Once Upon A Road Trip

Chapter 4

The next morning, I was the only one not hungover and thus woke everyone up as early I could without being mauled to death by them. By 9 everyone was grumpily groaning as they got into the car with sunglasses covering their eyes as they try to block out the sun that would only worsen their headaches.

"I know I am quite hungover, and maybe still slightly drunk but it looks like Alia is driving." Jason muttered as I cursed that he realised.

"Come on you guys, all of you are hungover and I am the only one who can drive." I tried pleading with them. "I promise Linda will be in good hands."

"No way in hell Alia. I love you but our 16-year-old brother has more experience driving than you." Jake retorted, determined to piss me off.

"I can drive," Ryder piped up as I glared at him. "What?" he asked seeing my face, "I am hardly hungover, one cup of coffee and I will be good as new."

Realising that there is no use in trying and arguing I switched with Ryder. As he pulled out of the parking spot, I turned to my friends at the back seat to give them a piece of my mind, but they had all fallen asleep. Groaning I turn to Ryder to be my source of entertainment.

"Let's play a game." I told Ryder after he got a coffee. Seeing his look of disbelief, I scoff at him as I elaborate, "Come on let's play 2 truths and a lie, or 20 questions, or something. I don't want to be bored."

"Aww princess I thought just being in my presence would entertain you." Noticing my face that did not look impressed he continued, "Anyway what is the point in playing any game. I know legit everything about you."

"Do not."

"Yah I do. You were born in Bangalore but moved to Singapore when you were 4. You have an elder sister who is a lawyer in London. You went to an Indian school; you are obsessed with corn and have a hatred for kale. You are allergic to earrings yet you still have a hole, and wear earrings for some time. You are impossible to wake up, and absolutely hate mornings which is why I am quite surprised that you woke up so early today. Should I continue?" Ryder retorted with a smirk.

"What was my dogs name?"

"You didn't have a dog; your mom was allergic. However, you really want one, and want to name it Milo."

"Uh, how much did I get in my final exams?"

"42 in IB, 9 A* in IGCSE, and 1480 in your SAT. you really should stop this is just embarrassing for you." Throughout our conversation Ryder was just smirking as he drove past the other cars. I really badly want to kiss that smirk off his face right now. Wait a minute what am I even thinking about. Kissing Ryder? That's disgusting?

Before I can think about anything else, my thoughts are interrupted as Ryder takes an exit off the highway, entering a small town.

"Why are we stopping?" I ask Ryder.

"We should get some breakfast for us, and we can keep stuff ready for when the sleepyheads decide to wake up." Before I can even say anything, he gets off and walks into a dunkin donuts. I finally got into a comfortable position and instead of going in I sat on my phone as I knew that Ryder already knew my order by heart due to the number of times, he has ordered for me. honestly, I won't be surprised if by now he knows what I want to eat better than myself.

Looking to waste time, I turned around and began taking pictures of my friends as they slept, and drooled, all over each other. After Ryder being inside for more than 5 minutes, I decided to be a good friend and walk over to help him.

As I was about to enter, I notice Ryder talking, no flirting with the cashier. And for some reason I felt a pang of hurt. Deciding against going inside I walked around a bit, spending the time to think. I have been best friends with Ryder for more than a year by now, but we are just friends, nothing else, right?