In Uncharted Waters

Chapter 10

Hey guys! It's here and it's short. I'm sorry! Just have v little motivation with In Uncharted Waters right now because I don't know what direction to take it in... I have a couple different ideas now though and look forward to getting back into it. But also check out Vapor cause I love it.

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From forth the fatal loins of these two foes

Life was finally back on track. I felt his arms around me and knew that this was the right decision. I felt him place a kiss on the top of my head and my whole body relaxed. I looked up at him and he smiled down at me. He looked back at The Wreck and gave me a face, knowing we would have to walk in and tell everyone what was going on. I couldn't bring myself to go back in and face them though. Finally we came to the decision that I would talk to Kie and he would tell Pope. For now, I had bigger fish to fry.

I knew I had to go home at some point. I wanted to grab some more clothes and I wanted to ease my mom's nerves. As much as I had wanted JJ to come with, I just wasn't ready to ask him to come with me yet. Things weren't going to be completely back to normal for a while, even if we were back together.

I knew I needed some sort of backup when I went back to my house. I also had to tell someone else that JJ and I were back together. He was the conversation I was dreading the most somehow. I knocked on the front door and Mrs. Thornton answered. She gave me her usual fake smile and tried to get me to leave without seeing Topper, but I knew he was home. He must've heard my voice because he was down the steps in a matter of seconds.

"Hey," he said. He slipped out the front door and threw an arm around me. I watched as he

told his mom he'd be back later. "What's the plan for today?"

"Well," I said, pausing a little bit too long. He could tell something was on my mind. I looked at him and the look on my face must've told him that I had to tell him something that he wasn't going to like.

"You're back with JJ?" he asked, reading me like a book. I bit my lips and tried to wait for his reaction. I couldn't tell what he was thinking and that stressed me out. He was trying to figure what to say next without hurting my feelings. "So does this mean we aren't friends anymore?"

"No!" I said. Topper was the best friend I've ever had and I needed both boys in my life. I took a deep breath before pleading my case. "Top, I don't want to lose you as a friend and I also can't lose JJ. He's willing to make it work and tolerate you. You guys don't need to be best friends, but just try for me because I don't know what I'll do without either of you and I can't pick."

"If he'll make an effort, I will too," he said, averting his gaze. He seemed uncomfortable with the idea, but knowing both of them were going to try made me feel like I was on the top of the world. I jumped into his arms and told him how much that meant to me. He ruffled my hair and pushed me off of him.

"JJ will murder me if he sees you like this," he said, ruffling my hair. "Is that all you needed or what's up?" "I have sort of a big favor to ask actually," I said, giving him a nervous smile.

We drove up to the house and stood outside, pacing back and forth a bit. I didn't want to go in. I didn't want to see him. I tried to talk Topper into entering the house, but he shot that idea down instantly and told me not to push my luck. He was right. He said he would stand right outside the door in case I needed something, but that didn't stop my nervousness.

I opened the door and the house seemed empty. I said hello, but it echoed like an abandoned warehouse. I shifted uncomfortably as I took my shoes off and walked around my home. I looked down at the couch and there he was. He was in bad shape. I could tell it had been a while since he'd shaved or even showered. It would kill my mom to see him like this. I wanted to go wake him up, but figured that I should gather my items quickly.

My room was exactly the way I had left it. I missed it here. I grabbed the things I needed and put them into my suitcase I kept in my closet. After I was back, my room barely seemed like my home anymore. The picture frames that used to line my walls were packed in my bag and the closet was pretty empty. It made me sad to look at. I said a good bye to the room as I left, not knowing when I would be back. I lifted the suitcase down the steps and placed it by the door.

My dad stirred when I put a blanket over him. Even if he didn't love me, I would always love him. He reeked of whiskey and beer. I thought that watching him fall apart would make me feel better, but it didn't. I sighed and turned to walk away, but then he woke up. I could tell he was still intoxicated because he called out for my mom. I told him it was me and he asked what I was doing here. I told him that mom sent me to check up on him and he cursed. He told me that he did need me checking up on him. He told me he didn't need me. It wasn't anything new, so I pushed the hurt down and ignored it. I did one more walkthrough of the house to make sure I wasn't forgetting anything, but overall couldn't find a good reason to stay another minute. I put my shoes back on and handed my suitcase to Topper upon leaving the house.

There was one last thing I needed to do though. I ran to the end of the driveway and opened up the mailbox. I knew my dad wouldn't be checking it and I was looking for early applications to college. I cycled through the stack of letters quickly when something stood out to me. It was a postcard address to me. I could think of anyone who was on vacation right now and I couldn't pinpoint who would send me a letter. It looked as if it had gotten a little bit wet, as the pen ink had smeared a little bit. I didn't look at the message, instead I flipped it over to see the picture. I knew the location. It was Nassau. Who did I know in the Bahamas? That's when everything clicked. I flipped the card back over and saw the unmistakable handwriting. All it said was three small words and two signatures.

See you soon.

-Sarah Cameron and John B.