Opposites

0.3

I began to turn on the radio but Justin swatted my hand away.

“The driver obviously chooses the music.” Justin opened the glove compartment and pulled out a few cds. He looked at each cover and finally decided to put one in.

I was too distracted by my nervous thoughts to even realize music was playing. I wanted to get out of this town. I wanted to rid my life of Mason. I wanted to be someone different. I wanted to be liked. However, none of this was going to happen. Justin’s ringtone interrupted my thoughts.

“Hello,” He answered it, “I’ll be back in an hour or so. I promise-Tamara, calm down.” He hung up after that. He was a jerk for not taking Tamara with us.

“Can we stop at Emilia’s?” I politely asked.

“The bar? Are you insane?”

“Yes, the bar. I know the owner. They always give me free drinks.”

“How do you know the owner? Do you know them through Mason?” He kept glancing at me and turning back to the road.

“Why would you just assume that? I know the owner because she’s my cousin. Calm down.”

“What are you planning to do at the bar?” He was such an idiot.

“Ride a pony.” I replied sarcastically.

“Come on, now,”  

“I was planning to drink if you’d like to join me. My cousin will probably let me sleep in the apartment upstairs and I’ll just have to tell my brother that I slept over Anne’s.” I rolled my eyes and looked out the window.

“No, I’m taking you home.”

“No, you’re not.” I sat up straight and glared at him.

“You’re not drinking then.” I hit the radio to turn it off.

“You’re not my parent. I can take care of myself. Plus, my cousin has always taken care of me basically. When my mom was around, she’d babysit us all day.”

“Why wasn’t your mom around? What about your dad?”

I wanted to punch him in the face, “Stop being so nosy. My mom had a full time job and my dad was living with his new wife.” I lied. No one except for my immediate family and Mary knew about everything that had happened with my family. I was just not ready to share about my past, especially not with a stranger.

“How old is your cousin?”

“Thirty four. We’re here now.”

Justin pulled up. I opened the door and waited for him to get out. He stared at the door for what seemed like an eternity. Then he finally opened it after I shouted at him to hurry. I pushed through the bar door and the little bell at the top rang. I walked over to the bar and sat at the counter. I motioned for Justin to sit down and he did. He got his phone out and sent a message to someone but I didn’t pay much attention to whatever it was.

“Emilia,” I called.

She turned around and leaned across the bar to kiss my cheek, “I haven’t seen you in about a month! How’s it going? Who is he?” She pointed at Justin.

“He’s a guy I know. I’m fine. Can we get two Bud Light’s?” I asked.

She set them in front of us and tended to the other customers. Justin took a sip of his and set it back down. I chugged mine.

“You should probably get Tamara home.” I suggested to Justin.

“She can take care of herself.” He said angrily.