Neighbors

Neighbors XXII

Chapter 22

H E A R T  S T O P P E R

The car is packed with bodies. Literally. I sit squashed against the window of the backseat of Georges, mom's boyfriend, SUV. Somehow, Willy and Quincey, his friend from the military, have shown up. Parker and I are next to each other as Quincey fights his way in. George is driving while mom is up front in the passenger seat without a problem, except trying to find the perfect song.

"Why can't I take Bullet?" I snap as my hip is crushed against the door as Quincy finally gets in and he himself is squeezed in between the door and Willy. Willy sits next to Quincey, as Parker leans over the center counsel to be the back seat driver for his navigation skills. I, on the other hand, fight to get my leg unstuck from the door as George takes off.

"Because one car is less money. Now be quiet. We will be there in a few." My mom hisses back to me as she finally picks some country song. I almost groan. I hate country. Willy looks over at me, knowing why I'm so mad right now. I'm slammed up against the door like a pancake and a terrible song about a bartender is playing. I place my hands on the seat as Parker leans back and moves his shoulders to get in place. I bite my lip to stop from screaming and jumping out of the cars window.

"Here." Parker suddenly lifts me up and places me on his lap like a child. His warm arms wrap their way around me and tighten like a snake as he moves over. Everyone sighs as enough space becomes available for the four of us. I am on Parkers lap, uncomfortable. I can't deny I like it though.

Suddenly, my phone rings. I turn it over to see a text from Jason, surprising the hell out of me. He hasn't been at my house at all, and I thought he had left the state. The last time I saw him was a night when I was going to the airport with Parker a while ago. I actually totally forgot about him. I open up the message from him and look at the photo of the giant bean in Chicago. Oh, he did leave. Why did I not know?

I look at mom, knowing I will discuss this with her later. So Jason is in Chicago, and Tats and Sam have finally left me alone. Finally, things are becoming normal. The thought of those things being gone makes me grin and sing along to the song my mom is playing.

Note: it is country. And I hate country music.

~*~

A girl's scream is constant as I ride on the Dragster, and take off at a high speed. Parker grips my hand as the roller coaster pushes side to side as if something is playing tug of war with it, but really it's the whipping wind. The tracks screech in horror as the cart quickly slides over them. And soon, we are at the top. A moment hesitation, just enough to let relief flood you. Then the relief flies out of you like a bullet as you and the cart, everyone on the ride, all go down at a fast velocity, almost creating sparks behind you.

All too soon, the ride is over and my heart beats a thousand times. My breath comes out in puffs and my voice is gone from screaming. That's when I realize I was the girl screaming. My lungs breath fire as I jump out of the car, already burning from the ripping scream I was doing on the ride. My stomach plummets with the familiar yet false-ly there ground as I get off.

"Wow." Parker exhales as he looks at me then smiles. I smile back as Willy wraps his arm around me and smiles.

"Wanna ride the water ride with me?" Willy asks. I look down at my outfit. Red denim shorts, and a simple white tee. Yeah, no water for me. Not until later. I tell Willy no, and then after follow with an explanation of why, and he bows his head. "Good idea."