"I'm coming with you, Brad."

"I don't need extra junk that would slow me down."

"As much as it's your problem, it's also mine."

"Wait, how?"

I took a deep breath and continued, "My parents are your godparents."

He looked blank – either from shock or because he didn't know what god parents are.

"Meaning, if your parents um... you know... Then my parents would look after you." I said, trying to get something through his thick skull.

His eyes widened in realization.

"Meaning we would be... Related? As in... Brothers?!" He said as if that was the worst thing that could happen to someone.

I don't blame him. I can't imagine us even being friends... Much less brothers.

I made a face and said, "Exactly, genius."

"Then I definitely do not want you around." He dead panned.

"Look, I don't really care about your whole parents -are - kidnapped - thing," I said, crossing my arms.

Billy: Lies.

Shut up, Billy. I know what I'm saying and I don't need you to poke me after every word I say.

I continued, "If you die in this mission, I'm fine with it because there are millions of other people I can annoy. And if you do succeed in this, then I don't have to worry about you being my brother." I clarified.

"But?" He asked.

"But, I'm still going to help you because I want to be the first one know what happens." I finished.

"You do realize that if I die, you die too?"

"Well, in that case, I'd be glad to annoy you in hell as well."

"Okay." He said as if he had done me a great favor. 

"Woah, there. I never asked for your approval." I said, raising my eyebrow.

"I'm not in a mood to give you a snappy comeback, Chad." He sighed before closing his eyes. 

I picked up my bag and left him there with the camera.

Pulling my phone out, I texted Brad, 'Pack your stuff. We're leaving today.'

I got a reply, 'What time?'

'Dunno. The sooner the better?'

'Yea. See you at 4. In the skate park. And for heaven's sake, don't bring your skate board with you.'

'Okay. I'll be sure to bring it along.'

'I'm not joking. I will break it if I see it.'

I shoved the phone back into my pocket without replying.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

"All set?" I asked him.

He just nodded and started walking towards the nearest bus stand.

I caught up with him, my guitar hanging from my back.

Just incase I get bored with him.

"Do you still like Mother Nature, despite what she did to you?" I asked, trying to start a conversation.

He just shrugged his shoulders.

Weird. I usually get a lame comeback.

"Did you manage to scare away the few brain cells you had? Come on, why aren't you talking?" I whined.

He sat down on the bench and pulled out his phone.

His wallpaper was a picture of his mother.

I did the same because it was best if I just leave him alone.

I scooted away from him on the same bench and started playing flappy bird.

From the corner of my eye, I could see Brad staring deeply at his wallpaper. A small tear fell on his screen.

And I lost my flappy bird high score.

The bus came after a few minutes and we paid the driver – yes, where I live, you just pay the driver. No bus tickets or whatnot.

Luckily, the bus was nearly empty so we slid down in a seat. I let him take the window seat.

I just popped the earphones in my ear and shuffled the songs.

Skip.
Skip.
Skip.
Skip.

Okay, when I say shuffle, I mean play all my favorite songs. Not these boring ones I keep skipping.

Brad was still staring out of the window, deep in thought. He would randomly start chuckling as if he just remembered something. Probably a memory he shared with his parents.

"You know, they aren't dead," I said.

He turned around.

"Yeah, but I don't know how long they'll live."

I patted his shoulder. "They would definitely live for thirty years more."

He smiled.

"We have arrived at the Cimino Dr. 'America the Beautiful park'" said an automated voice.

"Last stop. Everybody get out of the bus." The driver yelled. Picking my bag I got up fro my seat.

"How far is Fresno, California from here?" I asked.

The driver just laughed and said, "With traffic and all, it would take about 18 hours by car. It's 1400 miles from here approximately."

Just great.

Mental calculation here:

The casual walking speed is about 20minutes for one mile. Which would mean 28000 minutes for 1400 miles?

Divide that by 60 and I'd get 466 hours or 19 days. If we walk continuously. Let's say we rest for five hours a day so that would add up to ninety-five hours. Which is approximately four days.

We'll get there in twenty-three days.

If only we could get another bus ride, we would save time.

"Brad, how much money have you got?" I asked, trying to find money in my pocket.

"25$. You?"

"20. That would get us one more bus ride." I said.

"I know where we're going." He said, walking ahead.

"Do you?" I asked.

"Yeah, I know a shorter route which takes about sixteen hours by car." He said.

Great. I worked so hard calculating all of that for nothing.

"That would be sixteen days by walk. If we could get a ride to save us at least one day..." He trailed off.

We would still not be able to make it.