Friday, I'm in Love

Five

Darkness drowned the light in a quick painless manner. I've been walking for about two hours. And I'm not about stop just because daylight is gone. I stopped at the mini mart before heading out. I bought granola bars and a couple of waters. I don't think the water will last me very long; especially during spring in Nevada.

The next city is Las Vegas. I was planning to go straight to California from Henderson, but Jasa convinced me otherwise. So I amble along, avoiding the headlights of the cars speeding along the highway; to somewhere hopefully brighter than where I was headed.
I'm nervous and I wonder if Falon's dad still lives in their original house.

Then

"So, where are you originally from?" I asked the girl I had barely just met. But she seemed more intrigued by me than I was of her, so I nudged her encouragingly. She was definitely beautiful, with long night brown hair and just a simple wave to it.

"Reno. My mom brought me down here to feel the release of small town living." Falon countered, her nut brown eyes following the clouds in the sky.

"And your dad?"

"Yeah, well he likes the opportunities of big cities. There's so many women for him to fuck that he probably wouldn't run into the same one twice. So he stayed." Her words connected in an ugly truth. She shifted her gaze to me, as if daring me to say something pessimistic.

I thought carefully before finally drawing out,"Uh, wow...I don't know what to say."

"You could say he's a man hoe. Actually boy hoe; because no mature man would ever do that to the family they chose to create." Falon slashed, her tone on the edge of smooth irritation. I winced, especially since I couldn't relate to her.

Now

My legs are growing a tad bit tired; but I can't seem to stop. I have my sights set, and I feel if I stop now; I'll never make it. I'll be yanked down my grief and hopelessness. It's tempting to just curl up somewhere and wait to die. Maybe if I do, I'll be reunited with Falon. I've been continuously brushing this alluring thought away.

A soft, spring breeze twirled through the night. I see a bright light in the distance of hopefully a gas station. I feel like I've been walking long enough for there to be one. Peeing in an actual restroom sounds really great right now. I pick up my pace and before too long, I reach the ghostly station. It's open; thankfully. I immediately shuffle inside.

There's a young woman at the counter purchasing granola bars, a small bag of generic dog food and a pack of gum. She glances at me for a moment too long before handing the cashier a few bills and taking her buys out.

"Hey," A voice stops me, and I look back. It's the woman. I give her a weak smile, hoping to leave it at that.

I find my way to the bathroom, and relieve clawing bladder. Clawing. Uh oh. I never thought about how I would deal with this... I finish washing my hands and leave the restroom. I scour each of the shelves, and find what I'm looking for. Tampons. I quickly run up to the counter, pay for them and run back the the restroom. I didn't see the funny look the cashier gave me.

Afterwards I left, feeling a bit awkward but comfortable. I opened the door and began on my way again. I had walked about three steps when I saw the woman. She smiled and walked toward me; a pack heavy on her back.

Her eyes were a gray blue, and her tangled dirty blonde hair was pulled up into a poorly made bun.  She had dying dandelions in her hair and a battered guitar slung over her shoulder. I was surprised to see a slim gray speckled dog standing by her side; feathered tail wagging slightly. There was a small saddle on his back.

"Where's your next stop?" the young woman asks me, arching an eyebrow and slightly leaning on one hip. I wasn't sure what to tell her, because I didn't really have a plan.

So I simply shrug and began walking, tightening my grip around the straps on my backpack.

I had been walking for awhile, before I realized that she was following me. The dog's panting gave them away. Should I run? But she could easily take me out with that guitar, or she probably trained that dog to tackle someone on command.
I rapidly turn around, "Can I help you? Or maybe you can help me by telling me why exactly you're creeping. It gives me an unsettling feeling that you have been following me for awhile without a word."

She gives me a lopsided smile, "Yeah, I could do some real damage to you. Like singing a song to you, or Azure here could lick you to death." Azure looked expectantly up at me, her head tilted to the side.

I gave the woman a hard look, but she continues, "I think I'm just a drifter that wouldn't mind having someone to talk to for awhile. And by the looks of it; it looks like you're not too busy."

"I'm actually a little held up right now, so if you could try again later that would be alright." I pointedly say to her, without giving her my eyes. I continue walking, but with my pace quickened.

"Yeah, I can sure see. But seriously, I'd feel better walking you to your next stop. It's not a friendly place out there for just one girl to travel alone."

I scoffed, thinking, look who's talking. Well she does have a dog to protect her. Maybe I should get a dog.

But she was a few years above me, and looked as if she'd been on the road for awhile.

"I think I'll be a-okay. I've got pepper spray in pack and I'm going far. So you'd have to be my companion for a long time." I counter, pausing my step for a moment. I wouldn't mind having someone to share my thoughts with, but this trip isn't for me. It's for Falon...and well me too I guess.

"I don't have a route planned out. And Azure can keep you well protected." I glance down at the dog; his sharp blue eyes meeting mine. There was something about this two; a certain energy that encircled them that drew me in. Like they had all the answers in the world.

"No, I don't think so. I don't even know anything about you." These were the same words I used when Falon asked me to go on a hike with her. I'd only started talking to her when she offered. A stone laid on my heart when I thought about my words. She might've been right; maybe we shouldn't of met at all I thought selfishly.

"Hm. Well, I'm Iris. I sell weed, and sing songs so that Azure and I can eat. Uh let's see, Azure is a merle border collie. He's fixed and friendly." She didn't go on, and I didn't ask about anything.

"Since you're dog is cute...well I guess you could hang with me for a few miles. And uh I'm Ariella," I say lamely, but being alone isn't my best suit. I overthink and it's all irrational thoughts. Iris flared her nostrils in a dramatic way, "You know, he's not the only cute one here," She replies, jerking a thumb towards herself. We both laughed, and it felt good. But I was submerged in guilt. What would Falon think of this. I stopped and told her we should get going.

And that was it, the three of us and the dusty road.