Page 79 of Poetry of Flowers

Kayden sighed and rubbed the back of his hand over his eyes. He looked up, a fake smile on his lips.

“I will find us somewhere to stay, maybe we spend the night having fun somewhere. It will be almost dark when we arrive there.”

The twins needed several stops because Sammy was car sick, which seems ironic considering that her family traveled like this for months at a time.

“Alright, I trust you,” he replied and grabbed his book, but the bus stopped abruptly, and I fell sideways onto Kayden’s lap, trying to catch myself with my elbow he flinched under me.

“Ah, Tillie!” Kayden hissed, and I sat back up as fast as possible.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“Yeah, I know, but it still hurts.” I could see that he was trying not to scream.

“I didn’t mean to hit you there.”

“Stop apologizing, I know.”

“But I’m really sorry.”

“And I really want you to stop apologizing and just let me be a minute.” I nodded, my cheeks burning. This was a new level of embarrassing.

I had hit him in the nuts with my elbow, and not gently either.

The buses double doors opened and Devon lifted his children out from the back.

“Did she nut you, boy?”

Lord, just let me vanish, I prayed.

“I didn’t mean to, the bus stopped too abruptly!” I defended myself.

“Ah, sorry, I almost drove past the town until I remembered to throw you guys out here.” He apologized and nodded at Kayden. “I recommend putting some ice on it.”

“Can you all stop talking about my nuts?!” he shouted and jumped out of the bus.

“I’m fine, it’s not like I just got castrated.” He grabbed his bag and guitar.

“Well, sad news,” my cousin chuckled and jumped off too. Theo and I followed our friends.

“I hate you, Thatcher” Kayden mumbled, glaring at her.

She went on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss on his cheek before he could pull away.

“I love you too, Kidd,” she laughed.

I grabbed my bag and waved the little kids goodbye. They stuck out their tongues. They would be my reason to never have children, I didn’t want annoying little children who could do nothing besides screaming and blackmailing.

“I went to community college here. I can recommend their campus parties. The best ones I’ve ever been too” Devon told us with a wink.

“We aren’t students here, but thanks for driving us and good luck with those … monsters.” Kayden thanked him with a nod.

“You don’t have to be a student to do whatever you want here. I hope you find what you’re searching for, kid. It’s been a pleasure to meet you.” And with that, he helped his children back inside the bus and waved before starting the car and driving off.

I was thankful we’d met him because if not, we’d probably still be in Spokane thinking about how to get back to Grand Lee. Devon was our sign not to give up. It was a lot of effort for a seventeenth birthday, but I was starting to feel that this trip was good for me.

“Who wants to have some fun at a college party?” Autumn threw her arm over my shoulder as we walked into the city center.

“We aren’t here to party, Autumn,” Kayden answered.

---