(3) Speed

"Los Angeles." I said and glanced at Alice. She was glowing. Her skin looked luminescent under the dashboard lights. Her expression became exalted. She reached down and pulled out a CD.

"I had a feeling we were going to need this."

"What is it?" I stared at the CD and watched her push it into the player.

"I knew one day we would take a road trip. Well actually I hoped we would. It's a mixed CD of road trip songs." She pushed play and instrumental music filled the car.

I laughed and rolled my window up. She turned the dial up and Joan Jett's I love Rock and Roll blared from the speakers.

"This is awesome." I said and sang along to the song. Alice joined me then I fell silent. Alice had a beautiful voice better than any pop singer. I couldn't ruin the song as she sang.

"Come on." She said and motioned for me to join in.

"I love rock and roll, put another dime in the juke box and dance with me." I sang and Alice stepped on the gas.

We turned on the 5 freeway and passed the Washington welcome sign. The night turned dusky and the light filtered through the trees. Everything was orange as the sun sank into the ocean. I watched the lighthouses turn on their beacons. I wondered what Edward would think? Would he be mad? He really caused this behavior. He could only blame himself.

"Alice, how fast are you going?" I could feel the car rocking underneath the wind.

"Not fast." She said and lowered the dashboard lights.

"How fast?" I said and watched her guilty expression.

"Ninety-five."

"Holy cow, slow down. I want to make it to LA in one piece." I yelled and saw Alice turn my direction.

"Bella, I am a very good driver. Probably better than Edward, I let my instincts guide me."

"Alice, I don't know."

"Trust me." She smiled and turned her attention to the highway.

Kelly Clarkson's, Since You've Been Gone, played and I folded my arms across my chest. Why am I fighting with Alice? Didn't I want to be more adventurous? I needed to chill out. The new Bella doesn't get scared and certainly wants to have more fun.

"Okay, fine, sorry for being a downer." I said and turned the music up.

"Finally, let me show you how fast the Porsche can really go." She smiled and moved the clutch into gear.

"Umm, Alice not to be a worrier but how fast does this car go?"

"This car has 415 horsepower, six cylinder, goes zero to sixty in 3.8 seconds, and Rosalie tweaked the engine she upped the torque and curbed the weight, so it's probably way faster."

"I don't know what that means." I grimaced but it sounded extremely fast.

"It's top speed use to be 193 mph, now it's closer to 210 or 220 mph. something like that."

"Wow."

"I know this highway it's fairly clear except for the occasional lumber truck. Let's open her up." She revved the engine.

I closed my eyes and gripped the seatbelt. Alice pressed the clutch and switched gears. Suddenly the bottom of my stomach dropped out. I felt like I was on a roller coaster. I gulped and opened one eye. I saw nothing but blurry lines flowing across the windshield. Oh Jesus, I shut my eyes again.

"Hey, you're missing the scenery." She said.

"It's okay, I don't like scenery. I'm more of a destination girl. Just get me there in one piece." I sighed and prayed that Alice was looking at the road not my horrified expression.

The car suddenly lost its immense power. I felt the car surge forward then Alice pulled off the highway.

"You broke it." I gasped.

"No, I ran out of gas." She said and groaned.

"I don't suppose you have extra gas."

"You suppose correctly."

"How did you run out of gas?" I asked incredulously. Duh, she didn't know my diabolical plan to go to Los Angeles. She grimaced and opened the driver side door.

I opened the passenger door and walked to the edge of the highway. No cars could be seen on either side. The road was pretty empty not to mention pitch black. I felt a sudden chill run over my spine.

"Can't you just carry the car to a gas station?" I questioned and shrugged my shoulders. Good idea, Bella.

"Umm, I'm pretty sure that it would be noticeable if a petite girl was carrying a thousand pound piece of machinery."

"How far are we?"

"We are in Oregon. Actually were near the California state line about 300 miles or so. We made good time. Unfortunately we are seven miles from a gas station."

"Oh, crap."

"Yes, that's correct, Oh crap."

A blinding light turned the curve on the highway. It was heading in our direction.

"Let's hitchhike to the gas station." Alice said and pulled out her purse. She beeped the Porsche to lock it and stood at the edge of the road.

"Umm, Alice but were girls."

"No you're a girl. I'm a vampire." She grinned and held her thumb out.

"Alice, just let Edward know where were at." I suggested.

"I can't besides he would just take us home, were having fun damn it. I didn't get you all dressed up for nothing. Alice Cullen promised a good time and I deliver!"

"I don't think this is a good idea." I said and moved next to her.

"It'll be okay." She said as the truck moved closer. I gasped because the truck started to slow down and I heard the brakes squeal.