Chapter Eight

Nine More Hours

For once in his life Drake was the first to wake up. Trying carefully not to wake anyone else up he went into the bathroom and took a shower.

He didn't bother to lock the door, he knew no one would want to come in anyway. Drake started the shower and took off his clothes. He wanted to wash the smell of sex off of him, that smell of sweat and perfume. For some reason it sickend him this morning.

He hopped into the steaming shower and felt the water cascade down his back, he just wanted to be home. He washed his hair with the junky hotel shampoo and conditioner. Drake sighed, what happened last night wasn't what he had planed to have happen. He wanted to just bang her and leave like he normally did. The fact that she was a virgin had complicated things, mostly for him. It wasn't his fault that she hadn't said anything until it was too late, it wasn't his fault that she invited him over to her place. Guilt was a new vocab word for Drake, it was a new emotion. Sure he'd felt guilty before but it normally went away within minutes, it'd never felt like this before.

He turned of the water and reached out for his towel. He dried off his arms and face, then wrapped the towel around his waste and walked out into the steamy bathroom. Surprised to find Taylor standing there brushing her teeth.

He refused to acknowledge her presence. How could he pretend to be nice to the girl he had a miniscule crush on, the girl who'd helped his brother cheat on the only girl that had ever loved him. He just couldn't, it wasn't right.

"Drake, I'm sorry about what happened last night. I think it's best you leave me here. I'll find a way home or something." Taylor said as she spit out her toothpaste.

"It's not me you should appologize to, it's Josh." Drake said as he began to shave, the one thing he hadn't done in awhile. He was starting to develop a moustache much like the one Josh used to sport.

"I know, I mean, well. You didn't seem to happy to see that."

"Taylor, I don't care if you make out with anyone. Doesn't bother me at all. It's just that it was Josh, that kid has so much going for him. I don't want him to throw it all away. He doesn't understand how good he has it in a loving relationship." Drake stated as he looked Taylor in the eyes, something he'd only do if he were serious.

"Alright, I still think it's best that I..."

"NO, I mean, Taylor just finish it with me and if you want to go home I'll take you there myself. You're kind of part of me and Josh now. I don't want anything bad to happen to you, I know Josh feels the same.

"Drake...I..I...thank you." She said as she left the bathroom.

"I know, it's a shocker when I care." He laughed as he continued his grooming routines.

"Hey..." Josh mumbled as he walked into the bathroom. Drake was now brushing his teeth and making sure his hair was perfect.

"Hey, sorry about barging in like that last night." Drake appologized as he put on his deodorant.

"No problem. If you hadn't done that I don't know what I would have done." Josh sighed as he washed his face. "I feel so goddamn guilty. Is this how it's supposed to feel?"

"Your not supposed to cheat on anyone. It's supposed to be casual. Guilt is what happens when you cheat." Drake said as he pulled on his boxer briefs. "If it makes you feel better, I feel the same way."

"Why's that? The infamous Drake Parker is feeling guilty? Must have been something big."

"No, I just realized last night that sex isn't everything. I mean well it is...but it's supposed to mean something."

"You're just realizing this now?"

"Took awhile didn't it?" Drake joked as he left the bathroom. "Get a move on it, we want to hit Virginia Beach today, 14 beautiful hours of driving."

"Great." Josh rolled his eyes.

Josh looked himself over in the mirror, his reflection had changed, well at least to him it had. It was as though his blue eyes now showed the pain he was feeling. How could he tell Mindy what he did to her? How could he tell Mindy that it was practically because of her morals that he cheated on her? Josh Nichols wasn't like that, Drake Parker was like that. Drake cheated on girls, Drake was the one that'd do anything for himself, not Josh. Maybe it was time that Josh moved on, that Josh got to see what life was like outside of San Diego, outside of Belleview High. Away from Mindy Crenshaw, but none of it seemed right.

He sighed. It wasn't like him to think like this. It wasn't right.

Josh was driving half of the trip, Drake the other half. They just wanted to get over with now. None of them cared too much about Virginia, it was DC and New York they cared about. Plus they were going to Hershey Pennsylvania. Drake was excited to see the Hershey factory and ride on the Mustang at Hershey Park. It was only the second greatest rollercoaster in the world, nothing could compare to the Demonator.

Drake sat in the back with Taylor. She was sleeping and he was eating a bag of Apple Chips. Apple Chips, something to bizzare about deep fried apples, but they were still delicious.

Drake fell asleep soon after. Only to wake up again at a rest stop in Virginia Beach.

"Josh..." he said softly as he nudged his brothers arm.

"Hummmm...? What?" Josh asked sleepily.

"Why'd you drive the whole way?"

"I didn't feel like waking you up."

"Why not?"

"I just didn't okay."

"I think we should talk..." Drake began as he opened the car door. "Follow me." Drake said as he stuck his head in the door and threw Josh his jacket.

The two walked to the sea wall that separated them from the ocean below.

"Drake, what's up?" Josh asked as they sat down on the wall.

"Josh, I think we both owe each other appologies. I think I owe you one more." Drake said as he pulled his jacket around him tighter.

"I think your right."

"I've done a lot of thinking lately and I think I've grown up a little. Last night really did it. I was off again with another girl, having sex as usual when I'm about to finish she tells me she's a virgin. Normally I wouldn't have a problem but then I realized that to me she was just another random girl, but to her I was her first time. She'd never see me again. It just kind of didn't feel right after that. Then to see you about to throw all that away with Taylor really made it all seem more clear." Drake explained softly with a tone that told Josh he'd really grown up.

"I dont know what I was doing last night. It just kind of happened, it seemed like the right thing to do."

"Don't be like me Josh, don't screw up everything you have. I wish I had, had the sense to do better in school, then maybe I'd be going off to college with you. Josh, Mindy loves you, she loves you a hell of a lot. I don't know why she does but she does. Don't question why, just go with it. Josh, you are so goddamn lucky to be where you are, you have no idea how much I envy you." Drake swallowed as he tried to hold back the tears that were pleading to escape.

"You're not the only one who's envious..." Josh started beginning to tear up himself. "Drake all throughout high school I saw you as the one with all the glory. You were the one that had the band, the girls, the coolness. I was the one who just stood in the shadows of Drake Parker, the coolest kid in school. Drake you were the one who got to play on TRL, I was the one who had to stand by and watch as you got what you wanted. I've never gotten what I've wanted. Everyone respected you, no one respected me." Josh cried as the tears fell down his face in the golden light of a single street lamp.

"I respected you." Drake stated. "You were the one who made me realize that I should tell Mom and Dad about the Dune Buggy, you were the one who saved my ass from failing Algebra II for the second time, you were the one who got me that gig with TRL, you were the one who taught me that gambling was bad, you were the one who helped me win the Talent Show three years in a row, you saved me from being expelled when your girlfriend tried to frame me, you even got me out of Remdial English every day and single handedly kept me from making out with Bardleby sisters, you were the one that kept me company Josh. We've had some pretty amazing times together, from leaving Papa Nichols with Carl and Eric to go ride the Demonator, we out smarted and captured two of the most wanted men, we kept a sheep in our room for almost a week, we threw that house party when Mom and Dad were away..." Drake cried too.

"Drake, we've both done a lot over the past for years."

"You can say that again."

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry for taking your room from you."

"Don't be, I'm sorry I didn't get to know you sooner."

"You know what you are Drake Parker?"

"And what's that?"

"You're number one." Josh said as he stood up and walked over to Drake. "Hug me brother?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Drake laughed as he hugged Josh.

It was odd how far they'd come, brick by brick, there walls had come down. Brick by brick they'd learn to appreciate the other.

"Let's have a few more good times before this trip comes to an end." Josh said as the both walked back to the car.

"Can do brother." Drake replied as he crawled into the front seat next to his brother.

"There's only one person left to appologize too." Josh said as he closed his eyes.

"And that can wait till morning."

Drake closed his eyes soon after he heard Josh's trade mark snoring. Maybe he'd mumble in his sleep for old times sake. It was only nine more hours on the road until Josh had to go to Harvard. Nine more hours they'd have left, that was excluding the time they took to see sights. Nine hours didn't seem like a long time, and it really wasn't.

A/N: Yeah, I know, kind of short...but still it was kind of dramatic...wasn't it? Don't worry, it'll get better, I swear, I know where I want this to go, it's just a matter of writing. I have the end chapter in mind and a bigishchapter that should be interesting wink, wink not to give anything away yet...

Peace out,

Morgan