Somewhere near the Mojave National Reserve: California
"Don't you think it's weird that we're almost, like, sisters, even though we met just a little while ago?" I crunched on the lasting hashbrowns, few of them resting on the base of my fork.
Evvie shrugged and with her mouth full of pancakes and bacon, she remarked, "Girl! Haven't you noticed? I have this miraculous knack for socializing."
I chuckled as Evvie checked her phone. Before I had the chance to call for a waitress, Evvie tipped her head back just a little bit and placed her arm on the top of the scarlet booth. "Who knew that Las Vegas is like SUPER close by! Hmmmmmmmm. I wonderrrrr."
Rolling my eyes, I crossed my arms and said, "Hmmmmm. Yeaaah, no. I don't think so."
Stars burst into her dark, brown eyes as she wailed, "Puh-LEASEEE. I've never been there before!!"
My right arm forming a swan on the metallic table, and the fork dangling between my index finger and middle finger, I objected, "Evvie, do you remember WHY we're going on this whole 'journey'? Well, for you anyway?"
"... I just... want to, you know, kind of forget about all the negative things... I know I don't have the right to say that, but... yeah... Ugh, even I don't ... Hope ya' understand Birdie."
I outlined the top cartilage of my left ear while shoving my side-bangs behind them. The bottom of my eye began to twitch as I sipped my black coffee, jolting at the sudden burn. I looked at the pleading puppy and replied, "Okay, fine. Fine. But you're going to figure out how we're going to get there, with YOUR money. Capeesh?"
"Capeesh. You'll thank me later!"
"..."
".........."
".................................................."
"-- Evvie?"
"Hmm?"
"I'm going to kill you now."
I pounced, straight for her throat before she backed away, awkwardly laughing and obviously dodging with all her evasive energy.
"Look, I'm sorry! There's no other way!"
I scoffed, extremely bitter by the fact that we were standing in the middle of the windy road, asking for a free ride. Yes. Hitch-hiking.
"Oh really? When I said we could have gone the other way, where there is a certain bus stop, you suddenly denied it, yelling that this way was the path towards an adventure? Oh wait a minute, it's you!"
"Good Lord's Jesus Christ! We're both upset and emotional, but you're especially salty."
I kicked at the ground with my heel, already exhausted before the digital clock struck noon. "You know what, whatever. We're already here, so stick your thumb up before you lose it."
Evvie whimpered and stuck her thumb up. Instantly, and surprisingly, a clean, snowy Kia van drove up along with Evvie's thumb and stopped in front of us.
My jaw, about a millimeter close to the dusty concrete, dropped at full speed as the passenger window rolled down. I froze, along with Evvie, whispering, "Are we in some cartoon where things just happen chronologically, just to get the story going?"
She shook her head and replied, "I think you're becoming salty and insane. But, no."
"..."
"Actually, guess what I'm gonna say now."
"What."
"I. Told. You. So."
"Oh my f--"
At that exact moment, a bright, blonde head stuck out of the window. The woman was holding a baby wipe with a blooming smile on her face. Her high pitched voice reached our ears as she munched on an apple, feeding another one to someone else in the driver's seat.
"You girls need a ride?"
I turned around swiftly, placed on a perfect smile while showing off my almost non-existent dimples. I beamed half-way, "Uh, yes! Yes, we do. Are you guys by chance on your way to..."
Evvie put her thumbs up at me while smiling from ear to ear. I continued, "Las... Vegas?"
A higher-pitched man's voice chimed in, "Yeah! We're goin' on a small family trip there."
Suddenly, the backseat window rolled down, revealing a small 5-ish-year-old girl with small pigtails on both sides of her head. Bright pink marbled hair bands held them together, matching her plastic Sleeping Beauty jewelry. She smirked a 10000 leveled sassy smile as she squeaked, "How do we know that you two aren't some crazy serial killers on the lose?"
"Mindy! Don't be rude! Ahem, one of you girls can sit next to Mindy, and -if you don't mind- sit next to Josh in the very back."
I peered at Evvie as her sassy voice recited, "Nuh-uh. I'm lovin' Mindy's persona. You sit in the back."
I rolled my fatigued eyes as I said, "Wow. Whatever, sure."
We both easily hopped into the van, me squeezing my nimble body into the back seat, and Evvie slowly getting past Mindy. In less than thirty seconds, Evvie was chattering with Mindy, both of their supreme personalities fitting together like perfect puzzle pieces. In the corner of my eye, a dark figure shifted awkwardly, facing the window. I jumped at its movement since I failed to notice anything right as I entered the angelic family's car.
Right out of nowhere, Evvie faced towards me with a devilish smile and intention. She urged, "Heeeey. Why don't you socialize with Mr. Chill and Quiet dude here? He won't bite, right Mrs...?"
She chuckled heartily and said, "Mrs. Evans. And he might be a little distant, but he's a wonderful kid."
"Mom, really?"
My eyes opened a little wider at his soft, yet spiky voice. I rubbed the back of my neck as I attempted a small conversation. "Uhhh... so. What year?"
"...... Junior."
"Ah. Junior year. The hardest time of all four years of high school. I feel ya' bro."
He paused at my flowing kick at the convo. I always found it easier to talk to guys than girls, ignoring the fact that two out of three of my best friends are girls. They're exceptions.
"Mhmm. You can say that again."
From there, we played tennis with words and phrases until silence slowly blew over us. Joshua fell asleep, finally revealing his face that was kept hidden under a black hood. He wasn't ugly. No, he was far from ugly. He was actually quite good looking. I thought to myself Why can't the boys at my school be this cute. Maybe a bit more mature and the same age as me, but the same amount of good-looking-ness. However, there was a horrific bruise right under his eye, over his cheek bone. The corner of his lips was cut, and a cut on his forehead.... He was a hot pile of messed up sh**. No offense to Josh. He's a cool kid.
I looked from my phone and to Josh's face, suddenly becoming bothered by about 15 strands of dirty blonde hair over his twitching eye. Because of my allergy-like OCD, I dug through the car holders and discovered a clean fork. I flipped it to the bottom side and sneaked to his peaceful face. With a bit of my tongue sticking out, I combed the hair into the back of his ear. My breath finally went back to normal, and so did my OCD levels. I felt the pride flow through my body as I gently chucked the fork into the cup holder. My eyes began to sting, resulting in a black, dotted universe where only certain surroundings could pull me out. But before my last foot stepped into the endless void, Joshua sharply turned towards the window. He fidgeted with his hood, but all faded and muffled as I closed the door behind me.
Extra:
Oh, sh**. What the f***. Why is she using a fork? It would be better to ignore it and pretend to sleep right? Mother of fuggin' Jesus Christ. And why in the f***in' world does she smell like lavender and pancakes? No, stop. Kay, she stopped. Alright, look away, Joshua. Naturally, look awaaay.
A/N: still editing. Nah, I will edit it more, if needed. And yes, I am a shameless, pitiful blob of stuff that likes her own writing. Meh.
To be continued...
- WindyFontaine
ns 172.71.194.183da2
