One Stupid Thing

4:2:119

Like a crew of rowdy children on the playground at recess, we all clamber down the stairs and across the yard to where the Twinkie is parked in front of the main house. 

Scurrying up behind my boyfriend, I place my hands on his shoulders, startling him until he realizes it was just me. "I have a great idea. You're going to love it," I squeal, squeezing his shoulders. 

"I'm listening." A smirk creeps onto his face.

I rest my chin on his shoulder and look up at him. "It's been a really long time since I've been on the back of your bike." 

JJ's joyous expression falters. He turns to face me and my arms drop to my sides. "Stella, I really don't think—"

I frown, muttering under my breath, "Not you too." 

"It's not safe."

"I've done it before."

"This time it's different."

"I'll hold on really tight." 

"Hey!" Pope calls out the open window of the minivan. The rest of our friends are already piled into it, waiting to go. "What's the hold up?"

I turn back to JJ and stick my bottom lip out, giving him the largest puppy dog eyes of my life. "Please?" 

He stares at me blankly, and I'm certain that he's going to say no, but then he sighs, turns back to Pope and says, "We're taking my bike. We'll meet you there." With that, Sarah drives the Twinkie away, our friends disappearing down the gravel driveway.

"Yes!" I celebrate, balling my hands into fists and punching the air. Thrilled that he agreed to it, I take his hand and practically drag him away to where his bike leans beneath an overhang.

"I'm still not 100% okay with this," JJ reminds me, acting all stern, but a smile tugs at the corners of his mouth.

 "Yeah, but you love me." I sweep my free hand along the seat and let out a low whistle. It's not the fanciest bike in the world, and it's pretty banged up, but, boy, do I love it. "Ya know, one day you are going to teach me how to drive this thing."

"Is that so?" 

"Mhm."

JJ picks his helmet up off the ground and pulls it over my head. "Safety first." He tightens the strap under my chin and wipes off the face shield with his sleeve.

"And what about you? Where's your helmet?" I ask, watching him swing a leg over the seat, lift the kickstand with his heel and start the engine. 

"That's my only one. And we've got to protect that noggin'." He reaches up and lightly hits the top of the helmet. "Or else no one will be able to keep Pope on his toes." I laugh softly, lift the face shield up and lean down to his level, placing my hands on either side of his face. He kisses me gently and then pats the seat behind him. "Hop on."

I swing my leg over the bike, straddling the seat behind him. Wrapping my arms around his waist, I turn my head to the side and press the helmet against his back. 

"You all set back there?" JJ calls over his shoulder. 

"Yep. All set." 

JJ revs the engine, making me laugh, before kicking off and leaving a trail of dust behind us. As Poguelandia fades and we take off in the direction of town, I inhale the fresh, salty Kildare air as it blows past my face. Despite the restrictive helmet, the ends of my hair whip in the wind behind me. It's the most normal I have felt since the accident; probably since ever. Just me, the boy I love, and the open road ahead of us as we chase a lead on our newest, and riskiest, adventure yet.