Chapter Five: Escape (part 2)
What we were doing was utter stupidity at its finest form.
I had no idea why, but in that moment I didn't care. I didn't care that it was almost two am in the morning, I didn't care that it was almost below sixty degrees, and I didn't care that I had left everyone at the beach with out means of transportation. I was just living the moment, something I tend to never do.
"I love this song." Cayden reached over to turn up the radio. I smiled knowing we had similar music interests.
Although she didn't have nearly as much to drink, compared to the rest of us, this was her first time drinking and by the looks of it her body couldn't handle much. But I was slightly glad that she tried drinking for the first time with me. I would never take advantage with her in this state and I'm glad to know no one else could have the chance to.
I was a different compared to Cayden. My body would take a lot more than her and I still wouldn't be able to feel much. It was a curse and blessing considering I knew my limits but at times I was known to go overboard.
Thinking about this now, it was strange how opposite and alike Cayden and I are. Everything I wasn't, she was and even though we had our differences, they made me open up to views I never realized.
I'm not in love with Cayden, no, but I know that deep down there is a small infatuation starting to grow. Small because well I don't want to be shot down. I already know what that feels like and I don't need another bullet wound in my heart; especially since I know this girl could do some major damage to me.
"Luke!" Every thought I was concentrating on zipped out of mind. I suddenly lifted myself up a little more causing the car to swerve to the left. Thankfully no one was on the high way tonight.
"Yeah?" I turned to take peek at her to show her I was paying attention when in reality, hardly five seconds ago, I was lost in thought. She had her hand over her mouth with a wide eyes as that little action could sober her up just a fraction.
"Y-you missed the e-exit." She stammered, clearly still in shock at my previous action.
"Oh shit. Grab on to the side of your seat." I commanded.
"What?"
"Grab on to your seat." I said again and without waiting for her to question further, I made a u turn and drove back to the missed exit. I know my actions are highly illegal and I could possibly lose my license and Ashton's car but beer was running through my veins, making me a bit more braver.
She stuttered, her hands gripping the leather cushion for dear life. "Di-did you jus-back there, did you just hon-"
"Honestly do that? Yeah, I think I just did." And my criminal action didn't stop there because I also ran through a few red lights and stop signs. Hopefully there weren't any cameras to catch that or Ashton would be paying major fines.
By the time we were near my house, I was completely running on adrenaline and I could sense Cayden was the same.
"Oh my gosh. I can't believe that just happen!" She threw her hands up when I parked in my drive way. I cut off the engine, making sure my parents wouldn't be able to hear us. At this hour, they thought I was sleeping over at one of the members', of a study group, preparing for a huge math exam I had to lie about.
"I know, I can't either." I huffed, lowering the seat. I really couldn't. Me of all people, just stole of my best friend's car and could have cost him thousands in driving tickets. I was the responsible one of the group, this was totally out if my character but I wasn't sure if I really despised it or not.
Because for the first time, in a long time, I felt like me. There was no worry about grades and scholarships, no one constantly breathing down my back to be perfect, it was just me. And the one person I let my guard down to, she didn't run away, granted I was driving but she wasn't scared or creeped out by me.
She actually seemed to like me for me and not many people, besides the boys and Ivy, really did accept my true self; not the poster student my parents forced me to keep up.
And for that reason and a bit of the liquor, I did the unthinkable, something shy Luke would have never done, I put my arm around her and leaned her toward me.
Unfortunately, I wasn't as slick as I thought because her seatbelt was on, making it hard for her to come near me. But she didn't mind, instead she giggled and unbuckled her seatbelt to come closer to me.
All was silent around us. But everything seemed to be made just for us in this moment. The moon was directly shining on us, giving me enough light to see that her mesmerizing blue eyes were closed but she wore a tired and happy expression. No one was around us, it was complete silence and at a time like this, I knew what the absolute perfect moment was.
Right here, just us. No distraction. Just us.
I would do anything and everything to have time freeze over and just keep her in my arms forever.
And that's when I got an idea, one my mother would have my head for.
"You said you didn't have a home right?" I whispered, careful with my words, I didn't want to offend her and have my newly found plan be ruined.
"Mhm." Her head moved a little, trying to be more comfort. I knew deep down that she was only doing this out of exhaustion but out of my own selfish need, I didn't mind.
"What did you mean by that?" My arms tightened around her.
"That I-" She adorably yawned, "that I don't have an actually home to go to. I feel like I don't belong anywhere."
"What if we could find your home?"
"What?"
"What if we could find where you belong? Would you want to?" My heart raced. She didn't seem like the type to do something like this. I just want her to feel like she belongs somewhere, anywhere and I would do anything to make sure she felt happy.
"I-I do anything."
That's it, the only answer I needed.
I waited a few more moments until I could be sure that she was half asleep. Quietly, I unlocked the door and with a snail's pace, I went out of the car.
Thankfully my dog slept in my parents' room as no barking was heard while I snuck through the back door. Holding my breath, I navigated through the dark kitchen toward the set of keys on the side rack.
With each step, my pulse sped up. If my parents woke up, I was for sure a goner especially with the smell of alcohol radiating off me. My dad would make sure I would never be able to go outside for the next six months. Just thinking about the consequences, made me want to quit this and just take Cayden home.
But her haunting sadness at the bonfire edged me to keep going. With all the silence I could muster, I grabbed the set of keys I was looking for.
I tiptoed back out the door, only to wince when the door make an echoing creaking sound. On the balls of my feet I ran, keys still in my hand, back toward Ashton's car.
Unlike my previous movements, I made sure this one was swift and noticeable. "Cayden!" I whispered loudly for her eyes to open.
She rubbed them and I almost regretted my next actions, "Come on, we have to go." Without further protest, I carefully dragged her out to the orange Volkswagon van parked in front.
Once we settled in, I jammed the keys into the ignition causing the van to roar to life. It was loud enough for the lights of my parents' bedroom to turn on.
I swore under my breathe and stepped on the gas pedal before anything else could even have the chance to ruin this.
"Luke?" Cayden sleepily asked, not fully processing what was happening.
"Yes?" I turned a right, making it on to the freeway, leaving everything we known behind us.
"Where are we going?" She questioned, her eyes still closed; her voice was on the brink of sleep.
"Home."