He Was Mine, I Was His

Road Trip

    Saturday came quickly. We were all excited. I had my bags already packed and everything was ready to go. I said goodbye to Elizabeth and Ada before making my way to the Curtis house where everyone was meeting. When I pulled up, everyone was there besides Two-Bit and Steve. 

    "Where are they?" I asked, grabbing my bags out of the car. 

    "Take one guess," Dally said. 

    "Snack run?"

    "Ding ding ding, we have a winner."

    I laughed and handed my bags to Darry. He stuffed them into the van that they boys would be riding in. It was actually pretty nice. It looked comfortable. Donna, Evie, and I were excited to be riding together. I loved my guys but a 21 hour car ride with them sounded horrid. Plus, us girls were going to have a blast. 

    "We'll go down on Route 66," Darry explained. "A motel for everyone would be a waste of money so we are driving all the way through. I suggest switching drivers every other stop. I'd say with stops for food and gas, we'll get there around 3 pm tomorrow. Sound good to everyone?"

    "Sounds great Darry," I smiled. Oh I was so excited to go to the beach again. 

    "Are we ready to rock and roll?" Steve hooted as he and Two-But came back. 

    "Come on let's go," Ponyboy exclaimed. 

    Sodapop walked over and kissed me, "Be careful. I love you."

    "I love you too Soda."

    "Try and keep up," Dally laughed as he hopped into the van. 

    Everyone got into their vehicles. I was driving first. I didn't mind though. I liked driving. We would probably switch by New Mexico. 

    I followed Darry the whole way. We were listening to music loudly and gossiping. Typical for us. It was nice having boyfriends in the same friend group. Whatever we talked about, we all knew what each other meant. We didn't get as far as Oklahoma City before Soda had to take a pee break. 

    "Didn't you go before we left?" I asked when I got out of the car. 

    "Yes but I have to go again," he replied, practically running into the gas station. 

    I just laughed and got back into the car. Thankfully he didn't take long and we were back on the road again soon. As we drove, I could see the van shaking from them jumping around. I was glad I wasn't riding with them. I'd probably come out with a black eye. 

    We made our way through Oklahoma and Texas, able to only stop a few times. We stopped again in Tucumcari, New Mexico. I was thankful. I liked driving but not for nearly seven hours. We stopped at a diner to get some dinner. The waitress looked thrilled when we said we needed a table for ten. 

    I sat in between Soda and Two-Bit so I knew this was going to be an interesting night. Dally and Two-Bit were flirting up a storm with the waitress. Steve tried to as well until Evie slapped him on the arm. He tried to convince her it was a joke but I knew I would hear about it later. 

    The diner reminded me of the one in Mississippi. I found myself thinking of Jeremiah. I wondered what he was doing. What his project turned into. 

    We got back on the road after dinner. Donna took over driving our car and Darry kept driving the van since no one else wanted to. Evie and I were able to get some sleep while Donna drove. When I woke up, we were in Flagstaff, Arizona. Evie was still asleep and Donna was listening to music softly. 

    "You still awake?" I asked. 

    "Barely," she joked. 

    I sat back and watched the scenery as we drove. We eventually stopped in Kingman. We grabbed breakfast from a gas station and filled up both cars. 

    "Are you sure it's time for me to drive?" Evie complained. 

    "Yes Evie. It's only five hours."

    I switched cars with Steve so Darry could finally get some rest. The boys were all still tired so they were quiet enough to let him sleep. Soda sat next to me, keeping his hand on my thigh as I drove. He eventually fell back asleep too.

    I woke him up as we entered Santa Monica so he could help me find out where to go. It was beautiful. The palm trees, the waves. It reminded me of Florida. Soda noticed me admiring the view. 

    "It must have been nice having the beach nearby," he whispered, trying not to wake everyone up. 

    "Oh it was great. Dad always called me his little mermaid," I laughed. 

    He just smiled at me. Eventually, we pulled into the driveway of the beach house. There were a few cars out front. Their property was huge. There was a main house and a smaller guest house. My jaw dropped as I pulled up. 

    "I can't believe this is real."

    "Well don't get too used to it," Soda joked. "Come on everybody. We're here."

    Everyone groaned as they woke up. After a few moments, the excitement set in. We finally made it to a week of paradise.