Chapter 4
4
Mom hugged me for what felt like hours while I stood still in her arms. She cried against my shoulder, and tears pooled in my eyes, no matter how hard I tried to keep them locked in. “You’ll arrive in Feather Lake tomorrow afternoon. Uncle Mason will be there to welcome you. You have cash and your credit card in case of emergency. Do you need anything else?”
I shook my head.
“I’ll miss you, baby. Please enjoy your summer, okay? Be safe, and we’ll see you soon. And don’t give a hard time to Uncle Mason and Aunt Melinda. I love you.”
I nodded, refusing to speak. Hot tears flowed down my cheeks, and I fidgeted with the thread bracelet around my wrist, desperate to ground myself and not break down.
Dad pulled me in next, fastening his arms around me. “Ava, I’m sorry you feel like we’re doing this to get rid of you. One day, you’ll realize it was an opportunity that many don’t get in a lifetime, and you’ll be happy you did it. In the meantime, just don’t be harsh with your mother. She has a lot on her shoulders right now. She needs some time to figure things out. It’s for the best. For all of us. We would never do anything to hurt you or your feelings on purpose, Miss Sunshine.”
“Dad,” I said, unable to hide my exasperation at the pet name he’d been using since the day he held me for the first time, minutes after I was born, considering me his, as he often repeated over the years.
He leaned back. “Finally. A reaction.” His large fingers dried the tears rolling down my cheeks. “I love you, kiddo. We all do. Please be safe. And tell my brother I said hi.”
I nodded and brought my focus to my black Chucks. The ones on which I had written inspiring quotes with a gold permanent marker last summer. Today, I had opted for a bland outfit. One that fitted my mood. Washed-out denim cut-offs and a white T-shirt underneath a large black hoodie, so big on me that it covered my hands.
After I hugged Collin, I turned up the volume of my phone, stuck my earbuds in, and boarded the bus that would drive me from Michigan to North Carolina.
Sitting by the window, I dropped my backpack on the seat next to mine, hoping people would get a hint and sit anywhere but next to me. I needed my space. And room to breathe. I had almost a thirty-hour journey in front of me, and I refused to share it with anyone.
With the sleeve of my hoodie, I wiped the last traces of moisture from my eyes and shut my eyelids, rested my head against the window, and got lost in my mind. And due to the fact that I barely slept an hour last night, I fell asleep before the bus even took off.
The smooth vibration of the tires on the pavement turned gravelly before the bus came to a stop, jerking me out of my slumber. What the?—
How long had I been out?
I wiped the drool that had dried in the corner of my mouth and rubbed my fists over my heavy eyelids. When I opened them, the sun shone brighter and directly on my face through the glass, blinding me. From its high position, I’d guess it was close to noon. Why did we stop?
Rotating my neck, I stretched and got rid of the tension that had accumulated in my shoulders in the last few hours. I cocked my head to the side when people moved to their feet to exit the vehicle, only to be captured by two sky-blue irises fixated on me.
It took me a fraction of a second to realize I hadn’t been alone all this time.
I removed my earbuds while my gaze swooped over him from head to waist.
“Nice to see you alive,” the curly-haired surfer-looking blond guy said with a smirk. “You snored so bad I was tempted to put one of my socks into your mouth to silence that muffler.”
He winked, and I glared at him, not sure whether he was teasing me or not.
“You coming?” he asked.
I blinked. “Where?”
“Pit stop. The driver announced a fifteen-minute break. Guess the music was too loud, or that muffler of yours needs some tuning.” His lips stretched wider.
“Reel in your grin. I wasn’t snoring.” I crossed my arms over my chest and upped my chin in defiance.
“Says who?”
Right now, I wished I could scratch that smile off his full lips. “I wasn’t. You should see an ear doctor. Just to make sure.”
The upturn of his mouth never faltered as amusement danced in his eyes.
“Wanna bet?” he asked in a breezy tone that sounded like nails on a chalkboard to me.
I glared at him, his over-cheerfulness annoying me after a sleepless night.
“Stop.”
The hot-looking stranger arched a brow. “Stop what?”
“You know what. Don’t pretend you don’t.”
He mimicked my stance, his arms now folded over his broad chest the same way I did. “No idea what you’re talking about. Care to speak in English.”
I frowned, never breaking eye contact. “How can you be so infuriating?” I groaned. “Stop looking at me like that. Like you’re some big shot and I’m an angry person or something.”
“Angry person or something…” He scratched his temple. “Not sure what you mean.”
I harrumphed. “Whatever. Move.” I scanned the area around me as I motioned to stand. This break would help stretch my legs. “Wait? Where’s my bag? What did you do with my stuff?”
He extended his arm. “First, let’s be civil. I’m Joseph. My friends call me Joe. Sometimes Joey. Or Curry, like the spice.”
I stared at his hand, not sure if I was ready to make a new friend just about now. Too soon.
“Come on, it’s just a handshake. I won’t bite you. Unless you’re scared my happiness will rub off on you. If that’s the case, I get why you’re afraid. Being happy is a shame.”
I huffed. “Don’t try to psychoanalyze me. I’m not in the mood for your cheerfulness, hot stuff. Doesn’t mean I’m unhappy.”
“Oh, you’re a germophobe then. Afraid my hand will infect yours.” He seemed to think for a long second. “Would sanitizer help? I have some in my bag.”
I huffed. “I’m not scared of germs. Stop fabricating explanations about who I am that you can’t back up. You know nothing about me.”
“Still waiting,” he said, waving his proffered hand.
“Fine.” I slid my palm into his. The warmth of his hand transferred to me, sending goosebumps up my forearm. “Happy now?”
“Almost. What should I call you? Grump? Sulk-Master?”
I rolled my eyes and blew out a long breath. “Ava.”
“Ava. I love your name.” Sparks flashed in his blue eyes. They were the same color as the sky on a summer day. “Where are you going, Ava?” He pronounced each syllable slowly.
“None of your business.” I peeled my hand back, wiping it over the back of my shorts, trying to rub off the remaining current from his touch.
Joseph shook his head, the grin still anchored to his handsome face. Sun-kissed skin, as if he spent all his time outside, square jaw, long neck, he looked like he had come straight from the California shores.
“Ava, come on. I’m not a psycho. I’m just trying to make conversation here. We’ll be bus neighbors for God knows how long, better find some company to make it less boring. Everybody needs a sidekick. Let me start over. I’m Joseph. From Traverse City, Michigan. Moving to North Carolina to live with my dad and his new wife. They just had a baby. I guess it makes me a new big brother. Your turn?”
Okay, Joseph didn’t have a murderer vibe—the one Dad always warned me about—emanating from him. What did murderers look like anyway? Creepy and sketchy, I guessed. No, Joseph didn’t fit the profile.
“I’m from Elk River and going to North Carolina too. For the summer. Happy now?”
Joseph bobbed his head, his lips tilted up. For the first time, I noticed the single dimple marking his chin. “We’re best friends now,” he added in a teasing tone. “Told ya, it’s better to be friendly since we’re going to be stuck together for a long while. See, it wasn’t that hard.”
My earlier question rushed back to my mind, which had been too busy being charmed by the stranger sitting next to me. “My stuff? Where is it?”
Joseph moved to his feet and offered me a hand. “Up there,” he said pointing to the compartment above our heads. “Now let’s go, bestie. We just have time to pick up food and exercise our legs before we hit the road again.”
That’s when I realized we had stopped in front of a gas station and people were climbing back into the bus with pizza slices in cardboard trays, cans of soda, and snacks.
My stomach grumbled at the smell of greasy junk food. My breakfast this morning had consisted of a banana and a cup of coffee, so anything edible sounded like heaven right now.
Joseph pulled at my hand and led me outside. “My treat. Pick whatever you want.”
I halted and waited until he spun to face me.
“What?”
“Why are you being nice to me? You don’t even know me.”
His amusement dropped a notch. “You look like you might need a friend. I’m just applying for the job.”
I forced a hint of a smile to my lips. “Thanks.” And against all odds, he might just be right.
“If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?” Joseph asked as we shared a bag of gummy bears.
I reflected on it for a minute, the gears in my brain working hard to think about every country I ever heard of. “Australia. No. Africa. I don’t know the exact place, but someplace where I can help endangered animals.”
“Thanks for asking.” He poked his tongue out playfully.
I scowled. All this small talk was exhausting, but Joseph was determined to keep going.
“Mine is Thailand,” he added before I could say anything. “Those beaches. Life seems so chill there. Favorite movie?”
“It Happened To Us.” I exhaled and forced the question out. “Yours?” I asked with an exaggerated curl of my lips.
“Oh, so you’re a drama and tearjerker masochist? Interesting.” Joseph pushed a handful of jellies into his mouth. “Why doesn’t it surprise me?” he asked with a mouthful. “Mine is Wavelength. The surfing biopic.”
I poked his shoulder. “Geez, swallow before speaking. It’s disgusting. I can see all those murdered bears in there.”
He opened his mouth wider. “Like that?”
I closed my eyes and shook my head.
“Any siblings?” he asked next.
“Yes. You?”
He swallowed the remaining of his gummies before speaking again. “See, you can master the art of conversation. You’re a natural.”
I frowned.
His grin grew wider.
Whatever.
“A half brother and twin half sisters on my mom’s side. A ten-year-old stepsister named Kelly and a three-month-old baby sister on my dad’s side. Her name is Scarlett. I can’t wait to meet her. Brothers or sisters?”
“A younger brother. Collin. And Iris, my best friend. We’re more like sisters. She’s my favorite person.”
Joseph’s fist hit his chest. “I thought I was your favorite person. I’m wounded, Ava.”
I sighed at his theatrical display. “On this bus, on this journey, you are my only friend. You can steal the best friend spot if you wish.”
“Taken. It’s mine. For as long as we both shall live.”
“And now you’re turning into Shakespeare. Entertaining being your friend.”
“I’m full of surprises. Wanna watch something? I have a couple of movies downloaded on my laptop. I’ll let you choose. I don’t have It Happened To Us, but I bet you can find something else that you can bawl your eyes to.”
“Oh, and now you’re a gentleman. I’ll never be bored with you in my life.”
“Told ya. I’m the best best friend you’ll ever get. Better call Iris and tell her she’s now second best. Think she’ll ever forgive you?”
“Cockiness suits you. Can you give this friendship a couple of more hours so we know for sure it’s the real deal before claiming your new title out loud?” I asked, giving him a pointed stare. “Stop rushing it.”
Joseph slid his laptop out of his backpack and positioned it over his thighs. “Fine, I’ll give you till tomorrow to get used to this new reality, bestie.”
Turning it on, he grinned.
Why was he so gleeful?
I grabbed the rest of the gummy bears from the bag and stuffed them into my mouth with a shrug, never returning his smile. “Works for me.”
The bus stopped at around six in the evening in the parking lot of different food chains so we could grab dinner. Joseph and I had gotten to know each other a little over the last few hours. I found out he really loved talking about everything and anything. He showed me pictures of his family. Of his friends back in Michigan. Talked me through the art of throwing the perfect football. And about his favorite music bands. Every time I thought he was done and put music back into my ears, he would pull at my earbuds, asking a new question. Or sharing a new piece of information I never asked for. I had to admit he was entertaining, all his stories full of colorful details.
How could he not get I was desperate for silence? And time to sulk on my own. Without interruption. The fake smiles and yawns didn’t deter him. No, it seemed to encourage him to fill the periods of silence even more.
A part of me wished I could tell him to gimme a break. To let me be. While the other half loved the distraction. And the comfort that had settled between us.
With my eyes trained outside, I surveyed my food options, an old country song playing in my ears, when my seat neighbor removed my left earbud.
“What?”
He grabbed my hand. “Come on, let’s go and eat.”
“Since dinner is my treat, according to your rule, how about sushi?” I asked once we exited the vehicle.
He winced. “Nah. Too fancy. What about cheeseburgers, fries, and milkshakes? Typical American teenager’s food choice.”
Already, the whiff coming from the burger place permeated my nose.
“I was about to suggest a salad.” A pout formed on my lips.
“Where’s the fun in that? We’re on our own, no parental figure to supervise what we eat, and you pick a salad? Are you sure you’re not sick? Where’s your sense of adventure and risk? Please tell me you’re joking. That it was a test. To see if I would fall for it.”
I rolled my eyes. “Are you majoring in theatre?”
“Maybe.”
“Okay. Fine, you win. I was just testing you. A burger sounds good.”
“Ha, ha. I knew it.” Joseph watched me. “Avalon is a prankster. Noted. Follow me.”
We ate on a tiny patch of grass next to where the bus was parked. The sun, giant and orange, glowed on the horizon, painting the sky in pinkish brush strokes.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” my new friend said.
I nodded, unable to avert my eyes. I grabbed my phone to immortalize this moment when he stole the device from my hand.
“Let me. Turn around, and I’ll snap a picture of you.”
I shook my head, feeling warmth creeping up my cheeks. “You don’t have to.”
“Ava, I want to. Now smile.”
For a moment, we remained silent. Was Joseph Curry a genuinely nice person, or was it all an act? How could he still wanna be friends with me after I’d been keeping him mostly at arm’s length all day, never striking up a conversation of my own and only answering his questions when I had to?
“Beautiful.” Joseph handed back my phone.
“Thanks,” I said, fidgeting with my fingers and avoiding his eyes as I sensed his piercing gaze on me. “We should get back on the bus.”
After we gathered our stuff and threw away our empty food packaging, we returned to our seats.
We stayed silent for a long while, and I plugged my buds into my ears, my head pressed against the window, watching the scenery and the night falling upon us.
“No. Not good enough. This stops now,” Joseph said after a long while, tugging my earbuds out of my ears. Again.
Slowly, I tilted my head to look at him, not sure what he meant.
“This,” he said, motioning the space between the two of us. “No more ignoring each other. We’re besties, remember? We’re traveling buddies. And we’re already spending the night together. Not that I usually put out on the first date, but hey, in this case, I might make an exception. Because of you.”
At his wit, I relaxed my shoulders and grimaced. “Sorry. Sometimes I need some space. To zone out.”
“Ava, you look sad. As your new best friend, I gotta know if I should worry.”
“I’m fine.” I wasn’t, but I wouldn’t tell him. It was none of his business. The fight with my parents, it ate me up from inside. And I was still angry about being shipped away without my consent. Not sure when I’d get over this one. If I thought too much about it, no doubt a new wave of sadness would invade me. Changing the subject sounded like my best option. “And for what it’s worth,” I said, curling my lips with a hint of a smile and trying to diffuse his worries, “and since you are my best friend—according to your definition of seat neighbors—for another twelve hours or so, I’ll say this. I don’t put out on the first night either.”
Joseph laughed out loud, and the sound erased some of the uneasiness overwhelming me.
“Mind if you share your music?” he asked after an instant. “I’ll share my shoulder for the night. Seems like a fair deal, don’t you think?”
I blew out a long breath. “Sure.” A version of me loved the idea I wasn’t alone on this trip. Joseph was kind of nice. And if I was being honest with myself, he made this unwanted road trip a lot less boring than it could have been. It gave me no time to mope over my situation.
Yeah, Joseph, by pushing himself into my bubble and with his over-the-top cheerfulness, made me forget about my anger for the time being.
“Thanks. For your shoulder pillow.”
He plugged the earbud I handed him into his ear. His fingers reached for mine, and I didn’t jerk them away. His presence soothed the wound in my heart. Even though it made no sense. Not breaking apart, with my head pressed against his shoulder and our hands linked, we fell asleep listening to the music, the inky night outside now plunging the bus into a comforting cover of darkness.
For the first time since I learned I’d be going away this summer, I didn’t feel alone on the journey.