The Start of Everything After

Let's Ride!!

I check my phone. It's 7:24, which means that in six minutes my mom will be an hour late picking me up. Typical. She's always so wrapped up in how my brother is she often forgets me in the process. In her eyes no one can be more perfect and wonderful than Nathan. No one, especially not me. She had me when she was young, to her, I will always be some huge stupid misstep. She said she thought my dad loved her. That's where we disagree. He did love her; it's just that she was young and he was young. What can I say other than that life is messy. But that's where the beauty lies. And although she said he fooled her, I think she knows deep down I was a product of their love not stupidity and regret.

And even though he didn't turn out to be much of a father, I know he loved me. He just wasn't ready. And for others it might not be but for me it's enough. It's enough; to be loved from afar.

Luke is waiting with me and although he says it's out of courtesy I get the feeling it's more for amusement. He's enjoying this, I'm sure. It starts to drizzle. Great. I steal a quick glance in Luke's direction. Whereas I'm hugging myself he's lit a cigarette and is smoking it casually. Damn him.

"Are you sure you don't need a ride?" he takes a slow drag.

"I'm sure."

"Stay here in the rain, see if I care, but here's the secret;" he stops and takes another drag "I don't."

The thing is I think Luke does care. And that's what scares me.

Here's the other thing, I do need a ride. Desperately. The storm's almost here, there's lighting in the distance and my mother's not answering any of my texts or calls and Kacie's car is in the shop because yesterday she drove it into a pole when she was eating a bowl of cereal while driving, because that's Kacie. She's fine thank god , but her car is not.

"Last chance, Persimmon," he looks to me, waiting, takes a drag "I'm not offering again" and blows smoke in my direction.

And at this precise moment the universe opens up and a torrential downpour starts. Dandy. Just dandy.

"Sure... it seems I might need a ride, but I swear I'm only accepting because- well- because- I have to"

"If that's what you say- hop on" he gestures to his motorcycle.

"Nuh-uh not gonna happen I don't think so there's no way-" He makes a gesture with his hands saying its your choice.

"You're kidding me." I say, defeat sinking in.

"Not in the slightest" So I hop onto his bike behind him and pray.

He hands me his extra helmet that I'm sure he saves for damsels in distress. Though I may be one right now I'm not anywhere near as pretty as the other girls that have ridden his bike I'm sure.

He tells me to hold on tight but I shake my head stubbornly, saying "Not in your wildest dreams."

"Suit yourself." Luke says, on a chuckle. He looks back, smiling a smug lopsided smile like he knows, he knows more than I do. And that bugs the hell out of me. He turns the ignition and revs the engine twice. Suddenly I feel the bike lurch forward. My instincts get the best of me and in a cliche scene from the movies I find myself wrapping my arms around him. I can feel him laugh. Probably at me. And then I laugh too.

The wind is whipping my hair in and out of my face as we ride into the inky stormy night . The lighting in the distance is quickly closing in. I feel exhilarated. If anything, awake, I feel awake. Finally awake. And then I lose all the air in my lungs as the thunder crashes and I wonder if I can only feel this way with maddeningly handsome perpetually angry motorcycle riders.