Chapter 17

Monica pov

Instead of walking to my room, I went to Ashley's, I needed to have girl talk.

"I'm still shocked to see you here, you sort of left with no explanation." Ashley said.

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that. I needed some space to figure out what I was going to do with my life." I answered.

"That sounds deep, are you okay?"

"Honestly I don't know."

I didn't know what bothered me more Janine coming to my house or the fact that two weeks ago I had saved Casie and Colson's lives. Both memories stained my mind.

What if I hadn't had the guts to walk in that house? Would Casie love me then? What if I hadn't walked away when Janine was talking? Would we still be friends right now? These thoughts invaded my brain for days.

I couldn't handle all this alone, I told Ashley everything. From the ride to Latoya's house, to the knife she had in her hand, and the scared look Casie gave me when I first walked in. Then I told her the Janine situation; her little speech at the restaurant, how she wouldn't look me in my eyes, how she thanked me, and lastly how she said my name.

This was the first conversation I've had about Janine in weeks that I didn't cry or feel emotional. Maybe I was broken and sadness was replaced by emptiness.

"You are one strong ass bitch! You have bigger balls than me, I wouldn't of been able to do that." Ash said.

"Yeah because your smarter than me." I said.

"Honey, you need to stop beating yourself up about everything. You saved them, you had a lot of nerve to grab a knife from someone who was schizophrenic. As for Janine, if she really meant what she said she'll be back. Let her get through rehab, she needs to help herself and then she'll be ready to fix her relationships."

"Ugh why are you so wise?" I asked.

"So I can take care of you guys, without me all of y'all would be straight up insane."

"Your literally my spirit animal!"

"Um thanks... I guess."

"Don't worry that was compliment."

Slim came in the room and laid across the foot of the bed. For the longest time he just stared at me like he was trying to interpret a code on my face.

"What?" I said as I cocked my head to the side.

"Nothing its just that's the longest I've never been in contact with you." He said.

Ash and I exchanged glances as we had just discussed the same thing not too long ago.

"I'm sorry, trust me it'll never happen again even if I have to sell my stuff and move in here."

"You should! I'm sure Kells wouldn't mind you living here." He said.

That was true, I wouldn't have to live in another house and I wouldn't be too far from Casie. They practically invited me to go on the tour so I could make the decision if I wanted to live here or not. The only thing is, is that this house made me think of a frat house and they probably had strippers and random hoes here all the time.

"Sounds like a plan! When we get back your moving in here!" Ashley said excitedly.

"Fine, how could I say no to you guys." I said.

Slim gave us both kisses on the forehead and said he was going to bed.

"What was that about?" I asked.

"Your brother has been defensive and fatherly towards you since you were born." Ashley said.

Ashley was right, Slim was crazy protective. He controlled most of my decisions, if he didn't like one of my friends I dropped them, and I had to hide my only two highschool boyfriends from him.

Ash had a mini fridge in her room so we ate some left over grapes. We laughed at a few episodes of 'The Big Bang Theory' and cried at some 'Grey's Anatomy' episodes. We decided to have an all nighter since there would be bunks on the bus. Hopefully the guys were getting all the rest they needed because the beds were in our claiming.

Before we knew it, it was already 8:45 A.M. I looked out of the window to see a different tour bus that was bigger than the Lace Up bus. Ashley and I grabbed all of our purses and suitcases that we were going to bring and started loading up.

"Good morning ladies!" David chirped.

It's good to know that he was our new bus driver, he seemed nicer and very outgoing. I thought.

"Good morning!" Ashley and I said together.

"I'll be you guys' driver but that doesn't mean I'm uptight or anything.  I could honestly use some friends." He said nervously.

"Don't worry David, were all pretty chill!" Ashley said.

We walked back in the house, everyone was sleep except little Casie who was sitting on the staircase waiting for us.

"Morning!" Casie said jumping up and down.

"Morning Cas!" I said before lifting her up.

I walked to the kitchen and searched the fridge for things to cook, nothing was better than a homemade meal before we hit the road. I took out a carton of eggs, a pack of bacon, milk, and bread. First I made my batter for my family french toast recipe. Casie stood on a stepping stool and I taught her how to crack eggs and lay bacon on the steel pan.

Soon the house smelt like nothing but food, and Casie looked like she was having the time of her life.

"I like cooking!" Casie exclaimed.

"You do? Maybe we can start turning this into an everyday thing when we get back." I said.

"So that means yours staying?!" Casie asked with excitement.

"It sure does." I responded.

"What is that smell,  it smells like real food is being cooked." Colson said as he walked in the kitchen.

"What are you talking about, didn't you make breakfast yesterday?" I asked.

"No, Casie's grandparents stopped by to put the food in the oven, I just took it out." He explained.

"Oh that's true, can you cook?" I asked.

"I can make a mean grilled cheese. Isn't that right Casie?" He said before lifting her in the air and running around with her.

"Yes, you make the best grilled cheese ever!" Casie said through giggling fits.

Colson was such a good father, I had wished mine had been there for me. He put Casie down and she ran back to the step stool, she helped me make everyone's plates then we set the table.

"Rekfast!  Rekfast, everyone!" Casie said, we laughed as she had forgotten the 'B' both times.

"It's Breakfast honey, with a B" Colson said while trying to hold in his laughter.

"I knew that!" Casie said sassily.

The guys came down stairs with their luggage heading for the door.

"We just got a call that we need to be on the bus in the next ten minutes so we'll eat on there." Dub said.

Shit! I had just mad this meal with Casie and I hadn't even put on makeup or decent clothing to be out in public.

"I'll be right back." I said as I ran upstairs to my room.

I grabbed the only outfit still left in my closet; a black and white flannel, white skinny jeans, with white and pink Jordan's. After putting on my clothes I had a total of six minutes to put on makeup. I ran to the bathroom, applied deodorant, perfume, and lotion. Finally it was makeup time, black  eye shadow, pink blush, pink lipstick, and winged eyeliner.

I walk down stairs to see Ashley waiting for me.

"Everything including the food is on the bus, I just wanted to make sure you weren't having any second thoughts about coming." She said.

"Oh, of course not. Wouldn't miss this for the world!"

Ashley and I walked on the bus and both sat down on the couch. First stop : Toronto!