Crash and Burn
Peyton looked over and saw that Scott was asleep. They had done some major catching up and best friend bonding. Somehow, she still wanted company, even though she and Scott had been talking for three hours. Sneaking a quick peak in the back, she found Josh awake.
There were now near the border of Colorado. Passing cars became more usual now. She had seen five road kill. All were gross, even though she had seen worse. Plants were more usual now.
As a game when Scott fell asleep, Peyton had tried to identify different types of plants. That's when she realized how much she really didn't know about them. Then, to pass the time, she counted how many white cars there were. Again, that didn't last very long. Now she was bored, with no games to play. What she needed was company. She looked back at Josh and then decided to talk to him.
"Josh?" She asked.
"Yeah?" Came the reply.
"Do you want to. . . Talk about something?"
"Like what?"
There really was nothing to talk about. As hard as Peyton thought, they really had nothing to talk about. She was about to say something when Josh cut her off.
"When and where are we dropping off Scott?" Josh asked. It sounded a little cold to Peyton.
"I don't know. Wherever he needs to be dropped off to finish his work. Why?"
"Oh, you know, just wondering so that we can finish this whole 'ghost from hell' thing and continue with our lives," Josh mumbled.
Peyton's mouth dropped open, surprised. That was. . . Uncalled for.
"What? Do you want my to just throw my best friend out on the streets to fend for himself?" Peyton asked angrily.
"Now there's an idea," Josh replied, sitting up and leaning next to Peyton. Seeing her look, he continued, "Ok, never mind. Just joking. It's just that this is all. . . Really surprising. I mean, first, you tell me you can't get to close to anyone mentally or physically. Now I find out you have a best friend. Not to mention the whole chasing a ghost thing is a little creepy."
"Ok, now we know how you feel. Let's hear how Peyton feels now, eh?" Peyton said, watching the road, "First, so what if I have one friend in the world? What, am I supposed to walk the earth alone? I will admit that chasing after a ghost is creepy, but seeing everything horrible someone went through just because you touched them or something of theirs, kind of takes the cake in that category. Furthermore, before Scott came, I was traveling in a car with a complete stranger!"
Josh fell back onto his seat, laying down again, "I'm not a stranger. We have talked to each other a lot. I believe that I am not a stranger anymore, since we know important things from each others lives."
"Admit it! If I wasn't psychic, we would be strangers. Either that, or you would be six feet deep right now!" Peyton replied.
"What do you mean, 'six feet deep?'" Josh asked, sitting up and leaning next to Peyton again.
Realizing what she said, Peyton covered her mouth, keeping on hand on the steering wheel.
"Nope, sorry, you can't get out of this that easily. Tell me why I'm supposed to be dead right now," Josh demanded.
"Well. . . You know that ring you had, the one with the Latin protection spell on it? That would be why you were supposed to be six feet deep right now. See, that is how the ghost knows you were a part of the people who raised it. The protection spell doesn't work on it. It could've killed you if it had found out you helped raise it. That's why Donovan died, too."
"Then why are we running from/chasing this ghost?"
"That ring had your scent on it. It may have taken the ghost a little bit, but now he knows who you are and now, he wants you dead."
Josh just sat there, mouth gaping. Peyton couldn't blame him. She just let him sit there and think about it. Eventually, she looked over at him. It looked as though he was frozen. Sighing, Peyton snapped in his face. Josh jumped. He buried his face in his hands.
"Ok, I'm going to re-think my life. As I do, I'm going to eat some candy. Please, continue driving," Josh said, finally. He began rummaging through his bag, muttering some brand names aloud, "Blow-Pop. . . Sally Snoockums. . . I guess I'll have some Pringles.
Josh laid back down, munching on the chips. Deciding she didn't want to fall back into silence, Peyton tried the radio again. She had only heard crackling when a song rang out clear.
Too strange to be strangers
Sputtering, Josh shot straight up. He leaned as close as he could to the radio and listen intently to the words.
Too far gone to be friends
Too lovesick to be lovers
Only one way this could end
Sighing, Peyton went to change the radio. Josh quickly motioned not to, and put his finger up to his lips. Peyton shot Josh a quizzical look, asking him why silently. He only put his finger up to his lips again.
Yeah I'll stick around
To crash and burn with you
The song ended, and once again crackling could only be heard through the radio. Peyton turned it off. She looked at Josh.
"Ok. . . My turn to ask questions. What the hell was that?!" Peyton whispered in Josh's ear.
Josh seemed content. He looked almost falling asleep. His eyes looked glazed over. It didn't make sense. Before, Josh was fine, then Peyton whispered something in his ear and now he was all dopey.
Quoting Josh, Peyton said, "Nope, sorry, you can't get out of this that easily."
Josh seemed to wake up. He looked at Peyton, then back at the radio. Sighing, Josh spoke, "Well, before you and Scott came to the car, I was listening to the radio and I heard that song. Then, at the song was done, all I heard was static. Just like what happened just now. Didn't the woman's voice sound. . . Sad?"
A snort came form the passenger's seat. Peyton and Josh both looked at Scott, who was still sleeping intently. His blond hair fell sloppily into his closed eyes, and while he breathed some of his hair would twirl.
"What's his story again?" Josh asked, pointing at him.
"My best friend?" Peyton offered, watching him.
"Right. . ."
"What do you mean by that?" Peyton went back to watching the road.
"Well, it's just that you're all. . . Snuggly around each other."
"Do I detect a hint of jealousy?" Peyton asked smirking. When she saw Josh make a face, she pouted, "I guess not. Well, the snuggle-ness is because we're like brother and sister to each other."
"What a coinky-dink! I've got a brother too!" Josh said with fake happiness.
Peyton slammed on the brakes. The SUV skid across the concrete, leaving behind tire marks. Scott's head shot forward, hitting on the dashboard. Josh flew forward and landed in between the seats on his stomach. Only Peyton was in control. Josh had the wind knocked out of him. Scott yelped in pain, holding his forehead. Peyton just sat there, not caring as she breathed hard.
"Ok. . . Care to. . . Explain. . . . Yourself?" Josh said between gasps. Peyton unmercifully grabbed him by the collar and brought him face to face with herself.
"YOU HAVE A BROTHER?!" Peyton yelled in his face.
"Yeah," Was all Josh could get out.
"Why didn't you tell me this before?" Peyton asked.
"Is it relevant?" Josh replied.
"Duh! You and your brother have close to the same scent!" Peyton said, despite the groans of pain coming from Scott, "The ghost could be coming after him instead of you by mistake!"
"Smooth move, Josh," Scott groaned.
Josh shot a look at Scott before turning back to Peyton, "How fast can you drive?"
"I need to know where to drive first!" Peyton said, putting the SUV in gear and waiting for directions from Josh.
So, Josh gave her directions. His brother's house was in Colorado. Putting the car in gear, Peyton floored the gas pedal. Josh flew backward, his head slamming into the soft padding of the seat behind him. In pain, Josh sat back up next to Peyton, looking at her angrily.
"We don't want another gas incident, so you better watch that gas gage!" He yelled, then turned to Scott, who was still rubbing his sore forehead, "I suggest you make sure the airbag won't kill you when it pops out!" Scott quickly sat slightly to the side.
Josh sat back in his chair and buckled his seatbelt, making sure it was tight. He looked out his window, thinking about how his brother always took care of him when growing up.
Like, for instance, the time when Josh was at a party and got really wasted. His brother, Simon, had found him passed out of the couch of the hostess' couch. The day before, their parents had told Josh if he got in trouble one more time, he going to get grounded for a month. It would have been horrible; no t.v., no computer, no phone, no friends. Luckily, Simon was feeling very big brotherly that night. He woke up Josh, and helped him out to his car. Josh had puked on the interior in the backseat of Simon's car, but Simon took it pretty good in the situation at hand.
Once at the house, their dad had stayed up waiting for them. Josh never knew how he did it, but somehow Simon stalled his dad long enough for Josh to tramp upstairs and pass out on his bed. The next day, Josh had the worst hangover in the history of hangovers. Simon had originally made plans to go out with a breakfast with his friends, but then his conscience kicked in. Canceling his plans, Simon stayed home and took care of Josh until Josh had recovered everything except his dignity.
Josh smiled, thinking about what Simon had said about Josh's dignity that day. Dignity is nothing I can help with, but, if you need it, I'll give you some of the money you need to buy big screen t.v.'s for all your friends. When Josh had asked him why, Simon had replied, Because with all the embarrassing comments you made last night, you're going to need "I'm a huge pain in the ass, I'm begging for forgiveness" gifts.
That's when Josh realized Peyton had found a radio station. A song from about two years back came on. Turning it up, Scott started singing along with it.
"They still play this song?" Peyton looked questioningly at Scott. Seeing Scott start dancing, Peyton commented, "I thought you hated this song."
"Well," Scott replied, still dancing, "It's Lily's favorite song, so it's kind of become my favorite too."
"Lily from high school?" Peyton questioned, "You still talk to her?"
She looked in her rearview mirror and saw Josh slam a pillow over his head, covering his ears. Then she heard him murmur, "If they start talking about the old days again, I swear, I'm going to puke!"
"Of course I still talk to her, Peyton. She's my wife," Scott said, then quickly covered his mouth as if he just said something he didn't want to say.
The SUV swerved and Peyton hit the brakes, not as hard as the last time. Scott pushed himself up against the backrest of the passenger's seat, trying not to fly forward. Josh, however, didn't have as much luck. His seatbelt had come unbuckled because he didn't clamp it hard enough. Rolling off the seat, he hit the floor of the SUV with a loud thump. Peyton pulled over on the side of the road.
Once the car came to a stop, Josh sat straight up. He looked angrily at Peyton. "You know, for someone who loves this car so much, you don't take great care of it. . . OR IT'S PASSENGERS!" He yelled in her ear.
Peyton was oblivious to Josh yelling in her ear. She looked at Scott, "What do you mean she's your wife? Wait, no, I know the answer to that," Her eyes focused intently on Scott, "When did this happen?"
"Two years ago. A couple of months after graduation," Scott replied, looking down at his shoes.
"What? WHY DIDN'T YOU INVITE ME?!" Peyton yelled at Scott, temper rising.
"Well, you see. . . Lily thinks you a bit. . . Eccentric," Scott replied, folding and unfolding his hands in his lap.
"Wait, let me get this straight. . . I wasn't invited to my only, no, best friend's wedding because his fiancé thought I was crazy! Oh, and I thought my life sucked already!"
"I'm sorry-"
"Get out," Peyton told his sternly, turning away from him and placing her hands on the steering wheel again.
"What?" Scott asked, looking as if he had just been smacked in the face.
"Get out!" Peyton replied, anger rising in her voice, "GET THE HELL OUT OF MY CAR!!!"
Scott scrambled out the passenger's door. Giddily, Josh climbed into the passenger's seat, happy to be in front again. He smiled smugly at Scott, glad to get rid of him. He glanced over at Peyton. Seeing her on the brink of tears, Josh's smile disappeared from his face.
"Peyton, let's talk about this," Scott said, talking through the window, "You wouldn't leave your best friend-"
Neither Peyton nor Josh caught the rest of his sentence because Peyton was speeding away at that point. Josh looked over at Peyton, concerned.
"Best friend my ass," Peyton muttered under her breath as she gripped the steering wheel tightly, "Who needs best friends, anyway?" Her eyes were now full of tears, threatening to spill over.
"Peyton, are you okay?" Josh asked, a concerned look locked on his face.
"I'm fine!" Peyton snapped. Just then a tear silently trickled down her cheek. Josh wished he could wipe away the tear, but he knew that would only make matters worse. I guess super girl is only human, Josh thought sadly to himself. He sunk in his seat, preparing for the trip that was about to change his life in more ways than one.
Peyton looked over and saw that Scott was asleep. They had done some major catching up and best friend bonding. Somehow, she still wanted company, even though she and Scott had been talking for three hours. Sneaking a quick peak in the back, she found Josh awake.
There were now near the border of Colorado. Passing cars became more usual now. She had seen five road kill. All were gross, even though she had seen worse. Plants were more usual now.
As a game when Scott fell asleep, Peyton had tried to identify different types of plants. That's when she realized how much she really didn't know about them. Then, to pass the time, she counted how many white cars there were. Again, that didn't last very long. Now she was bored, with no games to play. What she needed was company. She looked back at Josh and then decided to talk to him.
"Josh?" She asked.
"Yeah?" Came the reply.
"Do you want to. . . Talk about something?"
"Like what?"
There really was nothing to talk about. As hard as Peyton thought, they really had nothing to talk about. She was about to say something when Josh cut her off.
"When and where are we dropping off Scott?" Josh asked. It sounded a little cold to Peyton.
"I don't know. Wherever he needs to be dropped off to finish his work. Why?"
"Oh, you know, just wondering so that we can finish this whole 'ghost from hell' thing and continue with our lives," Josh mumbled.
Peyton's mouth dropped open, surprised. That was. . . Uncalled for.
"What? Do you want my to just throw my best friend out on the streets to fend for himself?" Peyton asked angrily.
"Now there's an idea," Josh replied, sitting up and leaning next to Peyton. Seeing her look, he continued, "Ok, never mind. Just joking. It's just that this is all. . . Really surprising. I mean, first, you tell me you can't get to close to anyone mentally or physically. Now I find out you have a best friend. Not to mention the whole chasing a ghost thing is a little creepy."
"Ok, now we know how you feel. Let's hear how Peyton feels now, eh?" Peyton said, watching the road, "First, so what if I have one friend in the world? What, am I supposed to walk the earth alone? I will admit that chasing after a ghost is creepy, but seeing everything horrible someone went through just because you touched them or something of theirs, kind of takes the cake in that category. Furthermore, before Scott came, I was traveling in a car with a complete stranger!"
Josh fell back onto his seat, laying down again, "I'm not a stranger. We have talked to each other a lot. I believe that I am not a stranger anymore, since we know important things from each others lives."
"Admit it! If I wasn't psychic, we would be strangers. Either that, or you would be six feet deep right now!" Peyton replied.
"What do you mean, 'six feet deep?'" Josh asked, sitting up and leaning next to Peyton again.
Realizing what she said, Peyton covered her mouth, keeping on hand on the steering wheel.
"Nope, sorry, you can't get out of this that easily. Tell me why I'm supposed to be dead right now," Josh demanded.
"Well. . . You know that ring you had, the one with the Latin protection spell on it? That would be why you were supposed to be six feet deep right now. See, that is how the ghost knows you were a part of the people who raised it. The protection spell doesn't work on it. It could've killed you if it had found out you helped raise it. That's why Donovan died, too."
"Then why are we running from/chasing this ghost?"
"That ring had your scent on it. It may have taken the ghost a little bit, but now he knows who you are and now, he wants you dead."
Josh just sat there, mouth gaping. Peyton couldn't blame him. She just let him sit there and think about it. Eventually, she looked over at him. It looked as though he was frozen. Sighing, Peyton snapped in his face. Josh jumped. He buried his face in his hands.
"Ok, I'm going to re-think my life. As I do, I'm going to eat some candy. Please, continue driving," Josh said, finally. He began rummaging through his bag, muttering some brand names aloud, "Blow-Pop. . . Sally Snoockums. . . I guess I'll have some Pringles.
Josh laid back down, munching on the chips. Deciding she didn't want to fall back into silence, Peyton tried the radio again. She had only heard crackling when a song rang out clear.
Too strange to be strangers
Sputtering, Josh shot straight up. He leaned as close as he could to the radio and listen intently to the words.
Too far gone to be friends
Too lovesick to be lovers
Only one way this could end
Sighing, Peyton went to change the radio. Josh quickly motioned not to, and put his finger up to his lips. Peyton shot Josh a quizzical look, asking him why silently. He only put his finger up to his lips again.
Yeah I'll stick around
To crash and burn with you
The song ended, and once again crackling could only be heard through the radio. Peyton turned it off. She looked at Josh.
"Ok. . . My turn to ask questions. What the hell was that?!" Peyton whispered in Josh's ear.
Josh seemed content. He looked almost falling asleep. His eyes looked glazed over. It didn't make sense. Before, Josh was fine, then Peyton whispered something in his ear and now he was all dopey.
Quoting Josh, Peyton said, "Nope, sorry, you can't get out of this that easily."
Josh seemed to wake up. He looked at Peyton, then back at the radio. Sighing, Josh spoke, "Well, before you and Scott came to the car, I was listening to the radio and I heard that song. Then, at the song was done, all I heard was static. Just like what happened just now. Didn't the woman's voice sound. . . Sad?"
A snort came form the passenger's seat. Peyton and Josh both looked at Scott, who was still sleeping intently. His blond hair fell sloppily into his closed eyes, and while he breathed some of his hair would twirl.
"What's his story again?" Josh asked, pointing at him.
"My best friend?" Peyton offered, watching him.
"Right. . ."
"What do you mean by that?" Peyton went back to watching the road.
"Well, it's just that you're all. . . Snuggly around each other."
"Do I detect a hint of jealousy?" Peyton asked smirking. When she saw Josh make a face, she pouted, "I guess not. Well, the snuggle-ness is because we're like brother and sister to each other."
"What a coinky-dink! I've got a brother too!" Josh said with fake happiness.
Peyton slammed on the brakes. The SUV skid across the concrete, leaving behind tire marks. Scott's head shot forward, hitting on the dashboard. Josh flew forward and landed in between the seats on his stomach. Only Peyton was in control. Josh had the wind knocked out of him. Scott yelped in pain, holding his forehead. Peyton just sat there, not caring as she breathed hard.
"Ok. . . Care to. . . Explain. . . . Yourself?" Josh said between gasps. Peyton unmercifully grabbed him by the collar and brought him face to face with herself.
"YOU HAVE A BROTHER?!" Peyton yelled in his face.
"Yeah," Was all Josh could get out.
"Why didn't you tell me this before?" Peyton asked.
"Is it relevant?" Josh replied.
"Duh! You and your brother have close to the same scent!" Peyton said, despite the groans of pain coming from Scott, "The ghost could be coming after him instead of you by mistake!"
"Smooth move, Josh," Scott groaned.
Josh shot a look at Scott before turning back to Peyton, "How fast can you drive?"
"I need to know where to drive first!" Peyton said, putting the SUV in gear and waiting for directions from Josh.
So, Josh gave her directions. His brother's house was in Colorado. Putting the car in gear, Peyton floored the gas pedal. Josh flew backward, his head slamming into the soft padding of the seat behind him. In pain, Josh sat back up next to Peyton, looking at her angrily.
"We don't want another gas incident, so you better watch that gas gage!" He yelled, then turned to Scott, who was still rubbing his sore forehead, "I suggest you make sure the airbag won't kill you when it pops out!" Scott quickly sat slightly to the side.
Josh sat back in his chair and buckled his seatbelt, making sure it was tight. He looked out his window, thinking about how his brother always took care of him when growing up.
Like, for instance, the time when Josh was at a party and got really wasted. His brother, Simon, had found him passed out of the couch of the hostess' couch. The day before, their parents had told Josh if he got in trouble one more time, he going to get grounded for a month. It would have been horrible; no t.v., no computer, no phone, no friends. Luckily, Simon was feeling very big brotherly that night. He woke up Josh, and helped him out to his car. Josh had puked on the interior in the backseat of Simon's car, but Simon took it pretty good in the situation at hand.
Once at the house, their dad had stayed up waiting for them. Josh never knew how he did it, but somehow Simon stalled his dad long enough for Josh to tramp upstairs and pass out on his bed. The next day, Josh had the worst hangover in the history of hangovers. Simon had originally made plans to go out with a breakfast with his friends, but then his conscience kicked in. Canceling his plans, Simon stayed home and took care of Josh until Josh had recovered everything except his dignity.
Josh smiled, thinking about what Simon had said about Josh's dignity that day. Dignity is nothing I can help with, but, if you need it, I'll give you some of the money you need to buy big screen t.v.'s for all your friends. When Josh had asked him why, Simon had replied, Because with all the embarrassing comments you made last night, you're going to need "I'm a huge pain in the ass, I'm begging for forgiveness" gifts.
That's when Josh realized Peyton had found a radio station. A song from about two years back came on. Turning it up, Scott started singing along with it.
"They still play this song?" Peyton looked questioningly at Scott. Seeing Scott start dancing, Peyton commented, "I thought you hated this song."
"Well," Scott replied, still dancing, "It's Lily's favorite song, so it's kind of become my favorite too."
"Lily from high school?" Peyton questioned, "You still talk to her?"
She looked in her rearview mirror and saw Josh slam a pillow over his head, covering his ears. Then she heard him murmur, "If they start talking about the old days again, I swear, I'm going to puke!"
"Of course I still talk to her, Peyton. She's my wife," Scott said, then quickly covered his mouth as if he just said something he didn't want to say.
The SUV swerved and Peyton hit the brakes, not as hard as the last time. Scott pushed himself up against the backrest of the passenger's seat, trying not to fly forward. Josh, however, didn't have as much luck. His seatbelt had come unbuckled because he didn't clamp it hard enough. Rolling off the seat, he hit the floor of the SUV with a loud thump. Peyton pulled over on the side of the road.
Once the car came to a stop, Josh sat straight up. He looked angrily at Peyton. "You know, for someone who loves this car so much, you don't take great care of it. . . OR IT'S PASSENGERS!" He yelled in her ear.
Peyton was oblivious to Josh yelling in her ear. She looked at Scott, "What do you mean she's your wife? Wait, no, I know the answer to that," Her eyes focused intently on Scott, "When did this happen?"
"Two years ago. A couple of months after graduation," Scott replied, looking down at his shoes.
"What? WHY DIDN'T YOU INVITE ME?!" Peyton yelled at Scott, temper rising.
"Well, you see. . . Lily thinks you a bit. . . Eccentric," Scott replied, folding and unfolding his hands in his lap.
"Wait, let me get this straight. . . I wasn't invited to my only, no, best friend's wedding because his fiancé thought I was crazy! Oh, and I thought my life sucked already!"
"I'm sorry-"
"Get out," Peyton told his sternly, turning away from him and placing her hands on the steering wheel again.
"What?" Scott asked, looking as if he had just been smacked in the face.
"Get out!" Peyton replied, anger rising in her voice, "GET THE HELL OUT OF MY CAR!!!"
Scott scrambled out the passenger's door. Giddily, Josh climbed into the passenger's seat, happy to be in front again. He smiled smugly at Scott, glad to get rid of him. He glanced over at Peyton. Seeing her on the brink of tears, Josh's smile disappeared from his face.
"Peyton, let's talk about this," Scott said, talking through the window, "You wouldn't leave your best friend-"
Neither Peyton nor Josh caught the rest of his sentence because Peyton was speeding away at that point. Josh looked over at Peyton, concerned.
"Best friend my ass," Peyton muttered under her breath as she gripped the steering wheel tightly, "Who needs best friends, anyway?" Her eyes were now full of tears, threatening to spill over.
"Peyton, are you okay?" Josh asked, a concerned look locked on his face.
"I'm fine!" Peyton snapped. Just then a tear silently trickled down her cheek. Josh wished he could wipe away the tear, but he knew that would only make matters worse. I guess super girl is only human, Josh thought sadly to himself. He sunk in his seat, preparing for the trip that was about to change his life in more ways than one.