearing his shoes and seems to just be waiting for me. I smile at the gesture.

We walk out the door.

"So where do you normally go on these walks?"
"A lot of places. But I think today we should go to the downtown area. We can get coffee, or something."

"Okay."

We walk in silence. I'm starting to regret letting him come. I usually can think, but I can't when he's here for some reason.

"So, are you all better now? I mean, are you still feeling sick still?"

"Still a faint headache, but I'm feeling a lot better, especially after that shower. I should have taken it way earlier. I don't know why I didn't."

He chuckles.

"Well I'm glad you're feeling somewhat better."

"Brant, why have you been acting so strange lately?"

He looks at me. "I haven't been."

"Brant don't play dumb. You called mom 'mother' and dad 'father' you even said my name."

"What would I call you other than your name?"

I roll my eyes.

"What I mean, is you were saying my name unnecessarily."

"Why can-"

"Cut the crap Brant. If you don't want to talk about it, just say. But at least admit, something has been...bothering you."

He sighs. "I just- well- now never seems to be the right time. Well here goes. I've decided that... well that I'm going to...study abroad, I guess."

I stop.

"What does that even mean?"

"W-Well I don't think I'm using the proper term, but I'm going to go to Russia to go to school. Next year."

"But it's your Senior year."

"Yes. I plan to go to college in Britain. So I'm going to go to Russia for Senior year. Then, I'm going to travel around the world in the summer. Then I'm going to college."

I feel tears silently fill my eyes.

"B-but Brant, you can't just, I mean.."

We are both stopped on the side walk right by a coffee shop.

"Come here."

I fell into his embrace. I feel tears fall silently from my eyes.

"Hey, don't cry."

"I can't help it. I don't want you to go. Will I ever even see you again. I mean, you will probably get married and never talk to your family again."
I mumble this into his chest.

He smirks, "Don't worry about it. For now just think of the scone I'm going to buy you."

I pull myself from him, dry my tears, and smile.

"Really? Then what are we waiting for?"
I rush into the coffee shop. I walk in Brant close behind me. I numbly stand by Brant as he takes our order.

"Brant, I'm going to go to the bathroom."

I practically whisper this. Then rush to the bathroom. I don't look too bad, my face is a little blotchy from crying, but only slightly because I hadn't been sobbing. I wash my face.

I sit in my chair across from Brant. After I take a bite of the heavenly scone. I say to Brant more cheerful,

"So what makes you want to go to Russia and stuff?"