Glitter and Hate

Road Trip

Caleb woke up to the sound of something hitting his window. He jumped up, ready to fight like he always did after that night. He looked at the window and saw Dyson standing on the roof, bent down so he could look inside.

"Go away." Caleb groaned. It was Saturday and he wanted to just sleep the weekend away. And after Friday night he had he seriously needed to sleep.

"No." Dyson smiled. "Come outside."

"No, just because you painted my ceiling doesn't mean we're suddenly friends again," Caleb said and glanced up at the bright colors again.

"Understood. Now, come outside. We're going somewhere." Dyson held up a backpack that Caleb knew very well. Caleb glanced at his closet and saw his backpack missing.

"Did you come in my room while I was sleeping?" He asked almost more curious than annoyed.

"It's not like it's the first time." Dyson winked. "Caleb Anthony Ryker, come get in your car, and then you'll get your bag back. I'll even give you your phone back."

"Son of a bitch." Caleb groaned when he saw his phone.

"Yes actually, but raised by a saint." Dyson smiled again.

"Now let's get a move on. We have places to be, people to ignore, and things to do." Dyson lithely hopped away and disappeared from Caleb's view.

Caleb had all of the intentions of ignoring Dyson. He knew if he didn't move Dyson would eventually give up. But then he heard Ruth.

"Sure, Mom. I'll tell him that you love him." His sister was trying to whisper but her voice echoed down the hallway.

"No. Everything's fine," Ruth said and Caleb wished he could hear the other side of the conversation. At the same time, he hated hearing what little he had heard.

"Took your sweet time didn't you?" Dyson asked as Caleb got into his own car in the passenger side.

"Just drive," Caleb demanded without looking at him.

"Where are we going?" Dyson asked as he started Caleb's car.

"Don't you know?" Caleb said sarcastically.

"Actually I do." Dyson put the car in drive and started driving. He didn't say anything and neither did Caleb. After two hours of complete silence, Dyson turned off the road at a gas station.

"What are we doing here?" Caleb asked him with a sneer.

"Getting gas, peeing, grabbing a drink and food? Take your pick." Dyson shrugged and made sure to keep the keys in his hand.

"I meant where are we going?" Caleb followed Dyson into the gas station.

"Right now I'm going to the bathroom," Dyson responded and held the door open for Caleb.

"When are you going to give me a straight answer?"

"When are you going to realize that you're just along for the ride?" Dyson shot back.

They went back to silence as Dyson filled his arms with drinks and road trip snacks including what he knew to be Caleb's favorite: cream-filled snack cakes with pepperoni sticks to dip in them. He had never understood it but that didn't keep Caleb from indulging in his odd treat whenever they went on drives longer than an hour.

"That will be $35.47." The cashier said dully.

"Keep the change." Dyson tossed two twenty-dollar bills on the table and took the bag. "Maybe buy yourself a smile or something."

The cashier glared.

"And you good sir, have a great day." Dyson mimed tipping his hat to him and walked backward toward the door managing to kick it open and get outside before turning around to walk forward.

"It's good to see you still manage to bring out the best in people," Caleb said dryly. He didn't want to talk to Dyson, but the silence was becoming too heavy.

"It's a gift." Dyson placed his hand on his chest and acted like he had won an award.

"Where are we going?" Caleb asked again.

"It's a surprise," Dyson smirked and dropped the bag in the driver's seat before turning to the gas pump. "Do you still get the mid-grade?"

"Yes." Caleb got into the passenger's side and dug into the bag because he hadn't realized just how hungry he was. He ripped the meat open and took a big bite before opening the snack cakes just like he always did. It felt nice to do something that felt normal.

"I still don't get why you like that." Dyson shook his head, dropped the bag in Caleb's lap as he got in.

"I don't have to share it?" Caleb shrugged.

"That's true." Dyson started the car and turned back to the highway. "Can you get me the chips?"

"Which ones?" Caleb asked, looking into the bag that had barbeque chips, salt and vinegar chips, and sour cream and onion chips.

"What do you think?" Dyson asked as he turned on the cruise control.

"And you think I'm weird." Caleb held the meat stick between his teeth and set his drink in the middle console. He then opened all three bags of chips and dumped them into one. He held the top closed and shook them gently.

"Delicious," Dyson said through a mouthful of chips.

"Disgusting," Caleb said as he took a handful of chips.