The Stray Souls ["The Diary Keeper" Sequel; "The Dark Legacies" Series]

Chapter 38: On the road

One more balmy sunny day. The kind that makes you feel like the whole world is smiling along with you. The sun was playing peek-a-boo through the fluffy clouds, casting golden rays that danced on the pavement.

Of course, Martin agreed to drive me to Charleston, South Carolina in his car. Now, everything would be within the bounds of the law, because he's already sixteen and has his driver's license.

But there's one catch - we won't tell anything to my parents beforehand. Instead, we'll just spring it on them when we actually get to the city. They are a little bit overprotective, to be honest.

You know how it is when you're young and itching for a taste of freedom? Well, that's exactly how we felt.

The adrenaline kicked in full force. Windows down, music blasting, and nothing but the promise of adventure ahead. Charleston was our destination, but the journey there was just as thrilling. We laughed, we sang, and we swapped stories as the miles blurred by beneath us. And in that moment, it felt like anything was possible - even keeping our little escapade under wraps... at least for now.

Of course, we weren't alone - how could I forget about Caroline? This poor girl isn't used to breaking the rules too much, but everything in life can be subject to change. So, she's joining us on this adventure.

As we cruised along, the landscape unfolded like a breathtaking tapestry before us. Rolling hills stretched out as far as the eye could see, draped in lush blankets of greenery. Every now and then, a burst of color would catch our eye - a field of wildflowers, a quaint little farmhouse nestled among the trees. It was like driving through a postcard-perfect dream, with each new vista more enchanting than the last.

And let me tell you about the weather - it was like Mother Nature had decided to turn up the dial on perfection. The sun beamed down from a sky so blue, it looked like a painting come to life. Its warm rays caressed our faces, filling us with this undeniable sense of joy and vitality. With each mile we covered, it felt like we were soaking up every last drop of sunshine, storing it away in our hearts for the days to come.

As Martin's car hummed along the highway, the wind played this tantalizing game of tag with us. It danced through the open windows, tousling our hair and carrying with it the scent of freedom. You could feel its playful whispers against your skin.

"Curious, do you think they've already filed a missing persons report for us?" I asked with curiosity.

"Lia, I love you for your positivity," chuckled my cousin.

His laughter was infectious, and for a moment, it felt like all worries were swept away by the wind rushing through the car windows. But deep down, I couldn't shake off a hint of concern. After all, sneaking off to Charleston without telling our parents wasn't exactly the most responsible thing we've done.

"Missing persons report? Nah, they probably just think we're out for a leisurely stroll... you know, a casual jaunt across state lines without telling anyone," I replied, trying to suppress a grin.

Martin glanced at me with a twinkle in his eye. "Yeah, because that's exactly what every responsible teenager does on a random Tuesday afternoon."

I still have no clue what place I'll take in this contest or what the prize even is. But you know what? I couldn't care less because right now, in this moment, I'm just happy to go there.

Sure, there's a part of me that's curious, that's itching to know if all the hard work and late nights paid off. But in the grand scheme of things, does it really matter? I mean, here I am, surrounded by my best friends, with the wind in my hair and the promise of adventure on the horizon. What more could a girl ask for?

So yeah, call me crazy, call me reckless, but I'm choosing to focus on the journey rather than the destination. Because sometimes, it's not about winning the prize - it's about the memories you make along the way.

This is another opportunity to prove to my parents that photography is truly my calling.

I've been snapping photos since I could hold a camera, capturing moments big and small, ordinary and extraordinary. But for some reason, my parents just can't seem to wrap their heads around the idea that this isn't just a hobby - it's my passion, my purpose, my calling.

Maybe this contest, this chance to showcase my skills on a bigger stage, will finally be the wake-up call my parents need. Maybe they'll see the fire in my eyes, the determination in my soul, and realize that this isn't just a phase - it's who I am.

But even if they don't, even if they never understand the magic I see through my lens, that's okay. Because at the end of the day, this journey isn't about proving anything to anyone else - it's about proving something to myself.

"So, what time does the award ceremony start?" Caroline asked.

"At 8 pm," I replied, "So we'll have plenty of time to explore the city beforehand... and maybe get into some trouble."

We were young, we were free, and darn it, we were going to make the most out of every reckless moment. After all, what's life without a few wild adventures and a whole lot of laughter along the way?