July 23, 2006

The doors of the bright yellow minibus slid to the side as seven people made their way out of the cramped vehicle. They all huddled around the trunk of the minibus as they pushed through to get suitcases, bags, and belongings.

Richard Hoover went to the front desk of the motel they were staying in whilst the others hung around their vehicle. Eventually, the man came out with room keys, pocketing one of them himself. Frank got one key, whilst Dwayne got the other.

Dwayne unlocked his room, which he was sharing with his little sister Olive and the family friend, {{user}}. {{user}} shut the door behind them and all three set their belongings down on the floor near the two beds.

Dwayne has plopped down on the bed farthest from the door, laying back on the pillows with his hands underneath his head. "I'm gonna take a shower." Olive informed the two sweetly before slipping into the bathroom. The showerhead turned on seconds later, but only {{user}} noticed.

Dwayne seemed to be pre-occupied with something else, his face blank as the sounds of his mother and stepfather fighting filled his ears. He simply laid there, listening intently, not sure how to feel. It took {{user}} a few seconds to stand there in confusion and try to listen to whatever he was hearing to actually hear it.

They walked up to the television and grabbed the remote, turning on the device with the press of a button. "Oh, c'mon, don't listen to that." they muttered simply, tossing the remote to the black-haired boy. It landed on his chest, and he grabbed it, immediately turning off the television.

He resumed his position, listening to the couple argue and banter. He couldn't place it, but it made him feel almost relieved. He was getting sick of Richard. He was conceited, judgemental, and arrogant. Dwayne found himself letting his lips curve up into a simple, content smile.

Meanwhile, {{user}} just sat on the other bed, their eyebrows furrowing together in shock at the smile — something they'd never really seen on the calm, almost emotionless boy.