The Road Trip

13

Normani  P.O.V

"Good bye ATL! Its been real!" Zendaya yelled out the window as we hit the highway. We decided to head up north to Illinois. Chicago was the next stop. About an hour into the drive, everybody started to complain they had headaches. I never got hangovers, which was weird considering the fact that I downed a ton of liquor last night.

"I need some pills, dammit." Lauren said, laying down in the third seat, having switched places with Lisa.

"I know right? Anybody got aspirin?" Lisa asked. Zendaya let out an incoherent moan and leaned up against the window. China didn't say anything, just leaned back and closed her eyes. I chuckled and tried to focus on the road. Their constant bitching was getting to me, so I stopped in what looked like a big city, well big enough. I pulled into a Wal-Mart parking lot and looked around the car when no one moved. Lisa was snoring next to me, Lauren was laid out in the back, China had her eyes closed too, and Zendaya was staring out the window, in deep thought. I took the time to take in her features, and didn't realize I was staring until she turned and smiled at me.

"Could you unlock the door? I have to pee." Her soft voice said, looking at me with a concerned look on her face. Embarrassed that I'd been caught, I hurriedly turned to unlock the door.

"Oh, sorry Z. I'll go in with you, leave them to rest. I gotta grab a few things." I said. She nodded and we both got out of the car. When we went inside, it was kind of quiet, which is unusual for a Wal-Mart. Come to think of it, not many cars were in the parking lot either. Z didn't  seem phased by the peculiarity and made her way to a bathroom. I decided it'd be best to wait for her. I sat down on a bench and got on my phone.

"May I sit?" I heard a man's deep, gruff voice say. I looked up and saw a man wearing rags, glasses, and alot of beaded jewlery. He was kind of dirty, his long hair was matted to his head. He was walking with a cane that was in the shape of a serpent. I scooted over and let him sit down.

"Love is, it's a crazy thing. It can't be forced is what people say. That's not true though." He said. Was he talking to me, or himself?

"Uhm, I suppose." I said, getting uneasy. I glanced at him and he had a small, red vial in his hand. It looks like there was... blood in it.

"This, is the key to getting your girl." He said.

"Girl? I- I don't like women." I stuttered out.

"Haha! You're right! You like ONE in particular. I looked in your eyes and saw your life, even though I'm blind. Take this, she'll fall for you." He said.

"I don't know what-"

"Hey, Mani, you ready? Who are you talking to?" Zendaya asked me, putting a hand on my shoulder.

"Him-" I said, stopping when I didn't see the man. All that remained where he sat, was the red vial he told me to take. Against my better judgement, I swiped it up and put it in my pocket. I turned and smiled at Z.

"Uhm, myself. I was talking to myself. Let's go grab that aspirin." I said. Z nodded and helped me up from the hard bench. I've never been one to believe in superstitions or potions or ghosts and all types of shit of that nature. But... what if this was it? What if this was my chance to make Z fall for me?
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About an hour after leaving the Wal-Mart and getting back on the road, everyone was waking up. I gave them the pain killers and they all took them willingly.

"It's dark as hell out here. There aren't any other cars out." Lisa said. I was the one driving and hadn't even noticed.

"I need to get LAID." Lauren said.

"I concur." Zendaya agreed, fist bumping the dark haired woman. I looked in the rearview mirror and China was staring at me, not saying anything. When I raised an eyebrow at her, she winked at me and turned her attention to the darkness outside. China took to me easier than the other girls, and I thought it was because we were both intelligent, African American women, plus I tried my best to help her with her disorder. But, from her end, I don't think that was the case... I should talk to her about it... There was a loud ass pop and the car swerved. The other women in the car hollered, but I gained control of the car and pulled over to the side of the dark road.

"Sounds like the tire. I'll get out and change it." Zendaya said.

"I'll help you. He said the spare is under the trunks carpet." I said. I got out and went to the back of the car with her to grab the tire. She grabbed the tools she needed and walked around the car.

"It's the driver's side wheel Mani." She said, laying down to jack the car up.

"Hey, get out! You three are adding extra weight to the car!" Z yelled. I was shining my phone light on her and the wheel, staring at her. I don't think this should be hot, her changing a tire. She has no idea. I never made it obvious. I looked up and China was leaning on the car hood, staring at me, her phone light illuminating her face. I couldn't read the expression on her face, but she seemed... kind of angry.

"You okay Chi?" I asked her. She shook her head yes and finally looked down at her phone.

"Normani, I can't see honey." Z said softly.

"I'm sorry!" I didn't realize I wasn't holding the light on her anymore.

"What the fuck?!" I heard Lauren yell, then I saw her jump on top of the car.

"Get up here NOW!" Lauren yelled.

"Its just a dog! Calm d- AHHHHH!" I heard Lisa yell, and what sounded like a dog growling...
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Oh shit... Mani like Z, Chi likes Mani and so does Lauren.. That can't be good.. - Mad MuziQ