Time Of His Lives

1

Cowardice ; [ˈkou(ə)rdəs] - The lack of bravery .

He eased into the co-driver's seat and let out a puff of smoke . Sean had stopped by the park to pick some people up . They weren't going to be just the two bros on this trip , apparently . He wasn't complaining , though . The view was nice from where he sat . There were girls doing yoga in short shorts and tight tights under a huge jacaranda tree .

Yeah , the view was spectacular .

A stupid grin graced his face and one of the girls happened to catch his eyes . He waved at her when she turned and she sent an unsure wave back . They might or might not have dated at some point in high school . His gaze shifted back to Sean approaching with a guy and chick he would have probably asked out if she were in his age bracket and weren't holding the dude's hand . He tossed the blunt out of the car and smiled at the approaching trio .

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The trek began . Sean claimed that they were using the Oregon trail . This was going to be a long trip and the very thought of it sent a certain thrill through Isaac . No disturbance and no unnecessary parental intrusion sounded as good an idea as any . However , he wasn't exactly too jazzed the more he thought of the company in the back seat currently trying to swallow each others faces .

" Are they always like this ? "

" Yep . " Sean replied then turned behind to yell at them , " Not in my car , you two . It's new . " They stopped to give him an irritated look . " Don't be like that . " The guy ( now acquainted as Chris ) whined . " Don't make me kick you two out . " Sean warned and the girl ( also acquainted as Stella ) muttered under her breath .

The silence in the car seemed to thicken and Isaac felt obliged to turn on the radio . The radio boomed with heavy metal music and they all jumped in surprise , Sean reached over to change the station . Country music filled the car and they burst out in laughter at their reaction . A sense of lightness settled in the atmosphere and Chris leaned forward to change the station . X Ambassadors were playing on 106.7 The Eagle . Everybody subconsciously leaned into their seats and exhaled .

Good music was like good food . It always puts people in a good mood .

Isaac checked his phone and let out a short sigh at the many texts from mum and two from dad . " We are so screwed when we finish this trip . " He smacked Sean's arm lightly and showed his phone . "Parents always freak out when disobeyed . It's their nature . They don't like being defied . " Chris piped up from the back and reclined the seat . " Right . They like feeling in charge . A bit too much . Screw that , we'll sort it once we're done enjoying ourselves . " Isaac pocketed his phone and dug into his varsity jacket for a cigarette . " This kid gets it . " Stella laughed and put her legs on Chris' laps .

" I'm not a kid . " He muttered under his breath and lit the cigarette . Sean's mind worked on what their dad would do . Isaac had taken mum's credit card and the fact that their dad could call the cops on them started to strike him , but he did not exactly see much of the car so that could buy them some time . Mum had some problem recalling stuff at times . The more he thought about it , the more at ease he started to feel . Isaac was right , they'd have to sort that once they were done having a good time .

Repercussions would have to come later .

Isaac rolled down his window to look outside then let out a puff of smoke . Sean grabbed the lit cigarette from his brother and took a long drag . Isaac wasn't bugged by this that much . His eyes raced along with the moving buildings and trees then went to the sky to see the sun , bright and hot , overhead . It was noon , right ? He thought he remembered reading that somewhere , or was he taught that in class ? He reached for the cigarette .

" So , Isaac . What was your GPA for the exams ? " Stella asked out of curiosity , and desperation to start a conversation . Isaac turned to answer her , " 3.0 . I think I did well . " Chris let out a whistle and playfully punched Sean's arm , " He outsmarted you , man . " Sean let out a grunt and opened his mouth to argue then shut it on realizing he had nothing to say . " So , you and Shanon . What happened ? " Chris turned to Isaac . " Everyone knows how she can be . That kid isn't mine . " He spoke with a tone of finality . " Ise the Wise has spoken . " Chris laughed and patted Stella's legs . " And if the baby is yours ? What next ? " Stella laughed along . " To be honest , I don't know . " Isaac frowned and let out a ring of smoke . Sean took the cigarette again for a hit and said , " If the baby is his , dad is gonna kill him . " Everyone but Isaac burst into laughter . " Shut up . " Isaac snatched the cigarette from Sean with a glare .

Another catchy song came on the radio and Isaac started to hum along to forget about stupid Shanon and dad and the stress of it all . Sean sang along and Chris attempted to drop some beats as Stella harmonized . The lightness was back in the atmosphere and it hung there for a long while . Noon became afternoon then evening and Sean had to stop at the gas station to fuel the car and let everyone have a bathroom break .

" Okay , everyone stretch out your legs for a bit . " Sean pulled over and turned to pat Chris and Stella awake . Isaac stretched his arms and stomped his feet which were starting to fall asleep . He stared outside the closed window and frowned . An odd feeling was starting to settle in his chest but he brushed it off as excitement . Excitement for what , though ? Having a bathroom break at a gas station ? Chris groaned and sat up as Stella got her legs off his laps to get out of the car and stretch . Chris followed her out and Sean left too to fill up the tank with gas .

Isaac opened the door and turned to get out .

He got out but he wasn't at the gas station anymore . He was on a battlefield .

SONG ; SOS - Avicii ft Aloe Blacc