Hi, Thanks for such great feedback, this is truly an odd little story to write, lol. I wrote the premise and first part in 15 minutes, then I dumped it, and then I resuscitated it...


I'm glad you are enjoying it...The next part will be considerably larger, I just wanted to keep this one fresh so you get this little mini chapter...enjoy!



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We drive along, moonlight bathing the jeep as we cross mile after mile of desolate highway. My mind is spinning once more, amazed with the sharp turns and spins my life keeps taking. At one point I am trying to figure out if sanity and order can ever, or will ever, become present in my life again. I sneak a glance at Max, I think I love him. Is that even possible?


To love someone completely and utterly, without any misgivings, after only knowing them for a few hours? I think so. But as I glance at him I see everything that I am not and I wonder how he could be interested in a flighty girl like me. You see, aggressive Liz is already fading, and fading fast for that matter. I've got to resuscitate her somehow, before I slip into the pathetic Liz that I know so well.


One more glance to the left.


I don't think I can do this to him. I can't disrupt his stable life. He has sanity, I don't. Who am I to deprive him of that necessity?


I see the lights of a Rest Stop ahead.


"Can you please pull over Max?" I ask.


He flashes me a quizzical look...


"I need to use the restroom."


He nods and in a few moments the jeep is parked and I jump out. Max follows me. Damn. I turn around and look at him oddly.


"You coming with me?" I ask with a grin on my face.


He's not smiling.


Double Damn.


"What are you planning, Liz?"


"What are you talking about, I'm just going to the restroom..." I trail off nervously.


"The Truth Liz."


Damn, why is it that I have such a hard time lying to him?


"I can't do this to you Max..." I falter for a moment, losing my courage.."I can't ask you to help me, I've got 4 days Max, 4 days until I turn 18. That is an eternity Max."


I turn a little bit, staring remotely at a large snack machine.


He steps closer to me and I try not to meet his eyes for fear that if I do my whole sacrificial plan will fail.


"Liz, I'm going to stay with you." he declares as he takes hold of one of my slightly shaking hands.


I try shaking my head but he will have none of it. Instead he brings his head down and kisses me lightly on the lips. All thought seem to fail me then, and I silently curse myself for my weakness.


So we go back to the jeep, hand in hand. Once inside we stare at each other, each trying to figure out a plan to evade the law for 4 days.


I find myself unable to think of a plan. Which strikes me as horribly ironic, seeing as I just planned my way from Oregon to New Mexico.


Thankfully he starts talking.


"We need to go to a big city, where we can get lost in..."


"What about money?" there comes the practical side of me...


Max reaches into pocket and pulls out his wallet. He takes out several one dollar bills and lays them out on the dashboard. He waves his hand over them and I'm awestruck. Each of the bills is now a hundred.


He turns to me and smiles widely.


"I think that takes care of the finances, don't you?"


I return the smile.


"So have you picked a destination?"


"Vegas."


"Excuse me?"


"Las Vegas"


"Uh, Max you really don't seem like the Vegas type..." I try to control the laughter that is threatening to erupt from me at any moment.


"Oh and you do, Ms. Honor's student."


My eyes narrow for a moment, I forgot that he knew about that.


"Vegas it is then."


So Max starts the engine and all I can think is that I'm about to experience the best 4 days of my life.


Las Vegas here we come.