The Hitchhiker

Tyra's POV

We were driving for miles before we stopped again. Harry drove off the main road and on to a dirt one, bumping along until we got to an amazing look over. He parked the car facing back, so we could climb behind and sit while facing the beauty of the landscape.
Harry had a cooler in the back, with cold water and fruit. It was so peaceful and refreshing being out of the car for a bit.

"Is it hard driving for such a long period of time?" I ask Harry as he laid his hands behind his head. The sun was soon to set, so I was enjoying the last hour of sunlight.
"Not much.. I like driving, it clears my head, and helps me think clearly," He replies.

"Doesn't it get a bit lonely?" I continue.
"Well, now I have you, so no," He had his hat on his face but I can see a dimple peeking out so I knew he was smiling.
"A car is a man's best friend," I sigh, stretching my arms out.
"Not when it breaks down on you, it's not," Harry points out.

"It won't if you'll treat it well," I tell him.
"Ha," Harry exhales "You know, you're quite the character,"

"What does that mean?" I question, bringing my brows slightly together.
"You come up with these things, how do you even think of them?" Harry takes the hat off his face so he could look at me.

"Like what?" I knew what he meant, or at least I thought I knew, so I wanted to hear him say it, to make sure I am correct.
"I mean, you answer by quoting songs, or changing phrases around- like instead of saying- a dog's a man's best friend- you say a car is-"
"Well it's true! You should see the boys I grew up with! Forever working on their trucks, spending hours on nothing- it's the love of their lives, I don't think they can love a girl more then they love their four sets of wheels," I state.

"You see? You come up with things and I can't even argue with you, because for some crazy reason it makes sense," He sighs.
"Well I am happy to widen your horizon," I smirk.
"Were you always like this?" Harry drops the hat back on his face, putting his arms behind his head once more.
"A smart ass? Yes," I lay back myself.

The truth is I wasn't always like that. I mean, I always used to think it in my head, but I kept to myself. Until one day I was out on the swings with him.
He was pushing me, making me go higher and higher, and I told him it was a good thing humans can't fly like birds can. He asked why, and I told him my theory.

I told him, that people should work hard for knowledge, and money, because this way they will appreciate it better. When he asked what that has to do with flying, I asked him which parts of the world he wants to see.
He gave me a list of places. When he was done I told him he just proved my point, since if he had the ability to up and fly, he would do it without a blink of an eye, in oppose to how we do it now. You need to save up to travel, and since you have a long list, you will read about these places and learn about their customs, and pick and choose and get ready and let the excitement build, which makes it so much more meaningful and appreciating- special.

He stopped pushing the swing then, coming around so he could see my face.
"Tyra," He said "When did you come up with this?"

I told him just now, as I was swinging, and he wanted to know how many other theories I have. We spent the day sharing thoughts and dreams. He taught me to speak my mind, and share my thoughts, not be scared of what people will say or do, since he thinks it is amazing the things I come up with. I was only 6 then, and he was 8, but we were so close, even though our age difference.

"I think we should get back on the road, unless you want to sleep tonight in the pickup," Harry sat up, putting the hat back on his head. I rose to my feet, following him off and around the car, still deep in thought about my perfect childhood.

"Are you better?" He asks sitting down and closing the car door.
"Sure," I offer a wide smile. I was happy he hadn't asked questions and left me be. I don't think I am ready to talk and share my story, neither of us is, and he had a story, I am sure of it.

"We should get to Alabama in an hour," Harry spoke up after a while. I look up at him letting my mind race.
"Where are you planning on going from there?" I ask, making it seem as if I am just making conversation.
"Well, maybe Georgia, or straight to south Carolina.. I haven't made up my mind," He shrugs.

His hat was no longer on his head, a mop of messy curls showing. Every now and then he swipes his hand through them, which made me think of him, how he did the same, only his hair was blonde and straight.
"I hear it's nice there," I don't let the conversation die "It is on the route to New York- Have you been?" I question nonchalant.
"I want to, maybe we should pass there, what do you say?"

This was my chance, and I was ready for it, "It's my dream to get to see New York! I would love to go there!" I beam at him.
Harry smiles and nods.

New York is a good place to go to. He wanted to go there, which means he probably did, which meant I might find someone who knows him, and will point a finger. I already felt closer than I felt before.

Harry's POV

It was dark and I was tired.
I knew there is a place for us to stop at up ahead, and I prayed they still had some spare rooms.
Tyra was quiet, and she looked as if she was ready to sleep too.
"There," She points out, and I see the lights off the road. We are here.
I park the car and we get out. I hold the inn's door for her and she mumbles a thank you.

She follows me to the main desk, and is silent when I ask for two rooms.
"Sorry sweetie, but I only have one available room, we are packed for the horse race tomorrow," The tired woman explained.
I turn to look at Tyra, "They have only one room, do you want to continue driving to the next inn?"

Before Tyra had the chance to answer the woman spoke up.
"You'll be driving for a while then, since we are the only inn close by,"
I look back at Tyra.

"Do you snore?" She questions.
"NO! Do you?" I furrow my brows.
"No, well I guess we can share the room then, unless.." She trails off. I have no problem sharing a room with her, and since it seemed that she had no problem sharing one with me I was ready to take it, not willing to drive anymore today if I don't have too.
I go back to the car to get my things while she waits in the lobby.

When I am back, she is leaning over the desk showing the woman something. The woman shakes her head and hands it back. Then she reaches out touching Tyra's hand in sympathy.
I walk up to them, and Tyra smiles at me.

"Ready?" She holds out the key for me.
"She gave you the key already?"
"Yes I paid up front," She explained.
"I would have paid for it," I look down at her face.
"No, you've driven the whole day and paid for the gas, so I paid for the room," She holds up a hand.

We stride towards where the rooms are, and I note the restaurant. I am not sure what I want more, a shower, food, or to go to sleep.
I unlock the door to the room and push open the door. It is small and cozy, with a king size bed, and nice homey lamps on each side. It had a flat telly across and a table with fruit and water.

"I'm hungry, feel like going back down and seeing what is there to eat?" Tyra inquired.
"Come on then," I put down my bag, and swipe at my curls, getting them out of my eyes.

When Tyra passes me she offers out a rubber band. I grin and take it, pulling my hair back and fastening it with the band.
When we reach the lobby there are people there who seem to just get back from somewhere, talking in excitement among each other. I notice Tyra glancing at them, moving from face to face, as if looking to see if she knows one.
I am not sure if she is running from anyone or looking for someone.

We find a table and sit, looking over the menu. Tyra orders a hamburger, and I do the same.
When the waitress emerges with our food, Tyra asks for ketchup and mayonnaise. When I glance at her pulling a face, she shrugs, "It's for the fries,"

"You eat mayo with your chips? That is disgusting," I pull a face.
"You mix it with the ketchup- and it is amazing!" Her eyes are shining with delight.
When the waitress is back, Tyra dips a chip into both sauces and then hands it out to me.
"Come on big man, try it," She dares me. I take it from her, since I am not one to say no to foods, and take a bite.
"Not bad," I nod at her, which earns me a smile.

Once are bellies are full, we go back to the room.
"I'll take the floor," I tell her mentally picking the spot where I would sleep.
"Don't be silly, if you promise not to try anything, we can share the bed," She glances at me as she takes some things out of her bag. I don't get a chance to answer, when she heads with her bundle of clothes into the bathroom. I sat myself on the bed looking after her. I play this last day in my head. What a happy person she is, always smiling, always chatty, always has something funny or smart to say. Then I remember the moment of tears, and wonder once more, what could have made them fall to her cheeks.

Just then I notice the bag she left on the bed. Peeking out of it was the journal she kept opening throughout the day, and which she opened to read some things from. A photo was sticking out like a bookmark, and I recognize it to be the thing she showed the lady at the front desk. I know I shouldn't, but I do it anyway, I reach out and pull it loose bringing it up to my eyes to examine closely. It is a photo of a boy, he seems about her age, though it is also old, which means he might be older. He is blond, with blue eyes and a happy smile on his face. He has on a button down shirt, sleeves rolled up lazily, an guitar tucked under his arm.

I guess she is not running, but looking. I take another look at the photo before putting it back where I found it. I wonder if that is a boyfriend, and what made her leave home and go look for him? I cannot ask her, since then she will know I went through her belongings, and for some reason I wasn't sure why, but I didn't want to know. I didn't want to know she is looking for her loved one. I wanted her to be like me, working out issues on a road trip, not searching for someone who doesn't want to be found.

When Tyra comes out of the shower, the room fills with the smell of soap and softness, her wet hair up in a towel. She has on an over sized Tshirt and sweat pants. I head in to the bathroom after her, not saying a word, and let the cold water wash over me. My thoughts took me back to Megan.
How different Tyra was from Megan. First their looks, where Tyra is fair skinned with a light hair colour, Megan was darker with dark curls. Tyra has brown eyes where Megan had green. Megan was so serious and had everything planned out, while Tyra was always laughing and up for anything- so it seemed. God Megan. The harsh lights from that night flashed in front of me, making me grip at the wall so I won't fall. How everything changed.

I dried myself and put on some shorts walking back out t to find Tyra already tucked under the duvet fast asleep. I wonder when the last time she had a good night's sleep was. I crawled into the bed beside her. Maybe we were not that different as I thought after all, maybe she was just as broken.

Notes

Hi all you wonderful people who read my first chapter and believed enough in this story to read the next! Thank you sooo much!
I don't know how many of you read my other stories, but I am trying to make this one a little different, like about life, and memories and family, and I don't even know if I am explaining this correctly, however, does it even matter? I guess the only thing that does is that you enjoy it and it makes you happy...

Thank you for such lovely comments! It makes my day to read them!
I am already working on the next chapter, and I can't wait to update!

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Take care amazing people! all the best!
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