Author's Note: I think this chapter is shorter than the last two, which is good because those were pretty long. Also don't worry Walker, Mikey and Tanner will be in the next chapter tons because I realized they haven't been talked about much recently, so yeah. Hope you all like this chapter. ♥

Chapter 21 - I'm Gonna Pretend I Believe You

Once I again I feel Drew’s finger jabbing me in my stomach and I scrunch up my face, about ready to kick him in his stupid face. He’s been trying to get me up for the past twenty minutes, and I’m just not ready to wake up. Why not? It’s too early to be awake. I mean, I don’t know exactly what time it is, but I know it’s too early to be up. The sun isn’t even shining yet, I do know that much. Not to mention the fact that last night I was the last one to fall asleep. And that was around 3:30 a.m. It’s only because I was so hyped up on all of the sugar I’d consumed. Last night after we watched the first movie, I went upstairs to the kitchen and cut myself a huge piece of my cake from my birthday party. It was strawberry, by the way. The cake, I mean. So since then I was kinda bouncing off of the walls and it took about four hours of my jumping around on the couch to burn it all off and I tiredly collapsed on the couch snuggled up to Tanner - he was the closest - and fell asleep.

“Sydney, wake up!” Drew says, poking me again.

“Drew, go away.” I snap. “I wanna sleep.”

“You can sleep on the way there, get up. You have to go and pack.”

“What are you talking about?” I mutter into the couch cushion. “I did pack.”

"Bradley said you didn’t finish.” He explains.

“Oh right,” I remember, with a groan. “What time is it?”

“6:45.”

“Why the hell do we have to leave so early?” I pout, jutting my lip out but leaving my eyes closed.

“Because the sooner we leave, the sooner we get there.” Drew says with a sigh, poking me again.

“I swear to God if you keep doing that, you aren’t gonna live to see nineteen.” I threaten.

"No one told your crazy ass to eat all of that cake and pass out.”

“My head hurts.”

“I’m thinking it’s got too much sugar in it.” Bradley’s voice calls as I hear him sit down beside my head.

I sit up from the couch, groaning. “Okay, I’m up.”

I look around and see Tanner and Walker playing that damn car video game. They’re always playing it. Why? I honestly have no idea, because it doesn’t look interesting at all to me. Mikey is sprawled across a big black beanbag chair on the floor holding his iPad up above his head with the white ear buds in his ears. I think he’s FaceTiming, as he occasionally smiles and nods his head.

"Good girl,” Bradley says, slapping my knee.

"Yeah, now chop-chop, go finish packing.” Drew says, snapping his fingers.

"You’re unusually bossy today.” I observe, standing up from the couch and stretching.

“Oh, Syd, there’s something I gotta tell you.” Walker calls, not looking away from the video game.

“What’s up, Walk?” I ask, about to walk over to him when Drew stops with me with eyebrows raised.

“Nope. Pack first. Talk second.” He says, grabbing my arm and lightly pushing me towards the stairs.

“Fine, fine, fine. Hold that though, Walk, I’ll be back in a few minutes.” I say, going up the stairs.

When I reach the top, I push the door open and walk up the second set of stairs that lead up to my bedroom. When I get in there, I smile to myself as I see Josh and Poncho sleeping in the center of the bed. Josh never sleeps in my room, unless it’s thundering or something - and I’m pretty sure that’s more for me than for him. I walk over to my desk where my duffel bag is still resting on the floor. I pick it up, dropping it on top of the desk and unzip it.

I don’t really travel heavily, mostly because I’m too lazy and weak to carry too much stuff and mostly because whenever I do travel, I’m not there for that long. I just realized that I don’t even know how long we’ll be in Colorado. The whole week, I assume. I go over to my closet, taking out a few more pairs of jeans, shirts and various hoodies belonging to the boys. I regularly steal them from each of them. I stuff the clothes in my duffel, not bothering to fold them - that’s stupid, to fold them. In my opinion, that is. Well, then again, I’m not the best folder.

I stuff in some undergarments into the large duffle along with pajamas consisting of sweatpants and yoga pants as well as t-shirts that also belong to my friends. How any of them still have clothes, I have no idea, because I take all of their stuff. I even take the contents of the Victoria’s Secret bag out, dumping them in the bag. I mean, I may as well wear them, it’d be stupid to just leave them in my underwear drawer.

Once I’ve got enough all the clothes and shoes - just a pair of sneakers and some two pairs of Uggs - into the bag, I force the zipper up and hurry to the bathroom, taking a quick shower. When I get out, I brush my teeth and hair, throwing it into a neat messy bun. Ha, that’s an oxymoron. Neat. Messy. I’ve always thought oxymoron’s were funny. I quickly get dressed in a pair of black leggings, and a blue Cookie Monster shirt then pull over my black Uggs and cute crème colored sweater with a distressed picture of the American flag in a heart. I grab my brown fringe purse and run back to my room.

Drew’s so impatient, so I know he’s probably down in the basement fuming right now, which is why I’m being quick.  I kiss Josh on the top of his head, and then scribble him a note, telling him that I’ll call him later. I pat Poncho on his back, throw my cell phone charger, cell phone, toothbrush and any other small thing I may need into my purse before grabbing my duffel, turning the light out and going back down to the basement.

“Took you long enough.” Drew says with a playful grin.

“A girl can only get ready so fast.” I retort, waving my arms dismissively.

“Of course, well now it’s 7:15, and we need to go.” He informs me.

“Okay, okay, don’t get your panties in a bunch.”

“You’re one to talk,” Bradley says, his voice in my ear.

I feel my face go red, and in an effort to not embarrass myself, I say, “So what’d you need to tell me, Walker?”

“Oh, you don’t m-“

“Good morning,” Alison’s voice chirps, suddenly in the basement with us.

Who let that demon into my home? “Alison, hey baby.” Walker says, a smile spreading across his face as Alison walks over and he hugs her, kissing the top of her head. “I was just gonna ask if you minded if Alison came along with us.”

“Came along with us to where?” I ask dumbfounded.

Out of my peripheral vision, I see Mikey stand up from the beanbag  chair, closing his iPad holder booklet and taking the ear buds. Mikey hasn’t smiled like that since he got his car a little over a year ago. There’s only one thing that could make him smile like that, and I think it’s a girl. I’ll have to interrogate him about that later. I avert my eyes back to Walker who has a questioning look on his face.

“So you don’t mind?”

“Sorry, what’d you say?”

“He asked you if you would mind if I came to Colorado with you guys.” Alison interjects.

“Oh,” I say, smiling awkwardly.

Of course I mind. I don’t wanna have to see her every day for the entire time we’re there, but what am I supposed to do? I can’t just be like, “I do mind actually, she can’t come.” Because then Walker will be like, “What? Why not?” Then I’ll be forced to admit to him that I can’t stand his girlfriend. 

Forcing a smile through gritted teeth, I shake my head, “Sure I don’t mind! I’d love for Alison to come along.”

Walker smiles happily, and lets go of Alison and hugs me tightly. I close my eyes as I hug him back, just because I don’t wanna have to see the angry face I know Alison is sending me right now. “You’re the best Sydney.”

Pulling away from him, I shrug frivolously, as if his icky girlfriend coming on vacation with us doesn’t bother me. “No biggie.” I assure him. “Well, let’s go, yeah?” The seven of us leave the basement, and head outside to where all the cars are parked. “So exactly how are we getting there?” I wonder.

“We’re driving.” Mikey explains.

I know, but whose car?”

“Why don’t we go in Ben?” Tanner asks, chuckling.

“Because I don’t wanna drive Ben all the way to Colorado. He has to build up to that.” 

“Well, my car is out of the question.” Bradley announces. “I need an oil change.”

“I don’t have any gas.” Tanner adds.

“We definitely can’t all fit in my car. It’s meant for five people, not seven. Unless Sydney and Alison are willing to sit on laps.” Mikey says, hoisting his duffel bag up on his shoulder.

“So Walker or Drew?” I say. “Or Alison?”

“Oh, no, we’re not taking my car to Colorado. Not even an option.” She replies starkly.

“But your car runs perfectly.” Walker reminds her.

“But we’re not taking it to Colorado.” She says firmly.

“Why not?”

“Because I said so.” Alison says, then to the rest of us she says, “So Walker? Drew? Either of you?”

“I think Drew’s car is roomier than mine.” Walker replies after looking at Alison for a second.

Drew shrugs, “I don’t mind taking my car, let’s just go.” He says, and the seven of us cross the yard lugging our bags to his car. He pops the trunk and we toss in all of our bags, which the trunk easily holds. I take my car key - which is on the key ring with my house key and push down the lock button on Ben. He’s parked in the garage, so I know he’s safe, but I just wanna make sure he’s locked us. I hear the honk of the alarm, letting me know he’s locked up and smile to myself. Drew slams the trunk down and goes around, getting in the driver’s seat.

“I’m riding shotgun.” Mikey shouts, running around to the passenger seat and jumping in.

Stupid Mikey, stealing shotgun. I pull open the door behind the passenger seat and gesture for Tanner to get in first. He does and scoots all the way to the end, behind Drew’s seat. I get in next, pulling Bradley with me by his shirt, so that Walker doesn’t sit by me. I mean, I don’t mind Walker sitting by me, it’s just that if that happened, Alison would wedge herself in between us and that would mean I have to sit next to her for however long this ride is.  And that’s just not something I’m willing to do. Luckily, in Drew’s car there’s a seat thing in the back. You know, like those three row cars? His is like that. Thank God. Alison and Walker crawl back there, and Drew starts the car, pulling away from my house.

“So how long is this car ride anyways?” I ask, sticking my head into the front between Drew and Mikey.

“Only nineteen and about forty-five minutes.” Mikey says dismissively.

“Nineteen hours?!” I echo. “Why didn’t we just fly?”

"Because thanks to Ben,” Drew retorts, merging onto the highway, “we’re broke.”

“Well, then you should have gotten me a less expensive car.” I note.

Tanner says, “I mean we could probably take him back and get a refund then fly, you know if you really wanna.”

I roll my eyes, “Not even a possibility.” I assure him. “Driving is fine.”

“Thought you’d see it our way.”

“Now, since it’s seven a.m. in the morning and the sun is barely even up, I’m going back to sleep.” I say, taking my phone and ear buds out of my purse. I slip the ear buds into my ears, and go to my music, hitting play on Boyce Avenue’s cover of What Makes You Beautiful. It’s seriously like the best thing I’ve ever heard. Even better than the original, maybe. I’m not a Directioner or anything - I like them and all, I’m just not a fan girl, really - but I can’t lie, they do make some amazing music, but Boyce Avenue’s cover is just perfect. “Wake me up when we get there.” I say, kicking my Uggs off and lying down across the backseat, my head in Tanner’s lap and my fuzzy purple sock covered feet in Bradley’s.

-------

I feel myself being lifted up, and then I hear a car door close. A strong gust of wind hits me, making me shiver involuntarily. Peeking open my eyes, I see a plethora of large pine trees around us covered in white - snow obviously. The sky is dark, and my best guess is that it’s either really late at night or early in the morning. I could let the person who’s carrying me know that I’m awake, but I won’t because then I’ll be forced to walk. So instead, I snuggle up to whoever it is, closing my eyes again.

“You can stop pretending to be asleep now,” Drew’s voice says above me.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about; I am asleep.”

“Oh, are you really? I didn’t know you talked in your sleep. You didn’t use to.”

“Well, I do now.” I say stubbornly.

“Okay, Sydney, whatever you say.” Drew replies.  He pulls a door - the one to the cabin, I assume - open and walks in, dropping me down on the couch without warning. “Where’s everyone else?” I wonder, looking around the cabin, seeing that it’s completely quiet.

“They’re all out there getting the bags.” He explains, “You should go and pick which room you want before they all stampede in here, taking all the good ones.”

“How many are there?”

“There’s only five, so two people are gonna have to room or something.”

I scoff, “Alison and Walker for sure. Have I mentioned how much I hate that girl? She shouldn’t even be here.”

“I’ll let you in on something; none of us are really too crazy about her. Except Walker, of course.”

“Why don’t you guys like her?” I wonder, suddenly curious.

“She’s a bitch, that’s why.” He says nonchalantly, turning towards the door.

I mentally agree with that before saying, “Shouldn’t I come get my bags?”

“Nah, it’s cold and you don’t have your shoes on. Just go find your room; I’ll bring you your stuff.”

I nod, standing up from the couch and say, “Okay, oh and do you think pizza places deliver here? I’m starving.”

Drew shakes his head, “I really doubt it. I mean, they probably deliver here, but it’s 2:30 in the morning.”

I gape at him, eyes widened, “Is it really?”

He nods, “It really is. And we just ate at like 10. Remember? We stopped at the taco place.”

“Oh right,” I say, remembering.

No, I didn’t sleep for nineteen full hours; I woke up once we were nearly out of Illinois, which is a few hours from Michigan. I was starving then too, so we stopped at this burger joint place. That was at like, four p.m. and then I went back to sleep for a few hours. Then a few hours after that at ten something I woke up again and we were in Nebraska and we ate again.

“If you’re really that hungry though, I’ll go to Sonic and get you something.”

“Will you really? Oh, I love you so much Drewy.” I coo, smiling.

“As insufferable as you are sometimes, I love you too.” He says jokingly before going back out the door.

I pad around the cabin until I reach a staircase - I didn’t know cabins had two floors - and grab onto the railing, walking up the mahogany colored stairs. When I reach the top, I could seven doors exactly, four one side, three on the other. The remaining two that aren’t bedrooms must be a bathroom and something else. I go for one of the side with three, pulling open the one in the middle.

I walk into the room, seeing that’s it’s actually pretty big. Bigger than you’d think. There’s a large queen sized bed in the room, but other than that, the room is empty. Well, there’s a TV, but nothing more than that. I pull open the first door, seeing that it’s a closet and then cross over to the other side, pulling the other door open and finding a bathroom. I walk into the bathroom and see there’s another door on the other side of it. It’s an adjoined bathroom, apparently.

Going back into my room, my heartbeat speeds up a bit as I see Bradley sitting on my bed, playing with something in his hands. And no my heart didn’t flutter just because it’s Bradley, because it’s not like I’m in love with the boy or anything, it’s just that I wasn’t expecting him to be sitting there on my bed.

“Hey you,” He says.

“Hi there.” I reply, sitting down beside him. “What’s up?”

Bradley shakes his head, “Nothing, just checking on you.”

I raise an eyebrow, “Checking on me? Why? I’m fine?”

He shrugs, “Well, you always did hate long car rides.” He defends.

I sigh, nodding, “Yes, I do hate them. Let’s just fly back.” I suggest. “Alison can just drive herself back.”

“You really don’t like her, do you?”

“I don’t like Reese; I hate Alison.”

“Sydney,” He reprimands with a frown.

"I’m just saying. Don’t go all Saint Sally on me; you don’t like her either.”

“You’re right, I don’t like her, but I don’t show it.”

“So what room did you pick?” I ask him, not wanting to talk about Walker’s terrible choice in girlfriends.

“That one,” He says, pointing with his head to the bathroom.

“The bathroom?”

Bradley playfully rolls his eyes, “Yes, the bathroom. I’m gonna sleep in the tub. No, I meant the one on the other side of it, smarty.”

“I knew that.” I assure him even though I obviously didn’t.

“Okay. I’m just gonna pretend like I believe you.” Bradley says. “Are you still sleepy?”

I nod, “I am. But I’m also starving and Drew said he was gonna get food for me, so I’m gonna wait up for that.”

“That loser, he better bring enough for us all.” Bradley pouts.

“He will, I bet.” I assure him, peeling my American flag pullover over my head and dropping it on the floor.

“If not though, I’m eating yours.” He says suggestively.

I hit his shoulder, rolling my eyes at his innuendo. “Shut up, Bradley.”

“I’m just say--“

I cut him off though by scooting forward on the bed, pressing my lips to his. Not just because I wanted him to shut up, but also because I wanted to kiss him. Which I should probably stop doing. Kissing him, I mean. Not that I don’t enjoy it, because I do, it’s just that we’re friends. Best friends. Who are suddenly kissing and making out. He’s not gonna ask me to be his girlfriend or anything, and me being me, I’d probably say no even if he did. My thoughts of stopping this little…whatever we have going on all fly out of the window when I feel Bradley’s tongue slyly slipping into my mouth.

This is not good.

This is not good at all.

One of us is gonna get hurt in the end if we keep doing this.

But because I don’t actually have the willpower or the want to say anything or stop him, I don’t.

So we stay like that, sitting on the bed, kissing passionately, my arms wrapping around his neck, and his bound around my back, holding me close to him. That is, until the doorknob twists and my door opens, causing me and Bradley to jump apart as if we’ve just been caught trying to rob a bank or something. I scoot down to the edge of the bed, Bradley scooting closer to the headboard and we both look up at Drew and Mikey who are both sporting suspicious looks.

“You two are weird,” Drew notes, walking towards us, handing us both bags and drinks from Sonic.

"Thanks,” I say to Drew. “For the food. Not for calling us weird.” I clarify.

He chuckles, “Yeah, I got it. I pretty winded, so I’m gonna go to sleep. See you guys in the morning.”

“I’m putting your bag here.” Mikey says, dropping my stuff at the foot of the bed, but not before reaching down into my bag and stealing a handful of my fries and walking out of the room along with Drew as they go in opposite directions to their rooms.

 “Well,” I say, standing up. “I’m gonna eat this and just go to sleep.”

He raises an eyebrow, “Should I leave?”

“Yes, I need to change.” I retort, going over to my duffel bag.

“I could always just st-“

“Goodnight Bradley.” I say, cutting him off before he can finish that sentence.

“Kidding, just kidding.” He assures me, standing up and collecting his bag of food. “Night.” Bradley calls, walking through the adjoined bathroom to his room, closing the doors.