the summer after eighth grade year was supposed to be exciting for carmen. however, one night changes everything for her. in a way she would never expect
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☮︎⋆˙❀⟡☾𓋼𖤓⟡𑁍˙⋆𖦹
Carmen, Mitch, and Pink were all crammed into the back of Pickford's car, which reeked of marijuana. Rock music was playing on the stereo, but could barely be heard over the loud conversation the older guys were having. The whole situation was uncomfortable for Carmen. She was pushed up against the window, her nose hairs practically burning off from the smell of weed.
Mitch tapped the side of her thigh making her turn her head slightly to look at him. "You alright?"
"Yeah totally. The window provides a nice cushioning for my head," she remarked, her lips tugging into a fake smile.
He chuckled at her, shaking his head. "I would move over if I could, you know."
Her fake smile turned into a real one at his words. "I know."
Suddenly, Kevin pressed on the gas, sending them flying down the street. Carmen grabbed the side of the door, trying to steady herself. "Pull over to the trashcan. Pull over to the trashcan," Don said from the front seat.
A trashcan entered Carmen's view, making her furrow her brows in confusion. Just then, Don stuck his hand out the window, knocking over the can with a loud crash. While the boys laughed, Carmen rolled her eyes. How childish.
After crashing into a mailbox on the way down the street, Pink spoke up. "Pull over." He points to a house a few feet away. Kevin drove his car up the road, stopping in front of the house. Pink leaned down, picking up a bowling ball from the floor.
"Who's bowling ball is that?" Mitch asks, a chuckle leaving his lips.
"Yours now," Pink says with a smirk.
Don turned around in his seat, looking right at Mitch. "Throw the balling ball."
Pink passes Mitch the ball, which he struggles to hold for a second, as it's quite heavy. He looks down at the ball, thinking for a second. "You think I should?"
The rest of the guys in the car nod their heads, urging him to throw it. On the other hand, Carmen grabs his arm, giving him a look. "Don't be stupid, Mitch."
"Since when were you a goodie two shoes?" Pink teases as he looks at his sister. "Come on, you're playing with the big boys now."
"Yeah, now throw the ball, you pussy freshman. Throw it, throw it," Don taunts.
After a few seconds, Mitch leans over Carmen, hurling the ball out the window. It crashes through the rearview window of a car parked next to the mailbox. Shards of glass fly everywhere, making everyone in the car gasp. But after the shock sets in, everyone begins to crack up, Carmen softly chuckling.
"Hey, man," Don speaks up, "we're outta beer. We've got to make a grab and go stop." Pickford nods his head, his eyes still trained on the road. "I don't have any money. Who's got money?"
"I gave my money," Pink says as he shakes his head.
"Where's your money?" He asks as he narrows his eyes at Pink. "Doesn't matter, okay. Listen, man, pull in heading out that way."
Pickford pulls his car into the parking lot of a liquor store. He pulls into a spot, pulling his key out of the ignition. "What are ya gonna do, man? Hoist it?"
"That's all I ever do. I just need the freshman as a lookout." He turns around in his seat, looking at Mitch. Mitch looks back at him, his face slightly dropping.
"Better be careful, Junior," Kevin teases from the driver's seat.
Carmen pushes the door open, letting Mitch out. He carefully climbs over her, making sure he doesn't hurt her in any way. Once he's out, he closes the door, walking up to the store with Don. Carmen watches as he walks away, a slight anxiety bubbling in her stomach.
"He'll be fine," Pink says as he bumps her shoulder. She turns to look at him. He's wearing a slight smirk, making her raise a brow.
"What?"
A laugh leaves his lips. "You're acting like a watchdog back here. Don't worry, Don's got him."
"How comforting," she replies dryly, earning a chuckle from Pickford.
Just then, the sound of tires screeching sends Carmen launching forward in her seat. She looks out the window, watching as Mitch and Don scramble back to the car. They frantically pull the doors open, getting into their seat. Pickford locks the door as an old man walks up to his window.
From what Carmen can see, he's pissed. Steam is practically shooting out from his ears. He then pulls a pistol out from his jacket, pointing it straight at Kevin. Her heart practically leaps out of her chest, her eyes widening in fear.
"Don, give the beer back, man," Kevin says quietly, his eyes locked on the end of the gun.
"I paid for the beer, man," Don replies, his voice barely above a whisper.
"You busted my mailbox, didn't ya?" The old man asks, moving his pistol closer to Kevin. "Look me in the eye, punk." Kevin's eyes travel from the gun and up to the older man's eyes, meeting his harsh gaze.
"I, I don't know what you're talking about, sir, but I suggest that you..."
"You busted it didn't ya? Tampering with mailboxes is a felony offense. Now I've done called the police." Carmen's eyes widen even more at his words. What a way to start the summer. "I think you boys ought to get out of the car." He slides his gun into the waistband of his pants.
"Just go, man," Pink whispers from the backseat.
The old man reaches for the door handle, attempting to open the door. His eyebrows furrow as he realizes it's locked. "Go man!" Don yells.
Without a second to think, Pickford presses down on the gas, hard. They fly out of the parking lot, making the man stumble to the ground as they take off. Carmen turns around in her seat, watching as the man stands back up. He pulls the gun out once more, aiming it directly at the car. "Get down!" she calls out, leaning forward with her arms over her head.
"Holy shit, he's shooting at us!" Kevin cries out as he speeds down the street.
Carmen sneaks a look at Mitch, who is equally as terrified as she is. She watches as he ducks down, a look of pure terror on his face. She wraps her arm around him, pulling him closer as they both try their hardest to avoid being shot.
☮︎⋆˙❀⟡☾𓋼𖤓⟡𑁍˙⋆𖦹
a/n: it's been a month🧍🏻♀️i'm truly sorry about that, but i've just had no motivation to write lately 😭 however, there will be another chapter coming out in a few days <3
