One For The Road ✔ | A short novella |

14. Los Angeles - Malibu - Santa Cruz

Chapter Fourteen

Los Angeles - Malibu - Santa Cruz

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"I'm just exactly where I want to be." Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind - Ellis

Malibu, Pacific Coast Highway, 4pm - August 26th

Ellis

"Whatcha looking at?" 

Jessie peers over my shoulder and gives me the fright of my life. 

I tuck my phone back into my pocket and shrug, "Catching up with what's going in the rest of the world."

"Forget about the rest of the world, isn't this enough for now?" She shields her eyes from the sun and stares out at the golden lined shores of Malibu beach where we've parked up for a quick lunch and to take brag worthy pictures of the Atlantic Ocean. 

I wish it were. And I wise I didn't have to lie but unfortunately, my heads a mess from all the congratulatory text messages from my folks about the University brochure that's landed through my door, ready and waiting for me when I get back home. They tell me they're surprised it's not one I'd ever mentioned before but they're happy for me. 

Mum's pretty ecstatic about it. Mainly because it means she get's a spare room for all her car-boot sale boxes and trinkets.

I've had to keep all of this hidden from Jessie still, which I hate, more than anything. But maybe not more than how much I hate myself right now. Sun, sea and surf can't wash away the guilt I feel. 

And I swear I would have told her the day we left San Diego or during our first night in Los Angeles but I couldn't heap more misery on poor Jessie and so, she remains in the dark about everything. 

Battling through a nasty case of food poisoning and finding out that your best friend, and now kissing partner and potentially more is running off to a Uni half away up the country isn't how I want her to remember this part of the trip or the long drive from LA to San Francisco. 

Today is the first day that she's looked like herself, with colour back in her cheeks. About as spritely as anyone can be whilst stuck in a stuffy hot car for hours as we drive along the Pacific Coast Highway. 

"Come here," Jessie says, pulling me in close so she can rest her head against my chest. Yes, she's definitely feeling better. Or at least her wandering hands are. 

"We should get going soon, if we want to make it to San Luis before it get's dark," I say, breathing in the scent of salt and suncream on her sun-drenched skin. "Got to find our motel too."

"Another day, another motel," she huffs though she chuckles. "I mean, right now it's like 'eugh, I wish I had my own bed' but in a week or less I'm going to be crying into my pillows at home because I'll want to be back here."

"Same."

"The only thing that I won't complain about though is getting to share a bed with you."

I gently kiss her forehead. "Even though you say my snoring sound like a motorbike engine starting up?"

Jessie nods. "Even in spite of that and little sleep." And then I feel her body tense. When she glances up she's got that mischievous look in her eyes and I know exactly what she's thinking. No matter that the our last and only attempt ended with her mum interrupting despite the distance.