Paper Hearts | ✓ | [ e d i t i n g ]

Chapter Thirteen - Break the Speed Limit

Corra did. She really did.

I thought the Beater was going to up and stop right there on the road. She blew down the low maintenance road, past the orchard that had very vivid memories that I held very close to me. Past all the trees and out onto the highway. 

Rolling down the windows, Theo gave me a look. I shrugged, " If you're not going to sing, than I am."

" You're crazy." He replied, though he was teasing.

I smiled like madman, " Good."

leaning forward in the Beater, the afternoon air driving my red mildly curled hair insane, I turned up the volume. Then, I proceeded to lean half my body out the window and yell at the top of my lungs. I could hear Corra's laughter and could feel Theo's smile as he watched me.

I leaned back in, " Theo, lean out the other side and talk to me over the car."

He rolled his eyes, " really?"

" Really." I nodded.

Half of me went back out the window, watching for Theo. He was there, his hair battered by the wind, beautiful brunette strands brushing his forehead. He narrowed his eyes, " this is horrible."

" This is the best thing ever!"  I laughed.

even from outside of the car I could hear the music. So I matched my voice to the lyrics, singing and laughing. Corra's hand was out the window, her fingers catching on the air. Her voice matched mine and I looked at Theo expectantly. He shook his head, " hell no."

" Just a few verses." I pleaded, nudged him with my foot from inside the car.

He frowned, " not happening."

I sang louder, " Mama's alright, daddy's alright, they just seem a little weird. Surrender, Surrender, but don't give yourself away, ayayay, wayyyy. Waaaaaayayayay! awayyyy!"

then the verses came again and soon we were back at the chorus, " Just once! Please."

" Will you shut up?" He asked, still with me on the outside of the car.

" I will stop bothering you, yes."

So he did it. We both sang the chorus and Corra got this goofy smile which caused me to kick the back of her chair. All three of us merged together in an uneven chorus of voices. Theo actually sounded good, despite the way his tone was grumbling and he was completely, one hundred percent, not amused.

I smiled, and climbed back into the car with him, " thank you."

" You said you'd stop bothering me." He teased.

" I'm a pathological liar. Believe me, it sucks." I nodded and he smiled, shaking his head. Then I turned to Corra, " time to go home." 

She groaned but slowed the car down, pulling a too-tight u-turn for the Beater. we barely made it, riding on the verge of rolling into the ditch. Then she hit the gas again. 

It was like flying. All of the wind everywhere, Theo's sarcastic unamusement mingling with the idea of summer. Corra's overly energetic self practically bouncing in the front. It still amazed me, these were my friends. They were real and they actually cared. 

Theo looked over at me, " what's wrong?"

" hm?"

" We lost you for a minute. What's up?" He asked, having to raise his voice over the wind. It was nice, like silk and sandpaper all at once.

I shrugged, " I'm just... happy, I guess. I like you guys, I like having friends."

He smiled, a complete and geniune smile, " Yeah." He flashed his teeth, " The feelings mutual."