As I watched the city lights pass by and fade into bright green leaves, I started thinking of all the adventures Astrid and my family could have.

Rock climbing (if Astrid was willing to teach me) swimming, kayaking, hiking, star gazing, the stories we would tell around the blazing camp fire.

It all sounding amazing in my head, and every year it was great! This time was different though.

Astrid was here.

I wanted to make the best impression on her so she'd want to come again, so she wouldn't think my family was too boring for her, so she wouldn't leave me...

I shook my head ridding my thoughts of such nonsense.

"You ok over there?" Astrid asked, concern written on her face.

"Yea, I'm ok, just trying to get my head to make some lyrics" I chuckled and Astrid did the same along with me.

I then leaned over to look back in my seat. I saw Benjamin writing in his book as usual, his face bent in concentration.

Jason was staring out the window with an odd expression on His face, it was solemn, which wasn't like him at all.

I wondered what had him off his phone, and why he looked so sad, it was very unusual for him and I started to worry about it.

I immediately stopped worrying though after I felt the van shake vigorously.

Benjamin whipped his head up and Jason directed his focused to the front of the van.

We all started to see vehicles come to a halt and trees in the distance fall to the ground.

Instantly one thought came to my mind.

Earthquake.

I started to freeze up and worry started to infest my mind.

Jason didn't seem too bothered by what was happening only a few miles from us. He looked almost numb.

Benjamin just started writing vigorously in his journal while still seeming to have a calmness about him.

Astrid just stared out into the distance with a strong sense of determination, almost looking like whatever may happen, she was going to tackle it with everything she had.

My parents took it the best I think. They stopped the van, and checked every known way to see what had happened.

They checked the news, the weather network, the radio, and they did so like it was no big deal, possibly because it didn't seem to have effected much of anything or anyone.

Me? I started to feel chills run down my spine.

It didn't feel right, I mean, I had only ever experienced one earthquake in my life, and it was incredibly small. It only ended up shaking a few houses but no damage was done.

This one seemed...off, I couldn't explain it. It felt like a numbness that a deep winter freeze would give, but also a feeling close to fear and exhilaration, kinda like after a roller coaster.

It was far away, yet it seemed to have affected me as if I was right there next to it.

"Iris? Iris are you ok?" Astrid was staring at me with concern written all over her face, the look of determination dampened by the concern she had for me.

I was touched by how much she cared for me. "I...I'm fine Astrid" I said shakily.

Astrid just tilted her head and gave me a look that told me she wasn't buying it.

"You're white as a ghost and your shaking ever so slightly" She spoke quietly.

Apparently not quietly enough though, because immediately after she spoke my parents turned in their seats and looked at me.

"Iris what's wrong?" My mom asked worry seeping into her voice.

"We can turn around and go home if the earthquake has set you on edge Iris" my dad said.

"We're not going home"

We all turned around to see Jason staring at me none to friendly.

What was up with him? He always looked after Benjamin and I when we weren't doing so well. How come he seemed so insensitive to me right now?

Did he not see I was spooked by the earthquake? Everyone else seemed to have.

I stopped and took a breathe. I hated being the center of attention, it always made me shaky and unsure about everything.

I had to take a moment to calm down so I was able to think straight.

I looked straight at my dad and said "I'm fine dad. The earthquake didn't hurt anyone and I don't want that to ruin our trip together" I felt determined to do this trip, and apparently it showed in my words.

"Alright Iris, we'll continue on, but if it gets too dangerous or you get too anxious there, we're heading home" my dad spoke in a firm tone.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

I knew my dad would make sure we were safe, and he'd never put us in danger willingly.

I quickly took a look behind me and saw Jason still staring at me with disdain.

I frowned.

I couldn't understand what was wrong or what I had done to upset him.

Before I could get a chance to ask what was wrong he leaned back in his seat and continued staring out the window without so much as a glance at me.

This time Astrid seemed to notice and she turned to me with yet another puzzled face.

"I don't know" I mouthed.

She turned in her seat to take a look at Jason and gave him a critical look trying to figure out why, Jason, the nicest guy around to both his friends and family, was now seeming almost hostile.

I shot Benjamin a look to see of he had any idea why.

He just briefly lofted his head and looked unsure as to what I wanted and went back to writing.

Sheesh that kid lived in his book.

I realized we had started driving again after we hit a bump.

My heart started racing at the sudden jostle and abrupt shift of scenery.

I knew what I said, that I was good to continue going to the campsite, but...it still spooked me a bit.

I didn't know what to expect, if anything.

My dad always liked to say "always expect the unexpected"

Of course, this was a trip I never in my life would've expected.