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Chapter One

..Into the wild blue yonder

The bright afternoon sun shone through the windows, creating a checkered pattern on the desk. Boxes filled the once large room, now it seemed even larger. The bay window, which once was blocked by the tv and desk, was now plain and in full view. It was depressing to think that this room would be turned into an office once both of them were gone forever.

Josh sat at the desk writting a letter to himself, dorky yes, but Josh had already opened the ones that he'd written to himself in grade school, one's that were hidden in those silly time capsules. One's not intended to be opened untill you were older, but you'd sneak peaks in every once and awhile just to make sure that everything was still there.

He was going to college, not just any college, Harvard. He was going to leave Drake here, in San Diego while he went on to study medicine and become a doctor so he could save lives someday. He was doing what everyone told him to do, never once did he step a hair out of line, unless it wasn't his fault and he was coerced into doing so by either Drake or Megan. Nope, Josh was a good kid and he was going on to do great things like everyone told him he was.

He folded the letter, placed it into an evelope and placed it ontop of the only unclosed box. The room was so empty without Josh's things. It looked like it had four years ago when he first moved in and Drake had thrown a fit and camped in the yard for a week.

"How's the packing going?" Drake asked as he walked into the room and threw Josh a can of Moca Cola.

"I'm done now. How empty does this room feel?"

"Pretty empty." Drake sighed as he sat down next to his brother on the red couch. "I'm going to miss you Josh." Drake confessed. Over the years the dorky, magic loving, kid he loved to hate had actually become more of a dorky, magic loving, adult that he learned to respect and actually enjoy being around.

"I'm not going away forever." Josh stated. "Plus you get 'your room that you spent all summer on' back."

"It's our room now Josh. I can't just undo all the dork you've put into it." Drake joked.

They sat there in a quiet ambiance, the sun reflecting off of the dust in the air. Drake sighed, he wasn't going anywhere next year. He was staying in this room slacking off and doing nothing but play a little guitar here and there. No he wasn't going to take a year off to travel or to do some other peace corps type thing. He was staying home because no college wanted him, if you put it bluntly. All his letters came back with Sorry but your grades don't match our acedemic standards. Try again next fall once you've improved your transcript. or something else along those lines.

"Josh, sweetie let's pack your things into the car." their mom said as she poked her head into the doorway.

"Sure, this one's pretty light." Josh said handing her a box labeled, clothing. Drake grabbed a couple of boxes and within 20 minutes Drake's car was packed.

Drake and Josh had planned this for their last 'adventure' together. Driving cross country to Harvard then Drake was driving back alone. Though Audrey had worried about Drake's ability to drive cross country by himself was what had prompted her to say no, but Walter saying it was a good life experience had made her changer her mind. Two weeks is what they had to get there, taking time out to see some sights, Josh excited about seeing things like The Grand Canyon, The Mississippi River, Washington D.C. and looking out onto the Atlantic Seaboard didn't ease his fears of college life. Drake on the other hand was estatic about seeing Las Vegas, New York City, and all the hott girls they'd meet from each town. He planned on one girl for every state. He'd pull the whole, I'm-a-traveling-musician-bit.

"You two have everything you need? Extra clothing, money, the credit card for emergencies?" Audrey fussed as they got ready to go.

"Yes Mom we do don't worry. I've got the credit card in my pocket." Josh said out the passenger window. Reassuring Audrey that the families bank account would not run dry. She was pretty angry about the whole incident with Megan in LA. Drake and Josh's little 'mistake' had caused them quite a lot of money. Both boy's had to pay her back with the gig and money they got for capturing the two guys.

"Drake you be careful. If you get lost ask someone for help. And don't be afraid to call us, we'll come pick you up if you get lost." She worried more. Walter placed his hands on her shoulders to comfort her.

"I'm sure the boy's will be alright. They're adults now. Behave you two." Walter said as he gave them a look that meant, if-you-mess up- don't-expect-us-to-be-happy.

"We will." Both said in unison. Drake started the ignition and they all said their last goodbyes as he drove out of the driveway.

"Goodbye boobs." Megan smiled as she skipped back inside. She was going to Denver again to stay with her friend most of the summer. She needed to pack to. At least her parents were going to drive her this time.

"They've grown up so much." Audrey said as she dried a few tears from her eyes.

"I'm amazed at how they've become friends." Walter added. "They didn't even want to acknowledge each other in the first place."

"I'm so proud of them."

"Me too."

They walked inside hand in hand. Both to proud and sad at the same time. Their boys were adults now, they were venturing out into the world, a world that is at times unforgiving and relentless. But they knew that it had to happen, they had to leave the nest and fly. They just didn't expect it to come so soon.