Melanie and Elan, Part 2
2. Write a story that begins with the line - "Make your own," she said.
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May 5, 2018
"Make your own," the woman behind the counter at the gas station said. She vaguely gestured at the rows of cups by the coffee machine.
"Thanks." With my cup of coffee that was barely steaming, I went up to pay. "And for pump three."
She took the card, glancing at the name. "You got ID?"
Settling the cup on the counter, I flipped open my wallet so she could see my license. Elan Robertson. The picture was from a few years ago. My hair had still been long and shaggy then.
"Thanks."
She handed over my card and the receipt. I thanked her and made my way outside.
The rain was finally beginning to let up.
I had already been on the road for two hours. It would be another three until I made it to Atlanta.
I finished the rest of my lukewarm coffee and tossed the cup in the trash. I rubbed the back of my neck with one hand and pulled my phone out of my coat pocket with the other.
Mel was most likely asleep, considering it was almost two in the morning. I fired off a quick text so that she'd have something to wake up to. She'd never admit it, but Mel loved sappy things.
I'm heading out soon. It'll be a long drive, but thinking about you always gets me through it. I miss you.
I stretched my arms high above my head, trying to shake the weariness from my bones. I reminded myself that I was doing this for our future. Trade school classes by the day, truck driver by night. It wasn't glamorous by any measure.
I wasn't the brightest guy, but I worked hard. What I lacked in brains, I hoped to make up for with heart. I must be doing something right because I somehow got Melanie Myers.
I felt myself smiling despite my fatigue.
It took four longs months to convince her to give me a shot. She resisted for some time, keeping me at bay with a long list of excuses. She didn't have time for a boyfriend. She had to focus on school. She didn't like all the promises I was making. She didn't need any distractions. She didn't like how much I distracted her.
I got behind the wheel and started the truck. Stifling a yawn, I pulled out of the gas station and onto the interstate. There were very few cars out at this hour. The stretch of darkness was cut by two bright beams from my headlights.
The driving job was kind of nice sometimes. It wasn't anything to brag about, but I enjoyed the quiet moments. It gave me a chance to reflect on my life.
I was from a small town. I didn't have a lot growing up, but I never wanted for much. That was, until one day on a trip to Florida with my cousin, I saw her.
Pretty and unassuming, she was sitting cross legged under the shade of a large oak. A textbook was opened on the grass beside her and she was scribbling furiously in a notebook. She seemed agitated by whatever she was reading, and I knew then that she would be trouble. But I couldn't stay away. My legs were moving on their own as they walked me over and plopped me down next to her.
"Hi," I had said. "I'm Elan."
She hadn't even looked up. "Sorry. Unless you know everything there is to know about differential calculus, I don't have time."
I moved out to Florida that very next day. She thought I was insane, and honestly, I kind of was. But like I said, I wasn't very bright. I was persistent though.
Four months later, she gave in.
I yawned again.
I had spent a good chunk of the day studying. Now I kind of wished I'd reserved half an hour for a quick nap. I rolled down the window, letting the cool Florida night breeze blow across my face, waking me up.
I was exhausted. My eyelids felt like lead.
It was kind of tired that burrowed deep into my bones. I blasted the music and tapped my toes to beat, trying to keep my energy up until the coffee kicked in.
An hour had passed. That meant only four more until I reached Atlanta. Four hours on the road when all I wanted was to pass out in a soft bed felt like an eternity. If only Mel was here to keep me company.
In my mind, I could picture her bright smile and her random bursts of laughter. I shut my eyes for one second as I imagined her here next to—
Crash.
The silence of the night was pierced by a loud smash and a horrible screeching sound as the trunk slammed into the divider.
My seatbelt cut into my chest, but it wasn't enough to keep my head from cracking against the window. I exhaled sharply as I looked down.
A section of metal from the door had crumpled and was now embedded in my lower body. My hands were shaking violently. Warm blood spilled from my stomach, drenching me.
I knew in my gut. There was no coming back from something like that.
No. Mel. No. This can't be happening.
Shock numbed my body. I couldn't feel physical pain. Everything I felt was in my chest as I saw my entire future slipping away.
I could feel my consciousness and senses shutting down. I closed my eyes. The only thing I could see was a girl, looking up from her calculus book at me for the very first time.
Melanie, I'm so sorry.
God I'm sorry.
Mel—
