The Ride Of My Life: Chicago

Chapter 29

The last few weeks was a blur, as I did what Skye told me to do. Just act normal. But that doesn't mean I get distracted most of the day thinking back to the night.
I'm still staying with Mack and her family until I have the courage to talk to my dad. I just don't know how to start a conversation. Do I apologize? Or talked thing out, then apologized for everything? It's been giving me a headache as I think what to do. I have been dodging Lexi whenever I see her in the halls. I can't face her knowing what her mom is doing is so wrong and can't tell because then her reputation will be over once words get out about her mom.
Mack is driving us to school in her car, since I didn't feel like taking mine. I oversleep this morning and usually I don't but lucky we won't be late to school, since Mack only lived a few minutes away from school.
When we got to the school, Mack parked car and not even a few second Jayson comes over to us.
"Hey, Estelle. I haven't heard from Tyler in a while, and I was wondering if you-"
"I can't help you, Jayson." I said, interrupted him. I really don't want to hear Tyler name, I been trying to avoid it, since it bring me down thinking I won't see him or the others again. I'm surprised that Mack hasn't asked me what's been going on with me lately, when Skye paid a late visit.
After that I walked away from him and head inside not wanting to be bother. And want school to start so I have something to distracted for a while.
Walking into Mrs. Clarkson class, I went to my usual desk and kept to myself until class start in two minutes.
The bell ring, everyone is seat at their desk and Mrs. Clarkson took attendance before staring class, going over for today lesson.
Half an hour later after reading a book that Mrs.Clarkson just read, she turn to the class.
"Does anyone know meaning of what they trying to say? Anyone?" she asked, waiting for anyone to answer. I would answer but I wasn't paying any attention. I was just staring the words in the book, like they going to do something, anything really.
Then I hear her called out to Shae. She must raised her hand.
I can hear her prickly voice. "I've got this one, Mrs. Claskson." usually it sometime bother me that she try to compete with me. But now it doesn't matter anymore, she can have this glorious spot on her this time.
After a long day of school where I haven't pay much attention like usually. When we got to Mack's house we went to her bedroom and started some of the schoolwork, before Mack turn on the TV. She sitting at her desk and I took over her bed.
When the TV turn on it's already on the news, usually she doesn't watch this, time to time she does as a background noise when we're studying.
"...A young man found dead in just outside of Chicago, has been identified by police as Jack Lake." the news anchor said, catching my attention. I look over to see a photo of Jack on the screen for a few second before going back to new anchor woman. "The police are investigating the death as a homicide, possibly linked to gang violence..."
"Estelle? What's wrong?" Mack asked, looking over to me. She looks a little worried, probably because the look on my face when I hear about Jack being gone. This have Night Skull written all over this, I just know it.
"N-Nothing." I said, stammer a little. I went back to doing my schoolwork. How soon before the Night Skull hunts down the rest of the crew? I ask myself as I think.

The next day, I hard got any sleep, I keep thinking something bad will happen. And I keep going on the news website or any website waiting to hear about the other crew if something happened to them. But so far nothing and that's a good sign.
And like always my day start over with going to school, trying to pay attention class and avoiding people, except Mack.
But soon as the days pass like a blur, one into the next. The everything feels like a dream half-remembered. Until, Mack reminded me that it's prom night. Which I have forgotten, with everything going on in my head, it's like complete mess right now. Worrying about the crew if they alright, trying to keep up with my classes, and trying to find the courage to talk to dad soon, hopefully.
I change my mind about not going to prom, since I'm not in the mood. Her family went out to visit some family to dinner while they in town for the weekend. Mack was going to ditch prom, but I reminder that she have a date. She's going with Jayson. But her parent wanted me to take some picture for them before they leave the house and head to the school. The theme is a starry night.
I'm sitting on Mack's bed scrolling through my phone as I already see people posting their prom photos, a she puts the finishing touches on her makeup.
"What do you think, Estelle? Is my cut-crease eyeshadow dramatic enough?" she asked turn to me. Showing off her makeup artist skill, which is great.
"You look great, Mack." I said, trying to put on a brave face.
"Thanks." she said, looking me for second, like she trying to read me. "Is everything okay, with you?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired that's all." I give her smile that didn't reach my eyes, but I hope she buy it. She took another second to look at me before turning back to the mirror. I went back to my phone, looking at post.
"You sure, you don't want to come. It'll won't be fun without you."
"I'm sure. And you'll have a great night, whether I'm there or not." I didn't know Mack got up, because she snatch my phone out of my hand. "Hey!"
"Okay, enough moping! I know you're had a tough couple of months, but make the most of the time we still have together." she give me a sad look on her face. "I know tonight isn't going to be exactly what we thought. But as someone once says, we aren't done with this part of our lives yet."
"Who said, that?"
"I don't know. I forgot. But now, are you with me, or are with me?" she smile bright, as she try to cheer me up.
I think over about it. Do I want to stay here and moped around? Or do I go out and have fun with my friend.
I sigh. "Okay, okay. I'm with you."
"Good. Now, I'm gonna go put on my dress, and I want you to text whoever it is that you've been daydreaming about all night."
"I haven't--" I said, surprised. But I try to deny it, but I been thinking about trying to reach out to him, to see how he doing.
"You have. And you're only going to get more distracted until you do something about it. So, text them hi, then get your butt in your dress." Mack tosses my phone back to me. Then left the room with her dress in her hand going to the bathroom.
When Mack left the room, I pull up my contacts, looking for Tyler name. I look at the number, as my finger hovering over the screen when the door bell ring.
"Estelle, can you get that?" Mack calls from the bathroom.
"On it!" i went downstairs and open the front door to see...Tyler. Standing on the other side of the door dressed up nice in a tux. And he wearing a huge grin on his face.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, not knowing why he's here when he supposed to be miles away.
"As if I would miss your prom." he said. Tyler takes a step closer to me, reaching to brush a piece of hair out of my face. "I'm done running, Estelle. So? What do you say? Wanna go to prom with me, Estelle."
"I... You're..." I can't form word as I'm trying to why he's here. And why is he asking me to prom when he doesn't go school anymore.
Not knowing what to do, I pull Tyler inside quickly, looking up and down the street to see if anyone's followed him.
"Tyler? I thought I'd never see you again." I jump into his arms, and he holds me close. "You were supposed to skip town, like the rest of the crew."
"How could I, knowing you were still here?" he smiled at me. "You wanted to go to prom, didn't you? And me, well, I dropped out but suppose I could handle one night of life in high school."
"I don't know what to say..." I'm touch that he wanted to go with me. And it's making my heart skip a beat.
"How about 'yes'?"
"Yes! Yes, I'll go to prom with you"
Mack pokes her head out from the second floor on top of the stairs, already wearing her beautiful prom dress.
"Hi, Tyler. Don't you look dapper?" she said, looking at him.
"Good to see you again, Mack. You don't mind me stealing Estelle away, do you?"
"I do if you steal her before she gets dressed." she said, smiling, then turn to look at me. "Get up here, Estelle! You have to finish getting ready. Tyler, she'll be right back!"
After that I went Mack's room to get ready as Tyler wait in the living room. Mack hand me, my dress as she get the hair curler ready. When I got my dress Mack is already doing my hair, it's just a simple wavy and after that she did my makeup only keeping it natural, since I don't really like to go all out. Like to keep things simple and not too over the top.
Right when I got done getting ready, someone ring the doorbell. It's must be Jayson picking up Mack.
"Hey Tyler. Can you get that for me, thanks." Mack calls out.
"Yeah, no probs." he said. I can hear him walking down the stairs answering the door.
Mack took one final looks at me, with a proud smile. "Okay now we need a quick self-pics together to remember this night." she over to bed side table to get her phone off the charger before taping on the camera app. She took about five pictures before deciding that's enough and then we met the boys in the living room waiting for us.
Jayson is already talking to Tyler about something that he been want to talk about for a while when he couldn't get a hold of him. But when they saw us, they stopped what they we're talking about and looks at us like we're the most beautiful girl they ever seen. Or something like that anyway.
"Wow." Tyler said, starstruck, on how I looked. And I blushed a little, which he might see the redness through my makeup.
"Thanks." I said, not knowing what to say to him.
"Ready to go?" he asked, offering his arm to me.
"Yes." I take it as he lead me outside, while Mack and Jayson followed behind us.
When we stepped outside, I stop short when I see a limo waiting at the curb. I turn to Tyler to see if he have anything to do with this. If so then it most sweetest thing ever that he done, beside some of the other things he does for me, that I'll appreciate for as I lived.
"I figured, if we're gonna do this, we should do it right." he said, giving that gorgeous smiled that I loved so much.
"You didn't steal it, did you." I tease.
"I though about it. But this is legit, promise." he walk over to the limo and open the door for me. "Hope it's not too over-the-top."
"It's perfect."
Tyler and I settle in the backseat along with Mack and Jayson. The inside the limo is nice with it's led lights and mini fridge that it have. It almost looks like only one of those fancy limo that celebrity use but their is different compared to this one. But still it's nice.
"You didn't wanna drive us yourself?" I look over to him. He's sitting next to me, while Mack and Jayson sit across from us. Admiring the limo, well mostly Mack is, and Jayson just watch her in awe, like a love puppy. Wait? Does he have feeling for her. It just hits me that I never seen the signs, probably because I was too busy dealing with the crew to even notice what's is going on around at school or with my friend that much to give my undivided attention to them when they need it. Now I feel like a worst friend on this planet to not care when I should be. I have to talk to Jayson, but not now, tomorrow, because I want to enjoy this night with them but mostly Tyler. Don't know when he'll be leaving.
"I thought you might want to get behind the wheel, speed demon." Tyler said, snapping back me. And I give him my full attention.
"I rather sit back here with you."
The driver left Mack house and is driving to to the school. It may seem over-the-top ridding in limo to high school prom, but I don't care, let them think we're weird. I'm done with people thinking I'm this goody-too-shoe, that never get in trouble. Because like I says before I'm going to enjoy the night.
When we got to the school, like I suspected everyone that in the parking lot or on the sidewalk is staring the limo wondering who it is.
Mack and Jayson got out first, then we followed behind. All eyes are on us, as we walking to the to gym. I stop short when I see how well done the dance committee did. Everything is so beautiful with night theme and twinkle-light star to give that look for a star-night. Even the centerpiece are stars with little shooting star. They did a great job for the last few days they have to set everything together.
"So, what do you wanna do? Go on the dance floor? Or get something drink or eat desert?" Tyler asked looking around the room full of people having a great time already. I look around once more before spotted something in the far corner of the room. Which it's gives me an ideas.
"Oh, look. They have a photo station over there." I said, trying to play it cool and hinting at something. Since we never took picture together since we met.
"Estelle..." he said, like he knows what I'm up to.
"Please? We don't have any nice pictures together." I give my best pout to reel him in, and do this me.
"You're not gonna make me wear silly props, are you?"
"I make no promise." I smile, knowing he will do this for me, like he always does to make feel happy, just to see me smile.
I pull Tyler behind me, and the two of us take our place in front of the camera.
"Put your arm around her." The photography gut said to Tyler. And he did what he say, putting his arm around me, standing from behind me. "Yes, just like that. Now, say cheese!" i smiled as big as I can until my face start to hurt a little. In that moment, I feel the most comfortable I've ever felt. "Great, here ya go. Next." the photography gave me the photo that he printed off from the printer that he have setup next o him along with his equipment. I'm glade that he did because I didn't want to wait weeks to get them.
We step aside for the next couple can get there picture done. I turn the picture to show Tyler before looking at it.
"We looks so... happy." Tyler said, surprised how we look in the photo. And he's not wrong we do look happy, because if I just imagine it, it felt like we just two people having a great night at prom with nothing going on around us. No hide, running from the cops or Night skull. Or anything else. Just us, two normal people having fun.
"I'm going to treasure this forever."
"We do clean up pretty nice"
"Yeah." I say, sounding a little down, after just thinking about having a normal night without anything to worried about. Tyler looks at me, his brow furrowed.
"What's wrong?" he asked, worried that he did or say something wrong to me.
"Nothing, it's just..." I look down at the photo, one fleeting moment captured on film before everything changes. "It feels like this could be the end, you know?" Tyler takes my hands in his, his callused thumbs rubbing soothing circles over my skin. And it's comforting.
"You're right. It could be. But if we let that fear control us, we'd never do anything worth living. I made the choice to come here tonight, Estelle. And I'm ready to face the consequences, whatever they are."
"Tyler. We'll face them together." Tyler smiles at me, but it didn't quite meet his eyes.
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that." he smile, "Now, we can't let a little danger ruin our night." Tyler offers me his hand. "Shall we?"
I smile as he leads me out onto the dance floor. When we got on the middle of the dance floor, Tyler wraps his arms around my waist, and I put my arms around his shoulder as we swayed to the music. And at this moment it felt like we're the only people here just swaying to the music with no around just the two us.
I lay my head against his chest hearing his heart beat. I closed my eyes and relax into him. I wish we can stayed life this forever.