Her blonde hair was splayed beautifully over her pillow, and I couldn't help but feel a small tinge of jealousy. Everything always came so easy to her. School, making friends, dating. Will she even need me once we get to New York? She's the designer. I'll be like a silent partner, working on all the financials, and riding her coat tails.
“Veronica Locke stop over thinking, and go to bed.” She suddenly mumbled, startling me.
“Sorry.” I whispered.
“Goodnight. Again.” She whispered back with annoyance.
“Goodnight.”
FOUR
WHEN THE ALARM I SET, had my phone buzzing across my bedside table the next morning, I was less than impressed. I tossed, and turned most of the night, and when I did manage to sleep I dreamt about Derek. I know that he was only on my mind because I was leaving. He was the last person I spoke to on the phone, and he was the last person I thought of when I closed my eyes. It didn't mean anything. It didn't change anything.
I turned the alarm off, and gave Morgan a little shove.
“Rise, and shine.” I said in a sing song voice.
“Five more minutes.” She grumbled, sleepily.
“What happened to stopping for Starbucks?”
“That's why I love you Ronnie.” She said, as she tossed the comforter aside. “Always the voice of reason.”
I shook my head, before climbing out of bed myself. I quickly changed out of my pajamas, and into the leggings and tee shirt I'd left out the night before. I knew that Morgan would internally cringe, but I wasn't worried about fashion while I was behind the wheel of an old Ford. More often than not, comfort always won out.
When I finished changing, I grabbed the small bag of toiletries I'd set aside and went into the bathroom to take care of business. By the time Morgan had dressed, and done the same nearly an hour had passed. Mostly because she was concerned with fashion. The only person I had to impress was the Starbucks barista, and I was sure she couldn't care less.
My dad even woke up to see us off, and I'm not ashamed to say that more than a few tears fell from my eyes. Even though I knew that I'd be seeing him soon, I couldn't help but feel like I was ending a pretty significant chapter in my life.
With our bags packed, and a fully stocked cooler in the back seat, Morgan and I climbed into the old pick up. I turned the key, and a few minutes later we were starting our slow descent down the long driveway. I could feel the butterflies in my stomach as we got closer, and closer to the road. There was no looking back now.
I kept my eyes on the road, as she fiddled with her I-pod, attempting to connect it to the old radio. I laughed to myself, before switching the stereo to the local country station.
“I made a play list!” She pouted.
“This truck is from the nineties.” I laughed. “No blue tooth.”
“That's archaic!” She said, putting her I-pod back into her bag.
“Just like your road map.” I teased. “Please tell me we're using a GPS device.”
“Wouldn't you rather hear my voice telling you which way to turn?”
“Absolutely not!” I laughed. “You've always been a bit... directional-y challenged.”
“It's not my fault you don't know the difference between your this ways, and that ways.”
I rolled my eyes. “How long is the drive before we reach our first destination?”
She grabbed her phone from her purse, and pulled up the route she'd marked on the original map.
“It's only about a three hour drive until we reach Virginia.”
“Then why did we leave so damn early?”
“To avoid traffic.” She said, reasonably.
I sighed. A three hour drive to Virginia didn't sound so bad. At least it wasn't thirteen, and we wouldn't have to stop for gas or food. Morgan had already booked us a hotel for the week, so when we arrived we'd at least have a little down time. Maybe even relax by the pool for a bit. Of course there was a pool, a hot tub, and a five star gym. Morgan wouldn't have it any other way.
After grabbing breakfast, and coffee from Starbucks we made our way towards the on ramp. The expressway was eerily empty at this time of day. Aside from a few early risers probably heading to work, we had control of the motor way. I understood why Morgan wanted to leave so early now. I didn't travel much. She was the jet setting fashionista in our little duo. I was happy to stay home in my little town where everyone knew me. Which was probably why everyone was so surprised by my choice in career.
My mom thought that I'd settle down with Derek, and never leave Raleigh. Even though I graduated from college, and Morgan and I had always had New York in our sights. I think she believed that when push, came to shove that I'd chicken out. It wasn't that I was afraid to leave the proverbial nest, I just didn't see a reason to. She thought again, that Derek's betrayal would make me want to stay, but in fact it did the opposite.
Knowing that my leaving put a wrench in his plans, somehow made my decision to run a little easier. As far as I know, he still has a job lined up in New York, but not much else. The home we planned on moving into is no longer available. Morgan made sure of that when she found the apartment for us on such short notice. She won't admit it, but I'm sure she paid someone to make that happen so quickly.
For all of her faults, she was one of the most
