Castle

Ch. 03: Hitch Hiking? Part 1

"Jeslyn, are you almost ready to leave?" Ava called from the other side of the bathroom door. I didn't understand why Ava was in such a rush, the Summer Festival barely started just now, and we were waiting until the sun went down so the blazing heat wasn't as intense. I hoped that Aaron's setlist would be over by the time we showed up so I would get a chance to talk to him.

"I'll be out in just a minute," I answered as I puckered my lips together and screwed the cap back onto the pink gloss tube. I took a step back to inspect my final look in the mirror. I ran my fingers through my freshly curled hair, which ended right below my chest. I turned to see the open back in my white romper, revealing my black bikini underneath. After one final look at myself, I made my way down the hall to Ava's bedroom.

     "Let's go-woah," Ava paused, taking a long look at me. "Who are you trying to impress?" She asked with a smirk, even though she clearly knew the answer to her question. I nudged her shoulder and tried not to blush at the thought of Aaron.

    "Well, woah yourself, trying' to impress  Marshall?" I pointed out her outfit playfully.

"Come on, we're taking the Jeep," Ava called, picking up the keys from the kitchen counter.

As we pulled out of the driveway, I watched the dark thick clouds roll above us, and hoped it wouldn't rain, because the Festival is at the beach. I looked into the little mirror above my dashboard, then reapplied some more lip gloss.

"How far is the Festival from here." I asked.

"Not far, shouldn't be more than 20 minutes."

Rain started hitting the Jeep in loud splatters when just then the we slowed to a stop, Ava parking the car on the side of an empty main street.

    "What's wrong?" I ask confused.

"I have no idea." She pouted.

"Did the engine die?"

"I don't think engines just die Jeslyn." Ava commented. "Doesn't matter what happened, the car won't turn on."

"We're screwed, no one can help us. Everyones at the Summer Festival."

"What are we going to do? I forgot my phone too." Ava announces worried.

"I'll call James with my phone." I dialed my cell then placed it on my ear seconds later, I heard my phone go straight to his voicemail. "What?" I look at my phone. "Are you serious?" I say upset to myself.

"What's wrong?" She questions me a nervously as a minivan speeds past us.

"I have no service." I explained shocked.

"Well, we're gonna have to get help ." Ava stepped out of the Jeep into the chilly rain.

"I was hoping we wouldn't have to hitchhike." I groaned while I stepped out as well.

An hour past us by slowly, few cars sped past us through the rain, completely ignoring my waves for their help. The rocky road beginning to feel muddy underneath my thin black sandals.

"No one wants to help us Jeslyn!" Ava yelled through the loud rain with her arms crossed. I ran my fingers to the top of my wet hair seeing a pair of headlights coming our way.

"Someone's coming again Ava!" I called back to Ava.

"It's hopeless Jes, you should just dry off in the car with me. It's way too dark now anyways."

I could hear her clearer since the rain was lighter. "I'm going to get their attention." I said to Ava.

I stepped into the street I waved my hand in the air as the headlights in the rain came closer.

"Help us!" I yelled but then the truck screeched around me, nearly hitting me. "Hey!" I yelled, fueled with anger as gallons of muddy water knocked me down onto the street.

"Jeslyn!" Ava screamed and ran a few feet help me up. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine but that guy could have killed me!" I get up and looked down at my white romper which clung against my wet skin soaked with dirty water, completely revealed my body.

Just then car headlights quickly sped through the rain. Ava took my hand and pulled me towards the Jeep, so we could get out of the way. Instead of driving past us, the black Maserati stopped with the tires yelping behind Ava's Jeep.

"Look, someone stopped." Ava pointed out curiously, holding onto me.

I ran my fingers through my wet hair waiting for someone to get out of  the car. The door of the shiny black car opened and a young man got out, closing his door quickly behind him, jogging towards us. I squinted almost recognizing the familiar man, but I couldn't put my finger on it.