The car roared as the engine kicked, trying to turn on. Ayame pulled the key out and put it back in trying again. Second time the key clicked and the engine turned on. Lowering the window she stuck her head out and honked the horn.
"KAGS! Hurry up!" she shouted, calling her roommate from the driveway. She popped her head back in and glanced over to the clock. It was a quarter after noon and if they didn't leave soon, they may get stuck in traffic. Turning the AC on, she turned it to the lowest dial and adjusted it accordingly. The summer heat had been pushing through the windows, and it was going to fry her if she didn't have some cool air pouring through.
"KA-GO-ME!" she shouted again.
Kagome zipped up her last bag and placed it on the ground. One huge back and two small ones, that should do. She scanned the room once more making sure that she didn't forget anything. That's something that she always did, packed everything she needed, but then get to her destination and always forget something. Ironically it wasn't always something of the utmost importance, but even the small things count. Remembering back, she thought of time she forgot deodorant for a school camping trip and smacked powder on her armpits for three days. Though it worked, it was probably one of the most annoying things to do.
Her head turned when she heard Ayame call her name. Checking her watch, she picked up her bags and started walking out of the room, only to stop by the doorway. Her mind was telling her body to hurry up before Ayame killed her, but her body didn't cooperate. Even if her mind told her what to do, she was still scared. Ayame had spent the last week convincing her that everything was going to be okay and that she wouldn't see them again. So what was the problem? The problem was that Kagome was always overthinking things, and it caused her more stress than she needed.
Her ears picked up Ayame calling her again. This time her name was separated with every single syllable pronounced. Kagome shook her head and started walking as fast as she could to the door. Running down the steps she smiled sheepishly at Ayame.
"Sorry! Sorry!" she said trying to give her roommate the apologetic smile. She placed her stuff in the trunk and popped into the passenger street. Ayame smiled at her friend and buckled up. Putting the car in reverse they backed out of the driveway and headed on their way.
An hour after they started their journey, the girls sat silently in the car. Routine conversations had died out, and they grew tired. The weather itself didn't help with trying to enjoy the car right either. The sun pounded its way through the glass, and even with the AC pouring its cool air through the car; the girls had sweat beads racing down each others faces.
"Wanna see what's on the radio?"
Kagome nodded her head. Stretched out as much as she could she the outer edge of her arm on pressed against the lower end of the seat. Her legs intertwined with each other. Any outsider would think that Kagome looked like she was deformed with the awkward way her body was slanted across the seat. But hey sometimes you need to adjust yourself to a strange position to feel comfortable
Ayame traced her finger across the buttons, keeping her eyes on the road, till she found the small round button to turn the radio on. Pressing gently, she turned it on, only to be blasted with noise. Kagome covered her ears and Ayame screamed in frustration as she lowered the volume.
"We need to stop leaving the volume so high.." she said muttering to herself and Kagome. The girls blasted the music anytime one of their favorite songs came on. What person doesn't? The only problem? They leave it like that and always forget to turn it down.
"Kags, do you think you can take over the radio?" she asked glancing over out of the corner of her eye. Kagome adjusted herself and started searching stations, when she heard a familiar song.
" AH! I Love this song!" she said smiling. The sound of clapping and started as she turned it up a little. Ayame smiled and relaxed herself in the seat; both girls adjusted themselves, because they knew what was about to happen.
~I got my ticket for the long way round
Two bottles of whiskey for the way
And I sure would like some sweet company
And I'm leaving tomorrow
What do you say? ~
As if on cue, they both started singing. Kagome using her hands started lighting tapping her legs and the seat sides, attempting to make the beat
~When I'm gone
When I'm gone
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
You're miss me by my hair
You're gonna miss me everywhere
Oh, you're gonna miss me when I'm gone~
Smiles started appearing, growing wider with each beat. Ayame tapped the steering wheel, tapping her left foot in synchronized rhythm with the song as well. Kagome lowered the windows to feel the heat summer breeze.
~When I'm gone
When I'm gone
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me by hair
You're gonna miss me everywhere
Oh, you're gonna miss me when I'm gone~
Kagome placed her hand on the window and began tapping the crevice of where the window disappeared to, tapping, tapping to the beat. Her voice growing quieter as she continued to sing the song.
~ I got my ticket for the long way round
The one with the prettiest of views
Its got mountains, its got rivers
Its got sights to give you shiver
But it sure would be prettier with you~
The chorus picked up again, and both girls got lost, dreaming about the places and adventures that still awaited them. The car grew quiet, no sounds except the chorus, carrying them away to their goals and dream.
~You're gonna miss me when I'm gone~
The song finished with the chorus and the DJ came back on.
"Blahhhhhhhh," Kagome said stretching herself out again.
"Its such a good song, I don't know why its so short. I literally could listen to it for hours." She said tilting her head towards the open window. Ayame nodded her head, as she moved over to the next lane. Turning on the signal on, she took the exit and continued on the road.
Within another hour or so, they arrived at the Higurashi residence. Kagome helped Ayame unload and they rolled their suitcases up to the door. As she was moving her hand to ring the doorbell, the door shot open. There at the door was a small petite woman, with flour on her hands and apron. She smiled a thousand smiles as she saw her visitors. Opening the door, she let them in and wiped her hands on her apron before hugging them both.
"Welcome home sweetie" whispered Mrs. Higurashi as she wrapped her arms around both of them. As if it was a warm calling they too wrapped their arms around Mrs. Higurashi as well.
"We're home. " they both said simultaneously.
The girls changed in Kagome's room and headed downstairs into the kitchen. Sota and Grandpa Higurashi helped with the luggage and carried it to their rooms. The girls both in shorts and T's donned aprons and walked over to Mrs. Higurashi and started helping out. Mrs. Higurashi started telling stories about the events that happened in Kagome's absence, laughing at the day to day activities that Sota, Grandpa, and her dealt with. Hearing her mother's laughter brought a warmth to her heart. When you're far away from home for a long time, its nice to feel that warmth. Kagome started to remember the summer days that she would lie on her mother's lap. They would talk and talk, while Mrs Higurashi would pet her head, in long stroke intervals, causing Kagome to slip into afternoon naps. And no matter what, her mother would fan her, while singing songs and stories of the olden days.
Ayame's laugh snapped her back into reality, and started listening in on their conversation again. It had that affect on her. Ayame's laugh was loud and powerful, it could wake any creature from slumber.
"Pfft" Kagome muffled a laugh, hoping she wouldn't notice.
A couples hours later, they finished settling the dough for tomorrow's lunch and started cleaning up. Ayame helped Mrs. Higurashi clean up the table, while Kagome tied up the trash.
" I'm gonna take this outside" she told them as she grabbed the bag and headed outside. Stepping outside, she got a shiver. The cool summer heat, turned into a night breeze. Clenching her fist to her side, she shivered and picked up her pace, almost running to the trashcan. Opening the lip, she threw the trash in and closed it. She was about to turn, when in the corner of her eye she saw a flash….of silver? She gasped quickly, jumping a little. Squinting her eyes, a thought came across her mind, but she shook her head. Looking around in the darkness, she shook her head one more time. What she thought she saw….nah it couldn't be. She began to walk back to the house, trying not to turn around again. She reached the door and turned around again, just to make sure.
But there all she saw was darkness. There was no one there.
A/N: Song " When I'm gone", by Anna Kendricks (Pitch Perfect).
