"Now I want you two to take it easy while we're gone, ya hear?" Mr. Hanson told his wife and daughter. "We will, Daddy," Jessica replied. During the past week both Mrs. Hanson and Jessica had come down with a bug of some sort, thus preventing them from joining the rest of their family on the camping trip. I wouldn't say I was necessarily happy about it, but I would say I was somewhat relieved to have escaped Mrs. Hanson 'company' for the three days we would be away. I looked at my watch as I approached the house. 6:24 am. I metally groaned to myself, not even recalling the last time I had been up so early. Taylor came out of the house with sunglasses on and a bottle of water in his hand. "Morning," he chirped. I groaned out loud this time. He took a drink, "Here, lemme get your bag." He took my duffle bag from me and hoisted it into the back of the van with the rest. "Ok, gang. Let's move out!" Mr. Hanson called into the house for the rest of the kids. Issac walked out carrying a sleepy Mackenzie in his arms with Zac and Avery not far behind; all loaded with some type of luggage. "Alright, looks like we're all here. Good morning, Sidney," he said as he passed me. Everyone proceeded to pile into the van, leaving Mrs. Hanson and Jessica standing on the porch steps. I climbed in after Taylor and took the back seat beside him. "Now does anyone have to go to the bathroom before we leave?" Mr. Hanson asked his children from the driver's seat. Both Avery and Mackenzie answered a quiet "no". He glared at Zac through the rear-view mirror. Zac hesitated at first. "I'll be right back," and with that he jumped back out and ran into the house.
"Hey, Sidney. Wake up," I felt Taylor whisper in my ear and nudge me a few hours later. I opened to my eyes to find a somewhat fuzzy version of his face looking down at me. The van was empty and unpacked. I had fallen alseep on him and he informed me we had arrived some time ago but didn't want to wake me so soon. I smiled and stretched. "Well, look who just woke up," Isaac smirked when Taylor and I emerged from the van. Taylor brushed past him with a punch in the arm. I felt strangly out of place being with the family. Everyone had their place and a position to hold. Mr. Hanson busy setting up the tents with Taylor on his way to help, Zac digging through the cooler, Avery and Mackenzie putting rocks in a circle for the evening's camp fire, and Isaac sitting against a nearby tree with his guitar. It was to be a long trip.
[Chapter Thirteen]