Chapter 1 - Freeway

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by please_stop_me_now

by please_stop_me_now

A/N: The year is 1991 :)
Song: Don't Follow

   Judging from whereabouts I was on the road and the desert coming up around me, I figured I had about thirty-some miles before I made my way back to civilization...okay, that was a bit dramatic, but still. There were only a few restaurants here and there, and some places to fill up with gas. I was playing all my favorite songs as I drove, illuminated by the setting sun. After about twenty minutes, I began to feel hungry. I kept driving until I came upon a Mexican restaurant. I pulled into the parking lot and hopped out of my truck. I caught a quick glimpse of myself in the window before I reached the door. My golden-brown hair fell in loose curls just below my shoulders. I brushed a strand out of my face and continued on in.
   I sat down at the bar and ordered a beer and a variety of dishes. As I was eating my meal, I took notice of a man who'd just walked in. His hair was long, blond, and curly. He had big blue eyes and a hint of a smile touched his face. Isn't this a convenient meeting? I thought to myself. I smiled at him, and he returned it. He had a look that made it seem as if he was interested in me, but i was disappointed as he sat down at a table, rather than near me. Shrugging the silent rejection off, I returned to my food and ate in silence. It was a peaceful moment.
After I was done, I walked back outside and leaned against the side of my car as I pulled out a cigarette. I lit up and looked at the orange-pink sky. The ground wasn't paved, but instead was compacted sand. A slow breeze blew but the desert stayed stagnant. Just then, the man from before walked out of the restaurant. I had to stifle a scowl, and was shocked at how much of a sore loser I was. I usually didn't react this was to a rejection...but I don't know...there was something about this guy that seemed special. My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of boots scraping the sand. My head turned to the noise.
"Hey."
"Uh...hey. What's your name?" I prompted, looking into the man's blue eyes. He retrieved his shades from his pocket and put them on.
   "Layne. How 'bout you?"
   "Athene." I responded.
   "Cool. I don't mean to bother, but what brings you out on the 395?" Layne asked.
"Ah, well, I'm a studying intern of a fashion designer, actually. I'm on a paid trip for work, and I'm supposed to 'gather inspiration from the desert' or whatever." I said with a laugh. I didn't want to give too much information away, so I thought my response was good.
"Wow, that definitely wasn't the response I was expecting." Layne said with a mesmerized look on his face. I laughed.
   "It's really not as glamorous as it sounds. I mostly just make coffee. Anyways, what brings you out here?"
   "Me? Well, I'm actually on a break. See, I'm the lead singer of a band called Alice In Chains. We were just on a U.S. tour and we got back a couple days ago. I, for some reason, wasn't tired of driving so I decided to take to the open road...or something." He laughed. And my jaw dropped. I had just gotten into a band called Alice In Chains. I was actually listening to their first and only album "Facelift" in the car. I knew nothing about them though, so it was freaky to figure out that I was talking to the same guy who sang "We Die Young" and "Bleed the Freak".
"Wait! Holy shit! I was just listening to your record in the car! I had picked up a tape a few days ago...I didn't know anything else about you guys other than the fact that you sound fucking awesome!" I exclaimed, excitement probably noticeable in my expression.
"Aw," he laughed a little, "That's great!"
"I also never knew that someone who looked...like you would be the lead singer." I said, breaking eye contact for a little.
"Wait, what's that supposed to mean? You sayin' I'm ugly?" He joked as I realized what I said could be taken out of context.
   "No! Not at all...uh, I mean, you're...cool." I smiled. He smirked a little.
"'S' that so? Well, thank you. S'pose I'd better be on my way if I wanna be in LA at a reasonable hour." Layne said, his mouth forming into a sweet smile.
"You're headed to LA too?" I asked, confused at my childish excitement.
   "Yep." He responded plainly.
"Well, um...why don't we meet up sometime? Get to know each other better? We don't have to, of course, it's just I—"
   "I'd love to meet up, Athene. As friends though, right?" Layne asked me. I was a bit disappointed at the last sentence, though.
"Yes, as friends." I chuckled.
"Cool." He smiled. "What's your number? I'll put it in my phone." Then I gave him my phone number and we set a date for our wedding. Just kidding. I said goodbye to him and got back into my, well, my dad's truck. I pulled out of the parking lot after I waited for a bit (to put some distance between us on the road). For some reason, I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.