The Run

188

"I don't get it," she said when, after driving through Indianapolis, I decided to leave Interstate 70, settling on the 74 instead. 

I did my best not to roll my eyes because, you know, I was driving and, although I don't really care what happens to me, it's pretty dangerous and all. I wouldn't want to risk causing a massive car crash and killing-

Whatever.

"Why didn't you stay on the 70? It would get us faster to California!"

"Lucky we're not going to California then."

"But you said-"

"I said West Coast. I didn't say we were gonna put our feet in the sand in fucking Malibu!"

I glanced at her from the corner of my eyes. She had put her body forward, the seatbelt almost strangling her, and was looking at me all offended, her mouth hanging open as if she truly couldn't breathe anymore. Then, with a sigh of frustration, she settled back on the seat and proceeded to pout like a child.

"Don't complain. You're only staying one more day, by which time I won't have reached the coast anyway."

"But-"

"There's no but. We said two days. Not my fault if miss America wanted to stop for dinner, a shower and a makeover."

"May I remind you that you took full advantage of my five minutes in the shitty shower of that even shittier motel to fall asleep for like, fifteen hours!"

"Did you expect me to drive for 48 hours non-stop while you're getting your power naps in the car? I'm a human. I need sl-"

"So let me drive! I have a license, I can totally-"

"You won't have to because, in less than 24 hours, you're out of this goddamn car."

She sighed deeply again and started staring out the window, her foot trembling nervously.

"You're so annoying, you know that?"

"So are you."

And she is. Man, I've never interacted with a girl more annoying than her. She gets on my nerves, worse than a mosquito buzzing in your ear when you're trying to fall asleep. Why did I agree to that again? 

Oh, right. Because I needed the money, but I couldn't get the money, so she had to go and get the money and now I owe her. But not for long. And hopefully, because then I saw her hand raise towards the car radio, and her foot was still tapping a nervous rhythm on the floor and my head was already aching as it was. She didn't even reach the power button - I had slapped her hand before she could get the radio on. 

"What the-" 

"There is a strict no music policy in this car."

"Wh- What?" Her body was leaning forward again as she stared at me with those fucking doe eyes, batting her eyelashes in surprise. "What kind of human are you?"

"The kind that doesn't want music in his car, or anywhere else for that matter. Do you have a problem with that? Because I can easily drop you off in the next town."

She didn't say a word after that. In fact, she didn't even speak for the next few hours, and what a relief. I cannot wait to get rid of her. Once she's gone, I can go back to the way I was. Alone with my thoughts. They are the only things that matter now. The only thing that keeps my driving. And I will keep on driving until I reach the breaking point. And then, I'm out.