Marissa
We're off, at last! After two hours of loading suitcases and food into Kendra's silver van, trying to fit in the airbeds and tent and sleeping bags, pulling things out, putting them back in, and shoving towels and shoes under seats, we finally were ready to go. The boot and the back row of seats are full to the roof with stuff. There is so much stuff for five girls! There are blankets and backpacks and my hair straightener and fold out chairs and things like torches and cans around our feet. I can't help but feel excited.
It's my turn to drive today. We're doing 85 kilometres an hour and I'm not sure where we'll sleep tonight. But that's the fun of it.
Kendra's beside me in the front, silent. We're all silent. I've seen Kendra around school with her friends and I know how talkative and lively she is, but now…
I glance away from the road and see her sweep a lock of hair out of her face. Her brown, frizzy, shoulder-length ringlets are clipped together at the nape of her neck but some always escape. I've always thought of how well it suits her.
She comes from a family with five other kids so it wasn't hard to find a vehicle with room for us all. It must be so chaotic in her house, but I wouldn't know; I'm an only child.
I made the turn onto the south highway and turned the radio on. The sounds of a sweet acoustic song filled the van.
"I love this song." Tammy remarked.
"Me too."
"I haven't heard it in ages." It was quiet for a bit as everybody listened to the music.
"This bit reminds me of Adam Lambert's school talent quest audition. Do you remember that?"
"How could we forget it? He hit Penny Gallagher in the head with the end of the guitar!"
We ended up chatting non-stop for the next 100 kilometres.