By some miracle, Carter also gets to graduate, so to celebrate we leave campus in his truck to treat ourselves to a non-cafeteria lunch on the last day before finals. After driving to the Gas N’ Go to pick up some hot box food, we head to the park to have ourselves a picnic. A few other seniors are here, too, since they’re letting us leave campus for once, and options are pretty limited around Colcord.
We’re about to lay claim on the last open picnic table when a low voice comes from behind. “Hey, that one’s ours.”
I turn to see two of the football players in their blue jerseys. They each hold an extra-large drink in one hand and a pizza box in the other. While Carter and I pause, the guys waltz right past us and plop down at the table. I open my mouth to go off on them when Carter places a hand on my shoulder and shoots me a warning look.
“Come on,” he says, nodding toward a shade tree with a four-square slab beneath it. “Let’s eat over there.”
“Good idea,” one of the football players says with a coarse laugh.
Carter walks toward the slab, but I stay put for a second, glaring down at the two jocks. I take a sip of my Dr Pepper. “Think it’s time to lay the jerseys to rest, boys. Football season ended six months ago.”
The bigger of the two guys scowls at me. “Shut up, K. J. Nobody asked you.”
“Just saying.” I shrug before turning to leave. One of them mutters something else, but it’s too low for me to make out.
Carter is already sitting cross-legged on the cement, so I take a seat across from him.
“I hate those guys,” he says as he unwraps a Hot Pocket.
“I know, but two more days and we’re done with all these a-holes and their high school hierarchy,” I remind him.
“True.” He eats half the Hot Pocket in one gigantic bite. “There’s a bright side to everything I guess,” he says, still chewing. “So… what’s next on your grandpa’s list?”
“Yellowstone.” I douse my greasy burrito in a packet of hot sauce before taking a bite.
“Do you have to pet a bear or some kinda crap like that?”
“Nope, just go for a hike. Should be a piece of cake.”
“A piece of cake with shit icing though, right?” Carter laughs at his own joke.
I swipe at my mouth with a napkin and nod. “Shit icing—that’s a good way to describe my cousin.”
“I’m only going off your description of her since I’ve never met the girl myself.” He reaches down to flick away a beetle crawling near his foot.
I watch it roll back onto its little legs and resume its trek across the slab, but out of reach of Carter this time. “You wouldn’t like her.” The thought of Carter hanging out with Becka sends a twinge of jealousy through me, which is weird. It’s not like they’d ever be friends anyway.
The Hot Pocket finished off now, Carter starts in on his fries. “So when do you leave to go see Smokey the Bear?”
“In a couple weeks, I think. I need to look at the dates again.”
“Cool.” He gives an appreciative nod. “You’re, like, turning into a badass wilderness woman now.”
I can’t help but grin. I think that’s the nicest thing Carter’s ever said to me, even if it’s not exactly true. “Yeah, I even get real hiking boots and everything.”
“Nice.”
“Hey.” I pull a folded piece of paper from my back pocket and toss it toward Carter. “Can you quiz me for U.S. government?”
“Seriously?” Carter unfolds the paper and scowls down at it. “Guess you weren’t joking about all this.”
“Duh. I told you I wasn’t.”
He gives a loud sigh and crams the last few fries in his mouth. “Fine. I’ll quiz you.”
We make it through the whole study guide, and I’m feeling pretty good about things, especially since I have plans to do more studying at home this evening. With finals counting for a big chunk of our grades, maybe I’ll even manage to pull an A or two on this final report card. Wouldn’t that be something?
I’ve barely had time to adjust to my newfound freedom before it’s time for Grandpa’s second trip, but my stuff is packed and I’m ready to roll. Or fly, at least. Having already tucked one flight under my belt, I’m not nearly as nervous this time around. In fact, I tell Mom I’m going to hold off on the Xanax for now, but I keep two in my pocket, just in case.
“Take some pictures, will ya?” she asks as she’s dropping me off. “I’d love to see what it looks like.” I could be wrong, but there might be a hint of jealousy in her voice. Too bad, so sad, I think. Grandpa knew she and RaeLynn would never go on these trips together, so she’ll just have to miss out.
I haven’t seen Becka since our last trip, but it’s apparent our time apart hasn’t made our hearts grow any fonder. She’s beat me to the gate again and gives me the stink eye as I approach. I smirk, not even bothering with a greeting. She opens her mouth like she might say something, but then stays mute. I’ve brought reading material of my own this time: The Maze Runner. Figured
