"The world is a book. And those who do not travel read only one page." ~ Saint Augustine.

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"How much further is it?" I whined, dragging my feet along making weird noises with the ground.

I played with my untied shoelace as I walked, randomly jumping up to kick Brad.

"Oops." I'd say.

He would just grunt and walk faster.

This torture went on for at least three hours and Brad doesn't even want to take a break.

And I'm supposed to be the stronger one here!

"You can always go back home if you're tired." He said, not losing his track as he quicker his walking pace.

I jogged to catch up with him.

"And leave you here with no one to annoy you? Nope. I'm good."

He shot me a glare. "You're not good. You're evil."

I started making evil noises in his ear and poking him with random sticks.

"We'll take a break after a few miles," Brad said, glancing up at the sky, which was now getting dark.

I jumped up in joy and started jogging ahead of him. (I know, I'm the most mature seventeen-year-old you can find.)

Brad had no other choice but to catch up with me.

He was halfway there when I slowed down and started jogging backward.

I know, it's completely safe jogging backward on the main road – with your laces untied.

I was busy pulling faces at him so he could at least crack a smile on this whole trip.

Suddenly, his eyes widened and he started sprinting towards me as if I was the last chocolate bar in the shop.

I was confused, so my first instinct was to stop and ask why he was running.

Big mistake.

He finally ran up to me and shoved me aside before he pulled himself back, too.

A huge lorry just crossed us – almost going over my shoe.

I blinked. The lorry was still moving. It was as if the lorry was long enough to be called a train.

I waited for twenty long seconds in silence. The only sound that could be heard was the driver cursing like a sailor.

Billy: You almost killed yourself, you stupid joker!

Great timing, Billy.

Once the lorry went by, I could see Brad rubbing his temples.

He then crossed the road and continued walking as if nothing happened.

I put my hands in my pocket and started whistling. Suddenly, I forgot about my leg ache.

"Um, thanks," I said.

Does anyone know how weird it is to say "thank you"?

Billy, remind me to never use that word again.

Billy: Suuree...

"I'm sorry, I didn't get that." He said, cupping his hand over his ear and his smirk touched his ear.

I stuck my leg out attempting to trip him.

Failed.

"You have a major ear problem," I said.

"And you have a major ego problem." He said shoving his hands in his pocket.

"My ego? Please. Yours can't even fit inside you properly."

"But at least it fits inside me and doesn't go out to annoy people."

"The thing that's annoying you isn't my ego. It's my awesomeness."

"You're as awesome as a chicken."

"Chicken tastes amazing."

He scrunched up his face and mumbled something about disgusting nonvegetarians.

Billy: This guy has obviously not tried the chicken.

Yep.

"Can we stop walking now?" I asked, picking up a pebble lying on the footpath and throwing it at his head.

"WHY DO YOU KEEP THROWING THINGS AT ME?!" He yelled, frustrated.

Woah, bipolar much.

"Calm down, she-hulk. I do it because it's fun." I said.

"She-hulk?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Sometimes, I question your manliness," I said, shaking my head.

He dropped his head down and let out a huge sigh. Probably tired of arguing with me.

"Let's sleep? It's 10:00 already." I said, glancing at my phone.

"I don't think we'll ever be able to make it." He said genuinely defeated as he plopped down on a nearby bench.

That was when it hit me.

"Hey, I know a guy." I started.

***********************

"I don't think this is a good idea," Brad said, looking nervously at the crowd.

I adjusted my guitar strap properly. "Relax. It's just a restaurant and people are too focused on eating their food than on the music."

"I hope so."

"You're such a scaredy cat. Did you remember to change your diaper before you came here?"

He rolled his eyes. 

"Ladies and gentlemen. Please welcome our Cheesy Chad and his friend, Brad!" I heard a posh voice say on the stage.

I winced at the name 'Cheesy Chad'. They had given me this nickname because I apparently say the cheesiest things. That was when I was younger, though.

"That's our cue," I told Brad and made my way onto the stage from behind.

I took a deep breath and looked at the restaurant. Sure enough, it was filled with people.

Almost everyone knew me because I often performed here since I was fourteen.

I went over to the mic and started off with the intro.

"Today I don't feel like doing anything." I started, glancing over to see Brad's smile.

https://youtu.be/sN36JM8l52g

This song was describing my mood when I didn't want to keep walking. It was perfect.

Brad did a steady drumming pattern and sang most of it, with that smile on his face.

I just added a few harmonies I made up and occasionally whistled to the tune.

The crowd loved me. And they still do. But I think what surprised them the most is Brad's drumming and singing.