Elle Jones

Chapter 24: Kristy's Here

After we reunited, Austin and I stayed close as we briskly walked along the white glass-like floor. Our hands linked together, our eyes were locked onto the floor, and even though it was 12:00 in the afternoon, we were pacing as though we were in some kind of action movie.

Looking in Austin's way, I tried to picture my best friend through the thick layer of makeup, dark sunglasses, and dyed blond hair, but somehow I couldn't.

To most people, he was an eccentric stranger, but to me, he looked as though he was a disguised CIA agent.

Waltzing past a loving couple, I looked in Austin's direction and said coolly, "So, Austin."

My best friend looked at me from the corner of his right eye.

"So, Jack," responded Austin.

"So, of all the disguises in the world, " I began, treading around a family of five. "Why would you wear that?"

He rolled his eyes, releasing my hand.

"I tried picking another outfit," Austin explained. "but because I couldn't find a place to park the shitty car, I had to improvise."

I raise my eyebrow. "Where did you park the car?"

Immediately, Austin's casual stroll broke into a silent trot; sharp, brown eyes remained focused on the path ahead, as Austin proceed forward, trying to dissuade my question.

"Austin, " I began slowly. "Did something happen while you were outside?"

My best friend bites his bottom lip then ducks his head in shame.

"You know you can tell me, " I insist. "I am not mad."

Taking a deep breath, Austin says to me: "You know that sign that has the letter P with a slanted line across it?"

I nodded attentively.

"I parked Kristy's SUV there," he replied, trotting alongside me. "Just twenty inches away from the parking lot."

I gawked at his confession, but just when I was about to speak my mind, I noticed several people casually wandering around the airport like fishes in a large bowl.

As we walked slowly, rolling wheels streaked against the hard surface, as men, women, and children tightly clenched the handles of their suitcases.

I widen my eyes. "Are you fucking serious?"

Austin groaned.

"What if your moms find out?" I hissed in frustration. "We could be in serious trouble!"

He closed his eyes for a second then replied: "I know it sounds bad, but it's only space that hasn't been invaded by cars."

Mockingly, I tilt my head sideways.

"Gee, " I said sarcastically. "I wonder why?" 

Flustered, Austin pockets his hands inside his jeans, hoping they would keep warm from the draft cold air.

"Well, before I left the SUV, "  he began. "I got rid of the evidence. I wipe my fingerprints off the steering wheel, and I threw some old wrappers away."

"That's clever, " I admit, "but our parents and the cops already know that we had stolen the SUV."

"Shit." cussed Austin.

"And what about your stuff? Did you leave anything in the car?"

"Nope," answered Austin. "As soon as I parked the car, I carried my shit, and hurried into the airport before someone realizes that I was gone."