Once we were all packed up and told our parents the story we were all cramped up in the car playing “I spy with my little eye.” It felt like we were little kids again. Of course Lily didn’t have a clue on what that was so we had to explain to her that it was a game and it did not involve spying.
I was surprised our parents believed what we were doing, I mean I knew they were going to let us go but it was a relief when it actually happened. They thought I was driving us all to school to meet at the bus but actually we were taking turns between Emmet, Alice, and me driving down to Tennessee. I knew it was going to be a long drive but at least we were splitting up the work.
Emmet sent the fake email to our parents and he changed their emails on the school database so that if they email our parents saying we were not there well, it’s going to go to nobody.
So far the drive is going great. We left soon after the meeting we had about what we were doing, and were on the road for about five hours. We have played a bunch of games and that has been a good way to connect. Even Alice was in a happier mood with Lily. Other times though we would all get silent and some would even fall asleep. You could call it peaceful driving in silence but for heavy breathing.
It reminds me of me and my family when we would take road trips. Back when things were normal. Back when my brother was still alive. Tears well up in my eyes just thinking about him. I remember he would always ruffle my hair and say “ready to roll little Ames.” I would always giggle when I was like 6. I really miss him. But I know he will always be here in my heart. Sometimes I can hear him in my head like he was talking to me. I know he’s not really here but it fulls me for just a second.
Every few hours we would go to a gas station or somewhere to eat and stretch our legs. We would also change out drivers. It’s so relieving to take a break from driving. I don’t know why, maybe it’s that I’m new to driving or not but I get really tired after about two hours. The slow rocking of the car and how it’s silent when everyone is asleep makes sleep come easy to me when I’m not driving.
I think it’s fascinating to Lily to watch all the scenery whooshing by, even though she doesn’t say it. When we let her know which state we are in, her eyes go wide, having never heard of it and how much it had changed from up in Wisconsin.
When we finally got close enough to see the mountains Lily was glued to the window, her face in amazement.
“And these are the famous Smoky Mountains!” I say, pointing to them with my left hand without taking my eyes off the road. They are so beautiful and big. You can just see them, the sun is setting and it transforms the mountains into something else. The mountains are an ocean of blue against the red, yellow and a little bit of pink sky you can almost imagine you were in a fairy tale land. The fluffy clouds that are outlined with just a hit of pink look like you can just reach out and take a big handful. The sun shooting out rays of red, yellow, pink, orange and even purple is almost down behind the mountains.
Lily wasn’t the only one glued to the window now. In all of the sunsets I have seen down here, this by far is the best one. I wish I wasn't the one driving right now so that I could keep on staring at the magnificent sunset.
“How do you guys think about stopping now to enjoy the sunset?” I ask.
“Sure,” everyone says, still staring out the window.
I pull over at a rest stop and park the car with a good view of the sunset. We weren’t the only ones there, it seems like everyone was there. Immediately everyone jumped out of the car, taking out their phones and snapping pictures. Even Lily had what looked like a phone in her little brown bag. I couldn’t resist but to take a picture and send it to my parents. I called our family friends ahead and told them that we were coming soon and NOT to tell my parents. They would understand that.
After awhile we watch the sun go down into the mountains leaving the remains of darkness. Everyone leaves the parking lot until it’s just us and the stars. We are all sitting on the hood of my car taking in the crisp air and darkness.
“That was so beautiful.” Lily says, breaking the silence.
“It was.” I agree.
“I have never seen a sunset in the mountains before.”
“You don’t have mountains in the Enchanted Lands?” Emmet asks
“We do but the sun always sets in the other direction.”
“Hmmm, interesting.” Emmet says, rubbing his chin.
“Anyway we should get back on the road if we want to get to this friend's house of yours before next year.” Alice says.
I sigh, “I guess we should.”
We all get off of the hood and start to get in the car.
“Wait,” Lily says.
We all look at her. She looks embarrassed and is fidgeting with the end of her shirt.
“What? It’s ok.”
“I have to use the bathroom.” She says, quietly.
“Oh, that’s nothing to be ashamed about. Look there’s one right around the corner. Will be right here. Don’t worry.” Says Emmet.
She looks at all of us then at the bathroom.
“Ok, I will be right back. Thanks.”
We all stare at her until she turns a corner. Now all we have to do is wait untill she gets back, but she never does.
A/N: SUSPENSE
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𝐀 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝
FantasíaThis the sequel to the Enchanted Lands that I Also wrote, so if you didn't read that you should. But you don't need to if you don't want to, but it would be easier to understand somethings if you read that. Anyway, this is about a girl named Lily a...
