Okay, new story. This one is going to be my child, my baby. I'm pouring everything I have into this one. And if I die trying, it will be amazing. One more thing, I don't own anything, except, you know, the plot.

James ran a hand through his soft hair as he boarded the bus back home with the rest of his team. They had just won a game against West Hickory High School. They creamed them actually, beating them 15 to 1. Everyone was excited, screaming and hooting and hollering over their victory. James had to admit, he was happy too. He just couldn't bring himself to express it at the moment.

The bus filled up quickly with the sweaty, elated hockey players. James slid into a seat, Logan sliding in next to him. The shorter boy was just as pumped as the rest of them were. James put on his best smile, the smile he'd become so accustom to throwing on whenever the world expected to see it. He fist bumped all the guys that stuck their knuckles at him and even embraced a few of them in the rare man-hug. He played along, grinning and laughing, but his eyes remained dull and lifeless. He couldn't fake everything.

Soon the bus started rolling, probably to the nearest fast food joint to get some burgers. It was a long ride home and the guys were all starving. James was grateful that they'd be stopping. The more stops and the longer they were, the better. He was by no means in any rush to get home. He glared out the window, watching the snow covered trees roll by. He wished that he could just sit there on that bus and keep going forever. Oh, how he wished that he could just watch the world whiz by from behind a square of glass for the rest of his life.

He was thankful when the cheering died down. Soon the roaring excitement in their shouts dulled to happy chatter. James leaned his head against the window, the cold glass burning his forehead. He closed his eyes, absorbing the conversations he heard taking place around him. "Did you see that shot? The guy must not have even been trying!", "Hey man, did you hear what Lance did to Chloe at the party last Friday? I heard he fucked the shit out of her!", "Kevin was a total douche bag last practice. He had us all out of focus! I swear if we hadn't have won this game, I would have kicked his ass!". James could make out what everyone was seeing clearly, but all he heard was blah blah blah. Who cares? He thought to himself as he groaned mentally.

James eyes shot open and his head popped up at the sound of Kendall's famous finger whistle. His eyes scanned the bus and stopped when they found Kendall sitting a few rows in front of him on the opposite side of the bus. He was standing up, grinning at the busload of winners. Everyone quickly hushed and all eyes were glued to their proud captain.

"Alright guys. I want to start out by saying how awesome each and every one of you guys are. We got out there and we played as a team. We won not because of luck, but because of hard work, dedication, determination and our ability to become one when we're out on the ice. You guys are all important to the team. Logan, man, you should be a ninja. Your reflexes were awesome out there, you blocked nearly every shot and that's pretty amazing. Bret, you were incredible on defense. I can't believe how many times you saved us out there. And James, you were unstoppable. Nine goals, man! Over half of our win is because of you! You were amazing. You all were. So what I'm saying guys, is thanks and congrats to us all, for being the amazing, unstoppable team that we are!"

The cheering started again. Kendall always had a way of reigniting the fire. Just when all was calm and relatively quite, Kendall would start a riot. This was something about his best friend that usually didn't bother him. He loved the way Kendall could liven up a funeral. He loved that fire he possessed. But sometimes, it just became too much for James. James knew it was his own fault though. He left himself get irritable and grouchy and sensitive sometimes. He let himself get annoyed by the typical things. He never meant to, but sometimes it was all just a result of overload in his brain, causing him to shut down and become touchy.

The gleefully shouting continued as the bus pulled into a McDonald's. James was relieved that all would be quiet again. Soon everyone would be stuffing their faces with much needed fries and Big Macs. The contents of the bus spilled out and into the restaurant. James shuffled through the crowd of hockey players to his three best friends. Actually thinking about it, his only three friends. He wasn't bothered by this, though. James was grateful for them and wouldn't trade them for a million friends.

Logan, Carlos and Kendall were already standing together in their own little group, looking up at the menu. James silently waked over and stood beside them, turning his head toward the menu so he could pretend to scan it along with them. James honestly didn't care what he ate. Everything on the menu looked so good. He hadn't eaten a decent meal in God only knows how long and his stomach ached with the familiar feeling of hunger. It could be taken literally if he were to say he was so hungry he could eat a horse.

Logan was the first one to notice James presence. He looked over at him and flashed that grin of his. That grin brightened up a room. It was friendly and pleasant and it always made James feel like everything was okay. For a moment, anyway.

"Hey, James. Great game, huh?"

Logan's words felt strange to him. Maybe it was because even though they sat together on the bus, this was the first time they'd spoken since the game ended. Maybe it was because he was tired and hungry and unfocused. Whatever it was, he tried to brush it off and respond.

"Only the best game we ever played! We totally dominated them!" A usual response. Something they'd expect.

They shared a laugh and went about ordering their burgers and beverages. The adrenaline rush was starting to wear off as the team began sharing sleepy grins and quiet conversations. The day had been long, eventful, and now it was evident on all their faces.

Their food came surprisingly fast, considering there was a whole team of teenage boys to feed. The food was past around and orders were mixed up and traded about a dozen

times. Once everyone was satisfied they all found tables and sat down for their victory dinner.

"I'm so glad tomorrow is Saturday," Kendall said between bites of his Big Mac, "I swear I'm sleeping until noon."

"Only noon? Hell, I might not even wake up tomorrow," Carlos said with his mouth stuffed with fries.

"Swallow your food, man, that's gross," Logan scolded before continuing, "When I get home I'm taking a hot shower, curling up on the couch with some NetFlix, and sleeping in all day tomorrow." There's that grin again.

James stared at his fish sandwich as the chatter of his friends served as background noise. He wasn't interested in their small talk. He was much more interested in his sandwich. The food danced on his taste buds and filled the void in his stomach that had been empty too long. James took advantage of it when he was lucky enough to get dinner. It wasn't that he never had the time to sit down and eat dinner, and he wasn't trying to lose weight or anything silly like that. It's just hard to eat when your father never bothers buying food unless he's expecting people over.

James was snapped out of his thoughts by fingers snapping in front of his face. He immediately snapped his head up and saw the culprit. Carlos. He and Kendall and Logan were all staring at him, as if waiting for a response.

"Sorry, what?" James asked.

"You alright, James? You aren't really saying much," Logan commented, concern written all over his face.

"Sorry, I just spaced out there for a second. I'm alright." He shook his head, as if to clear his thoughts.

"Oh, alright then. If you're sure. C'mon, looks like we're about to head out." Logan nodded his head towards the rest of the team, who were making their way to the garbage cans and out the door.

The four silently got up and tossed out the unfinished fries and empty burger wrappers. They found themselves piled in the crowded bus, once again. James slid into a seat and Logan sat down next time him, same as he did earlier. However, this time there was no cheering and jovial chatter. Everyone was worn out and stuffed, making them now officially exhausted. James knew that the next hour would be nothing but yawns and the low hums of iPods. James was right. Heads began to flop against windows and the back of the seats. Eyes were shut or drooping slowly. Soft snores could be heard and mouths hanging open could be seen.

James noticed that Logan's head had flopped onto his shoulder, but he didn't mind. He and the guys were so close that it didn't matter if one fell asleep on the other anymore. James yawned, quietly as he could, as he felt his eyelids succumbing to gravity. Careful not to wake Logan, he leaned to the side and rested his head against the window.

James still couldn't help but imagine that as he slept, the bus would keep going. He kept his unrealistic wish that he would go on and on forever, never returning home. He knew he was being ridiculous, childish even, but he didn't care. When you haven't got much left, when you feel like it's you and only you, dreaming is something you can always count on. He closed his eyes and said a small prayer before drifting off. Please let me wake up anywhere but there.

This took me FOREVER to write. Please take 30 seconds to review. I have high hopes for this story…