It's a crazy ride

Chapter 3

There was Adam in the front of the checkout line purchasing a pack of gum and a coke. He was still gorgeous if not, even better looking. He was darker and more muscular. I wanted to say something to him before he left but I didn't know what to say, so I just decided to let him go. But, before I knew it he turned around and saw me.

"Hey! Claire right?! I remember you." Adam sounded exactly the same.

"Right." It was like a miracle I saw him there.

"So, where are you off to?"

"I'm not sure yet." I could tell he thought I was joking since he laughed.

"How about I buy you a coffee across the street at that café and we can catch up?" I was checking out when he said this.

"I would love that." The cashier placed my things in a bag and we walked outside.
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It was about 5:00 am when Adam and me arrived at the Coffee shop. He told me to sit down and he would buy my coffee. As I was waiting for him to bring me my coffee I pulled out the map I just bought and tried to decide where to go first. I had quite a bit of money saved up from working at Walter's that would last a little while. Adam came and sat down while I was scanning the map. He handed me my coffee and sat down.

"Thanks" I really was grateful for the caffeine.

" No problem." He looked down at my map. "So I guess you weren't kidding about not being sure where you're going?" He laughed.

"Nope. I just want to get away for a while." After that I told him what happened with college and everything, why I am in this mess.

"What are you doing out here anyways?" I wondered what he was doing in this town.

"I live out here." I thought that was strange but I didn't ask.

"This is so embarrassing. I'm sure you're having the time of your life at your dream college. I bet the women are all over you." I spoke to him like I knew him. I don't know him, but I feel like we've been friends forever.

"I'm actually not in college right now. I dropped out after my first semester. I haven't spoken to my parents in months, they hate me for throwing away my football scholarship. I just decided I didn't want to do that. I want to follow my own path like you..."

"I guess we're both screwed then." I couldn't help but laugh at the thought of us both going down the same path. Adam laughed too but then became serious.

"So you are really are doing this? Running away?" Adam sounded serious.

"Yes, I am. I just want to do something I want for a change. Actually have some fun, maybe make some friends. Live recklessly unlike the safe boring life i've been living." I stared at my coffee and took a sip. Adam paused for a few minutes but then said something I never thought he would say.

"Take me with you." I choked on my coffee and coughed at this. At first I thought he was kidding but then I saw that serious look in his eyes. "Seriously Claire, take me with you. I have nothing to lose here, and it seems like it would be a lot of fun."

"Are you being serious? What about the life you have here?"

"What life? All I do is wake up every morning to work at a car garage that pays minimum wage. I have some money saved up I could use, I mean if you don't mind me tagging along."

I thought about it for a second. "But you barely know me? Why would you want to go riding around the country with me?"

"You seem like you could be a lot of fun." He smiled at me with his perfectly white teeth.

"You're wrong. My roommate called me a 'stuck up bitch who doesn't know how to have fun.'" Adam was laughing really hard. "What? She did. So, I doubt you want to go."

" You're wrong. I don't think you're a 'stuck up bitch,' yet." I slapped him playfully on the are. "Kidding!" I knew he was joking. I just stared at him until I caved.

I took a sip of my coffee and handed him the map. "Where to first?" He just smiled at me really hard and grabbed the map. He stared at it for a few minutes.

" How about we just close our eyes and randomly point somewhere? Sounds fun huh?"

"What about a plan?"

"How about we just take a risk and go for it." I took a long look at him but then I grabbed the map and closed my eyes. I circled my finger around the map then finally place my finger. i opened my eyes and it was on California. I have always wanted to go there. That is a long way from Georgia though... I was unsure for a few minutes but then I had this vision of Adam and me having the best time ever. Adam could become my best friend. I smiled to myself about the thought of traveling around the country with my best friend.

Adam looked over at the map and said, " California it is! This is going to be fun! We can make so many stops on the way!" I could tell he was just as excited as I was. I was really going to do this. If it wasn't for Adam I imagine I would have chickened out already.

We both finished our coffees and went out to my truck at the gas station across the street. "What about your car and your things?" I wondered.

"What about it?" Adam said.

"We can't just leave it here, and you need your things."

"You're right. I'll drive it back to my place and you follow me there and then We can go?"

"Okay, sure." I followed him back to his place, and it was not what I thought at all. It was vary small and kind of run down looking. I really pictured him in some fancy college all hung up with a beautiful fraternity girl. I can't believe I was wrong about him. He sure was Handsome though. He parked his car and ran in his house.

I sat out in my truck for about five minutes before he came running out with a duffel bag.

He jumped into the passenger seat and said "You ready?" Adam sounded ecstatic. I looked over and stared at him for a minute. "What?" He laughed.

"Oh nothing! You just look almost exactly the same as you did in high school." I kept looking at him.

"You know Claire, I really regret not talking to you in high school."

"It's alright. We ran in different circles."

"I guess we did, huh? It's funny how things work out though, you know? Now that we are both in the same boat, or truck, whatever." I laughed then. It was a long time since i felt so happy. We both just stared at each other for a few seconds then I turned around and put the truck in reverse and backed out of his driveway. Adam put the radio on and started singing as I drove down the road into my freedom. Adam reached over and grabbed my hand which made me all nervous all a sudden.

He squeezed it hard and whispered to me, "we're really doing this." Then he let go. I looked over at him and smiled. "You know Claire, we're going to be the best of friends." I laughed.

" We will, huh? You know. I'm not very good at the friend thing." My only friend was Margot so it really frightened me to be open with another person. Then I realized, this is new Claire. This Claire was going to face her fears and open her heart. Who knows I may meet the man of my dreams on this trip? Adam looked over at me and then turned the radio up louder like I didn't say a thing. This was really happening. This is where our journey started.