Thanks to everyone who has read, favourited and followed this story! And an extra special thanks to those who have reviewed this story :) I tried to update as soon as possible so I hope the wait wasn't too long. I've been really busy so updates won't be too often anymore. My grandparents are going to be visiting for the next few days so I won't have much time on the computer. I'll to get a couple more chapters in before August though cause I won't have much time to write then :(

Anyways, enjoy! And please review :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Little Miss Sunshine or the characters from the movie, only my OC Emily


CHAPTER 11: How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep

I woke up a while later to Richard and Frank bickering. I felt groggy. I looked up at Dwayne, who looked down and met my eyes with a teasing look. I just raised an eyebrow at him.

We pulled into a gas station and everyone piled out of the bus. Richard was on the phone, Olive went off to practice her routine and Dwayne went over to a patch of grass to do some exercises.

I went over to where Olive was.

"Are you and Dwayne in love?" she asked with big eyes when I reached her.

"No silly. What made you think that?"

"Well when two people really like each other they spend lots of time together apparently. And in the car you had your head on his shoulder," Olive said with what she thought was an all-knowing look.

"No Olive," I corrected her with a smile. "Boys and girls can spend lots of time together and still be just friends. That's what Dwayne and I are. Friends."

"Oh ok. I guess that makes sense too. But it looked like he was holding your hand then too"

"Well I guess it just looked like that, 'cause we weren't," I lied. I didn't want Olive to become involved in this confusing mess as well.

I left and went back to where Dwayne was. I inwardly laughed to myself at the simplicity of young kids. Everything was so black and white for them. Everything had become so complex and confusing for me.

Dwayne was doing push-ups on the grass. It was amazing how much he worked out and how strong he was for someone who was so lanky. I sat down beside him on the grass.

"Olive asked me if we were in love," I said chuckling. "I told her she was being silly of course."

Dwayne just gave me a quizzical look in return.

"Dwayne, I've been meaning to ask you… What's going on-"

I wasn't able to finish my question because Richard came by and beckoned for us to get into the van. I knew I was not going to find out my answer anytime soon again since it had taken a lot of courage to ask what had been on my mind for ages, and I would not be able to do that again soon.

The atmosphere in the car was tense. I shrank down in my seat in between Dwayne and Edwin, and became lost in my own thoughts. Eventually Dwayne noticed that Olive was missing and brought attention to this. We turned around and went back for her, where she was still waiting at the gas station.

Back on the highway, the rest of the drive that day was uneventful. I was somewhat bored and tired, like the others in the bus since it was nearing the end of the day.

We pulled into a motel and started to unload are stuff. Olive asked if she could share a room with her grandpa. Everyone began to file into their different rooms, while I stood there awkwardly.

"Umm where should I sleep?" I piped up.

"I guess just go with Dwayne and Frank, there's two double beds in there," said an exhausted Sheryl.

I lugged my duffel bag into the room behind Dwayne, while Frank followed and shut the door behind him.

"Dwayne and I could share a bed Emily," Frank said awkwardly.

"No, it's fine. I can just grab some of the extra blankets and make myself comfortable in the chair," I said gesturing to the plain, leather armchair in the corner of the small room.

"You sure?"

"Yeah, it's no problem."

I pulled open the sliding doors of the mirrored closet and reached up to the top shelf where a couple of cheap blankets and an extra pillow were kept. I took them down and left them on the chair so I could arrange them later.

I went to use the bathroom first and changed into my pajamas. When I came out I was wearing a pair of my brother's old plaid boxers as well as a plain black tshirt. I saw Dwayne give me the once over as I went to put my toiletries away. This made the butterflies in my stomach flutter.

All of a sudden I could hear loud shouts coming from the room next door that sounded like Richard and Sheryl. I looked over at Dwayne, who had a smile spreading across his face. Had I not known him better I would have thought he was a creep smiling at people fighting, but I understood why he would be happy about that. It's probably like what happened when his parents separated before so he hopes Sheryl would divorce Richard. It made sense since he was such an asshole.

Frank came out of the bathroom and turned the TV on to try and distract us from the noise, but Dwayne shut it off almost immediately. I went to sit down beside him on his bed.

"I understand but… y'know," I said giving him a look that said his smiling was still inappropriate.

"I'm going to go outside," I continued. "I want to get some fresh air. Wanna come?"

Dwayne got up and followed me out to the balcony corridor that ran along the motel. I noticed he had grabbed his hoodie and wished I had done the same. Instead of putting it on though, he draped it around my shoulders to keep me warm in the cool night air. I grinned up at Dwayne, while he allowed himself a small smile back.

We both leant against the railing, looking out into the parking lot. The VW bus had moved since we parked it, but that was no surprise seeing as how it was not the most reliable vehicle.

We stood there for a long while, taking comfort in each other's company. Finally I turned to face him.

"Dwayne… I…" I trailed off, trying to pluck up the courage to finish what I had begun earlier today. We stared intensely into each other's eyes for what seemed like years. Finally I was about to try to speak again when a door opened behind us.

Sheryl came out of her room to have a smoke, though she discreetly tried to hide her cigarette before we could notice.

"Kids what are you doing out here so late? Get back to bed. Remember we have to be up at seven tomorrow."

We entered our room again in silence.

"Out to get some fresh air?" Frank stated when we returned. Dwayne just shrugged at this comment and I followed suite.

"Well I'm going to turn in now," Frank said while he turned off his bedside lamp.

The only light now illuminating our small room was the dim lamp beside Dwayne's bed. I went and arranged my bed in the chair while Dwayne changed into his pajamas, which consisted of a gray shirt and his boxers. He got into bed and sat propped up against the headboard, reading a book. Although I was tired, I wasn't sleepy so I decided after a while to go sit with Dwayne.

I crawled up beside him and sat against the headboard. After finishing his page he put down his book, and took out his note pad.

Thanks for being such a great friend.

I really like you.

"Thanks," I whispered shyly.

I couldn't exactly tell what he meant by saying he liked me but I took it that he meant as friends, since that was what he had mentioned in the line before.

We sat in silence as usual. Our silences were never empty or suffocating. The quiet between the two of us was always oddly comforting. My exhaustion finally caught up with me and I began to feel sleepy. I leant my head onto Dwayne's should as he turned out the light. I toyed with his hand for a while, intertwining our fingers then unwrapping them while we sat in the darkness.

Eventually I was on the verge of falling asleep so I lumbered over to the chair in the dark, while Dwayne helped me to find the way. He made sure I was okay and went back to bed, though not before stealing a quick kiss on the top of my head.

Though I can't be sure whether the last part happened or not since I fell into a deep sleep straight away.


Thanks for reading! I hope you liked this chapter. It wasn't the greatest since I was sorta struggling for ideas and I wrote this late at night so it might not be the bestest.

Anyways please let me know what you think of this chapter and the story in general in a review!