Once Upon a Road Trip (Jack Harries Fanfiction)

Part Two

         "We're going somewhere this weekend," I told Ellie as she climbed into my car. "We're leaving tonight, you and me."

          My sister scrunched her eyebrows together and glared at me. "And where would we be going exactly?"

          "That ski lodge near where Granddad used to live," I chuckled. "You don't have another detention, right? No more presents in the library books?"

          Ellie swung her feet up on the dashboard and leaned back, her small hands behind her head. "Not this week, but I'm not making any promises for the future."

          I shoved her legs back onto the floor and put the car in gear. I needed some time away to clear my head. It's been nearly a whole week since I saw Cricket Eyes on the corner and I still can't get him off my mind.

          "I'll drop you off at Satan's so you can pack and I'll pick you back up at four. Bring warm clothes, mittens, hats, the whole get-up," I informed her. Satan is the term we used to address our mother. Ellie popped her gum and nodded.

          "You sure she's okay with this?" Ellie pondered.

          "She doesn't know."

          Ellie looked up at me, eyes wide, fearful. “Amy, I don’t know…”

          I put my hand on hers and looked into her baby blues. “Don’t worry. If anything happens, let me know. You can always move in with me.”

          Ellie nodded.

***

          "On the road again," Ellie sang as we inched forward again. The highway was bumper-to-bumper traffic, hardly moving, due to a major six car collision up ahead. 

          I smiled and tried to focus on the road but the only thing I could think of was Cricket Eyes. I don't know what's going on. You're not supposed to remember the people you pass on the sidewalk, no matter how attractive they are. You're supposed to let your eyes brush across their face and continue on with your life. Their eyes aren't supposed to stay vivid in your mind for days, their face isn't supposed to linger in your memories. You're supposed to forget all about them and keep going as if nothing ever happened. Yet, here I am, thinking about the boy I'm not supposed to remember and I can't stop.

          "Amy, are you with me?" Ellie called, waving her hands to attract my attention.

          "Huh?" I jumped and cleared my throat. "Uh, yeah, sorry. Just a little tired I guess."

          "Well that's just ducky, being tired is perfect when you're in a traffic jam," Ellie decided. Ellie had her seatbelt off, her feet tucked beneath her on the seat and her head against the window. "How long is this going to take?"

          I shrugged. "I have no idea. The question you should be asking is how long is this old hag going to last?" I said, tapping the dashboard. My truck was an old model from this used car place in Brighton and it was notorious for breaking down or stalling at the worst times.

          Ellie turned the music louder and let her eyes fall close. "Well since you're driving and can't sleep, I'll take a nap for you."

          I flicked her in the forehead forcefully enough to hear the dull thud of finger against skin. "Nerd." Ellie laughed.

          Soon enough, Ellie was fast asleep and we weren't moving any further. I remembered when Dad used to take me snowboarding when Ellie was too small. It was my favourite thing to do and every time I hit the slopes I miss him even more.