We Leave At Midnight

24 days before the trip part 1

The last couple of days Melanie bonded quickly with Chase faster than she'd ever experienced. They were becoming close "fight buddies" in a very short amount of time. She still didn't gave away too much though and mostly let him do the talking. But she had to admit, she kinda liked his goofy attitude and good looks.

She would never tell him this of course.

-

Melanie stretched out her legs and back. Then her arms, pulling them to each side, like a runner getting ready for a race. She was exaggerating of course, she didn't need the stretching, she was made for this. Though Chase did the same. They were standing on each side of the train tracks. Melanie on the left side, Chase on the right. The sun poorly shined upon them as they got ready for a home made challenge.

"Okay, you ready?" Chase said, jumping up and down. "Ugh, I was born ready." Melanie spoke, rolling her eyes at the boy who was now running on the spot. "We'll see about that, Ms Perfect." He challenges, "this is what we're gonna do; you run to the grocery store closest to your side of the tracks and we each buy 5 packages of cigarettes, the first one back, gets 2 packages from the other." She nodded, cracking her hands and neck. "Rules;" he went on, "no help from vehicles or any kind of boards or bikes. You need to run and get nice and sweaty." He winked. She scoffed and flipped him off.

"Hey, I was just joking." She folded her arms. "Whatever, Chase. Let's just start." She suggested. "You're right. 3. 2. 1. GO!" He screamed but Melanie had already started running by '2'. Cheater, the angel on her shoulder said. Sue me, she shot back.

She ran as quickly as possible, almost tripping over the roots of a huge tree on her way. She ran and ran feeling the wind in her hair. It felt like her feet disappeared or turned into dust clouds, she ran so fast, like in a Tom & Jerry cartoon.

As soon as she reached the grocery store, she flew through the doors and rushed to the cash register. "5 packages of cigarettes." She said, breathing heavily. The girl behind counter just chewed her gum and picked on her nails. She was wearing everything except her work outfit. Boobs on full display. Melanie snapped with her fingers to get her attention. "Hey! Waky Waky. 5 packages of cigarettes." The cashier just stared. "Please," Melanie added. A satisfying look took over the cashier's face. Bitch, Melanie thought. The cashier wore a name tag, Kim was her name. "Which brand do you want?" Kim said, almost spitting. Disgusted Melanie answered, "Just the red Marlboro but can you please hurry up?"

Kim grabbed 5 packages of Marlboro cigarettes behind her and put it on the counter. "That is $35,-," God, her voice was annoying, "Do you want your receipt?" Melanie rolled her eyes, "Yeah, whatever. Just let me pay. Geez." Melanie hastily pulled out the required money. "Rude and argressive behaviour is not appreciated." Kim smiled like a devil, Melanie could see her chewing gum. Her smile was so big, her cheeks would rip if she would smile bigger.

"Are you fucking kidding me right now." Melanie said, clenched teeth, trying not to scream out. "Please, stay calm or I will call security." Melanie pushed her nails into the palm of her hand. She was trying so hard to stay calm. She wanted to rip her fake long blond locks out of her head. Along with her fake fucking lashes.

She grabbed the money and shoved it towards cashier Kim. "Can you just please take the money?" Melanie said through gritted teeth, "Please?"

"Of course." She picked up the money and placed it inside the cash register. "Thank for purchase and have a nice day." Melanie rolled her eyes and before she stepped out of the store she flipped Kim off.

She started running almost immediately after she walked out. Thinking she would one day break her middle finger. Someday she would meet the wrong person to flip off and that same person would break her finger like a twig. It was one of her nightmares. She shuddered. Tried to think of something else.