Chapter 6: Get Comfortable

"Did you do it?" asked Maria. Her facial expression was different now.

Danny noticed that she didn't seem as angry as she did when Danny began. She had gradually begun to ease as he told the story. Danny was glad that she wasn't irritated anymore. She was annoying.

"No," said Danny simply. "And my dad said that I'm going to have to turn myself in."

"Well, are you?"

"I don't know."

"I agree with your dad."

"What? You want to see me locked up?"

"I didn't mean it like that!"

Both of their angers were rising again. But they both stayed calm. Danny was in a bad situation, and he didn't want to crazy.

"Let's find somewhere to sleep first, then I'll turn myself in."

"Do you know a place?"

"Didn't I just say that I didn't know where we were!"

"Sorry!"

The two walked off in silence, hoping to find a motel or something. As they walked, they found a motel and diner. Danny was surprised that the diner was still open. He was hungry also. He looked at Maria.

"Do you have any money?"

"Don't you have any?"

"All I have is chunk change."

She sighed and reached into her purse. He was glad that she didn't forget it in the car. Danny did feel a little guilty for ruining her car. But he didn't want to admit. It was true. He was furious at her. Especially since she was already dating. And the way she was acting now didn't make it any better.

"I have forty-five dollars," said Maria. "We can't spend much."

"This is an old diner. We shouldn't be able to spend much."

"With food and a room? Think about it!"

That did make him think.

"The best thing to do buy the cheapest thing on the menu."

"What if the cheapest thing is nasty," said Danny. "Look. The most something will cost is five dollars. And we're only spending money for one night. Let's just get a burger or something. That shouldn't cost too much."

"I guess."

Maria did sound depressed. Probably because she couldn't beat what he just said. The two proceeded to walk towards the diner and get their food. They sat down at a booth and waited for a waiter to approach them.

Trix's son looked at the menu. He was right. A burger was only $3.49. Fifty cents more for some fries. Drinks were only $1.50. Danny just got a burger and decided to pass on the fries. Maria would probably spaz out on that. He put his menu down while Maria was still looking.

The waitress walked up soon and asked,

"What would you like?" to Danny.

"The burger and a Sprite."

She wrote his order and turned to Maria.

"And what would your girlfriend like?"

"We're not dating," Maria said quickly. "Chicken Tenders and a Pepsi please."

The waiter wrote down the remainder of the order and took their menus.

When they finished eating, they walked to the Motel. Maria walked to the desk first and asked the receptionist,

"Can we have a room?"

"I'll have to see your I.D.," said the receptionist putting a cigarette out.

Maria's face cringed and Danny put on a smirk. He knew she couldn't stand to be around smokers. This is why Alex never smoked around her. He only saw her at school or when she was over Danny's house. And Alex never smoked in those locations.

Maria handed the guy her I.D. and he looked over it. He handed back to her.

"No can do."

"What do you mean!" asked Danny frustrated.

"I can't give a room to anyone underage."

Maria's birthday was in about a month.

"Well, I'm seventeen," he said. "Can't you let that slide."

The receptionist shook his head.

"Sorry. Eighteen or older. You know. Like those call orders on the T-."

Danny didn't bother to hear it and he walked off and Maria followed him. He knew Maria was upset, but unlike her, he showed his anger.

"Now what are we gonna do?" yelled Danny.

"We can find some shelter somewhere," said Maria looking around.

"Where!" he yelled again, throwing his hands up.

"Quit yelling! I'm trying to think."

Danny quit so she could come up with something. He was way too angry to think.

"Look. There's a house over there."

"Right there? It looks broken down. They're tearing it down in three days!"

"Which means no one will be in there."

"Fine."

The teenagers walked over to the house and climbed through the broken window. They were looking for a space to lie down in. Maria then shrieked.

"What?"

"I just saw a rat!"

"You'll live."

Maria started to find anything to find something to cover her from the rodents. Danny hit the floor and stretched out. He fell asleep while recalling everything that happened.