DONTMAKEMEFALLINLOVE || Billy Hargrove, Stranger Things

LI.

The halfway point to California was somewhere in Oklahoma. By the time I arrived in Oklahoma it was nearly midnight and the McDonald's and energy drinks I devoured could not keep me awake any longer.

I settled with a one story motel that didn't look too run down and intimidating to crash for the night. When I went inside to the front desk the man simply told me the night would be thirty dollars and that he'd be here all night. Either he was trying to let me know so I could feel better about the situation or something entirely different that I didn't even want to think about.

When I went back outside I moved my car to the nearest parking space next to my room (locking the door in the process of course), and turned off the ignition. I only retrieved one suitcase that had all my necessities from the trunk and locked my car thoroughly before hurry inside my room and locking the door. Hell, I even moved a chair up against the door.

The precautions I now have to take are ridiculous.

I tried not to think about what happened a few hours ago as I showered. I spent so long under the water thinking about my dead boyfriend that I flinched when the water shifted it's temperature to cold. I had used up all the warm water on accident.

I grew hatred for Dr. Owens as he sped away from the gas station. I even tried to catch up to him but when I turned into the road my eyes couldn't even find his car. He was long gone.

Now as I start to fall asleep, the only thing audible are the voices coming from the television.

•

January 4, 1986
7:52 am

My hands had to pry my eyes open and splash water all over my face to somewhat stay awake for another long trip ahead. As I looked up into the mirror the bags under my eyes were significantly darker and my eyes were surrounded by red.

When I get to California I'm definitely going to sleep for 15 hours.

After I fixed my hair, brushed my teeth and changed out of my pajamas, which is basically shorts and a t-shirt, I switched to some comfy mom jeans, a long sleeve, and a very oversized jacket. The cold was definitely harsher, especially if you're traveling in it. There was no need for fashion statements on a road trip.

Removing the chair from the door, I open it and double check the room in case I'm missing anything and when I'm finished I walk back out into the cold with my luggage and close the door behind me. After I leave my suitcase back in the trunk of my car I walk back into the front desk office and give the man back his key. He sarcastically tells me to come back soon and I try to sound enthusiastic but it's too early and I'm not in the mood.

A few more minutes pass and I'm back on the highway towards the sunny state of California. I really do hope it's warm over there.

•

12:34 pm

The very boring state of New Mexico is quite pitiful to look at. It's just a desert with a few signs every other mile! Even the restaurant I stopped at to buy food doesn't have much to offer.

Note to self: never vacation or live in New Mexico.

•

6:18 pm

I'm just at the end of Arizona, almost nearing closer and closer to California! In just a few hours my car can finally have a break.