Expect the unexpected ( 5sos )

Chapter 7

"Just like the white-winged dove sings a song, sounds like she's singing..."
Stevie Nicks' voice bellows through the car speakers as we drive to the airport.
I feel it—the freedom Luke promised me—but I'd be lying if I said it didn't feel too easy for us to get away.

"Ky?" Luke calls to me while he's driving.

We're in a car he hotwired from the hotel parking lot. He's wearing his black crew neck shirt, his favorite basketball shorts, and those black Ray-Bans he stole off a man he stabbed during a robbery with Mikey.

"Hey, yeah—" I say, realizing he's worried about what I'm thinking. Or at least wondering.

Luke puts his right hand on my thigh, steering with his left.

"You got something you wanna share with the class?" he says, flashing a quick smile before turning his attention back to the road.

"No—well..." I trail off.

"I'm just thinking about everything. It just feels like it was a lot easier than I expected, I guess," I say carefully, not wanting to upset him like I did when I brought up what was in those bags.

Luke isn't the punch-holes-in-the-wall kind of guy—he's more bark than bite.
I mean, don't get me wrong, I feel safe with him. I know nothing would ever happen to me.
I just don't want to piss him off and spend the whole ride to California with the King of Petty.

"I know I was a little short with you at the hotel, and I'm sorry for that," Luke says. "You just don't need to worry your pretty little head about that. You can relax now. No more living in fear. No more checking over your shoulder all the time."

He's clearly projecting, but I place my hand over his, still resting on my thigh.

"You're right. I am glad you and I can be free together," I say, trying to push away the knot in my stomach.

I want to be optimistic, but I also know the universe doesn't just let you get away with things.
Karma always collects, and she doesn't care what new leaf you've turned over.

We make it to the airport with our new passports—Luke had his friend in Cuba pull some strings to get them on time.
We get through security and reach the terminal quickly.
Like my dad always said, "Three hours early to the airport or you're late."
Rest his soul.

After the long wait, we board the plane and off we go.

Luke holds my hand as he tries to nestle into the cramped airline seat before passing out.
I take the opportunity to catch up on some movies—thank you, seat-back screens with free entertainment.
Before I know it, I'm fighting to keep my eyes open.

I let sleep take me, hoping I can ride it all the way from the East Coast to the West.

New life.
New us.