Run Away With Me

Chapter 3 (Katherine's POV)

I woke up to the sunlight kissing the horizon. It was a beautiful sunrise, filled with oranges and yellows, with touches of pink. It was beautiful. We do have beautiful sunrises in Kansas. But wait. We're not in Kansas anymore. And I'm not in my bed. 

The events of the previous night come flooding back to me. But the bout of homesickness I anticipated doesn't come. Instead, a little sense of accomplishment fills its place. I sit up and stretch my arms. I feel stiff and sore from sleeping in an awkward position. I yawn and turn to look at the sunrise again. 

Wait, sunrise? My driving shift was supposed to start at 4am. But Jack is still driving. I look at the clock. 

"8:11!" How did I sleep in so late? Davey turns around to look at me. 

"Oh look, the princess is awake! It's actually 9:11. We've switched time zones."

"Why didn't you guys wake me up?"

"Jack took your shift. Your next one starts at 11," Davey says, matter-of-factly. He reaches up to fix the clock. 

"Uh, thanks Jack," I stutter. 

"Don't mention it. Hey Davey, when do you want to stop for breakfast?"

"Yeah Davey, I'm starving," says a voice from the back. I turn to see that all the boys are, in fact, awake. 

"I thought we'd stop in Cincinnati. I know it's a little out of the way, but they'll have better breakfast options."

"How much longer?" Race cries. 

"It'll be about 11 hours from Cincinnati," Davey says. 

"Well how much longer to Cincinnati?" Albert inquires. 

"A little over an hour."

Collective groans erupted from the back row. Now while I didn't groan out loud, I definitely groaned in my head. I was starving. But oh well. I guess I'd just have to wait. 

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We arrived in Cincinnati right around 11. We pulled into a gas station mini mart, and went inside. 

"Alright everybody," Davey called. "I'm going to get breakfast. You guys go do what do need to do, or whatever, and meet me at the car in 10 minutes. If there is something specific you want for breakfast, let me know. Do not get into trouble, do not do anything illegal. Just, be good, okay? Yes, Jojo?" Because Jojo had raised his hand. 

"Umm, can I have Skittles for breakfast?" Race, Albert and Crutchie nodded, as if they were wondering the same of themselves. I thought I saw Jack nod as well, but quickly stopped at the look on Davey's face. 

"No. No Skittles for breakfast. But maybe for lunch," he quickly amended at the torn look on the boys' faces. "Okay, 10 minutes. Go!"

As most of the boys ran in one direction, I headed towards the women's room. It's been too long since I used the restroom. Opening the door, I was overcome with the scent of cherry soap. I had a newfound disgust for gas station bathrooms. As I washed my hands, I got a good look at myself in the mirror. I was wearing some comfy blue sweats, and a white t-shirt. Like I was going to wear jeans in a car for 20 hours. But my usually kept red hair had fallen apart, and pieces were sticking out here and there. My make-up was smudged, though there was hardly any left. But I guess that's what a road trip will do to you. I dried my hands and walked out. 

I still had 5 minutes, but I headed out to the car anyway. I didn't have anything better to do, and I wanted to enjoy some fresh air while I could. As I walked out, it became apparent that Jack had had a similar idea. 

"Why hello, Kathy," he says. I hate it when he calls me that. My name is Katherine. 

"It's Katherine," I say, rather forcefully. 

"Okay, Kathy." He smirks. Ugh. 

"I, uh. Thanks, again, for, uh, taking my shift," I stumble. 

"Ya, don't mention it."

"You didn't have to do that. You could've woken me up."

"I know. But you looked at peace." And he left it at that. We stood there, in a rather awkward silence for what felt like an hour. But it couldn't of been, because the others had yet to come to my rescue. 

"So, you're finally going to New York." I say, trying to break the silence. 

"Yep." Jack rocks back and forth on his feet. He seems to be in his element, and uncomfortable at the same time. Either way, the conversation gets shut down. Frustrated, I don't make any further attempts at conversation. 

Thankfully, after an eternity, Davey and the others come out. 

"We'll eat breakfast out here," he says. "I want no food crumbs in my car." Davey pulls out two bags of mini donuts, and a package of juice boxes. We all sit with our backs against the car, eating our breakfast. I can't help but notice that I'm sitting next to Jack. But I'm not going to try to start a conversation, so I eat in silence. Jojo, Albert and Race are snickering to themselves. I look over and see them slip some donuts into their pockets. I smile. I feel bad for Davey's car, but at least they'll have some fun. 

After we've finished, Davey goes to throw away our trash. I get in the driver's seat. Two hours of driving. Davey joins me in the passenger seat, (thank goodness) and we're on our way. 11 more hours 'til New York, and counting.