It Started With Hello

Chap. 38

"Do you have your lotion, hand sanitizer, toothbrush?" Emma's mother asked from the passenger seat while her father drove that Friday down the road towards the news station. Emma sat in the back seat, her mother's old travel bag in her lap, filled with everything she needed for the two-week trip.

"Yes... Yes... and yes, Mother, I have everything I need," Emma replied, pretending to look through the pockets of the bag to ease her mother's mind. She was happy her mother allowed her to use her old travel bag. Emma had never traveled anywhere before, so the only bag she would have had for this trip was her school bookbag, and that definitely wasn't big enough.

Sure, her mother's bag wasn't really her style, being an army green duffle bag, but hey, free was free "Don't forget Clementine will be keeping us updated, so don't get into trouble," her father said, glancing at her in the rearview mirror. She held his gaze for a moment before looking down.

"She wouldn't have to if I had my phone back," she whispered underneath her breath. Her mother turned in the seat, looking back at her. "You're doing much better without it, dear. I'm sure you won't need it, and if you get bored, read a book... I told you to pack some." She smiled before turning back around. Of course, Emma didn't bring any books with her; she was going to be having too much fun with her friends to read a single book.

But she still had the phone Blake gave her tucked away in her bra.
She looked out the window as they pulled up outside the news station. Kandy was waiting outside in a knee-length plaid dress, glasses, and hair pulled back. As she saw them, she waved a hand, grinning.

"Yes, dear, you really won't be needing that phone back," her dad said while parking the car. She had to hold herself back from throwing the door open and flinging herself out. Her parents turned in their seats, facing her; apparently, they wanted to give her a talk before allowing her to leave.

"If there are any boys on your trip, stay away from them. Stay faithful to Jason, dear." As if she would ever stay faithful to him. She wasn't even dating the psycho! Emma's inner voice was screaming, but she simply nodded her head. Her mother gave her an approved smile. She turned, facing forward again, apparently satisfied with Emma's answers.

"Have fun and be good. We'll see you in a few weeks," her father said, giving her a smile before turning and unlocking the door. Emma, holding her bag, opened the door, looking back at them for a moment "See you soon, Mother... Father." Stepping out of the car, she made her way to Kandy. Looking around, she noticed they were the only ones around at the moment. She wanted to ask where the others were, but she'd wait until she didn't feel her parents' eyes on her back.

As she finally reached Kandy, she turned, facing their car. Kandy wrapped an arm around her shoulder, waving at the car. "Have a safe trip home!" she yelled while her parents pulled out of the parking lot, beeping the horn. She continued waving until the car was out of sight.

A dark blue sports car pulled into the parking lot, making Emma raise a brow. While she was wondering who was driving the car, Kandy dropped her arm from her shoulder as it pulled to a stop in front of them, rolling down the window. Looking inside, she saw a smiling Chris with black-framed shades with orange lenses.

"Hey, pretty ladies, are you going our way?" Emma smiled, waving at him while following Kandy around to the other side of the car. Kandy pushed back the seat, allowing her to climb into the back seat. Emma handed Kandy her bag for a moment. As she struggled with climbing into the back because of her long yellow sundress, she closed her eyes tight, stumbled into the darkness of the backseat, and landed right onto someone's lap.

"Wow, falling for me already, Em?" Chris let out a laugh from the front seat, making Kandy hit his arm slightly.
Emma instantly knew who it was and looked up into the bright green eyes. "Umm... Hey, Lake," she said shyly, her cheeks red despite her skin tone.

He let out a little laugh. "Hi, Emma. Umm, can you get off my lap now? Your elbow is digging into my kidney." Her eyes widened, and she rushed to get up and sit beside him, whispering a "sorry." Kandy slowly passed her back her bag, trying to hide her smile. Emma quickly took it, setting it on the floor between them. She felt everyone looking at her, grinning while Kandy put the seat back in place before climbing in the front seat, instantly taking off her glasses, setting them in the cupholder.

"Aww, I always love when you dress up. You're changing back already?" Chris pouted, looking at Kandy. She pulled the dress over her head; she was wearing jean shorts underneath with a red crop top. She took her hair down, shaking it around. She sent him a wink, grinning.
"Let's get this show on the road, bae." He started the car back up, speeding down the highway. Emma looked out the window, confused. Wasn't this supposed to be a family trip? Where were Blake's parents and Alex?

"We are meeting them at the campsite," Blake said, as if reading her mind. She turned, looking at him "Why didn't you ride with them?" his lip tilted up slightly. "Maybe 'cause I wanted to see you." His voice was like butter on warm bread, and she was melting. She froze, literally, no clue how to respond. Luckily, Kandy saved her.

"And don't worry, I know how your parents are, so I brought extra clothes. You can wear them. It's gonna be hot out there." Thank God for Kandy! Because Blake's comment threw her off. Was he openly flirting with her?.... No way? Like, no way?!? She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. He was leaning back, one white AirPod in his ear, his eyes closed, long lashes resting against his cheek.

His eyes slowly opened, and he looked over at her out of the corner of his eyes, sending her a wink, making her heart leap. She quickly turned her head around, looking out the window. Okay, so maybe he was flirting with her! Totally! Most definitely!