Chapter 7: The Charming Hitch-Hiker: Blake Lively

After watching Anne Hathaway's figure disappear into the church at the corner of the street, Evan Bell turned around and got back into his car.

Even though Evan's Chevrolet was over 30 years old, it was still very sturdy. Its faded red paint, large round fenders, and bulbous cab gave it a vintage charm. The car was built like a tank—one of those vehicles that seem unscathed in an accident while surrounding cars are crumpled wrecks. The engine had been replaced just last year, which gave Evan's mother, Catherine Bell, peace of mind about his long drive across the country.

Luckily, Evan had left early. Although there were a lot of vehicles on the road, it wasn't rush hour yet. It took him less than an hour to reach the entrance to Interstate 95, which would lead him to New Jersey in under 20 miles.

Evan had meticulously planned this road trip. Starting from New York, he would pass through 14 states—New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington DC, Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada—before arriving in Los Angeles, California. The trip spanned 2,800 miles from the East Coast to the West Coast.

He estimated it would take about forty hours to complete the trip and planned to reach Los Angeles in three to four days. This way, he'd still make it to the Eagle Rock Music Festival and enjoy the journey along the way.

At just before seven in the morning, the sun was warm but not yet scorching. As Evan drove away from the shadow of New York City's tall buildings, the sunlight slowly filled the cab, casting a gentle, warming glow.

The bustling city soon faded into the calm of the suburbs, where the road stretched on endlessly. On either side were flat grasslands, or more accurately, farms with cattle and sheep grazing. Farmhouses stood quietly amidst the greenery, with forests of what looked like pines or metasequoias in the distance. The lush green stretched endlessly, and one could almost imagine it meeting the vast blue sea, with fine white sand bridging the two.

The wide-open landscape was soothing. Despite not having slept the previous night, Evan felt energized, humming a tune and feeling unusually buoyant.

Suddenly, a figure appeared on the roadside. A slender girl stood with her thumb extended—a classic hitchhiking gesture.

Evan pulled over, crossed to the passenger side, and leaned out. "Where are you headed?"

The girl, dressed in a white shirt, denim shorts, brown boots, and a cowboy hat, had an effortlessly stylish look. Her face was partly hidden by the hat, but her cherry-red lips were visible. She stood against the backdrop of the green landscape, her white shirt gently fluttering in the breeze. A gray backpack rested beside her slender legs. There was an innate grace to her demeanor, something Evan would describe as "Innate Charm"

As Evan observed the girl, she looked back at him. His clean-cut short hair and defined features were striking, almost artistically sculpted which made him look approachable and friendly.

The girl shaded her eyes with her hat's brim. "Where are you going? Can you take me to New Jersey?"

Evan noticed her large backpack and guessed she was also on a road trip. "Sure, hop in." He opened the passenger door.

With practiced ease, the girl tossed her backpack into the seat and climbed in. After she shut the door and fastened her seatbelt, she cheerfully said, "Let's go."

As Evan started the engine, he heard her bright voice say, "Thank you! I'm Blake Lively."

Evan raised an eyebrow with a smile. "Nice to meet you, Blake. I'm Evan Bell."

Blake Lively, known for her breakout role in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and the TV series Gossip Girl, was already making waves in the fashion world despite being just fifteen or sixteen at the time. She was poised to become a significant fashion icon, having already caught the eye of notable figures like Karl Lagerfeld.

She seemed like a young girl just starting to explore her world. Blake's golden curls and youthful face, though not fully developed yet, were striking. Her green eyes were sincere, and the small mole on her nose added to her unique charm. She looked radiant, her smile bright against the backdrop of the sunlit landscape.

Evan was momentarily taken aback by her smile, but he quickly refocused. "So, you're headed to Los Angeles too?"

Blake's smile widened. "Yes, it's a coincidence! I planned to hitchhike all the way there."

Evan was surprised. If she had continued with her plan, she would have had to change rides numerous times. He chuckled, thinking that her adventurous spirit was both naïve and bold.

"Just hope your parents don't think I'm some sort of kidnapper," Evan joked.

Blake laughed. "Don't worry, they know I'm heading to Los Angeles to visit my brother. They just think I'm taking the train."

Evan remembered that Blake came from a family involved in the entertainment industry. It made sense that her family might be more open-minded, though he wasn't in a position to judge.

He decided not to probe further and instead teased her, "You look pretty young to be hitchhiking. Aren't you worried?"

Blake smiled with a hint of mischief. "You don't seem like a bad guy to me."

Evan smiled teasingly and looked Blake Lively in the eye. "Never underestimate a man's capacity for mischief."

Blake laughed and Evan felt a renewed sense of excitement for the journey ahead.