Ecstasy

Gilinksy

I stand up. "Want me to go find him, sir?" I ask.
Mr. Johnson shakes his head, then nods. "Actually, it would be a good idea. I want to talk to him, but someone has to stay with Jack," JJ'S dad says.
I nod, then say "I could stay if you guys want to go look," Realizing how odd that sounds, I hastily add to it. "Or I could go alone and you guys could stay here."
Jack's parents ponder this. Finally, Mrs. Johnson says "I'll go with you. He'll stay here," She says, referring to Mr. Johnson.
I nod. I was kind of hoping that Jack's dad would come with me, because his mom seemed a lot more angry with me than his dad. But it didn't matter.
"Okay, let's go then." We walk down to the lobby, and when we get out I walk towards the slot number that Sam said he parked my car in. When I find it, my draw drops open.
"He took my car!" I shout, incredulous. "Sam took my car!" I wasn't even sure when Sam had the time to take my keys; maybe he just never gave them back after he parked, but I was sure he did. I pat myself down, making sure that they're not on me. I'd rather Sam steal my keys than hot wire my car. I sigh in relief when I don't find them, then turn to Mrs. Johnson, slightly sheepish.
"Sorry... I didn't know," I rub the back on my head, toying with my hair.
Surprisingly, Mrs. Johnson laughs.
"It's okay, Jack. We'll take my car," Her voice is warm, and suddenly I realize how very lucky JJ is to have his mother. I wish mine was still here.
Upon thinking of Jack, I get warm and fuzzy all over. Again. He makes me happy, and then when I realize where we are and what we are doing, the thought of him and happiness vanish. Instead, I feel guilt and sickness. This is my fault.
"Okay, where is it?" I ask, expertly masking my feelings.
Mrs. Johnson smiles softly then walks a few slots up to her car. "Get in, boy," She says. Taken out of context, it would've sounded like she was kidnapping me. Hey, maybe she is.
We drive in almost complete silence, listening to the alternative station. I didn't know Mrs. Johnson liked this music. Currently, a song about taking your time on your ride is playing. It goes like this:
Oh oh oh, oh oh oh,
I'm falling
So I'm taking my time on my ride
Then the guy starts saying
I've been thinking too much,
Help me
And I find the lyrics oddly compelling. This music actually... speaks. The words have meaning. I can see why Mrs. J likes this stuff. What I can't see, is why Jack and I never made music like this, and why we've always listened to rap all our lives.
"Excuse me, Mrs. Johnson, what's this song called and who's it by?" I ask, wondering if she knows.
Mama J smiles, and says "It's called Ride by Twenty One Pilots. They're a good band. The singer, Tyler Joseph, really sings from his heart and soul," She smiles as she talks about them.
I nod, then my eyes widen. "Oh, crap, there's the house! And there's my car!" Mrs. Johnson abruptly pulls into the driveway, sniffing with disgust at the actions happening with the intoxicated teenagers. I find Sam, fumbling with my keys and wincing every time he has to use his hands. Which is always, considering what he's trying to do. I get out of the car, and run towards him.
"WILKINSON!" I yell. Sam's eyes widen, and he rushes with the keys more, dropping them. Once I get nearer I can hear him saying "Shit shit shit shit fuck shit fuck," rapidly. Mrs. Johnson runs over, and whacks Sam upside the head with her purse. "That's for giving my kid drugs!" She says.
"It weren't me!" Says Sam, who starts talking like a little kid with bad grammar. He usually does that when he gets worked up or he's nervous. "It were Jason!"
I raise an eyebrow. "Really?" I ask.
Sam nods. "Yeah, come on, I'll show you," he bends down and picks up my keys, hissing with the pain. Then he walks up the front steps to the house, and Mrs. Johnson and I follow. Upon entering, we see what Sam and Jason did; it's a terrible scene.
Sam turns around, panicking. "Allow me to explain."
Mrs. Johnson looks like she's about to shriek.