Mapping Out Us

Hey friends, This one should be familiar to all my long-time readers. I went into the way back machine and fished out an old friend—Road Trip. I spent the last week reliving it and feeling all those feelings I felt when I wrote it the first time, and I made a lot of changes with fresh eyes. For those of you who don't know me, I lost my mother this summer. She suffered from mental health issues and as a result, she self-isolated. This led to the decline of her health, and eventually to her passing in June. It's been a long summer. And working on this gave me a much-needed distraction. Also some new perspectives on relationships with others. I hope you enjoy it. 

Troy.

Troy Bolton lifted his bag over the side of the truck bed letting out a small huff of air before wiping the sweat from his brow.

This heat wave was going to kill him. He had worked tirelessly on the truck for weeks leading up to this trip. His mind jumping down one rabbit hole to the next of problems, plans, and possibilities.

Marriage. NBA. Sharpay. College scholarships. College in general. He was about to head into his senior year and he could feel the vice around his neck getting tighter.

Make a decision Troy.

Commit to a plan Troy.

He pushed away from the truck. He had to focus on the task at hand. He was more than sure he had everything he needed: clothes, emergency credit card, supplies and snacks. A map with his father's pre-planned outlined trip and circled stops of all the colleges along the way.

He was almost positive that this trip was a good idea. His father had talked him into it. He had done one just like it when he was Troy's age. Had told him over and over that the time away from all the noise had done him some good. That it helped him come into his own.

Was that what this was? A coming of age moment? A trip that was supposed to help him short through the tangled mess of his future.

A three week trip filled with college tours and driving aimlessly. Him, the road, his truck and...

"Good Morning." Gabriella Montez, the annoying little brat from next door, greeted as she chucked her bags into the back of the truck. She let out a squeak of excitement and leaned back on the truck crossing her arms.

"Beautiful day for a road trip isn't it?" She said, flipping one of her pigtails behind her shoulder.

"I should make you ride in the bed of the truck."

She let out a laugh. The seriousness in his voice being dismissed. Just like his opinion about her coming on this trip. When Chad backed out, he'd been bummed but determined to keep to his plan.

"Oh my goodness, let me get a picture of the two of you for your dad. You know he wanted to be here, but unfortunately he's stuck at school." Troy's mom smiled as she held up the camera. Troy spun around plastering on his best fake smile. His mother was relentless with a camera and if he didn't hurry up and get this over with, they would never leave the driveway.

"My baby is going out into the world all on her own." Maria, Gabriella's mom held a hand to her heart as she brought over another bag to load up into the trunk.

"Oh, she won't be alone. Troy will be there the whole time." Lucile said with a grin. "I'm so excited for you guys. I remember when your dad went off on this trip, he loved it."

"We should get going," Troy said, trying to hurry this along before someone started crying.

"Your father gave you the map right?" Lucile asked, placing a hand on Troy's shoulder.