We Can Start Again

9

Toni stared out the rain streaked window, it reminding her of the tears that flowed down Cheryl's face the previous night. Rain just kept beating on the old Vista Cruiser, every droplet heard as it thumped against the roof. Toni found it funny how the weather always seemed to align with her mood, today the forecast representing the dark and lonely state she was in.

The sky was a mix between light blue and grey, certainly not the colors Cheryl would've liked. It closed in on the teenagers as the tension in the air increased, all four of them grasping for breath. Not very many words had been exchanged since the regretful night before. Cheryl and Toni had barely even glanced at each other, each time they locked eyes for that split second they could see how much pain the other was in.

Toni expected things to be fine between Kevin and Fangs, but every time Kevin looked over to his boyfriend it was filled with a hint of disgust. None of them had really gotten any sleep, except for Fangs who passed out the second Kevin put his seatbelt over him after they left the party.

Cheryl tried to sleep hoping things between her and Toni would be healed when she woke up, her sorrow and guilt got the best of her. It tormented her forcing her to face reality, knowing that she couldn't just return to cuddling up to Toni. All the progress they had made over the last couple of days circled down the drain. The hurt that Cheryl saw in Toni's eyes haunted her, carving its way into the redhead's heart. She wished she would've listened to Toni and talked about the situation, but she acted so foolish shutting her out like she was accustomed to doing. This being a bitter sweet reoccurrence ever since her father's passing in the Thornhill fire. The way Toni's voice cracked as she fought to hold back her tears repeated itself over and over in her head like a broken record on an eternal loop. 

On the side of the road in big white letters, a slightly slanted sign told them they were now entering St. George, Utah. Unfortunately for the group this was only the beginning of their long awaited doom.

"When is this goddamn thing going to be over?" Fangs mumbled with his head pressed against the chilled glass. He had been talking to himself, but things never really turn out how they're planned.

Kevin clenched his jaw in frustration trying to keep his anger under control. No one's talked the entire day and the fact that those were the first words that left someone's mouth made him grip onto the steering wheel even harder than before, his knuckles now a new shade of white. "If you have something to say I suggest you speak up, not sure Cheryl and Toni heard you."

Toni was feeling particularly destructive today, deciding to convert her pain into anger. "Nope, I heard him just fine, Keller. I think you did too, so when is this thing going to be over with? Why are we still going to California when we all want to go back home?"

Cheryl was going back and forth, internally conflicted with who's side she was on. There really was no need for it, but if something wrong were to be said between her best friend and the girl she was in love with, she had to know who she'd defend.

"I'm sorry you and Cheryl got in a fight last night, but you don't have to take your anger out on me." Kevin knew he needed to keep his temper under wraps. He was fuming on the inside, but he still cared for the people in the car. He gently pressed his foot on break as the rain cascaded over them, the windshield wipers hardly being effective at this point.

"Yeah, no. You're absolutely right," The girl let out a sarcastic laugh. "This is all Fangs' fault."

The boy sprung up from his position against the window, brows pulled together as his best friend lashed out on him.

"If he didn't get shit-faced last night then none of this would've happened."

Over the last dreadful hours spent in the car Fangs was able to recount some of the events that took place at the party. Walking in on Toni grinding on Cheryl may have been one of them. He whipped around, locking eyes with Toni. "Hey, it's not my fault you didn't get to fool around with Cheryl! Not like she'd let you. Remember what she said? She wants her first time to be with someone special to her, not sure if you make the cut."