7 Chapter 6: Road Tripping

The relationship between Chris and Heather became awkward. The two didn't talk much during the meal, mainly because Heather was too embarrassed to say anything. Francis told Heather to sit down in the living room while packing the car.

"Alright, spill it, what happened between you two," Francis asked, hoping for some clarification.

"I told you everything that I know," replied Chris.

"Well, something happened besides you sleeping with her. She wouldn't act like this otherwise. So, let me rephrase, what happened last night."

"I didn't sleep with her!" shouted Chris.

"That's not what I saw."

This has now become an interrogation. Francis was worried about Heather. He'd never seen her act like she did this morning. He knew something had to have happened. 

"I asked her what her opinion was of us becoming a couple," Chris answered shyly.

"What the hell! You know that kind of talk doesn't end well with her. It makes her think too much of home. You didn't act on what you said, did you?"

"No, I didn't. I fell asleep before I got a response."

Chris was now in shock. He went inside to grab another bag when he was tackled right inside the door. 

"I'm sorry," said Heather, hugging Chris tightly. "I heard you get scolded by Francis. That made me feel uneasy," Heather said sniffling. "It wasn't your fault, it was mine. My emotions got the better of me last night and now I'm just in a mood because I'm tired."

"Yeah, that's nice. Now if you don't mind could you get off of me. You're hurting my arm and I can't breathe."

"Oh sorry about that," she said standing up brushing off her shirt.

"HEY! The car's all packed and we are ready to go," exclaimed Francis. "We have a three-hour drive ahead of us."

The three got in the car. Francis was driving, Chris was sitting in the front seat, and Heather was passed out asleep in the back before they even left the driveway.. 

"How long do you think she'll stay like that?" asked Francis.

"Probably the entire trip. Why don't you put the top up so she doesn't catch any bugs in her mouth?"

Once the car pulled up to a traffic light, Francis pushed a button which caused the top of the green convertible to unfold on top of them. The light turned green, and the car turned on to the highway.

"Can we turn on some music or something? I'm tired of listening to Ms. snores-a-lot in the back seat," asked Chris with an annoyed look on his face.

"Remember, I'm stuck with the old sixties music."

"Yeah, that's fine. Anything better than listening to her."

"I guess it's bothering you that much?" asked Francis.

The green car continued to roll down the highway. The two boys were singing their hearts out to the splendid music of the sixties.

"You know, I'm not gonna lie, this music is catchy. It's kinda good," said Chris in between songs.

"yeah unlike your singing ability."

"Ha ha hilarious." said Chris sarcastically.

It was around nine in the nine in the morning. Francis pulled off the highway to a gas station. His GPS said they still had another hour left of travel. Francis got out of the car to pump gas. With all the commotion going on, Heather woke up. She blinked a few times. She had a confused look on her face.

"W-where are we," she asked, still dazed.

"We are at a gas station one hour away from home. You missed the trip," said Chris slyly.

"WHAT WHY DIDN'T YOU WAKE ME UP!" roared Heather.

"Well, you looked so peaceful. We didn't want to disturb you. But let me let you, it was amazing." 

Heather was furious, but at the same time she was visibly upset. She had been looking forward to this trip all weekend, and she missed it. She unbuckled her seatbelt and lunged forwards and attempted to punch Chris in the face.  She missed instead; she hit the radio, turning it on. Francis noticed the commotion going on in the car. He opened his door and yelled inside.

"The more you two squirm around in there, the longer it's gonna take. You don't want to be late to the tour."

"So we didn't miss it YOU PIECE OF SHIT!" 

She swung again at Chris, this time striking him in the nose. A few seconds later drops of blood came out of his nose. Chris immediately pinched it shut and began frantically searching through the center console for napkins. Francis opened the door again to yell at them, but this time he saw the blood on Chris's hands.

"Holy shit dude, I'll go get some napkins," yelled Francis halfway to the convenience store. 

Once Francis returned, they all sat at a picnic table under some trees.

"I feel like I'm having to ask this way too much, but what the hell happened?" asked Francis in a raised voice. 

"He was trying to tell me I missed the trip. He keeps picking on me," sobbed Heather.

"Well for starters, you didn't miss anything besides Chris's horrible singing."

"I'm right here you know."

"Now Chris, why do you keep picking on poor Heather?"

"Well, you see, my aunt had this saying "If I didn't pick on you, how would you know that I cared about you?" and I take that saying to heart."

"Well then, I guess you don't care about me then do you," said Francis.

"You're a different story. Anyways, my nosebleed is gone, so let's get back on the road."

"Ok but this time, you get the back seat," said Heather with revenge.

"But I-"

"Do you want me to punch you again," scolded Heather.

"Fine," winced Chris.

The three got in the car and turned onto the road. Forty-five minutes later Francis turned the car onto a dirt road. They were now in mountainous terrain. As they continued, the road became narrower and narrower now only having barely a wide enough road to fit their car.

At last they arrived at the gate. The green car pulled up to the gate and a woman in her late 30s leaned out the window.

"Name."

"Francisco Shirker."

"Please pull ahead."