She finally dragged herself out of bed and got ready, then loaded her stuff in the truck and drove over to the school.
The Cliffhangers were already in the cafeteria, eating. They weren't teasing each other as usual. It even seemed as if the whole cafeteria were subdued. Even worse, it seemed as if everyone got quiet and looked at her when she walked in. It was too much to take and she left. She didn't know where to go. She couldn't go to the weight room. She went to the loft in the lodge and sat in the dark, trying to get herself together. Finally she went to the girls dorm to get them and to say bye to the guys.
After saying goodbye to them, she ushered the girls to the van. Jet sat in the front, Juliette had the middle seat to herself, and Shelby had the back seat to herself. For the next couple of hours they rode in silence. Sophie had the radio on and would tune it whenever they got out of range. Jet and Juliette started on their homework while Shelby read. A little after noon they stopped at a hamburger place. Shelby knew better than ask for anything caffinated, but Juliette and Jet both tried.
"I'll have a Dr. Pepper," Jet said.
"Yeah, me too," Juliette said.
"Chose something else girls. Can't allow you to have caffiene," Sophie said.
The girls knew better than to argue and settled for water. Lunch was silent as well. They were afraid they might say something that would upset Sophie.
Around one they were on the road again. They drove again in silence. Sophie didn't mind, it gave her time to think.
Around three, Jet and Juliette switched places so Jet could lie down.
For dinner they stopped at a Denny's. Again, the girls were quiet. After dinner Jet reclaimed her seat in the front. After about an hour the silence finally got to Sophie.
"Why do you guys have to be so quiet! I don't think I've heard you guys say anything this whole time! For God's sake, talk!" Sophie said, hitting the steering wheel. Her eyes watered but she refused to let them fall. Jet put a hand on Sophie's arm, but Sophie shook it off. Uncomfortable, Jet climbed to the back and shared the middle seat with Juliette. Sophie felt worse. She pushed her hair out of her face and bit her lip.
"Are we going to call Daisy tonight?" Juliette finally asked.
Sophie took a deep breath. "No, probably tomorrow. She may not be home yet, and if she is, I want her to have a peaceful evening with her dad."
Juliette shrugged. Daisy seemed to be the only safe subject, but that was about all they could talk about without gossiping. Again, the car was silent.
"Are we going to stop for the night?" Shelby asked.
"I don't think so."
"Why not?"
"Because I think it would be best if we kept driving."
It was quiet again. Jet climbed back up to her seat and pulled out a book. Around nine the girls started to fall asleep. They had a long uneventful car drive and it actually made them tired. Jet put the seat all the way back so she could lie down.
When Sophie was sure they were asleep, she let down her guard. She went over and over what she was going to say to her mom, or what she would say to her sister if she spoke at her funeral. Around two she was getting tired, but she had to keep driving. She went over a small bump and it woke Jet up.
"What time is it? Where are we?" she asked groggily.
"We're about 10 hours away. And its 2am."
"Sophie, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Really?" Jet asked, skeptical.
Sophie was silent for a few seconds. "No, of course not."
"Aren't you tired?"
"No." She was, but she wasn't going to admit it.
"Really?"
"Yeah I'm tired."
"Well, do you mind if I stay up?"
"Why?"
"Well, you look like you could use some company."
"You don't have to, Jet."
"I don't mind."
"Thanks, Jet," Sophie said, finally relenting. She was touched at Jet's offer to stay up with her.
About twenty minutes later, Sophie was clearly tired. Her eyes kept glazing over and it seemed like she couldn't keep her eyes open.
"Sophie, can I suggest something?"
"Yeah. Shoot."
"I really think we should stop for the night. Super 8, Motel 6, something cheap. You really need to sleep. No offense but you look pretty bad."
"I don't want to stop...Well, I do, but I can't."
"Come on, Sophie. You'll feel better."
"Okay, but what is going to be open this late and will let me get a room?"
"I don't know, we can try different places."
Sophie relented and agreed to find somewhere to stay in the next town.
Sophie came out of the lobby of the third motel looking dejected.
"No again?" Jet asked. Shelby and Juliette were still out.
"No again."
"One more? Fourth times the charm?"
"Fourth time?"
"Yeah, well, nothing is the same for us as it is for the normal people."
"Okay, one more." They drove down the main street for a few minutes and came to a motel.
"Can I go in with you? I might have an idea."
Sophie was too tired to argue so she agreed. They went up to the reception desk where a 20-something year old boy was working.
"Can I get a room with two doubles and a roll-away. Four people."
"I'm sorry, ma'am, I don't think thats possible."
"Okay, thanks," Sophie said and turned.
But Jet had another idea. She leaned on the counter. "Listen, uh...Dan. We both come from a school for messed up kids. She's a teacher, I'm a student. Now, her sister died yesterday and the funeral is tomorrow. Not today, tomorrow. She's been driving for more than 12 hours, and we're all a little tired. So if you would be kind and compassionate enough to put us up for a night, she'd be greatful. All the other hotels have turned us away. Please don't do that to us too."
"Well, let me see what I can do." Dan typed some stuff in the computer and then looked at Sophie and Jet. "We have a couple of rooms, actually. 1st, 3rd, or 4th floor?"
"First, please," Sophie said, relieved. She stayed and filled out some stuff and Jet went to wake up Shelby and Juliette, who still hadn't woken up.
"God, you guys sleep like bricks!" Jet said. Shelby wasn't too happy about being woken up and was a bit testy.
"Why did you wake us up? What time is it?"
"Its after 2 and we're stopping at a hotel. Get your bags and lets go."
Juliette and Shelby made their way like zombies to the hotel room and changed while Sophie went to get her bags. Juliette and Jet took the first double bed and Shelby took the cot. They were all out by the time Sophie came back. Sophie barely was able to change and fell asleep on top of the bed.