EPISODE 2: Vacation Promise!
Disclaimer may be found on Chapter One
A/N: As I am an Australian writer, I have referred to many Australian roads. A 'Melway' is the Melbourne road directory and I have used it so I guess I should say thanks (bad bibliography, I know). Also, I am only 16(17 in less than a month) and therefore I haven't driven myself to Brisbane of recent. I've driven with my family a lot but not to Brisbane. I like to fly Qantas.
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"How gorgeous is this place?" Max admired the landscape around her. It was early mourning and they had only managed driving to Seymor. The sun was slowly rising over the mountains and the reflection of the trees on the mourning was like nothing Max had ever seen in Seattle.
When Max and Logan got of the Western Ring Road, they got onto the Hume Highway. The Highway travelled through some parts of the Great Dividing Range, which has some of the most beautiful National Parks and farm life found in Australia. The windows were open in the four-wheel drive that Max had stolen and the natural aroma's filled Max's nostrils.
Well, that and the fumes from the car!
"Yeah, it is pretty beautiful! In a way, this little run away is a blessing in disguise. We get to spend some time alone together." Logan looked up at Max and his eyes sparkled with the hopes and dreams that Max and Logan shared.
"Yeah...but we must be careful. We can't risk you getting hurt." Max was covered from top to bottom with clothes. She wore black boots, blue jeans, a black turtleneck and her leather gloves. She now wore her sunglasses and her Jampony cap. Max wasn't taking any chances of Logan making contact with her skin.
"So, we should be out of Victoria in about three hours. Once we hit the Murray River, we can cross over and stop for a while, maybe grab a bite to eat!" Logan had given up on the computer and now held the Melway Jondy had given them in his hand. "We should also see about getting a national map. This map is all right for Victoria and Southern NSW but it has squat on Queensland and the northern part of NSW.
"Well, Jondy said all we needed to do was take the Hume Highway all the way to Sydney then get onto the Pacific Highway going up the coast. We should be fine! I have a great sense of direction."
"Yeah, but this is a different country, with different rules and we are travelling a fair distance. We could take a wrong turn then be stuck in whoop whoop! Max burst into laughter at the remark Logan had just made.
"Where did you learn the term 'Whoop Whoop'?" Logan turned to Max with a cheeky grin only Logan could make.
"It's something Jondy said before we left. You were getting something from inside her place and Jondy and I was talking bout the trip. She said that if we take the wrong turn, we'd be of in 'whoop whoop'! It's a Aussie saying meaning, middle of nowhere! Logan was still smiling and Max couldn't believe Logan had so casually explained their new slang reference.
"Well, I can beat you with the one Jondy told me when she and I were alone!" Logan was ready for the challenge and had made it clear to Max by tossing the Melway in the backseat.
"Okay Max, try and beat my slang reference." Max kept her eyes on the road and waited a second before she let Logan feel defeat.
"She told me that if you're in the middle of nowhere or if you're in a bind, you're up 'shit creek without a paddle'. Beat that oh so confident one!"
Max and Logan were laughing so load they had to pull over. "Okay, so what was the prize!" Logan grabbed the Melway again and Max put her head on the steering wheel. After a moment she sat up again looking at Logan.
"I want you to promise me that besides the fact that we can't touch, that we will enjoy our time here. Let's savour it. Hey, we are in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. We are going to Queensland. I want to go to the beach, I want to try some of the Australian beer, the food. I want to play a game of football. I want to take my time and actually enjoy myself, for once."
Logan stayed focussed on Max for a minute then finally made the first move. He put a hand on Max's jacket and Max put her own gloved hand on Logan's hand. "Let's take a vacation!"