thirty nine miles

.01

the blue mustang that calum owned was hazel’s most favorite thing. he drove it all over town, rain or shine. it was so old, almost a hundred years. it rattled as loud as the weezer concerts she visited often, yet she loved it. it smelled like his grandfather’s tobacco that still lingered in the air, and scorch marks covered the soft leather seats.

so when hazel’s mother proposed a road trip with the boy next door, she didn't hesitate to say yes. just one tiny detail slipped her mind when the words “yes please” dropped from her tongue; calum. hazel absolutely loathed him. his pre ripped jeans always slipped down his backside leaving an inch of his plaid boxers on display. calum’s torso was always clothed in the same shirt, white. his converse were black and dirty from years of wear. each and every thing about him bothered her to death. whether it was the obnoxious bands or the way his hair was that day.

she hesitated as she flipped open the top of her plain black suitcase on her pale blue bedspread. what do you pack on an awkward road trip with someone you don't like? hazel didn't have an answer to that.

she decided to pack normally, jeans and band t-shirts with the occasional pair of ripped shorts. hazel threw in shoes and books, and finally her polaroid. not that she thought it would be handy, [ the little ass would probably drive through all the scenic routes without a single stop ]  but because it was special. and lucky, which luck she would definitely need.

“haze, time to leave!” her mother knocked lightly on haze’s door and leaned in, a smile on her face.

hazel nodded and flipped the top back to it's place and tugged the zipper around until with one final heave it had zipped all the way around. she dragged it off the bed and then rolled it to the door of her house. her mom wrapped her frail arms around the girl’s waist and left a kiss on her cheek. after telling hazel to be careful, she gave her a slight shove so that she was a foot closer to the mustang.

calum stood propped up against the blue car, his red flannel pushed up to his elbows despite the hot heat. he smirked as hazel stumbled closer to him. he held open the door, and hazel took a seat in the leather. she smiled happily until she remembered who she was in the car with.

“so hazel. happy it's summer?” he said as he started the car. it roared to life, it's engine screaming loudly. she nodded stiftly, not wanting to engage in a conversation.

‘“what's wrong hazey?” calum smiled as he picked up the nickname he called her. “you mute?” he snickered.

hazel shut her jaw tightly, trying to contain the thousands of comebacks that pounded against her mouth. she was dying to just scream at him,  to just tell him how much he annoyed her, but she stayed quiet. instead hazel reached for the knob on the dashboard, and twisted it slightly. “anywayican” by walk the moon blasted through the old speakers, and she hurried to turn it down.

“walk the moon? shit hazel, i knew you listening to bad music, but this?” he shot his hand out and slammed it down on the off button. the car was silent until he slid in a c/d and a new song filled the car. the song was familiar, probably something off “coexist.”

the first rule to her music was no XX. she hated them. hazel hated a lot of things, but this was high on her list. everyone at her school loved them, making it a popular band with lyrics everyone could sing off the top of their head. hazel stuck to things simpler, and XX was not one of those bands.

“turn it off.” she snapped. he grinned and snuck a glance over to her, as if making sure the irritation she showed was real.

“so you do talk.” calum chuckled.

“of course i do. now keep your eyes on the road so you don't get us both killed.” hazel yelled, her face red. he set her on edge so easily, and he knew it.

boy this was going to be a long trip.