I was driving down the interstate when a crushing weight landed on my chest. I gasped and pulled over and jumped out of the car clawing at my chest trying to breath.
Crap.
After a few more minutes passed I took a deep breath and sat on the ground. My hands were shaking and my stomach felt sick. I knew why to. I'd been having panic attacks since I left home.
I was drowning.
I looked up at the sky and closed my eyes. What flashes before them was my life. My pathic , boring life. Head cheerleader, prom queen, straight A student and now I was on my way to medical school. I was my parent's dream child. I listened to the right music and said the right words. Never in trouble. Never done drugs. Took till I was 21 to kiss a boy. I've had maybe one drink of alcohol my whole life. But deep down I knew it wasn't me. I craved rebellion. But still i stayed put. Never being bad. And here i was sitting on the side of the road having a freaking panic attack at the thought of going to med school and fulfilling out my life that was written for me.
I got up and dusted off my pants before taking a look around at my surroundings. I was at a crossroads. The left would take me to school but the right would take me to California. I stopped and looked at the sign again.
California.
I've never been to Cali. I've seen places of it on tv. I wondered what it would be like. I took a step towards the right and stopped biting my lip. I looked towards the left and felt that tightness in my chest return. I got in my car and looked at the signs again and with a gasp hit the gas and took a right.
Oh my goodness.
As I was driving I looked at my GPS and saw it flashing because I was going the wrong way. I quickly turned it off and continued on slowly feeling the tightness dissipate.
1 week later
I took a bite of my burger and looked out over the sea. It was a truly breathtaking sight. The water was so blue and the sky was cloudless.
I reached into my bag and pulled out the map I bought at a gas station and looked it over wondering where to go next. I laid the map down on my hood and closed my eyes before slamming my finger down as I opened my eyes I lifted my finger and saw it pointed to the town of Charming.
"How Charming" I said making myself laugh. I folded up the map and got back in my car putting Charming in my GPS and started to drive. It took about four hours to get there.
As I drove in i was taken back by how small it was. There were mom and pop shops all down Main street. I was in awe. It was so cute. As I kept driving I stopped at a red light and a rumble made me turn my head. I looked to my right I was met with the sight of a biker. My eyes went wide as I took in the vest and bike. I looked up and saw he was staring at me. I gave a small squeak and my foot slipped of the break and hit the gas.
My car jumped forward and a car from oncoming traffic hit the front end making me jerk and hit my head against the windshield.
"Crap!" I yelled grabbing my head.
I got out of the car and walked over to the other car.
"I'm so sorry" I said to the man as he got out. It was only then I noticed it was a police jeep. Oh you've gotta be kidding me.
"What do you think you were doing?" he asked looking at me with his hands on his hips.
"My foot slipped off the break. I promise I wasn't trying to run the light" I said back.
The man sighed and looked at the jeep shaking his head at the dent.
"I have really good insurance." I said "So it shouldn't be a problem getting your jeep fixed."
The man nodded and looked at me car. I looked down and almost started crying at the headlight missing and the smoke coming out of it.
"Is there a garage near by?" I asked
"Yeah I'll give them a call." He said pulling out his phone.
"Deputy chief Hale" he said putting his hand out while dialing a number "Don't think I've seen you around here"
"Just passing through. I'm Sarah." I said shaking his hand.
"Looks like you've got a bit of a problem deputy" a man said riding up on his bike. It wasn't the same man that had caused me to hit the gas but he was equally as intimidating in his vest.
"Seems I do. Maybe your shop will finally be of some use" Hale said looking at the man with a bit of a glare.
"Guess so" the man said giving him a smile. The man drove off and I watched him go seeing a few other bikers follow him including the one that put me in the situation I'm in. I looked over at Hale and saw him shake his head before putting the phone to his ear. He spent sometime talking before giving the crossroads and hanging up.
"Tow truck is going to be here soon" he said leaning against his jeep.
I nodded my head and took one last look at my car before opening the door and grabbing my back pack.
"Are there any hotels or bnbs near by?" I asked looking back at Deputy Chief Hale.
"One just down the road from the garage. I can take you there once the guys come pick up your car" he said giving me a kind smile.
"Thank you." I said before reaching into my glove compartment and flipping through the papers and finding my insurance information. "Here's my insurance card." I said handing it over. Hale wrote down the insurance info before handing it back.
"So what brings you to Charming?" He asked after a few minutes of silence.
"Exploring California." I said looking out over Main Street "Just happened to point here while trying to figure out where to go next" I said with a small smile.
"Road trip before college?" He asked
"Don't know yet about college. Just enjoying the freedom" I answered right before the tow truck pulled up. It was a big yellow truck with Teller-Marrow written on the side.
A very tall man with a beard and beanie on jumped out followed by a much smaller man they both walked over to us nodding at the Deputy before walking over to me.
"This your car?" The taller man asked
"Yes" I said getting up and walking over "Names Sarah thank you for coming by" I said holding my hand out.
"No problem" he said giving my hand a firm shake before introducing himself as Opie.
"It's nice to meet you" I said smiling at Opie.
"You as well." He said before mentioning for his partner to start loading up my car.
"Come on Sarah I'll take you to the bnb while they take care of your car" Deputy Hale said walking closer to me.
"She can't go just yet Hale I need her to fill out paperwork back at the shop." Opie said straightening up.
"She can't do that later?" Hale asked Opie looking a little irritated.
"Nope need her to fill it out when we get there if we're gonna tow her car" Opie said as his partner finished pulling my car up on the bed. "I'll make sure she gets to the bnb alright." Both men had a brief stare down before I interrupted.
"It's alright Deputy I can go with them." I said giving Hale a small smile before looking over at Opie who nodded and started walking back to the cab of the truck and opening the door for me. As we drove off I saw the Deputy watching us as we drove off towards Teller-Morrow.